It never works.
I thought that I was adding "just a few" more books to our reading pile.
I don't think 27 counts as "just a few", but I did find some good ones.
So here is the master list:
And here are the ones I added to the pile: so grateful for a great public library system! Not all of these were the definite favorites, but I can never tell which ones my kids will adore so it's fine with me if we have lots of books around.
I'm Not Santa by Allen (This gets the kids' favorite award for 2018)
I've Seen Santa by Bedford
Madeline's Christmas by Bemelmans
Gingerbread Christmas by Jan Brett
Christmas Mouseling by Chaconas
The Money We'll Save by Cole
The Nutcracker by DoCampo
Pete the Cat Saves Christmas by Dean
Santa Rex by Idle
The Nutcracker by Jeffers
An Angel Came to Nazareth by Knott
Tyrannoclaus by Lawler
The Waltz of the Snowflakes by MacKay
The Friendly Beasts by McGinley
Santa Duck by Pilgrim
Is it Christmas Yet? by Prater
Twelve Days of Christmas by Randall (Fun folk illustrations!)
Merry Christmas, Curious George by Rey
The Perfect Christmas by Spinelli
Santa's Snow Kitten by Stainton
The Bearer of Gifts by Steven (a very nice Santa/religious tie-in, the best one I've found)
Snowman Magic by Tegen
Pick a Pine Tree by Toht
DinoChristmas by Wheeler
Sharing Christmas by Westerlund
The Beautiful Christmas Tree by Zolotow (Lovely themes of caring)
Every year I try a new way to wrap up the books---this year 2 or 3 kids out of the four wanted to unwrap a package every time we found time for story time. Which was fine, because I'd kept the packages small (one or two books, three if there was a theme like "These are the Night Before Christmas books"). The rest of the books I kept in piles around the house, upstairs, downstairs, on the piano, etc.
As always, this is a fun tradition for our family. A lovely way to spend time together that doesn't include spending money, having to leave the house, or consuming calories.
I'll try to keep it under control next year.
