DECEMBER BOOK LIST

When a little girl finds out her family is planning a "simple" Christmas this year, she's not so sure about it. But soon she gets into the spirit of simplicity and generosity by making presents and Christmas decorations with her parents and grandparents on their family farm.

This storybook is a captivating retelling of the Christmas story, showing how God kept his promise to send a new King, a rescuing King, a forever King! Perfect for children aged 3 to 6.

Christmas has come to the Big Woods of Wisconsin! Laura and her family are excited to celebrate. When Laura’s cousins, aunt, and uncle arrive, they spend their time together eating sweets, playing in the snow, and reading.

Excavator, Bulldozer, Crane, Dump Truck and Cement Mixer are building a new home for fire engines. As they finish their big, important job, they get their own Christmas surprises.

As children wait with anticipation for Christmas, they can follow the adventures of Benjamin­­–the littlest watchman–who waits for and then witnesses the first Christmas.

When Stella gets the sudden idea to go caroling, she has a little trouble getting someone to join her. Will Stella need to sing by herself—with enthusiastic contributions from the pig, the cat, and the horse she picks up on the way?

Rob wants to get his father something special for Christmas this year—something that shows how much he really loves him. But it's Christmas Eve, and he doesn't have much money to spend. What could he possibly get? Suddenly, Rob thinks of the best gift of all...

A procession travels to Bethlehem, bringing gifts for the newborn baby Jesus. The little drummer boy comes along, although he is too poor to bring a present fit for a king. Instead, he plays a song on his drum for the Christ Child.

Jonathan Toomey is the best woodcarver in the valley, but he is always alone and never smiles. No one knows about the mementos of his lost wife and child that he keeps in an unopened drawer. But one early winter’s day, a widow and her young son approach him with a gentle request that leads to a joyful miracle.

Excited by his aunts' stories of the South Pole, plucky penguin Jonty Gentoo sneaks out of the zoo and sets off to find the land of the gentoo penguins. However, the world is a very big place for a little gentoo penguin and enthusiastic Jonty swims... in the wrong direction! Join Jonty Gentoo on a pole-to-pole adventure as he meets new friends and -- finally -- finds his way home.

Squirrel and Bird are back, and this time it's winter! But squirrel has never seen snow before. Will he like it? You bet he will! Except, just as Squirrel starts to get used to the snow, it disappears. Is there a snow thief on the loose?

One winter morning, Lina wakes up to silence. It's the sound of snow -- the kind that looks soft and glows bright in the winter sun. But as she walks to her grandmother's house to help make the family recipe for warak enab, she continues to listen.

The old apple tree that stands near the Ansterburgs’ barn house is an important part of their lives. Its sweet, juicy apples go into pies, applesauce, lunch pails, and even decorate their annual Christmas tree. But then an ice storm brings down the old tree, splitting it down the middle.

Opening in Depression-era New York City, The Carpenter's Gift tells the story of eight-year-old Henry and his father selling Christmas trees. They give a Christmas tree to construction workers building Rockefeller Center. Through the kindness of the construction workers and neighbors, Henry gets his wish for a nice, warm home to replace his family's drafty shack.

It is a silent, snowy December night. Shopkeepers and country folk in the tiny Vermont village are hurrying everywhere, lighting candles, wrapping gifts, baking pies--getting ready. But for what? For Christmas Eve? Or is there more? The Miller family knows there is! Pa and the boys, little Andy and Jamie, rush to the train station through the blizzardy twilight to pick up Grandma Stokes.

From the author of the bestseller THE LITTLE MOUSE, THE RED RIPE STRAWBERRY AND THE BIG HUNGRY BEAR, this delightful picture book brings back the same beloved characters, the timid Little Mouse and the mysterious unseen Big Hungry Bear, and ends with a wonderful Christmas surprise.

On the eve of the very first Christmas, an old grandmother is busy tidying her home when a bright star illuminates the sky. Soon three wise men arrive and invite Babushka to join them in their travels, following the star in search of a newborn babe, the Prince of Peace.

