Discussions
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sthurner
I have a tag about this. My favorite is Truman Capote's A Christmas Memory, which is an autobiographical story about his childhood friend. A newer favorite is Chris Van Allsberg's Polar Express, both for the storyline and the artwork. I still have a book from when I was young, The Littlest Angel. That book will probably never go out of style. For a more adult inspiring Christmas story I liked Mr. Ives' Christmas.
posted 6 years ago.
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Ollievee
My favorite children's Christmas book is Merry Christmas Mom and Dad by Mercer Mayer. I have only read two adult Christmas books. Out of those two I would have to say A Christmas Carol
posted 6 years ago.
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Jeninlb
This one is great, as is the Capote memoir. Don't forget A Child's Christmas in Wales!
posted 6 years ago.
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Testarda
Can't call it a "novel," but my favorite xmas book for kids is Hilary Knight's version of "The Twelve Days of Christmas." Did I say "kids?" I meant "children of all ages...." This is an enchanting, amusing, animal-loving, romantic, even arithmetic take on the traditional carol, featuring a wooing pair of bears & a lovesick raccoon. As detail-packed as a "Where's Waldo?" or Stephen Biesty explosion, and much cosier.
posted 6 years ago.
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heismysong
Have you ever heard of "Away With the Manger", by Chris Fabry?
The author actually has a more sarcastic/ironic humorist writing style. It's a fictional story about a man who really didn't believe in the traditional sense of Christmas, and watched a town war about it, only to have his son be the key to helping him realize what it was all about.
I'm planning to read it for my own Christmas tradition every year. :)posted 6 years ago.
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I forgot about The Bearer of Gifts! ( I found this review on Amazon and pasted it here because it sums up the book perfectly.)
This book beautifully balances Santa Claus and the Nativity in a story that is both inspiring and engaging. The colors and folk art drawings are a delightful departure from the typical seasonal fare. The most fantastic picture has to be the one depicting the subtle change in Santa's appearance when he gives the baby his humble gift.
If you are looking for a story that doesn't diminish the lore of St. Nick and his generosity but doesn't overshadow the Nativity, look no more. You've found it!posted 6 years ago.
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jjfiero
There is a beautifully illustrated children's picture book I bought for my kids a few years ago at Christmas called A Rocking Horse Christmas and it still makes me cry everytime I read it...
posted 6 years ago.
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Teachin4Jesus
I have a story called "The Candle in the Window," which is kinda about angels visitng a shoemaker. And I really love the legend of the Christmas tree.
I also like The Best Christmas Pagaent Ever, and John Grisham's Skipping Christmas.posted 6 years ago.
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There was a book, then a small movie made from it, about a group of children who were from an impoverished family who get involved with the creation of a Christmas play about the nativity. They are rough and crude children, but it was a fun read ... does anyone remember the name of this?
posted 6 years ago.
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Herstory
I keep a basket of 'seasonal' children's books in my living room - year 'round. Right now, I have the spring theme going. My kids are long past the picturebook stage too, but, oh how the "Mom, remember this one?" stories start flowing from them, each time I change the 'season.'
My favorite of favorites are by my friend, Helen Ketteman: The Christmas Blizzard, and also Aunt Hilarity's Bustle (not really an Xmas story - but includes it). Most of my fun, Christmas theme books are tagged on my shelf. . . so I'll stop babbling.posted 6 years ago.
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sunshinegirl
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens and Anne Perry's Christmas mysteries.
posted 6 years ago.
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MassBibliophile
I'll go with The Berenstain Bears' Christmas Tree, "oodles of nooks" is still a term used to describe a good tree in my family.
posted 6 years ago.
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irishmom
My favorites would be Charlie Brown's Christmas and A Cup of Christmas Tea. The latter never fails to bring a tear to my eye. Such a beautiful story. When my children were young, I always read them The Night Before Christmas and The Story of the First Christmas.
posted 6 years ago.
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mamadvorak
My favorite is the original story. we read it as a family every christmas. it's a classic.
posted 6 years ago.
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sunshinegirl
Mama, that's beautiful. We did that this past year for the first time in awhile and it was very moving and refreshing to hear it again.
posted 6 years ago.
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Amanda
Definitely "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever". I enjoyed the movie and book as a kid (still do). It's heartwarming and hilarious!
posted 6 years ago.
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Becky24
Eloise at Christmastime (sing springles & tringles of Joy, fa la!)--BTW, did you know that Eloise was modeled on Liza Minelli, who was living at the Plaza with Vincent & Judy when the books were written? Also a resounding yes on A Christmas Carol (read it every year, watch at least the George C. Scott version every year), A Child's Christmas in Wales (watch the OOP tape every year) & Capote's A Christmas Memory when I can find a copy of the texts or the wonderful tape-from-TV with Geraldine Page as Sook (my real libraries aren't as organized as Shelfari, LOL).
Also just found on amazon.com that tapes of A Christmas Memory are limited but available, and A Child's Christmas in Wales (the wonderful BBC production with Denholm Elliot) has FINALLY made it to DVD--I can retire my beat-up VHS versions, yay!posted 6 years ago.
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poppet
Really late with this answer....I don't think you can beat Dickens. So yep, A Christmas Carol is my absolute favorite. Someone else mentioned The Polar Express, which left me, well, cold.
posted 6 years ago.
