In case you're looking to start some Advent traditions of your own this year, I wanted to share some of our favorites with you. These are all short chapter books, appropriate for the whole family. You could probably even get through all of them during Advent.
All links go to Amazon, where, if you make a purchase, I will get literally dozens of cents. Christmas, here we come!
A funny and heartwarming story of a family of bullies who decide to take part in the church Christmas pageant. My kids love getting to see the Christmas story through the eyes of kids who have never heard it before (and who think Herod could use a good beating -- huzzah!).
This is the story of a seven year old girl and her family, awaiting Christmas AND a new baby. It's got more Christmas pageant angst, and plenty of charming Advent traditions. It's classic, sweet, and old-fashioned.
By the author of the Pipi Longstocking books, this story chronicles a year with the children who live in a tiny rural Swedish village, including their Christmas. There's actually a picture book (Christmas in Noisy Village
) of just the Christmas part of the story, but for the same price you can get the whole year. So really, why not just read the whole thing? As in The Twenty-four Days Before Christmas, you get a beautiful glimpse into the families' mindful preparation for Christmas, focused on charming old-fashionedy tidying and baking and bringing tree branches inside for decorations.
Not a Christmas book, but great for a chilly winter day. Or, for us, great for pretending it's a chilly winter day. It's got action and adventure and lots of ice skating!
Despite being quite familiar with the story of A Christmas Carol, (the cartoon Mickey Mouse version
is a big favorite around here) so far we haven't read the original aloud. But with all the success we had last month listening to some spooky classics, I think we're ready for the real thing. There are plenty of versions to choose from, but I like this one because it's illustrated (which helps with comprehension and attention span in preschoolers) but unabridged. The language is complex, but not so much that even little kids can't keep track of what's going on, especially if they already know how it all goes down with Scrooge McDuck.(We also have favorite seasonal picture books, I'll post on those in a couple of weeks.)
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And now for the giveaway! . . . (The giveaway is over, thanks to everyone who entered!)
Years ago, I made a set of Jesse Tree ornaments, along with a book that contains all the readings AND a handy, dandy carrying case. But we really love our Christmas Novena and it's just too much to do both, so we've never used them. I'd like to give them away to a family who can get some use out of them!
Note: Your comment profile must be linked to an email address for you to win, so I can contact you to get your mailing address.
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Thanks so much to all of you who have voted already.
Thanks so much to all of you who have voted already.
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Linking up with Hallie at Moxie Wife for Five Favorites and Jessica at Housewifespice for What We're Reading Wednesday! Click on over to join in on the fun!