One of our Christmas traditions, and possibly one of my favourite traditions, is when the elves deliver a book to my children sometime in the week running up to Christmas.
We've had some cracking books over the years. That's Not My Reindeer was probably one of the first they had - but my son is now fourteen and my daughter has recently turned nine so books with a few more words in are given. (I have to say, though, I'll always have a soft spot for those That's Not My...books for toddlers.)
Another book that was delivered when my daughter was young is The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore and illustrated by Christian Birmingham. I love this edition. It's got a beautiful illustration of Father Christmas on the cover and inside is the enchanting poem. I always read this to my children on Christmas Eve as they're going to bed and get both excited and emotional whilst narrating it.
When I asked my daughter to choose her favourite Christmas books The Night Before Christmas was at the top of the pile.
Of course, as a family, we are big fans of the Home Alone movies. (Well, films one and two anyway.) Two years ago they released a hardback version of the story which my daughter loves. (They now also sell it as a paperback). So if you have a Home Alone fan in the house this would make a great stocking filler.
Another larger, illustrated, book is The Empty Stocking by Richard Curtis. Twins, Charlie and Sam, were the same in every way. Except Sam was good and Charlie was very naughty. So when it comes to receiving presents from Father Christmas will Charlie get any? I could read this again and again to my daughter. Though now she's at the age when she reads it herself. And not just at Christmas!
Like me, my daughter is a big fan of Enid Blyton, and she loves Christmas Tales and Christmas Stories, two collections of Christmassy short stories.
Finally we have Lily and the Christmas Wish by Keris Stainton (I believe this is now called Lily, the Pug and the Christmas Wish). The little town of Pinewood can't wait for Christmas this year. They're going to celebrate by putting up a giant Christmas tree in the town square, and asking all the townspeople to hang a Christmas wish on its branches. Everyone is feeling very festive, including nine-year-old Lily - although she's not sure she believes in wishes. Then a very strange storm blows in, scattering all the wishes...
Do you have any favourite children's Christmas books?
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