My Favorite Christmas Books : First selection and in no particular order

    Every year I'm asked the same question,  what is a really good children's book about Christmas? What most are really asking for are books that help with teaching the real reason for Christmas.   My answer is always, do you want the long list or the short list?  It is so hard to discern the best because frankly there are so much to choose from and so many talented writers.  What makes it ever harder is that every year a new crop of books come out and lo and behold another "favorite" is added to the list.  It's kind of maddening and fun at the same time.   Should anyone scan my bookshelves at home, they would find that I have a ton of children's Christmas books.  Quite possible one book for each day of the year.   To start off the list, I have chosen one book for each day for the Advent Season up until Christmas Day.   The books I am sharing here are not in any particular order, and they can be used at anytime during December and even a few that can be used in early January when many people celebrate the Epiphany. 

The Birds of Bethlehem is a classic tale written and illustrated by Tomie dePaola.  I love this author for so many reasons.  He knows how to tell a story simply and elegantly which appeals to book lovers of all ages.  On my list of favorite books,  there were be several other stories from dePaola but this book holds a special place in my heart.  Unlike all the other stories, this one begins the day after the baby was born.    Birds of different colors tell their experiences of the special night in Bethlehem when a tiny babe was born.  At the end of the story, we see all the birds surrounding the little family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. 

Books that go well with a flannel board are an added bonus.  Whether this was dePaola's intent, I'm not sure.  When I use this book for story time,  I have a flannel board with each color of the birds which I hand out to the children ahead of reading the story.  Once the story begins, they need to listen for the color mentioned in the story.  If they are holding the bird of that color in their hands, they come up and place the bird on the flannel board.  Children love to participate and honestly it helps them stay focused during the story. Craft ideas for that bring the story home for the children are in abundance but the easiest and quickest is the bird coloring page and the children select their favorite color in which to color the bird.  Questions such as "You chose to color your bird orange, do you remember what the orange bird saw on Christmas Eve? " The child may remember the part this particular bird played in the story but even if they do not the storyteller can gently help them remember.  

This time of year is a special time to cozy up together and share wonderful tales of Christmas.  As with anytime you spend time with a child reading, it's an excellent opportunity for "accidental" learning. That is to say, as the children are immersed in the stories new questions may come to their mind where they begin to ask questions.  Allow them to ask the questions and go along with them on the "accidental" learning trail.   I will talk more about that in future blogs and possibly podcasts.  Just keep this in mind, one story  about marshmallows and chocolate at a bonfire lead to a little research on how marshmallows are made.  Reading is always good for learning. 

The Birds of Bethlehem by Tomie dePaola is still in print and available in paperback and hard cover.  Most public libraries should have the title as well, or at least be able to interloan the book. 

Till next time. Keep Reading!