Book picks similar to
The First Night by B.G. Hennessy


christmas
picture-books
holidays
children

Over the River and Through the Wood


Lydia Maria Francis Child - 1844
    In this hilarious modern spoof of a favorite holiday song, the trip to Grandfather's house is no peaceful sleigh ride!

The Mouse Before Christmas


Michael Garland - 1997
    Full-color illustrations.

Is Your Mama a Llama?


Deborah Guarino - 1989
    Rhyming questions and answers will charm and amuse children. Full-color illustrations.

Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas


Tim Burton - 1993
    He's in charge of making Halloweenland the coolest creepy place around. But when Jack suddenly grows bored with tricks and treats, he goes searching for new ways to celebrate...and he finds them in Christmas Town! Christmas, Jack decides, is just what Halloweenland -- and the world -- needs! He sets out to take over the role of Santa. But can anything good come of a tall and lanky skeleton dressed up as everyone's favorite jolly old elf? Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas is one of the Walt Disney Company's most successful franchises, with a huge cult following and a loyal and growing fan base. This beautiful reissue of the book first released in 1993 is a surefire Halloween, Christmas, and year-round hit! The Nightmare Before Christmas is the first book that Tim Burton has written and illustrated.

Angela and the Baby Jesus


Frank McCourt - 2007
    Joseph's Church near School House Lane where she lived...."* * * *Frank McCourt's Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir "Angela's Ashes" is a modern classic. Now he has written a captivating Christmas story about Angela as a child -- often cold and hungry herself -- compelled to rescue the Baby Jesus and take him home. This story is pure McCourt -- genuine, irreverent and moving.It is elegantly illustrated by two-time Golden Kite Award winner Loren Long and is the perfect Christmas story for all ages.

A Christmas Bell for Anya


Chris Stewart - 2006
    But in a small Siberian village famous for producing the finest Christmas bells in the world, the townspeople made their usual preparations for a Christmas tradition that went back many generations. For eight-year-old Anya and her widowed father, this Christmas had special significance. This Christmas, Anya was one of the girls chosen from the village to ring in Christmas morn with her very own Christmas bell. This beautifully illustrated story underscores the true reason for celebrating Christ’s birth. First presented at the Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s 2005 Christmas concerts by acclaimed British actress, Claire Bloom, the demand for a print version of the story has been tremendous. A CD and DVD version of the original presentation, featuring the music of Alfred Reed performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square, is included with the book. 32 page hardcover book with DualDisc - with CD and DVD versions - included in the book.

The Great Santa Stakeout


Betsy Bird - 2019
    He has Santa posters, Santa action figures, and even Santa underwear. But there is one prize Freddy desperately wants: A photograph taken with Santa, fresh out of the chimney. Oh, is it risky! It's awfully hard to sneak anything by someone who can see you when you're sleeping and knows when you're awake. That's why Freddy has been extra good this year . . . at hiding his plans. Will Freddy get away with his delightfully devious scheme to outwit Santa Claus himself and capture the ultimate selfie?

Top Cat


Lois Ehlert - 1998
    At first, Top Cat doesn't want to share his house and favorite things, but soon he learns that two cats can be lots more fun than one.

Pirates Don't Change Diapers


Melinda Long - 2007
    Sure, there's buried treasure to be found, but nobody's digging up anything until Bonney Anne quits her caterwauling. So, quicker than you can say "scurvy dog," Braid Beard and his swashbuckling pirates become . . . babysitters? Blimey!     This hilarious companion to How I Became a Pirate reveals that minding the nursery can be even more terrifying than walking the plank--especially if you're a pirate.

Merry Christmas, Stinky Face


Lisa McCourt - 2002
    What if a big wind blows his Christmas tree away? What if Santa's book falls off while he's flying his sleigh? Only Stinky Face could come up with such crazy Christmas worries!

The Bear Who Didn't Want to Miss Christmas


Marie Tibi - 2016
    But that means he won’t get to celebrate Christmas with his woodland friends, and he’s very sad. Can his pals find a clever way to help him join in the fun? This heartwarming, holiday picture book captures the festive spirit of the holiday and the beauty of friendship.

The Night Before the Night Before Christmas


Natasha Wing - 2002
    But one family is having trouble getting its act together. Once again, Natasha Wing follows the rhythms and meter of Clement Moore's classic Christmas poem, yet gives it her own entirely original twist.

The 12 Days of Christmas


Jane Cabrera - 2013
    Merry animals celebrate the twelve days of Christmas in this version of the traditional folk song.

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.

God Bless Your Way: A Christmas Journey


Emily Belle Freeman - 2007
    Mary and Joseph weren't the only ones turned away from the inn at Bethlehem. In this new Nativity story, a widower named Micah travels the crowded road to return to the town of his birth. Just in front of him a young woman, heavy with child, rides in the back of a donkey. Her husband leads the way, walking slowly to make the ride smoother. Every so often the young woman turns toward Micah, offering gentle words of encouragement as he hobbles along behind them. And each time they stop for water, she makes sure that her husband offers Micah a sip. When they arrive at Bethlehem, Micah and the young couple go their separate ways. Micah wearily wanders the streets for shelter, a place to eat, and some way to fill his loneliness. Although he doesn't receive what he wants, he does receive what he needs--a warm quilt, a loaf of bread, and in the end, an invitation to come inside a small stable.