Christmas Stories

I know that I said, in yesterday's post, that I wouldn't be back until late tonight for The Play Date Cafe's next challenge.  But last year, I felt like I posted this glorious line-up of children's Christmas stories a little too late; and I wanted you all to have the time to load up on them, before the Christmas season was over and done with for 2011.  The last two, by Karma Wilson, are the only new ones we've added to our list in the last year.

1. A Christmas ABC by Alice Gold
2. My First Treasury: The First Christmas by Leslie Lindecker
3. Nate the Great and the Crunchy Christmas by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat
4. The Pine Tree Parable by Liz Curtis Higgs (LOVE all of Liz's parable stories!)
5. The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry (a favorite of mine)
6. The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie dePaola (another favorite of mine... It never fails to bring tears to my eyes, though.)
7. Santa's Favorite Story by Hisako Aoki (yet another favorite of mine)
8. The Berenstain Bears Trim the Tree by Jan & Mike Berenstain
9. Clifford Celebrates the Year: Clifford’s Christmas by Norman Bridwell
10. Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett
11. God Gave Us Christmas by Lisa Tawn Bergren
12. Winnie the Pooh: The Merry Christmas Mystery by Betty Birney
13. When Winter Comes by Nancy Van Laan
14. The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston (another one for which you'll need the Kleenex box)
15. The Snowman by Raymond Briggs
16. Dream Snow by Eric Carle (Adina's favorite)
17. Snow Happy to be Here: The Slightly Silly Story of the Snowblatt Family by Cheryl Hawkinson
18. You Can Do It, Sam by Amy Hest
19. The Dinosaurs' Night Before Christmas by Anne Muecke (super fun CD with it) 
20. The Twelve Days of Christmas by Anne Geddes
21. The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
22. The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg (still another favorite of mine)
23. The Snow Must Go On: A Way, Way Off-Broadway Adventure by Molly Wigand
24. The Legend of the Christmas Tree by Rick Osborne (great history here)
25. Merry Christmas, Curious George by Cathy Hapka
26. If You Take a Mouse to the Movies by Laura Numeroff
27. Llama Llama Holiday Drama by Anna Dewdney (fabulous rhyme)
28. It's Christmas, David! by David Shannon
29. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
30. The Tale of Three Trees by Angela Elwell Hunt
31. On This Special Night by Claire Freedman (Ezekiel's favorite)
32. My First Read and Learn Countdown to Christmas by Mary Manz Simon
33. Bear Stays Up For Christmas by Karma Wilson
34. Mortimer's Christmas Manger by Karma Wilson

Last night, Adina and I went to the grocery store, while the boys ran an after-hours errand for BJ's job.  We hit ALDI first, but then we were perusing the aisles at HyVee, when Adina locked eyes on a man, with a long, white beard, who was curiously dressed, from head to toe, in Norwegian Christmas gear.  She stared at him for what seemed like the longest time.  Then she asked me, "Is that Santa?"  LOL!  Well, it was loud enough for him to overhear; and he turned and looked at her saying, "You never know.  I might be visiting you again in just a few days."  We don't teach our kiddos that Santa Claus brings the gifts.  So sorry to burst your bubbles!  We focus on Christ's birth and even give our kiddos three gifts, aside from loaded stockings, just like the wise men brought to Jesus' manger.  But I absolutely LOVE the magic the Christmas season brings to the hearts of my little ones!

I also just couldn't wait to tell you all that this card was named one of The 365 Cards Week Challenge Winners in the Moxie Fab World!  Woohoo!  Thanks ever so much, Cath!  I'm floating high on Cloud 9!

And thanks so much, to you all, as always, for stopping by!  Hope that list above helps stock your bookcases!  Oh!  I'd also be just thrilled if you'd share your own favorite, Christmas story title with me!  Hope to see you all back here a little later!