If you have read any Christmas picture books, you have probably come across the very popular sub-genre of "animals celebrating Christmas". This is a very well populated genre with books from animals celebrating Christmas on their own to the animals that filled the stable/cave of Jesus' birth. Sam especially is at an age where he is delighted to see animals to recognizes show up in books and loves any excuse to snort like a pig (which he gets a lot of chances for in the Nativity grouping, were there pigs present at Jesus' birth??). Here are a few books about animals celebrating or honoring Christmas in their own ways:
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Red and Lulu by Matt Tavares
This is one of my favorite Christmas pictures books - about a cardinal pair who live in the tree that is cut down to be displayed at Rockefeller Plaza in Manhattan. They get separated when the tree it picked up for delivery and then one of them has an adventure looking for the other. The pictures are absolutely stunning and it help satisfy my "see New York at Christmas" itch.
Christmas Cricket by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Timothy Bush
The story of a cricket who is cold outside so sneaks into a house and into the Christmas tree where he hears that angels speak through the song of crickets. He has a place now and serenades the family from inside their tree. Why the family isn't a little more curious about the cricket noises from inside their tree...I don't know but it is charming. Sam LOVES this one.
Mistletoe: A Christmas Story by Tad Hills
We just read this for the first time (literally, about 2 hours before I'm writing this post) and it's a charming addition to our annual haul. Mistletoe is a mouse who loves to play outside in the snow but her friend, Norwell, hates being cold and wet so Norwell (an elephant) won't play outside with Mistletoe (a mouse). So for his Christmas gift, Mistletoe decides to fix that. Especially perfect for any knitters that you know. And the cover is Christmas perfection.
The Christmas Fox by Anik McGrory
All the animals are excited to learn of the Baby Jesus and are going to visit him with their own special talents as gifts. Fox doesn't feel like he has anything to share with the new Baby but still wants to see Him. I like the message that we don't need to impress Jesus, just showing up is good. And Sam has a stuffed fox that he loves so extra appropriate read for him!
The Lost Gift: A Christmas Story by Kallie George, illustrated by Stephanie Graegin
This is by the same author/illustrator team that does the Heartwood Hotel series that I've read twice through to Luke so it was especially fun to see color pictures with this story. It's about a group of 4 forest animals who find a package in the woods that fell off of Santa's sleigh. They decide to deliver it themselves so the baby it's intended for will get her present. It's a sweet story.
Who is Coming to Our House? by Joseph Slate, illustrated by Ashley Wolff
The animals in the stable hear they have a special visitor coming and do what they can to prepare a place for Him. There is something about the animals doing what they can to prepare for Jesus that seems to resonate more with kids, at least my kids.
Last Stop on the Reindeer Express by Maudie Powell-Tuck, illustrated by Karl James Mountford
This was another heavy favorite from last year that also has fantastic pictures. A girl wants to send a last minute card to her Grandpa but her Mom says it's won't arrive in time. Then the girl happens upon a mysterious mailbox that is actually a reindeer delivery service. The cutouts make it extra special.
Turkey Claus by Wendi Silvano, illustrated by Lee Harper
I know, reading about a turkey at Christmas seems a little off but after the boys really liked the Thanksgiving themed one, we had to get the Christmas one too. This is a turkey who DOES NOT want to become Christmas dinner (after he narrowly escaped being Thanksgiving dinner) and so he makes multiple disguises to blend into other animals and things. The boys thought his costumes were pretty funny and not at all disguises.
Do you have any winners to add to this genre? As of this writing I still have 2 of my 60 library holds available that I use for picture books so I have room for more!
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