The Holiday Season is officially here. So here’s to days at home with the kids and lots of time to read! One of my favorite things to do around Christmas is snuggle on the floor in front of the fireplace or near the Christmas tree with a tray of hot cocoa and a stack of holiday books to read with my two children. It’s a holiday tradition we started before they could walk, and if you haven’t incorporated books into your holiday routine, this is a great year to start! Below are my top picks for Christmas and Hanukkah!

God Gave Us Christmas by Lisa T. Bergren (WaterBrook Press, 2006)

“Mama, who ‘vented Christmas?” Little Cub asks Mama Bear. Always eager to satisfy Little Cub’s curiosity, Mama Bear leaves Papa Bear to watch the baby cubs and takes Little Cub on an adventure to teach her about the nature of God and the reason for Christmas, while still reserving a spot for Santa Clause as someone “who reminds us to do good things.” Illustrator David Hohn creates beautifully detailed images featuring the Northern Lights and a visit to Bethlehem, making the book a joy to read as well as see. A perfect book for teaching children about Christ and Christmas without throwing Santa by the wayside. You will read it for years to come.

A Confused Hanukkah: An Original Story of Chelm by Jon Koons (Dutton Juvenile, 2004)

The residents in the village of Chelm are in a bit of a pickle. The Rabbi is gone, and they can’t remember how to celebrate Hanukkah. So they send Yossel, a simple farmer, to a neighboring village to get some guidance on how to prepare for the holiday. But Yossel doesn’t make it to the village. Instead, he finds himself in the Big City where they are preparing for Christmas. Thinking he found the village, Yossel goes back to Chelm to tell the others how to prepare for Hanukkah. When the rabbi returns home, he finds that his villagers aren’t making traditional preparations for Hanukkah. Instead, they are decorating trees and dancing around with a fat man in a velvet suit. The good Rabbi quickly reminds the villagers of the Maccabees and the Festival of Lights. He hands out latkes, dreidels, and gelt, and helps the villagers celebrate Hanukkah the right way. The book features a humorous storyline with skillful writing. The illustrations by S.D. Schindler are warm and comical—a perfect companion to the text. This book is a wonderful addition to any family’s holiday library, Jewish or not.

Enjoy Reading… Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!