New Christmas Books to Read with Kids

I used to do a book advent calendar for my daughter when she was younger, and I tried to fill it with as many books about Christmas and the winter holidays as I could. If you’re looking for a few new Christmas themed books for your library at school or at home, here are a few I’ve read recently.

Christmas by Annette Whipple (illustrated by Emma Randall) is narrated by Charlie and tells the story of his family’s preparation for and celebration of Christmas.

They have an advent wreath and play with a nativity set, write letters to Santa and make goodies to share with others. They go to a Christmas tree farm to pick out their tree and decorate it, have a movie night with friends and help out at the shelter. They attend a Christmas Eve service at church and celebrate on Christmas with presents, reading the Bible, food and fun with family.

The book includes a little bit of the traditional Christmas story within the narrative but also has more information at the back of the book about why Christmas is celebrated and the Christmas story. There are instructions for making your own nativity, scented ornaments and dipped pretzels, as well as a little information about how Christmas is celebrated around the world.

It’s a good overview of Christmas celebrations for kids who don’t celebrate or who see it as more of a secular event.

About the book: 48 pages, hardcover. Published 2024 by words & pictures. Suggested retail price $14.99.

One Christmas in Our Building: A Very Merry Mystery by Johanna Lindemann (illustrated by Andrea Stegmaier) is a cute, quick read about a holiday dinner that didn’t go according to plan. When dad buys a turkey for Christmas dinner that’s too big for the roasting pan, not to mention the fridge, the family decides to leave the turkey in the cool hallway to defrost, but in the morning it’s gone.

The family goes from floor to floor asking about their turkey and seeing different people getting ready for the day. In the end the community of their building comes together to share what they have, even though the missing turkey is still missing. It’s a sweet and silly story that shows a variety of families and how they can all celebrate together. It does not include any religious aspects of the holiday.

About the book: 36 pages, paper over boards. Published 2023 by Floris Books. Suggested retail price $17.95

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Advent Calendar Ideas for Kids

Whenever you go to the beach with kids, you’re sure to come home with some seashells and more than a little sand. Let’s use some of those treasures to make fun crafts.

This handprint craft is made with a sand-infused salt dough and some little shells from the beach. It’s a cute way to remember how little your kids were on that beach trip. Find the instructions at From Under a Palm Tree.

Here’s another take on sand dough that was used to make little ornaments and sculptures. Get the details from Pink Stripey Socks.

Moms and Crafters used air dry clay and seashells to make these cute necklaces. She used the storebought clay but you can also make your own air dry clay if you’d rather.

Crafts on Sea used a shell to make a whale, but I’m sure you could take this idea and make lots of different creatures. I love the idea of sea creatures made with shells like fish or a jellyfish or an octopus using the same method. They also have a seashell decoration made with salt dough that’s really cute and would be fun for kids to paint. Poke a hole before it dries for hanging if you want.

Or take a bunch of little shells and decorate a frame like these from Rhythms of Play. They used a handprint instead of a picture but you could also put in a picture from the beach trip.

This is probably one for the mamas to make because it uses epoxy, but I also wanted to share these cute and easy shell hair pins from Thrifty Mama Ramblings, which kids are sure to want for their mermaid pretend play.

Or how about some sensory play straight from the beach? Use store bought sand if you don’t have a beach nearby to make this beach sand slime from The Mama Notes. Thrown in some shells and kids will love playing with this one.

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Have you read?

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