Christmas reading can be noisy. There are parades, singing farm animals and quite a lot of excitement before anyone gets to the quiet book by the tree. Our Sandra Boynton Christmas shelf has room for all of that. We'd choose by the sort of reading you want to do, whether it's one familiar story on Christmas Eve or a short selection someone can pick for themselves.
For the singing part of Christmas
Christmas Parade gathers animal musicians into a lively procession. Our English board book has 32 pages, and the parade gives an adult who enjoys an energetic read plenty to work with.
Moo, Baa, Fa La La La La! takes familiar farm animals in a festive direction. If the ordinary Moo, Baa story is already a favorite, the Christmas version has an obvious connection to make.
Snow, Snow, Snow! brings falling snow and a festive song. It is a Christmas-themed story, which is worth knowing when choosing for another household: a snowy cover alone doesn't tell you the occasion. The 24-page English board-book copy is one physical edition to check before buying.
For Christmas Eve, or a few minutes in between
In Merry Christmas, Little Pookie, Pookie and Mom bake, decorate, sing and settle down. We like the directness of that choice for Christmas Eve: the story belongs to the same little stretch of the holiday you're sharing.
Bob and 6 More Christmas Stories works differently. It has seven short selections in a tabbed board book, so you can choose one and return for another later. The tabs are part of the book itself; this is a reading collection, with no audio or extra accessory implied.
A tradition can begin with the book
You might read the same story in the same spot each year, or let someone choose from the tabs. What makes the idea appealing to us is being able to recognize it when it comes around again. It can happen earlier in the day, too, before the evening becomes crowded.
The red holiday elf costume is an optional dress-up addition. Check the selected size and contents, and keep hats and accessories for dress-up as directed, rather than sleep. If you're giving a book and outfit together, a note explaining the thought lets the family decide how to use them.
Our wider gift guide has other possibilities for the present. For another seasonal shelf, try Thanksgiving books about gathering and friendship. And when you want a story that can stay out all year, our bedtime-book comparison moves from a last lively read toward a quieter ending.
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