The Rag Coat


Lauren A. Mills - 1991
    With paintings that capture all the beauty of Appalachia in authentic detail, this tender story about a resourceful mountain girl's special coat will touchreaders with its affirming message of love and friendship.

The Tailor of Gloucester


Beatrix Potter - 1903
    Her passion for the natural world lay behind the creation of her famous series of little books. A particular source of inspiration was the English Lake District where she lived for the last thirty years of her life as a farmer and land conservationist, working with the National Trust.She described The Tailor of Gloucester as her own favourite among her books. It was based on the true story of a tailor who left the unsewn pieces of a coat in his shop and found that the garment had been mysteriously finished for him in the night. It turned out that the real tailor's assistants were his apprentices, but in Beatrix Potter's version of the story the secret helpers are skilful little brown mice.

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.

How Do Dinosaurs Say Merry Christmas?


Jane Yolen - 2012
    With ornaments on the branches and carolers singing at the door, the spirit of Christmas is finally here and filling the hearts of families everywhere. But when the stockings are hung on the chimney, and the cookies are left out for Santa, how can little dinosaurs go to sleep? It's so exciting! How can they possibly calm down and behave?Children will laugh out loud as dinosaurs secretly lick candy canes, take sneaky peeks at gifts, and disrupt the traditional family feast.With holiday surprises around every corner, the award-winning team of Jane Yolen and Mark Teague create an engaging, fun gift sure to be read again and again, year after year. How do dinosaurs say Merry Christmas? The same way they say Happy Chanukah: With an abundance of love, joy, memory, and gratitude.

Deck the Walls: A Wacky Christmas Carol


Erin Dealey - 2013
    How wonderful the old carol sounds. A vision of warm family gatherings peacefully celebrating the holiday season comes to mind. But wait, this doesn’t sound like a peaceful family get-together. What is happening here? Deck the walls with mashed potatoes! Fa la la la la la la la la. Make a snowman with tomatoes. Fa la la la la la la la la. Author Erin Dealey has taken the old holiday classic and turned it on its head. In her riotous, raucous rendition of a family meal gone hilariously awry, you’ll find food hockey, vegetable sculptures, crashing dishes, and grown-ups wondering what has gone wrong. From “Feed the dog our peas and carrots” to “Food tastes better when you wear it,” readers young and old will never forget this new take on an old holiday carol!

When Santa Was a Baby


Linda Bailey - 2015
    and has an unusual interest in chimneys. The adorably funny portrait of an oddball kid who fulfills his destiny - and two very proud parents.

Clown


Quentin Blake - 1995
    One day, Clown is thrown into the trash, but he doesn't stay there long.He tries to find someone to take care of his friends, but no one listens.Then Clown finds someone he can take care of, and together, they make a home for everyone.Follow the fortunes of Clown-- who starts in a garbage can and ends up in a happy family-- in this perfectly pitched picture book.Master illustrator Quentin Blake has created an irrepressible character, an action-filled plot, and an eloquent story that can be read on several levels-- all without the use of a single word.Best Illustrated Book of 1996, New York Times Book ReviewHorn Book Fanfare Book

The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving: The True Meaning of Christmas


Jan Berenstain - 2010
    Join Brother and Sister Bear at the Christmas Eve pageant as they witness the very first Christmas, and make an important discovery about giving and receiving, a valuable lesson at Christmas and year around.  The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving—part of the popular series Living Lights—is perfect for: Early readers ages 4-8 Reading out loud at home or in a classroom Sparking conversations about the joy of giving to others  Developing an attitude of gratitude  The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving: Features the hand-drawn artwork of the Berenstain family Continues in the much-loved footsteps of Stan and Jan Berenstain Is part of one of the bestselling children’s book series ever created, with more than 250 unique books published and nearly 300 million books sold to date    Look for additional inspirational children’s picture books in the Berenstain Bears Living Lights™ series.

