So you’ve watched the same holiday movie dozens of times. Yes, Elf is great and all, but why not try a timeless book instead? We enlisted the help of award-winning children’s librarian Debbie Laffond to find your next classic fireside read. Grab your littlest relatives and prepare for some festive nostalgia.
Merry Christmas, Big Hungry Bear by Don and Audrey Wood
The Little Mouse boards up his house to hide his presents from the Big Hungry Bear. But after a change of heart, the mouse realizes that sharing is the best gift of all.
The Chanukkah Guest by Eric Kimmel
Meet Debbie’s favorite Hanukkah story: An almost blind and deaf woman accidentally serves her famous potato latkes to a bear.
The Snow Tree by Caroline Repchuk
A bear cub wakes up to snow and wonders where all the colors have gone. He then goes out to search for them, with the help of his animal friends.
Who’s That Knocking on Christmas Eve? by Jan Brett
Every year, trolls knock down a girl’s door and eat her Christmas feast. Luckily, this year a boy and his pet ice bear jump in to get rid of the trolls for good.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss
Who doesn’t know this one? But make sure you’ve grabbed the original version – it’s the only way to go.
Christmas Wombat by Jackie French
A wombat competes with Santa’s reindeer for carrots and accidentally becomes a stowaway on his sleigh.
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
This iconic book tells the story of a boy who hitches a ride on a North Pole–bound train to meet Santa himself.
Simon and the Bear: A Hanukkah Tale by Eric Kimmel
After his ship sinks, a boy celebrates Hanukkah on an ice floe with the help of a polar bear and witnesses his own miracles in the process.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
When six misbehaved children attend church for the first time (for the snacks), they’re cast in the Christmas pageant… much to the chagrin of the other churchgoers.
Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric Kimmel
This somewhat scary but very entertaining story is about a traveler who takes on the ghosts plaguing the town’s synagogue.
By Ashley Bell, Staff Writer