In a church tower, three bells practice ringing for Christmas Eve. But the newest and smallest bell in the tower is silent. What could be wrong? The dove, the wise crow, and all the other animals find good words to try to encourage the little bell to ring. But nothing works . . .

That cold winter's night, beneath the star's light...a Little One came for the world.

Mortimer the mouse lives in a hole under the stairs. Everyday he creeps about looking for good things to eat. One time, he sees something new--a house that's just his size!

Dr. Morley absolutely loves jellyfish. Her entire life, she has been fascinated by one specific species, a legendary creature that no one has ever seen. Does the giant Arctic jellyfish even exist? After years of research, Dr. Morley and her crew don their red parkas and set off to icy northern waters in hopes of finding the mysterious creature - but will Dr. Morley find what she is searching for?

Lucy's wish was all it took for Hector Fox and his merry band of woodland friends to set out on an adventure beyond the friendly Green Wood. They had all heard a roumor of an enormous, shadowy stranger living in the Forbidden Marsh. Was it a fairy-tale giant? The five friends set out on a quest to learn the truth, and with some unexpected help, make a giant discovery.

Rylant evokes the warmth of the joyful Christmas season and celebrates the greatest gift of all--the love of family. Diane Goode's cheerful watercolors capture the festivities of the season, from Christmas trees loaded with homemade ornaments to the snow-covered countryside. A warm, evocative portrait of a loving family and a favorite season.

As northern lights dance and snow blankets the ground, a young girl searches for the perfect book to give her loved ones for their annual book exchange on Christmas Eve. When December 24th finally arrives, they gather together to share magical stories, curl up by the fire, and read all night long―so the Book Flood begins!

When Wilma decides her garden needs a new beginning, she gathers string, scissors, shovels, sixty-two dozen balsam seedlings, and Parker, her five-year-old neighbor. Year after year, Wilma and Parker nurture their trees, keeping careful count of how many they plant, how many perish, and how many grow to become fine, full Christmas trees.

SUGGESTED AGES: 6+ | In 1843, Charles Dickens penned a story—a classic Christmas tale full of ghosts and the endearing humbug Ebenezer Scrooge. That story—which has captivated readers for over 150 years—is now accompanied by the delightful illustrations of Joe Sutphin.

The three wise men, or the three kings, are familiar figures in the Christmas tradition. Newbery medalist Linda Sue Park has taken the brief biblical references to the three as the starting point for a new story.
In it we meet a boy who is learning his father’s trade; a man who gathers resin from certain trees; a merchant in the marketplace; and three strangers in brightly colored robes who are shopping for a gift for a baby.

This story, based on actual events that occurred in the tenth century, tells of a kind-hearted king and his page who set out to help a poor man on a cold winter's night and experience a miracle along the way. Tim Ladwig's energetic paintings bring new life to the familiar words and remind readers of all ages that helping others is a blessing.

Jacob is a young boy with a gift for carpentry who is busy finishing up a project for a contest. His teacher, Rabbi Simeon, not only instructs him in carpentry, but also teaches him important lessons about God. Rabbi has just taught Jacob that when you give a gift to one of God's children, it's like giving a gift to God.

On a dark November night, a man arrives in a small town. While the townspeople are curious about who he is, and what he brings, only Lucy is brave enough to offer him her help. As she unpacks candy jars and sweets, he tells her the story of the candy cane and its origin.

The Crippled Lamb follows the story of Joshua, a lamb with a crippled leg who feels left out because he can't run and play like the other lambs. But God has a special plan for Joshua's life, as He does for all who feel alone.

Slide, step, and stomp through the snow with “Grammy” as she takes her grandkids on a winter adventure. As they explore the woods, they spot a cardinal, learn why some trees are green all year, and build a tall snowman. At the end of the day, they learn how to build a pinecone bird feeder.