Book picks similar to
Mrs. Claus Takes the Reins by Sue Fliess


christmas
picture-books
holiday
children-s-books

Gingerbread Mouse


Katy Bratun - 1998
    Then…crack! A tree branch falls and destroys her house!It’s up to Mouse to find a new place to live in time for her to enjoy the season. With determination, resourcefulness, and a good amount of Christmas wonder, Mouse finds not only another house but also a place she can truly call home.Katy Bratun’s detailed and vivacious illustrations capture the warm yet festive innerworkings of Mouse’s possible homes. Little ones will want to snuggle up with this story over and over again throughout the holiday season.Includes a delicious recipe for gingerbread cookies.

Long Ago, On a Silent Night


Julie Berry - 2019
    He was her gift that Christmas Day. There's no sweeter gift than a life so new. My best gift, little one, is you.In this poignant and lyrical story by Printz Honor recipient Julie Berry, the miracle of Christmas and the promise in every new child come together in a luminous celebration of unconditional love and hope. With tender, incandescent illustrations by Annie Won, the wonder of the nativity story and the marvel of every baby come alive in a wholly extraordinary book for families everywhere.A special, beautiful keepsake storybook to read, share, and cherish every Christmas season with the ones you love.

The Great Spruce


John Duvall - 2016
    But his favorite is the great spruce, with its sturdy trunk and branches that stretch up to the sky. Alec’s grandpa planted it as a sapling years and years before Alec was born, and every Christmas, Alec and his grandpa decorate the tree together, weaving tinsel and lights through its branches, making it shine bright. But one day, a few curious men from the nearby city take notice of Alec’s glistening great spruce, and ask to take it away for their Christmas celebration. Though it’s a huge honor, Alec’s heartbroken at the idea of losing his friend. With great courage and creativity, Alec comes up with a plan to save his favorite tree in this joyful holiday tale.

The Little Snowplow Wishes for Snow


Lora Koehler - 2019
    Throughout the year, he wishes for snow to come, but winter begins without a single flake in sight. As the weeks pass and the little snowplow's birthday approaches, he starts to wonder whether it will snow at all. Will the little snowplow's birthday dreams come true?

When Santa Lost His Ho! Ho! Ho!


Laura Rader - 2008
    Claus right down to the littlest elf—is getting ready for the big day. But there's something wrong at the North Pole. It's just a bit too . . . quiet. Oh no! Santa has lost his laugh! Where could it be? And how can there be Christmas without Santa's Ho! Ho! Ho!From the author of Santa's New Suit and Who'll Pull Santa's Sleigh Tonight? comes a holiday romp that's sure to make readers giggle with glee.*Brightly.com

The Donkey's Dream


Barbara Helen Berger - 1985
    He carried the Virgin Mary to Bethlehem on the night she gave birth. Along the way he dreamed he was carrying a city, a ship, a fountain, and a rose. He dreamed he was carrying a lady full of heaven--and he was. Barbara Helen Berger's glowing artwork and lyrical text perfectly convey the beauty and majesty of the story of the Nativity.

The Christmas Cat


Maryann Macdonald - 2013
    Jesus was no exception. On the night he was born, nothing Mary, Joseph, or the animals in the stable could do would comfort him. But when a curious kitten wanted its turn to calm the baby Jesus, a loving friendship blossomed on that very first Christmas.This perfect read-aloud was inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's drawings of La Madonna del Gatto, which show Mary lovingly holding the baby Jesus who is cuddling a cat.

How to Catch an Elf


Adam Wallace - 2016
    You've been waiting all year long, and now it's finally Christmas Eve! Is this the year you'll finally catch an elf? Start a new Christmas tradition with this hilarious children's book from the creators of the New York Times best-seller How to Catch a Leprechaun!"It's Christmas Eve! Hip hip, hooray!Yes, Santa's coming 'round.He's bringing toys to girls and boysin every house in town.""Some kids have tried to catch him, but Santa's fast, you see!So they've set their eyes on a smaller prize, and now they're after me!"

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bell!


Lucille Colandro - 2006
    A wacky new Christmas version of the classic "There Was an Old Lady" song!This time, the hungry old lady swallows a bell, bows, gifts, a sack, a sleigh, and some reindeer! She's about to swallow a candy cane for dessert, when she hears a jolly "Ho! Ho! Ho!" Santa Claus is waiting for a ride! Watch what happens when she whistles, with amazing results!With rhyming text and funny illustrations, this lively version of a classic song will appeal to young readers with every turn of the page--a fun story for Christmastime!This is a wonderful companion to Colandro and Lee's other Old Lady books!

Oliver Elephant


Lou Peacock - 2017
    They play peekaboo and hide in a dolls' house, and Noah even dances Oliver across the displays. But just as Mom has checked off the last thing on her list, disaster strikes: Oliver is nowhere to be found! And the department store is VERY big. Will retracing their steps be enough to reunite Noah and his beloved toy elephant?

A Wish to Be a Christmas Tree


Colleen Monroe - 2000
    With delightful illustrations by wildlife artist Michael Monroe and enchanting text from Colleen Monroe, the birds, deer and squirrel of this story help make their special friend's wish come true.

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.

Counting Christmas


Karen Katz - 2003
    Join in the fun and count down to Christmas!Three children getting ready for Christmas count down from ten to one in anticipation of Christmas morning.

My Dad Thinks He's Funny


Katrina Germein - 2010
    Whenever I say, I'm hungry, Dad says, 'Hello Hungry. Pleased to meet you.' My Dad thinks he's funny. But he's not.Does your dad think he’s funny? Warmly told, cleverly illustrated and packed full of everyone’s favourite ‘dadisms’.

How Santa Lost His Job


Stephen Krensky - 2001
    Every year he prepares for his trip: He trims his beard, takes a bath, gets dressed, and packs up his sleigh fort he long night ahead. But there are always a few unexpected delays that make things a little hectic. Muckle, one of the elves who helps Santa, thinks he can come up with a more efficient way of delivering the toys -- a method that won't involve Santa at all.