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Blythesong
My all time forever favorite is A Christmas Carol. Few stories epitomize the hope of redemption that Christmas brings. After that, it would be a toss up between The Story of Holly and Ivy and Box of Delights. For pure beauty and tear grabbing, I love Pearl Buck's Christmas Day in the Morning...just beautiful!
posted 6 years ago.
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Rowan has her NOOK and comments she made on the Nook facebook account made it into the BN newsletter :)
By far it is Christmas Carol - we have a theatrical family and my father in law does Scrooge very well and would love to re-do his role. He starts talking about it this time every year. I am also a big fan of Christopher Moore and his book Lamb is another of my Christmas-type faves!
posted 6 years ago.
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mossflower
what about The Snowman by Raymond Briggs, Hamish Hamilton 1978, ISBN 0- 241- 12784 -x is all pictures for little ones
posted 6 years ago.
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mossflower
you don't mean Whistle Down the Wind with Haley Mills, where the children take in the man thinking he is Jesus?
posted 6 years ago.
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Theophania
Not a novel but...the version of The Nutcracker illustrated by Maurice Sendak is a personal favorite. I always thought the illustrations were beautiful and then, when I moved to Seattle as an adult, I realized I could see the book life size: the pictures in the book were based on set designs he did for the Pacific Northwest Ballet. Just gorgeous!
posted 6 years ago.
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firefly_1824
I always remember "The Mole Family's Christmas" and "The Story of Holly and Ivy" from when I was little, and of course "A Christmas Carol." And if you've never seen Patrick Stewart acting like he's choking to death while trying to laugh, you should definately see his version! It had Lee and I both in laughing fits!
posted 6 years ago.
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londonpenguin
I, too, love A Christmas Carol ... even the cheesiest of cheesy Hollywood adaptations. Another one I haven't read in eons but remember liking a great deal is O. Henry's The Gift of the Magi. Also, there was a charming chapter to do with Christmas in one of the Little House books .... might have been Little House in the Big Woods ... and I loved the accompanying illustrations.
posted 6 years ago.
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londonpenguin
I just remembered another one this morning, although I can't remember if it was called Addy and the Christmas Tree or The House Without a Christmas Tree. I just keep picturing Jason Robards .... Anyone know what I'm talking about?
posted 6 years ago.
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Blythesong
The house without a Christmas Tree. I remember that one! It was a children's book by, I think, Gail Rock. The tv movie starred Jason Robards. It was good!
posted 6 years ago.
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Favorite Christmas novels
I have a pile of some of my favorite christmas stories that I bring out every year, even though my children are well past the read-aloud stage. A Christmas Carol has to be right up there at the top of my list. I've even enjoyed almost every Hollywood adaptation of it. From A Muppet's Christmas Carol to Scrooged. There are just so many great themes and lines in it. What are your favorites?posted 6 years ago.
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dixielandings removed this reply 5 years ago
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uplandpoet
Dixie, i see you are new here. Welcome!! always good to run into a Dickens fan! While the church is not castigated, capitalism sure takes a hit. Then again, Jesus doesnt seem the type to condone the hardness of the soul of a modern businessman. i run a small business and try to balance the interests of the owners (our family) the employees and, of course, our valuable and wonderful customers. I think Christmas Carol has been a lot better guide in this than all the conservative protestant preaching i listened to three times per week for the first 25 yrs of my life:)
posted 5 years ago.
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dixielandings
With what seems like a million film/TV versions of this story, I still love to go back to the book just to remind myself that a book is always better than its movie (at least in most cases). Timeless story, tragic characters, believable resolution. Plus, I am a Christian, so I appreciate the subtle tributes Dickens includes to the church (not the building but the people) and its part in the story of Scrooge's redemption.
posted 5 years ago.
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uplandpoet
a better answer to ayn rands atlas shrugged would be hard to find. i love the way he sucked me in with sympathy for the business owner at first, making scrooge seem logical and his nephew seem whiny, only to see the foolishness of my ways by the end of the book.. the world needs more writers like dickens today.
posted 5 years ago.
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Trekvogel
I remember reading this when I was in the 7th grade , i liked it soo much
posted 5 years ago.
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Valerie H
I have not really read this book but I pretty much know it backwards and forwards and I think it is a totally awesome story!!!!!!!!!
posted 5 years ago.
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Niki T
Dickens is just amazing. The pictures he paints! I would recommend this book to anyone, it is especially great at Christmastime!
posted 5 years ago.
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kathleen s
The best memory of this book was reading it to my 9-year-old son during a week-long power outage. The ambiance was perfect and he and I both loved it! In this world of magazines and newspapers, prose like Dickens just isn't written anymore, is it!
posted 5 years ago.
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Verginiah
This is one of my favorite books! Dickens gave us a novel that can touch our heart no matter how many times you read it! It's simply amazing!
posted 4 years ago.
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Kat?J
I do agree! I loved this book, even though we did have to read it for school.
posted 4 years ago.
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Heba P
I am an egyption ,muslim girl and I talk in arabic but Irelly love this novel Ired it several times and I think every one in every where should read it
posted 4 years ago.
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Jessica Y
is this book good? I've read some of the simplified versions, but never the real thing
posted 4 years ago.
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neetu singh
I find this book very interesting and a bit of mysterious.The book Christmas Carol is all about
Self-centered, cold-hearted, and solitary, Ebenezer Scrooge, a character in Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol, undergoes a drastic transformation. Scrooge is haunted by three spirits showing him the error of his ways. As a result, he changed for a meaningful and better future.posted 4 years ago.
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