Tag: Christmas

Children's Book Recommendations

An Anishinaabe Christmas

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An Anishinaabe Christmas book recommendation is by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.)

Baby is holding a present while standing next to a Christmas tree. He is wearing boots and a winter coat..

An Anishinaabe Christmas 

by Wab Kinew (Author), Erin Hill (Illustrator)

Brief summary: On winter solstice, Baby and parents go from the city to the country to visit Kookom and Mooshom on the Rez for Christmas. Baby asks questions along the way, learning new Anishinaabe words, family traditions, and nearby Nature.

Comments: A pronunciation guide is in the back to help say the Anishinaaabe words.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

The selected children’s books are chosen by a highly qualified retired elementary school librarian who passionately reads and recommends picture books to teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book enthusiasts.

Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is the complimentary copies she receives, which are duly noted.

Children's Book Recommendations

Nisha’s Just-Right Christmas Tree

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Nisha’s Just-Right Christmas Tree book recommendation is by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.)

Nishas is wearing a blue hat with a matching scarf. Her winter coat is red. She is standing in the middle of fir trees looking up with a smile on her face.

Nisha’s Just-Right Christmas Tree 

by Susan Lynn Meyer (Author), Jaya Mehta (Author), Parvati Pillai (Illustrator) 

Brief summary: Nisha is excited to go with her father to pick out a live Christmas tree being sure that it is not too tall or small and can hold all of the ornaments from her grandparents in India and from her grandparents in Maine.

Comments: A lovely book of how to combine both cultures to make new and old Christmas traditions together for the next generation. There is an Authors’ Note in the back of the book.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

The selected children’s books are chosen by a highly qualified retired elementary school librarian who passionately reads and recommends picture books to teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book enthusiasts.

Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is the complimentary copies she receives, which are duly noted.

Children's Book Recommendations

One Foggy Christmas Eve

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One Foggy Christmas Eve book recommendation is by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.)

One Foggy Christmas Eve 

by Kerilynn Wilson (Author, Illustrator)

Brief summary: A girl and her parents want to visit the grandparent’s house on Christmas Eve, but the fog is very thick. After considering this, they use twinkle lights and flashlights to walk towards the house. The girl and her dog get separated from her parents. Will they find each other? Will they make it to Nana and Papa’s house?

Comments: This is a suspenseful read with a happy ending.

The illustrations were created using pen and ink and colored digitally using handmade textures.

Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

The selected children’s books are chosen by a highly qualified retired elementary school librarian who passionately reads and recommends picture books to teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book enthusiasts.

Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is the complimentary copies she receives, which are duly noted.

Children's Book Recommendations

The Gingerbread House Jack’s Family Ate

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The Gingerbread House Jack’s Family Ate book recommendation is by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.)

Jack and his dog are eating a gingerbread house that is on a table with green checkered tablecloth

The Gingerbread House Jack’s Family Ate 

by Kelly DiPucchio (Author), Nate Wragg (Illustrator)

Brief summary: On Christmas Eve, Jack and his family are decorating and preparing for Christmas Day while each take little bits off of the gingerbread house meant for Santa. Will there be any left for Santa?

Comments: This cumulative story is based on “The House That Jack Build.”

The illustrations were made with mixed media and digital painting.

There is a gingerbread recipe in the back of the book.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

The selected children’s books are chosen by a highly qualified retired elementary school librarian who passionately reads and recommends picture books to teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book enthusiasts.

Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is the complimentary copies she receives, which are duly noted.

Children's Book Recommendations

A City Full of Santas

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A City Full of Santas book recommendation is by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.)

A girl and her mother are shopping and going to visit Santa Claus. There is a large Christmas tree with many Santas around the city.

A City Full of Santas 

by Joanna Ho (Author), Thai My Phuong (Illustrator)

Brief summary: A young girl goes to the city with her mother, excited to meet the real Santa for the first time, only to find it full of many fake ones. She knows the real one will smell like peppermint or chocolate, have full laughter, and make her heart feel full of sparkle.

Comments: This is a lovely book to share as a bedtime story during the holiday season.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

The selected children’s books are chosen by a highly qualified retired elementary school librarian who passionately reads and recommends picture books to teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book enthusiasts.

Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is the complimentary copies she receives, which are duly noted.

Children's Book Recommendations

The Days After Christmas

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The Days After Christmas book recommendation is by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.)

A boy and girl in matching PJs are taking down the Christmas Tree with the help of their dog. Boxes are filled with ornaments.

The Days After Christmas 

by Maggie C. Rudd (Author), Elisa Chavarri (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Children in various homes are packing up the Christmas decorations and cleaning the house, recalling the memories of celebrating with family and friends.

Comments: This lyrical book would be a good read to acknowledge the quietness in the home after the big celebration.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

The selected children’s books are chosen by a highly qualified retired elementary school librarian who passionately reads and recommends picture books to teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book enthusiasts.

Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is the complimentary copies she receives, which are duly noted.

Children's Book Recommendations

Letters to Never Send Santa: Confessions, Complaints, and Outlandish Requests from the Files of St. Nick 

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Letters to Never Send Santa book recommendation is by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.)

Vixen the reindeer wearing a Christmas sweater and lights are in his antlers. Stamps on a red book cover

Letters to Never Send Santa: Confessions, Complaints, and Outlandish Requests from the Files of St. Nick 

by David Griswold (Author), Luis San Vicente (Illustrator)

Brief summary: There is a letter from Santa Claus explaining the collection of letters sent to him from children who received coal in their stockings and on the naughty kid list.

Comments: This collection of humorous, poetic letters written to Santa would be a fun read-aloud for the classroom during the holiday season.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

The selected children’s books are chosen by a highly qualified retired elementary school librarian who passionately reads and recommends picture books to teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book enthusiasts.

Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is the complimentary copies she receives, which are duly noted.

Children's Book Recommendations

The Twelve Days of Petmas

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

The Twelve Days of Petmas book recommendation is by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.)

A girl sitting under a Christmas tree with gifts all around her. She is holding up a kitten. There are animals scattered across the page amongst the gifts.

The Twelve Days of Petmas 

by Anne Sawan (Author), Judi Abbot (Illustrator)

Brief summary: A girl joyfully receives pets each day over the twelve days of Christmas, filling her home with excitement and playful chaos until someone comes along to give her a little break.

Comments: This book is in the cumulative style of the Twelve Days of Christmas Carol.

There are large humorous illustrations with two-page spreads. The rhyming lyrics could be sung to the carol’s original music.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

The selected children’s books are chosen by a highly qualified retired elementary school librarian who passionately reads and recommends picture books to teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book enthusiasts.

Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is the complimentary copies she receives, which are duly noted.

Children's Book Recommendations

The Very Young Person’s Guide to Christmas & Carols

The Retired School Librarian1 Comment

The Very Young Person’s Guide to Christmas & Carols book recommendation is by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.)

A boy and a girl are standing around a large wreath with Christmas trees in the background all decorated singing carols.

The Very Young Person’s Guide to Christmas and Carols 

by Tim Lihoreau (Author), Philip Noyce (Author), Sally Agar (Illustrator)

Brief summary: This interactive narrative nonfiction picture book begins with the story of Arthur and Holly at their school carol concert on Christmas Eve, walking home and hearing Christmas carols everywhere until they get back home again.

Comments: There are beautiful two-page spread illustrations full of Christmas information and a hidden gingerbread man. Includes ten carols with lyrics and sound clips. The reader pushes on a red circle with a golden star to hear the carol discussed in the story.

There is an on-and-off switch at the back of the book.

Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

I wish I had this The Very Young Person’s Guide To… series when I was a girl. This is the third one. The other two are:

The selected children’s books are chosen by a highly qualified retired elementary school librarian who passionately reads and recommends picture books to teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book enthusiasts.

Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is the complimentary copies she receives, which are duly noted.

Children's Book Recommendations

A Stickler Christmas

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A Stickler Christmas book recommendation is by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.)

A Stickler Christmas

by Lane Smith (Author)

Brief summary: Stickler jumped onto the back of Judy, a reindeer, and traveled through the forest, delivering sticks to his friends for the holidays. He named each present as he gave it—Hop-Higher Stick, Idea Stick, and so on. During his walk, he came across his friend Doug-the-Fir, who was decorated for Christmas by the mice. Doug, however, did not want to be the center of attention. Stickler found a solution to help his friend.

Comments: I love the humor and imagination in these Stickler books.

The illustrations are mixed media—oils, gesso, and cold wax on canvas. Pencil lines were made with an Apple Pencil in Procreate.

Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

The selected children’s books are chosen by a highly qualified retired elementary school librarian who passionately reads and recommends picture books to teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book enthusiasts.

Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is the complimentary copies she receives, which are duly noted.

Children's Book Recommendations

The Christmas Snow Globe

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The Christmas Snow Globe book recommendation is by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.)

Lucy is lying down on the rug looking at the snowglobe she received for Christmas.

The Christmas Snow Globe 

by Sibylle Delacroix (Author), Polly Lawson (Translator)

Brief summary: Noah and Lucy looked out the window on Christmas Eve, hoping for snow. The girl received a snow globe as a gift and took it with her to bed. That night, she and her brother felt cold snowflakes on their faces and got out of bed to discover that the house was filled with snow. They made a snowman, slid down the stairs, and had a snowball fight. But did it really snow inside the house?

Comments: A delightful bedtime story about the anticipation of snow on Christmas Day, something we can all relate to.

The illustrations were created using graphite pencils, colored pencils, and watercolor paper.

This book is a French translation first published in 2021.

Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

The selected children’s books are chosen by a highly qualified retired elementary school librarian who passionately reads and recommends picture books to teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book enthusiasts.

Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is the complimentary copies she receives, which are duly noted.

Children's Book Recommendations

Santa’s First Christmas

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Santa’s First Christmas book recommendation is by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.)

Santa and the elves are decorating a Christmas Tree inside Santa's house. They are stringing lights and hanging bulbs.

Santa’s First Christmas 

by Mac Barnett (Author), Sydney Smith (Illustrator)

Brief summary: A polar bear asks the elves what Santa does on Christmas Day and learns that he sleeps in. The polar bear and the elves decide to work together to surprise Santa with a Christmas celebration. They decorate a tree, prepare special food, hang up lights, and arrange for someone to pretend to be Santa.

Comments: A heartwarming story about being considerate of others through mindfulness.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

The selected children’s books are chosen by a highly qualified retired elementary school librarian who passionately reads and recommends picture books to teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book enthusiasts.

Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is the complimentary copies she receives, which are duly noted.

Children's Book Recommendations

Dolly Parton’s Billy the Kid Comes Home for Christmas

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Dolly Parton’s Billy the Kid Comes Home for Christmas book recommendation is by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.)

Billy the Kid and the band are a group of dogs. A wreath surrounds their group portrait with a green background including snowflakes and mistletoe berries.

Dolly Parton’s Billy the Kid Comes Home for Christmas 

by Dolly Parton (Author), Erica S. Perl (Author), MacKenzie Haley (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Billy the Kid and his band were touring and giving concerts all over America. He would send postcards home saying that he would be home for Christmas, until they landed a major gig at Rockefeller Center on December 25th. However, their tour bus broke down. Will they make it to the concert?

Comments: This book was inspired by Dolly Parton’s song “Comin’ Home for Christmas.” The lyrics are included at the back of the book.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

There is another children’s book by Dolly Parton with Billy the Kid titled “Dolly Parton’s Billy the Kid Makes It Big.”

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

(Parton, D. (n.d.). Dolly Parton – Comin’ Home For Christmas (Live Performance). YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdvT9ZvZfr4)

The selected children’s books are chosen by a highly qualified retired elementary school librarian who passionately reads and recommends picture books to teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book enthusiasts.

Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is the complimentary copies she receives, which are duly noted.

Children's Book Recommendations

Socks

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Socks book recommendation is by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.)

A boy is in the living room on Christmas morning by the Christmas tree and fireplace holding up a pair of socks.

Socks: A Kid’s Christmas Lament 

by JD McPherson (Author), Anika Orrock (Illustrator)

Brief summary: A boy wakes up early on Christmas morning to sneak a peek at the gifts under the tree that are meant for him. To his disappointment, he discovers that they are all socks. He searches the entire house for the gifts he had asked Santa to deliver. Frustrated and outraged, he puts on his boots to head outside and protest. However, when he sees his family, he changes his mind.

Comments: This humorous book was inspired by the song “Socks” by JD McPherson.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

(New West Records. (n.d.). JD McPherson – “Socks” . YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swukov55ZuY)

The selected children’s books are chosen by a highly qualified retired elementary school librarian who passionately reads and recommends picture books to teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book enthusiasts.

Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is the complimentary copies she receives, which are duly noted.

Children's Book Recommendations

Saint Nicholas the Giftgiver

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Saint Nnicholas the Giftgiver book recommendations are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.)

Saint NIcholas the Giftgiver book's cover has a man with a bird wearing a red robe with white down the middle and on the cuffs held together with a buckled belt. He wears a red cap. Saint Nicholas is carrying a blue sack with yellow stars on it. Those stars are scatter across the cover.

Saint Nicholas the Giftgiver: The History and Legends of the Real Santa Claus 

by Ned Bustard (Author, Illustrator)

Brief summary: Nicholas was born in Turkey on March 14, 270, to a wealthy Christian couple who both passed away when he was young. His uncle, an abbot, raised him. As he grew older, Nicholas traveled to the Holy Lands, where he lived in a cave. During this time, King Diocletian made it illegal for anyone to worship Jesus, but later, Constantine the Great granted them freedom to practice their faith. Nicholas eventually became a bishop and helped many people by giving them gifts.

Some celebrate St. Nicholas’ death on December 6, 343, while others celebrate on December 24th, when he is believed to travel around the world in a sleigh full of gifts to give to everyone.

Comments: This biographical rhyming poem also explains why Saint Nicholas gives presents to others.

This book, published in 2021, remains relevant today and could be shared as a yearly tradition in December.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

*I was sent a free copy of this book.

The selected children’s books are chosen by a highly qualified retired elementary school librarian who passionately reads and recommends picture books to teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book enthusiasts.

Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is the complimentary copies she receives for an honest review, which are duly noted.