Christmas Read-Alouds 2017

Every year I add more books to our “Wrap the books up and read a package every night”. First there was one book, then two in each package and this year most packages had four books. 

I think there were too many this year because we are still reading “new” books and Christmas passed a few days ago. I’m not sure what the solution is, I just can’t help myself from bringing more great books home. I’ll ponder this for next year. Maybe I just keep the favorite books in the wrapping and keep the rest of the books out in bins.

For now, here’s another updated list. Alphabetized by author now because the other way was making me crazy when I was requesting books from the library. For this list, I also put a *next to books that are becoming interwoven with our family Christmas

"Make it Yourself" theme: Nice for the beginning of the season.
A Homemade Together Christmas by Cocca-Leffler
The Not Very Merry Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen
Shall I Knit you a Hat? by Klise

Traditions in Other Countries Themes
Jingle Bells by Trapani
The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie dePaloa
The Legend of Old Befena by Tomie dePaloa
First Dog's White House Christmas by Lewis (A pleasant surprise, I was initially put off by the title.)

"Don't Get Too Carried Away/Remember What Christmas is About" theme
The Amazing Christmas Extravaganza by Shannon
Llama Llama Holiday Drama by Dewdney

Fun Non-Nativity themed books

Mr. Willoughby's Christmas Tree by Robert Barry
Home for Christmas by Jan Brett
The Twelve Days of Christmas by Jan Brett
The Night Before Christmas by Jan Brett
The Wild Christmas Reindeer by Jan Brett
Who's That Knocking on Christmas Eve by Jan Brett
Snowmen for Christmas by Buehner
The Twelve Days of Christmas Dogs by Conahan
Click, Clack, Ho! Ho! Ho! by Cronin

Strega Nona’s Gift by Tomie dePaola
Llama Llama Holiday Drama by Dewdney

Stick Man by Julia Donaldson
Mary Engelbreit's Nutcracker by Englelbreit
Olivia Helps with Christmas by Falconer

*Christmas Lights by Fearrington—I like to start the season with this book and talk about the symbol of light.
Christmas Wombat by Jackie French
Oh, What a Christmas by Garland
A Creature was Stirring by Goodrich
The Night Before Christmas illustrated by Cheryl Harness
Houseful of Christmas by Joosse
My Penguin Osbert by Kimmel
Gingerbread Pirates by Kladstrup
Redheaded Robbie's Christmas Story by Luttrell
Dear Santasaurus by McAnulty
The Christmas Ship by Morrissey (Amazing illustrations!)
Auntie Claus by Primavera
Dinosaur vs. Santa by Bob Shea (ROAR!)
How The Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
Too Many Tamales by Soto
Twelve Lizards Leaping by Stevens
On Christmas Day in the Morning by Sweet
The Polar Express by Van Allsburg
How do Dinosaurs Say Merry Christmas by Yolen
The Night Before Christmas illustrated by Bruce Whatley

Next are the fun books, B list. Still good, especially for my younger two. Just not on my personal classics list.

What's Coming for Christmas by Banks
Christmas Parade by Sandra Boynton

Christmas Trolls by Jan Brett

Home for Christmas by Jan Brett
Grumpy Badger's Christmas by Bright (This has the word "piffle" in it and it's fun to read.)
Merry Christmas, Old Armadillo by Brimner

When Cows Come Home for Christmas by Dori Chaconas

Cobweb Christmas by Shirley Climo
The Christmas Bears by Chris Conniver (The storyline is OK, but the illustrations are darling.)
Christmas at the Top of the World by Coffeey
There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bell by Colandro

Mrs Wishy Washy’s Christmas by Cowley
Carl's Christmas by Day
Santa's Stowaway by Dorman
The Three Bears Christmas by Kathy Duval

Christmastime by Alison Jay

The Twelve Days of Christmas by Susan Jeffers
Tacky's Christmas by Lester

Santa Claus and the Three Bears by Modugno

Santa’s New Suit by Rader

Christmas Cookies by Rosenthal

Together at Christmas by Eileen Spinelli

Inside, Outside Christmas by Spowart
Christmas Magic by Stainton

The Christmas Quiet Book by Underwood
Merry Christmas Hungry Bear by Don and Audrey Wood

These next books are about Christ's birth, and/or have themes like charity and giving. I save these for Sunday story time especially.

December by Bunting
Christmas in the Barn by Margaret Wise Brown
Saint Francis and the Christmas Donkey by Byrd
Great Joy by DiCamillo
Christmas Is by Gibbons
Asleep in the Stable by Hillenbrand

Our Very Own Christmas by Annette Langen
The Little Fir Tree by Lamarche (This one makes me cry. Every. Single. Time.)

