Good Christmas Books to Read

If you read my post yesterday about celebrating the Christmas season in a simpler way, you'll know I suggested taking the time to read a good book by the Christmas tree. I did just that last night. After reading a Dave Barry Christmas story, I thought I'd share a short list of some good Christmas books.

The Shepherd, the Angel, and Walter the Christmas Miracle Dog- Dave Barry

This is the Christmas book I read last night. At just 117 pages, it's a quick read, but so worth the time. Set in the 1960s, you are definitely transported back to a simpler era. The twist is that it's written from the perspective of Doug Barnes, a young boy. With Barry's typical sense of humor layering the story, you'll remember the whimsy and wonder of the season.

Skipping Christmas- John Grisham

I read this one every year at Christmastime. The movie (starring Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis) is cute, but the book really captures the humor of the story. It reads quickly as well...not a tedious novel to get through at all.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever- Barbara Robinson

This one's for kids! I remember a teacher reading this to our class in elementary school, and also watching the TV special several years at school during Christmastime. This one is laugh-out-loud funny. There are a few words I edited out when reading the book out loud to my kiddos, but they loved it!

The Berenstain Bears' Christmas Tree- Stan and Jan Berenstain

If you grew up on Berenstain Bears books like I did, you may remember this one. I have my original copy, and my children love this one. It's written in verse, and the illustrations are just as sweet as I remember as a child.

Here's a quote from The Shepherd, the Angel, and Walter the Christmas Miracle Dog that seems fitting, considering yesterday's post and my efforts to enjoy the season without all the blog stress:

"I really like Christmas Eve. I think I like it even more than Christmas Day. On Christmas Day, you get to open your presents and see what you got, but you also know that Christmas is starting to be over for a year, and by nighttime some of the stuff you got is already broken. But on Christmas Eve, all the tree lights are on and carols are playing and people are saying "Merry Christmas," and everything is about to happen, but it didn't happen yet. That's the best time of the year."

That pretty much sums it up, doesn't it?

I'd love to know what some of your favorite Christmas books are!

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