While I am fond of Little Women and A Christmas Carol, the holiday stories I love best are definitely children's books. Tucked away from the bustle and commercialism of our modern adult lives, here are some of the classics I revisit again and again whenever I need to experience the wonder of human kindness and the transformative power of faith and love.
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery WilliamsOne Christmas Eve, a boy receives a stuffed rabbit in his stocking. If you've ever had an attachment to a toy from your childhood, you'll love this beautiful picture book, which overflows with tenderness and wisdom. I strongly recommend the edition with the David Jorgensen illustrations, or the film version that is a faithful word-for-word reading of the text by incomparable Meryl Streep.
This hilarious middle grade novel follows the horrible Herdman kids, who lie and swear and do all kinds of things nice children have no business doing. But lo and behold, the school's annual pageant brings out all kinds of unexpected behavior...
All of a Kind Family by Sydney TaylorThis charming series is about a group of 5 bookish sisters growing up in early 1900s New York. These old fashioned books are brimming with warm family feeling, as well as lovely depictions of traditional Jewish customs observed throughout the different holidays.
Little House Series No stories embody the spirit of the holiday season for me more than Laura Ingalls Wilder's books, however. (I even made Little House Christmas stockings one year!) Laura's joy in simple things and the earnest desire to do good by others are things that speak deeply to my own beliefs, and the Ingalls' sacrifices during the harder years are always particularly humbling to experience. Brr, that long, long winter! They're the perfect books to curl up with on a cold winter's night.
While each of these books have a bittersweet quality to them, the holiday stories I respond to most deeply are the ones that are left relatively untouched by cynicism and selfishness. It's hard enough to be an adult, but Christmastime brings back a little bit of the innocence of our childhoods. It's nice to believe in magic...even if it's just for a little while.
Check out my fellow bloggers' cozy winter reads:
K.'s Holiday Favorites
Tonya's Holiday Favorites
Hope you all are having a wonderful holiday season! What are some of your favorite books to curl up with during the winter?
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Oh, Wendy, I love that you revisit your childhood loves during the holidays. Actually, I've only read the first two books. I would love to revisit The Velveteen Rabbit.
ReplyDeleteAlso, funny story, I'm pretty sure that The Best Christmas Pageant Ever was the first and last audiobook I listened to until grad school. This would have been when I was in middle school, back when books were on tape. I had my walkman and walked around. I didn't like it at all, but that may have been due to the format. Perhaps I'll revisit that one someday as well.
You've told me before about both of the latter books, and, when you guys do that readalong of Little House, I'll hop on if I can. They're short at least!
Confession: the Little House television show was my secret obsession when I was in middle school/early high school. I would race home after school and curl up to watch while eating a bag of buttery popcorn. No wonder I was a chubby teen.
I try to reread them as much as possible, Christina! They make me really happy. :)
DeleteI really wish more people would try out the All of a Kind Family series--it's so great for readers who love middle grade and historical fiction. They're sweet, old-fashioned stories that would appeal to Eleanor Estes, L.M. Montgomery, or Laura Ingalls Wilder fans, I think.
And d'oh! Heidi and I already read the first two Little House books together. I'm so sorry, I totally forgot you said you might join in. I still want to reread the next few, though--any chance you'd be reading those soon? BAD WENDY.
These are such fun books! I love your little house Christmas stockings, those are too cute! And The Velveteen Rabbit...definitely one of my favorite childrens books ever. :)
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks Bonnie! I haven't crafted in a long time, but I do love those stockings I made.
DeleteSame for me re: Velveteen Rabbit, Bonnie. :) PS, I made a Velveteen Rabbit Adoption Package once, too!
i have never heard of these . cool list
ReplyDeleteMust-reads if you enjoy wintry/holiday books, Roro!
DeleteI love The Velveteen Rabbit. I read it to my daughter all the time.
ReplyDeleteAww, that's so sweet! Have you seen the movie version Amy? I rewatch that now and again, and it's so perfect.
DeleteOh I love books that magicial and remind me of my childhood. I did read Velveteen Rabbit and Little House ...but I should do more rereads in the holiday season.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas
Merry Christmas, Julie! :) I love this time of year, and after the holidays is the perfect time to settle down to revisit with books you love.
DeleteAwww thank you for the gorgeous recommendations Wendy! I have to agree, children's books are the best at this time. I haven't read any of the books you've suggested, so definitely look forward to giving one a try! :)
ReplyDeleteOhh, Jasprit. I hope you do get a chance to check them out soon--I just love these. Happy holidays to you!
DeleteAwwww, The Velveteen Rabbit! Such a classic. Thanks for sharing your list Wendy! :)
ReplyDelete~Sara @ Forever 17 Books
It endures with very good reason. :) And yay, I'm glad you got your DARKEST MINDS prize! Thanks for letting me know on Twitter.
DeleteGosh, it's been YEARS since I read The Velveten Rabbit! I loved that story, so you've reminded me to pick it up again!(: I also loveeeeee the Little House Series. I grew up reading them and they changed me so much as I grew. Phenomenal choices, Wendy, and happy holidays! :D
ReplyDeleteI should have known you were a kindred spirit, Keertana. Those stories are so lovely, aren't they? Every time I read them, it's like experiencing all the love and tenderness all over again. Happy holidays to you! And WATCH THAT MOVIE WE TALKED ABOUT.
DeleteI agree totally on the Little House series and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. I can't wait to start reading Little House to my niece!
ReplyDeleteYay, another Christmas Pageant lover! I'm always surprised when I find people haven't heard of it. And ah, Laura Ingalls. I love her so much, I'm glad to hear you feel the same way. :)
DeleteI've never heard of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, but it sounds funny! I used to read The Velveteen Rabbit to my son over and oooover. And over. lol. Then I bought The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, and that quickly took it's place.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, those kids were baaad. Probably a bit tame by today's standards, but in that Christmas Story shenanigans kind of way, it's a really fun read. :) I'll have to check out the book you mentioned, Christy! I haven't had a chance to read it yet, though it's made the rounds recently.
DeleteWell you've got me in the mood to re-read the Little House series now. It's been such a long time and you're right, perfect holiday read!
ReplyDeleteDoooo it--I just reread the first two books with a friend recently! Such a great series to read when the wind is howling but you're safely tucked up in bed in your own home. :)
DeleteI can't wait to experience these with my little one.
ReplyDeleteAww, your baby is lucky to have a mom who loves reading children's/YA so much. Happy holidays, Juju!
DeleteThe Velveteen Rabbit is also one of my favorites from my childhood! It's amazing how much depth children's books can have. Now I'm reading the Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane to my little sister every night. Definitely brings back memories :')
ReplyDeleteYay for Velveteen Rabbit love! What you say about depth is very true--I've reread that book literally dozens of times, and I am still moved by it, every time. :)
DeleteSomeone else mentioned Edward Tulane above, I definitely have to check that out soon. Thanks for stopping by, Sophie!
LHotP is such a wonderful series!
ReplyDeleteIt is, it is! I'm always so happy when I find someone else loves it, too.
DeleteHIII WENDYYY!!!!!!!!! How have you been?? I missed you and your posts! Sorry I've been kinda absent lately- I was on a short blogging break but I'm back and WOW what a great list of books. I especially love the Velveteen Rabbit!!!! Great post as always, Wendy. Merry christmas! :)
ReplyDeleteWellll hi!! Welcome back, and merry merry to you , too. :) I think a lot of bloggers have found it hard to balance life and blogging recently, so don't feel bad. I'm glad you're a Velveteen Rabbit fan, too! Pssst...I even have a plushie. :)
DeleteHope to see you posting again soon!
Wonderful list, Wendy. Haven't read most of these but now I'm thinking I need to fill my childhood with a couple more stories :)
ReplyDeleteI used to have the Little House set. My parents bought them for me but...I never read them. Stop staring at me like that!!
I have to fly up there and lock you in a room with all the books I want you to read, don't I?! I am beside myself that you've yet to read these, plus Anne, plus Emily...and those are just the older titles. :(
ReplyDeleteOn a happier note, I loved SHADOW AND BONE! :D You were totally right.
Cute topic!!! The only ones I've read are the Little House books. Well. My dad read them to me when I was little, I guess that counts. Lol But they weren't my favorite... I kept waiting for Ma and Pa to get beamed up by aliens or something. :-)
ReplyDeleteHah hah, THAT would be an interesting mash-up for sure. Let's wait 50 years and see if Quirk publishes those. ;)
DeleteThe Velveteen Rabbit is such a lovely story. I haven't read that in many years and will have to pick up a copy for my little man.
ReplyDeleteOne story I read every year at my mom's house is How Six Found Christmas. I am not even sure it is in print anymore, but a special story of how six unlikely companions can make Christmas out of anything beautiful. If you come across it you should snatch it up!
Hi Molly! *waves*
DeleteI'm so glad so many friends love The Velveteen Rabbit, too! It still makes my heart ache after all these years. And oooh, I will definitely be on the lookout for the book you mentioned. Thank you for the tip!
oh I didn't know these ones but it looks really cute.
ReplyDeleteTHEY ARE. :) Hope you get to read them sometime, Melliane!
DeleteThank you for reminding me! I was going to read The Best Christmas Pageant Ever to my kids this year and I totally forgot to dig it out. I remember laughing like a maniac reading that book, but it's been a very long time. I think the Little House books are a good choice, especially that one. All of a Kind Family isn't one I've heard of before. I'm going to check it out! Bookish sisters sounds like a win to me!
ReplyDeleteOh, awesome Candace! I think it's time for me to reread that one, too, I haven't read it in a long time. I think it still holds up even for adults.
DeleteAnd yes, please do try the AOAKF (<--whoa) series--it is one of my favorite middle grade reads. The very first chapter of the very first book is about one of the girls losing her library book and the distress that causes. You get such a thorough (but age appropriate) look at what it was like to grow up poor in the lower East side of New York just as this country was beginning to form. It's a great book to read with your kids. Oh jeez. Now I want to reread those, too!
Wendy. The Velveteen Rabbit... you... you're going to make me cry just thinking about it. I seriously haven't read the rest but but but... I'll fix this :D
ReplyDelete*runs off to cry into pillow*
♥
Have you seen the Meryl Streep film, Sarah? If not, I insist that you watch the Youtube preview at least! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_m054tLKvs
DeleteIt is so so good. And it will make you eat that pillow in your sorrow.
I am with you that the best holiday stories are kids books. Laura Ingalls books are a favorite of mine as well. Can you believe that I haven't read The Velveteen Rabbit? I really need to rectify that. Thanks for sharing, Wendy!
ReplyDeleteREAD IT, JENNI, READ IT! Before I have a heart attack. It's so, so good.
DeleteThe Velveteen Rabbit has such beautiful illustrations, I think that's a wonderful choice! I also loved Little House stories, I read them to my daughter when she was younger. Have a happy and safe holiday, Wendy, and thanks for sharing all these lovelies! :)
ReplyDeleteThere are many different versions of The Velveteen Rabbit, but this one has always been my favorite.
DeleteI love that you read Little House with your daughter--so cozy! Hope you and your family are having a wonderful holiday season. :)
I've only read the Little House series - loved it! - so I guess I need to check out some of these other books. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever sounds hilarious; I think it would also be a good recommendation for my little brother and cousin.
ReplyDeleteYES, please! I'd love to hear what you think of them. And yes, boys would love the rotten Herdman kids, hah.
DeleteI LOVE The Little House series! Seriously, one of my favorites and one of the books that I remember reading at a very early age. So glad you reread them!
ReplyDelete