Song of the Stars by Sally Lloyd-Jones
The Crippled Lamb by Lucado
Listen to the Silent Night by Mackall (artwork is lovely)
Gifts of the Heart by Polacco
The Orange for Frankie by Polacco
All the the Newborn Baby by Phyllis Root

The Friendly Beasts by Rebecca St. James

The Donkey’s Christmas Song by Tafur
One Starry Night by Thompson
Spirit of Christmas by Tillman

Room for a Little One by Waddell

Other Books not for the Wrap and Read tradition, but fun to have around

Here Comes Santa Claus by Mary Englebreit

Red Sled by Rita Judge

The Snowy Day by Keats

The Strega Nona books by dePaolo, to understand the Strega Nona story
The Snowmen books by the Buehners, tis the season

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey

The Snow Child, by Eowyn Ivey, is on my current favorites list. You can check another source for a more complete summary, but here's mine: A childless couple lives in Alaska and wants a child. They build a snow child out of snow and then they see a real child flitting in and out of the woods. Is she real? Is she for them? And so the story goes . . .

It's more fairy tale than fiction as far as genre goes. It is itself, and it is lovely.

I checked it out of the library, and I felt like Ivey sent me my own beautiful gift. It is kind, it is gentle, it's about hope and love and losing and finding.

It's lovely.

I think Santa is going to bring me a copy. I will put it next to the other books I use as literary comfort food, warm and filling.

Grandma Gatewood's Walk by Ben Montgomery

Grandma Gatewood's Walk is about this really amazing lady who, at age 67, walked the Appalachian Trail. She wasn't wealthy, she wasn't well-equipped, she wasn't in amazing physical shape, she was just plain stubborn.

The story is great, the writing approachable, the character unforgettable. I'd recommend it. 

Go Granny, Go. 

Hillbilly Elegy by JD Vance

JD Vance's Hillbilly Elegy has gained rapid popularity and notoriety. I see his name referenced in New York Times articles (the latest one about his interview with Betsy De Vos), and hear his name tossed around on literary blogs.

I was beginning to feel like I'd been in the room where he was introduced and I wasn't paying attention:

I was starting to ask, "Should I know him? Have we met?" when I was seeing all the references.

So I read the book, for no other reason that to know what the chatter was. That usually doesn't motivate me (Ahem, because those books usually aren't reading. No comment, of course not, on certain way-popular books that worry me about how far our society has fallen).

But this time the chatter was for a GOOD reason, not a bad one.

JD Vance grew up, in what he calls, a hillbilly culture, and eventually goes to Harvard. It's a great narrative about the importance of family, how family/town/regional culture can be anti-education, and about how Vance's grandma encouraged him despite all the circumstances against him.

There's swearing. There's adult content, some.

But I thought it was a fascinating read. Especially from a cultural study standpoint.

Currently, I live in an area of the US, and sub-area of that area, where education is highly valued. Kids are expected to attend universities someday, and emphasis is on being prepared for prestigious ones. My sons and my daughter are surrounded by teachers, peers, and role models who re-inforce this. Furthermore, education is seen as career preparatory---no "*in case" degree expectations here. My community values education and resources are put towards good public and private schools. After-school programs and educational enrichment opportunities abound.

But I know we live in a bubble. This isn't the case everywhere in my state, and certainly not in our country. I've lived in some of these areas. Been there.

Vance's narrative is a valuable reminder of these regional and cultural differences. I'm glad he's being talked about, and glad he's being read. He adds great insight into the discussion of education in the US. That's a rather sweeping statement, but Hillbilly Elegy is compelling because it gives a face and a story to very real issues.

I'd say put it on your list if it interests you.

*As in, to a female: "You need your education---in case you don't get married." That's what I mean. There's none of that here.
None.
Of.
That.
Here.

Homegoing by Gyasi

When I recommended, with caution, the book Beartown to my dear friend in Denver, she recommended Homegoing by Gyasi to me. With caution.

Homegoing is historical fiction, a sweeping many-generational view of slavery and its' everlasting historical rippling effects. It starts in Ghana more than a century ago and sweeps and sweeps forward.

It's a magnum opus. It's magnificent. It's poignant, painful, insightful, brilliant. It doesn't apologize for or try to make sense of the complexities. It just is, and lets the reader figure it out. I guess that's what I like the best---Gyasi doesn't talk down to her reader, she expects a brilliant recipient for her brilliant work.

Gyasi is very good. I think she handled so much very deftly, and I think she'll get better as she writes more. I look forward to seeing if she will try again.

You can read the summary on Amazon. But if you can handle something with meaning, try this. If you want fluff and a feel-good storyline, this is not for you.

Like last week when a friend asked me about Flowers for Algernon. I said, "It's good. Just heavy. But good. Just heavy." She said, "Oh, I can't handle that right now," and I told her to go find Ove.

So Homegoing. There is adult content, you have to decide if you want that. But just know it's good.

Just heavy.

But good.

Just heavy.

I will read it again. It belongs with Their Eyes Were Watching God and Things Fall Apart. And also with The Good Earth, though that's Chinese not African.

American Fire by Hesse

I haven't read many historical novels---I'm not taking historical fiction, but real history. But I guess I should read more, because I really enjoyed American Fire by Hesse.

In this book, Hesse examines the arson (86 fires!) that occurred a few decades ago in the Accomack region of Virginia. It is about the arsonists, but it's also about the town, and why there were all these old buildings because of the vanishing railroad industry. And what happened to the town after that. It's about the fires, but also about the men and women who volunteer on the town fire department and fight them. It's about what happened and why.

Hesse found the story, and I like her writing! She took this topic: arson, that I would readily dismiss, and make it interesting and accessible. Her style is conversational and interesting, but not too chatty. I'd like to have Hesse over for dinner and try to get her to talk.

I don't need to own a copy, but I would recommend this to history buffs and book clubs.

Just not necessarily church book clubs looking for a certain kind of content---there is some adult content in this book. But for some members in my book club, I'll whisper to them during our book club meetings about books deemed appropriate: " . . . Hey, you should try American Fire by Hesse."

Yep, it's true. I'm one of THOSE women. Who whispers clandestine recommendations under her breath while someone else is talking.

Oh Dear. There, I've confessed.

Mariann, I think you'd like this one.

Fredrik Backman's works

I read my way through Fredrik Backman's works. What a writer! Here's what I thought:

1. I absolutely loved  A Man Called Ove. I've recommended it to everyone in the last year who has asked for a good book.

It's been a long, long time since I've read something that made me weep from laughter and sentiment. I read it on a road trip we took with the kids (Eric was driving. I was managing food distribution, conflict resolution, and media consumption. It's how we roll on every road trip.) But in my off moments of negotiating, I read. I would cackle loudly, and then sob, with tears gushing down my face. Eric would look over at me and ask, "Are you OK, over there?" I would whimper/sniff, "Yessssss", and then go back to my blubbering and cackling.

The main character is a lovable, grumpy old man named Ove. My favorite thing about recommending this book is that everyone who reads it comes back and tells me about the "Oves" they have in their own life. For me, it's my grandfather, for a friend: her neighbor, for another friend: her husband.

There is some swearing.

*Note: If you are missing Ove after you read him, and you want to meet Alfie, his kindred spirit, go watch The Beautiful Fantastic, which is a lovely, quirky movie. I like quirky charming movies, not quirky weird movies, and the movie is quirky charming.

2. Britt Marie Was Here. I read this because I wanted more Ove. Well, there was no Ove, but another quirky, lovable, flawed, funny character.

It's amazing to me that these were all written in Swedish, because whoever translated them did a flawless job with translation (not that I know Swedish). I just know that the humor comes through: dry and hilarious.

Also some swearing, I think adult content. But another book I liked.

3. I read most of My Grandmother Told You To Tell You She's Sorry, and I bought the book. Out of Backman's four books, this is the one I'll pass on and not keep on my shelf. I didn't get into this one so much, but the concept of a fable having more meaning than just a bedtime story isn't new to me.

Some people adore this book, great. Just not me this time.

4. Lastly. I also read Beartown. I'm conflicted about recommending this one. Ove and Britt Marie had language, but I could manage it. I enjoyed their character sketches with one main character, developed very well.

Beartown is different. There are main characters, but the book is about so many things: misogynist sports culture, small town mindset*, loyalty, etc . You can get a summary from Amazon.

My brother Jon was once telling me about his movie choices and he said, "You have to know how much filth/questionable material you are willing to see in the name of entertainment." I feel that way about this book. For some of my friends, this book is too much. Too crass. Too crude. Too anti-women, too vulgar. For other friends, this is a beacon a illuminating light into dark places: a marvelous commentary about difficult topics.

But I can say this. It's offensive. It's meant to me. I skipped what I couldn't handle, but if you skip everything . . . you skip everything.

So I wouldn't hand it to everyone. I will keep it high on my restricted shelf. I don't want my kids to read this until they are past 25. Personally, I wouldn't have gone past the first page until well into my thirties.

But from here, in my mid-forties, I've seen more. I'm more comfortable with ambiguity. I can tell the difference between an author who is using crude jokes because he/she can't do any better, an author who uses crude jokes because he/she thinks they are genuinely funny, and an author who uses crude jokes because he/she knows they are repugnant, and to make a point. Backman is the latter.

In short, I thought Beartown was one of the best books I've read in a long time.

But maybe it's not for you.

At any rate, go meet Ove. Start there. Then proceed at will.

*I've lived in several small towns. There are some very nice things about small towns. But when I say, "small town mindset" I don't mean it kindly. I mean the darker side of living in a small town---the manipulation that goes on to keep kids in the small town; the pressure to marry kids from the same town hoping the imagined couple will stay there; the anti-achievement culture that pervades; and the long-held town gender stereotypes that the upcoming generation is indoctrinated into following. That kind of small town mindset, I've seen it plenty. And I don't think it's good.