Book picks similar to
Oliver Elephant by Lou Peacock


christmas
picture-books
picture-book
holiday

Gilbert The Hero


Jane Clarke - 2010
    His baby brother, Finn, is too small to join in with any of his games, so when Mallett suggests a game of skating, he decides to leave Finn alone and join in. Soon an enormous orca appears and it has Finn in its sight. Can Gilbert reach Finn in time to save him?

Jingle Bells


Susan Jeffers - 2017
    With playful animals in their path, their journey gets a bit sidetracked. But soon enough they arrive at Grandma’s—where an unexpected visitor fills them with holiday cheer!

Christmas Wombat


Jackie French - 2011
    And when Mothball takes an unexpected sleigh ride, it′s not just Santa who faces the prospect of getting stuck in the chimney.Christmas from a wombat′s eye view is always going to be interesting - especially when that wombat is Mothball.Ages 3+

The Dinosaurs' Night Before Christmas


Anne Muecke - 2008
    And with the enclosed CD, children of all ages can enjoy dinosaur-themed Christmas party music, and hear the story read aloud by the Today Show's Al Roker! A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book goes to support the American Museum of Natural History in New York, where the story is set.

Stable Where Jesus Was Born


Rhonda Gowler Greene - 1999
    Even the smallest listener will feel the warmth and joy of the Christmas season and the miracle it celebrates.

The Nativity


Julie Vivas - 1986
    With illustrations that are enchanting and unexpected, Julie Vivas reveals the human side to Mary's story, beautifully imagining the Angel Gabriel delivering the news to her, the exhausting journey with Joseph to Bethlehem, and at last the deliverance of the baby Jesus.

The Little Fir Tree


Christopher Corr - 2019
    When the tree is taken to town at Christmas, it feels like all his dreams have come true. But what will happen the day after? Find out in this beautifully illustrated modern retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s festive tale. When he was surrounded by the splendor of nature, the little fir tree could only think about what he wasn’t and what he didn’t have and couldn’t see. After the initial excitement of venturing out, though, he finds that the world isn’t quite what he expected. As the story of the little fir tree unfolds—brought to enchanting life with the colorful, folk art–inspired artwork of acclaimed author/illustrator Christopher Corr—so does a touching lesson on appreciating what we already have and a hopeful message of rebirth.

Just Right for Christmas


Birdie Black - 2011
    Little does he know that the left-over cloth will be used to make presents for many more of the kingdom’s inhabitants, right down to the last teeny bit of cloth which is made into a scarf just right for a mouse.

The Christmas Owl: Based on the True Story of a Little Owl Named Rockefeller


Gideon Sterer - 2021
    But then she is saved by a woman named Ellen, whose house is merrily decorated for the holiday, and filled with birds who need someone to care for them. Surrounded by kindness and helpful new friends, Little Owl begins to wonder if Christmas might not be such a bad thing after all…. Co-written by Ellen Kalish, caretaker of the real owl found inside the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, The Christmas Owl is a charming story of friendship, compassion, and the true meaning of this special time of year.

Presents Through the Window: A Taro Gomi Christmas Book


Taro Gomi - 1983
    Moustache. Helicopter. This may not be your ordinary Santa, but it's still a daunting Christmas Eve challenge! There are so many presents to deliver, and so little time. It's a good thing Santa has a plan. He'll just peek into every window and toss in a gift. Done! The trouble is, Santa is moving much too quickly to see who really lives in each house. With interactive cut-outs throughout, readers will delight in following Santa's lightning-speed Christmas antics as they discover the true (and hilarious) identities of the gifts' recipients! From the beloved and bestselling Taro Gomi, here is Christmas cheer for all!

I Spy Pets


Edward Gibbs - 2013
    Look through the spy holes and use the texture clues to guess; then turn the page to reveal the animal. Watch as children quickly become engaged in the game — joining in with the interactive novelty and learning what animals eat along the way.

The Christmas Crocodile


Bonny Becker - 1998
    The Christmas Crocodile doesn't mean to be bad, not really, but soon he is eating everything in the house, even the Christmas tree! "Send the beast to Africa," huffs Uncle Theodore. Aunt Figgy thinks he should be put in an orphanage. "Maybe the zoo?" suggests Father. But Alice Jayne wants to give him a home. Will their Christmas survive if she doesReaders' appetites for humor will be well satisfied by this rollicking holiday treat.

The Not-So-Faraway Adventure


Andrew Larsen - 2016
    He had been everywhere. He kept an old trunk packed with the pictures, postcards, maps and menus that he had collected on his adventures. Someday, Theo wants to be an explorer, too. For now, it's Poppa's birthday, and Theo has planned a special trip to the beach with him to celebrate. They plot out their course on a map they've drawn and then take the streetcar to the local beach, where they stroll in the sand, hunt for stones and slurp gazpacho at the beachside restaurant. It's a perfect day, and Theo is so happy to have given Poppa just the right gift. But best of all, Theo has also had her first lesson in being an explorer: you don't have to travel far from home to have an adventure! In this heartwarming picture book, popular author Andrew Larsen has created a rich story that captures the magic of turning an ordinary day into an adventure. The closeness between Theo and Poppa is touching, and offers a terrific opportunity for classroom discussions about family relationships. The emphasis on discovering the world right outside your door is a wonderful springboard for projects in which children can do the same in their own communities. With subtle and imaginative details in the cityscape, the beach and Poppa's home, Irene Luxbacher's fresh and expressive illustrations add depth to the story. The endearing Poppa and Theo also star in The Imaginary Garden, written and illustrated by the same creators.

The Night Before Halloween


Natasha Wing - 1999
    Moore's beloved poem. But what will happen on Halloween when the monsters come face to face with human trick-or-treaters in this fun-filled book by the author of The Night Before Easter?

The Biggest Snowman Ever


Steven Kroll - 2005
    But building a huge snowman alone is hard! They work and work, but their snowmen just aren't big enough. Soon they have an idea. As the day of the contest approaches, Clayton and Desmond join forces to build the biggest snowman ever.