Christian Holidays and Other Books for Children
A Bibliography

A bibliography of children's books on Christian holidays and other books for children.

[Christmas] [Easter] [Biblical Themes] [Biography]

Christmas

Ahlberg, Janet. Jolly Christmas Postman. With contributions by Allan Ahlberg. Little Brown, 1991. DDC Easy Ages 4-8.
The Jolly Postman returns with a pouch overflowing with holiday cheer--letters from the Big Bad Wolf, a miniature book, a board game, even a Humpty Dumpty jigsaw puzzle, and more, all tucked into envelopes bound right into the book. Kate Greenaway Medal 1991. Reviews at Amazon

Anaya, Rudolfo. The Farolitos of Christmas. Illustrated by Edward Gonzales. New York: Hyperion Books, 1995. DDC Fiction Ages 4-8.

With her father away fighting in World War II and her grandfather too sick to create the traditional luminarias, Luz helps create farolitos, little lanterns, for their Christmas celebration instead. 1995 Americas Award Commended List. Recommended in New York Times Dec. 17, 1995.

Brett, Jan. Twelve Days of Christmas. Dodd, Mead, 1986; Putnam & Grosset, 1997. DDC 782.42. Ages 2 and up.

Book commemorating English folk song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" recommened by New York Times Dec. 14, 1986.

Brierley, Louise The Twelve Days of Christmas. 1st American ed. Henry Holt, 1986. DDC 782.42 Ages 2 and up.

An illustrated version of the English folk song. Recommended in New York Times Dec. 14, 1986.

Briggs, Raymond. Father Christmas. Reissue ed. Random House, 1997. DDC Easy Ages 4-8.

In a sequence of enchanting vignettes, Father Christmas makes careful preparation for his annual sleigh ride. Kate Greenaway Medal 1973. Reviews at Amazon

Brown, Margery W. Baby Jesus, Like My Brother. Illustrations by George Ford. East Orange, NJ: Just Us Books, 1995. DDC Easy Grades K-3.

Keisha and Tony learn the meaning of Christmas by relating the events surrounding the birth of Jesus to their own lives. Review sources at Follett's TITLEWAVE

Brown, Marc Tolon. Arthur's Christmas. Little Brown, 1984. Grades K-3. Easy

Arthur puts a lot of time, effort, and thought into his special present for Santa Claus. Review sources from Follett's TITLEWAVE

Caudill, Rebecca. A Certain Small Shepherd. Illustrated by William Pene Du Bois. Reprint ed. pa. Henry Holt, 1997; Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1965. Fiction Ages 4-8.

Heartrending story of a young Appalachian boy, born mute, who speaks for the first time ever to a young couple and their newborn baby, who have taken refuge from a blizzard in a nearby church.

Ciavonne, Jean. Carlos, Light the Farolito. Illustrated by Donna Clair. Clarion. DDC Easy Ages 4-8.

Carlos steps in to act the part of the naysaying innkeeper in the Las Posadas celebration when his grandfather is late getting home from the marketplace. Recommended in the New York Times Dec. 17, 1995.

Clements, Andrew. Bright Christmas : An Angel Remembers. Illustrated by Kate Kiesler. Clarion Books, 1996. DDC Easy Ages 4-8.

Lovely blend of words and pictures presents the Christmas story from an angel's point of view. Reviews at Amazon

Cooney, Barbara. The Story of Christmas. Illustrated by Loretta Krupinski. Harpercollins Juvenile Books, 1995.DDC 394.2 Ages 4-8.

Reissue of Cooney's highly acclaimed book. Retells the story of Christ's birth and explains the origins and meaning of Christmas traditions. Includes Christmas decorations and handicrafts. Review at Amazon

Cushman, Doug. Aunt Eater's Mystery Christmas. HarperCollins, 1995. An I Can Read Book. Grades K-3. Easy

A Christmas mystery story. Aunt Eater must interrupt her holiday preparations to solve some Christmas Eve Mysteries. Review sources at Follett's TITLEWAVE

De Paola, Tomie. The Friendly Beasts : An Old English Christmas Carol. Reprint ed. Paper Star, 1998; 1st Peppercorn pa. ed. Putnam, 1981. DDC 783.6 Ages 4-8.

The simple strains of this old Christmas melody are superbly reflected in the graceful, delicate, yet strong images that dePaola brings to the page. Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Honor Book, 1984. Reviews at Amazon

De Paola, Tomie. The Legend of the Poinsettia. Retold and illustrated by Tomie de Paola. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1994, c1990. DDC 398.24 Ages 4-8.

Mexican Folklore. When Lucida is unable to finish her gift for the baby Jesus in time for the Christmas procession, a miracle enables her to offer the beautiful flower we now call the poinsettia. Also available in Spanish. The story emphasizes family, community and tradition. 1994 Americas Award Commended Children's Books.

De Paola, Tomie. Merry Christmas, Strega Nona. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich. DDC Easy Ages 5 and up.

Strega Nona gives up her magic for Christmas. Recommended in New York Times Dec. 7, 1986.

Ets, Marie Hall and Labastida, Aurora. Nine Days to Christmas. