Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the books inside are so delightful! It’s officially the holiday season, and we’re so excited to dive into some of our favorite holiday reads. If you’re looking for the perfect book for your family or to give to a friend, here are some of our personal favorites that will get you in the holiday spirit!
How Do Dinosaurs Say Merry Christmas?And How Do Dinosaurs Say Happy Chanukah? By Jane Yolen & Mark Teague
The bestselling picture book series How Do Dinosaurs? by Jane Yolen with illustrations by Mark Teague has delighted children for two decades, and now little ones can experience the fun with the board book editions! How Do Dinosaurs Say Merry Christmas? and How Do Dinosaurs Say Happy Chanukah? are the perfect ways to introduce little ones to silly dinosaurs, gentle lessons, and the holiday spirit!
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas by Sandra Magsamen
Discover this adorable rendition of a beloved Christmas story, retold by bestselling baby and toddler creator Sandra Magsamen. Featuring sweet rhymes and adorable illustrations, this is the latest in Sandra's tall book line.
The Great Santa Stakeout by Betsy Bird with illustrations by Dan Santat
Freddy Melcher is Santa's #1 Fan. He has Santa posters, Santa action figures, and even Santa underwear. But there is one prize Freddy desperately wants: A photograph taken with Santa, fresh out of the chimney.
Oh, is it risky! It's awfully hard to sneak anything by someone who can see you when you're sleeping and knows when you're awake. That's why Freddy has been extra good this year . . . at hiding his plans.
Will Freddy get away with his delightfully devious scheme to outwit Santa Claus himself and capture the ultimate selfie?
I Spy Christmas by Jean Marzollo & Walter Wick
A photographic puzzle book features rhyming riddles that invite young readers to locate hidden objects — clocks, nickels, pickles, frogs, and others — among double-page spreads filled with holiday delights.
A Christmas Carol by Geronimo Stilton
Ebenezer Scrooge is a cranky old mouse who's only concerned with his business and making money. He thinks Christmas is just a waste of time — but Christmas Eve, he's visited by three ghosts who take him on a journey through his past, present, and future and his mind is changed.
The Puppy Place #2: Snowball by Ellen Miles
Charles and Lizzie Peterson are very good with puppies. They want one of their own, but their mom isn't ready for them to have one full time. For now, they help take care of puppies that need to find a new home. They are a foster family for young dogs.
The Peterson kids hear about Snowball. Someone left the fluffy puppy all alone at a gas station in a tattered, old box. Snowball is sick and hungry. He needs a family of his own. Can Charles and Lizzy find one that is just right?
Diary of an Ice Princess series by Christina Soontornvat
Princess Lina has a life any kid would envy. She lives in a massive palace in the clouds. Everyone in her family has the power to control the wind and weather. On a good day, she can even fly! She loves making lemons into lemon ice, riding wind gusts around the sky, and turning her bedroom into a real life snow globe.
There's just one thing Lina wants: to go to regular, non-magical school with her best friend Claudia. She promises to keep the icy family secret under wraps. What could go wrong? (EVERYTHING!)
The Midwinter Witch by Molly Know Ostertag
Aster always looks forward to the Midwinter Festival, a reunion of the entire Vanissen family that includes competitions in witchery and shapeshifting. This year, he's especially excited to compete in the annual Jolrun tournament — as a witch. He's determined to show everyone that he's proud of who he is and what he's learned, but he knows it won't be easy to defy tradition.
Ariel has darker things on her mind than the Festival — like the mysterious witch who's been visiting her dreams, claiming to know the truth about Ariel's past. She appreciates everything the Vanissens have done for her, but Ariel still craves a place where she truly belongs.
The Festival is a whirlwind of excitement and activity, but for Aster and Ariel, nothing goes according to plan. When a powerful and sinister force invades the reunion, threatening to destroy everything the young witches have fought for, can they find the courage to fight it together? Or will dark magic tear them apart?
Top Elf by Caleb Zane Huett
The elves can't be kept on shelves in this hilarious middle-grade debut about what happens when Santa opens a contest to find his successor. These elves are off the shelves. Ollie and Celia think they know what the life of an elf is supposed to be like: Make toys. Help Santa. Make more toys. Help Santa. Try out a new ice-cream flavor. Help Santa.
But then Santa rocks the North Pole with a surprise announcement! He's decided this is going to be his last year in the Big Red Suit. Instead of letting his oldest son, the unfortunately named Klaus Claus, take over, he's opening up the job to any kid who wants to apply, Claus or elf.
The Santa Trials have begun! Ollie and Celia enter the contest, having no idea whatsoever that they'll soon have to squeeze through impossible chimneys, race runaway sleighs, sweet-talk a squad of rowdy reindeer, and consume cruel amounts of cookies and milk. It's both an adventure and a survival test, far beyond what any elf or Claus has been asked to do before. But whoever rises to the top will get a reward even bigger than Christmas…
Snow One Like You by Natalie Blitt
Mia can't wait for the Winter Festival; it's what her hometown, Flurry, Vermont, is famous for. Plus, maybe she can work up the courage to show the cute new boy, Yoshi, how much fun snowball fights can be. There's just one problem: The weather forecast isn't predicting a single snowflake before the big day. And what's the Winter Festival without snow? Canceling the festival would spell disaster for the local businesses, including the cozy inn that Mia's family runs. With the town in chaos, Mia is suddenly at odds with Yoshi and with her best friend, Lark. Can Mia save the festival in time, or is she in for a wintry mix of troubles?
Snow In Love by Melissa de la Cruz, Nic Stone, Aimee Friedman, & Kasie West
What's better than one deliciously cozy, swoon-worthy holiday story? Four of them, from some of today's bestselling authors.
From Kasie West, a snowy road trip takes an unexpected detour when secrets and crushes are revealed.
From Aimee Friedman, a Hanukkah miracle may just happen when a Jewish girl working as a department store elf finds love.
From Melissa de la Cruz, Christmas Eve gets a plot twist when a high school couple exchange surprising presents.
From Nic Stone, a scavenger hunt amid the holiday crowds at an airport turns totally romantic.
So grab a mug of hot cocoa, snuggle up, and get ready to fall in love…
Merry Christmas, Peppa! By EOne
'Tis the season for Peppa Pig! Join Peppa, George, Mummy Pig, Daddy Pig, and all of their friends as they celebrate Christmas in this adorably sweet storybook.
Peppa loves Christmas. It's filled with family time, fun, and of course, presents! But this year Peppa loves her presents TOO much . . . she plays too rough and gets hurt! Can it still be a merry Christmas after all?
This book makes a perfect holiday gift or read-aloud storytime for little ones. It also comes with a glitter cover AND glitter stickers!