Cobweb Christmas: The Tradition of Tinsel


Shirley Climo - 1982
    The old lady decorates a wonderful tree and makes certain to have something for all who come to visit, be it the nearby village children or the shy animals of the pine forest.The only creatures Tante overlooks are the spiders she has swept out of her cottage while cleaning. But the curious spiders want to come inside and see Tante's tree, too. When a midnight visitor lets them into the old lady's home, they unknowingly spin Tante the very gift she has longed for—a gift that has inspired the draping of tinsel on Christmas trees ever since.“A charming story.” —Publishers WeeklyAll her life, Tante had heard tales about marvelous happenings on Christmas Eve. Animals might speak aloud. Bees might hum carols, or cocks crow at midnight. Tante wished she could witness a bit of Christmas magic, too....

The Wish Tree


Kyo Maclear - 2016
    His brother and sister don't believe there is such a thing, but his trusty companion Boggan is ready to join Charles on a journey to find out. And along the way, they discover that wishes can come true in the most unexpected ways.

A Pirate's Night Before Christmas


Philip Yates - 2008
    Moore classic. On this ship of mischievous brigands—who have visions of treasure chests, not sugarplums, dancing in their heads—you wouldn’t expect a visit from nice St. Nick. Instead, here comes Sir Peggedy, with his peg leg and hook arm, cracking his whip and driving eight giant seahorses: Salty, Scurvy, Sinbad, Mollie, Cutthroat, Cross-Eyes, Roger, and Jolly. Philip Yates’ rollicking rhymes and Sebastià Serra’s sprightly, fun-filled pictures—featuring whimsically multicolored seahorses, stockings hung on the ship’s bowsprit with tar, child-friendly pirates, and a complete treasure map—turn this Christmas perennial into a jubilant celebration!

A Creature Was Stirring


Carter Goodrich - 2006
     And while upstairs his parents were dreaming and snoring, with Santa so close, sleep seemed pretty boring. Esteemed New Yorker cover artist Carter Goodrich retells the story of 'Twas the night before Christmas from the child's point of view. With Clement Clarke Moore's classic poem one one side of every page, and a child's comedic rhyming on the other, this magical book about seeing and dreaming of Santa Claus will inspire readers of all ages to believe. Against a luminous backdrop of midnight and silver, memories of Christmases past and present converge in a modern classic born in the tradition of The Polar Express.

The Mole Family's Christmas


Russell Hoban - 1969
    When the Mole family finds out about Christmas and the fat man in the red suit, they ask for a telescope to help them see the stars.

The Donkey's Christmas Song


Nancy Tafuri - 2002
    The donkey wants to be the first to welcome the baby, but he is too shy. So the doves welcome him with their "Coo-coo," the cow with her "Moo-moo," and all the other animals in turn. Then, the baby welcomes the shy donkey with his own sweet smile. The donkey brays - "Hee-aw!" - and the baby laughs with joy! Then all snuggle around the baby and settle into sleep. This warm presentation of the first Christmas celebrates the wonder of a baby's birth and welcomes all into the spirit of holiday joy.

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening


Robert Frost - 1969
    For this special edition with a new design, trim size, and three new spreads, Susan Jeffers has added more detail and subtle color to her sweeping backgrounds of frosty New England scenes. There are more animals to find among the trees, and the kindly figure with his "promises to keep" exudes warmth as he stops to appreciate the quiet delights of winter. The handsome new vellum jacket will attract new and old fans as it evokes a frost-covered windowpane. This celebration of a season makes an ideal holiday gift for a child, a teacher, or a host. Robert Frost (1874-1963) is one of America's most celebrated poets and a four-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize.Susan Jeffers is the illustrator of such distinguished picture books as Three Jovial Huntsmen, a Caldecott Honor Book; Rachel Field's Hitty; and the ABBY Award-winning Brother Eagle, Sister Sky, which was also a New York Times best-seller.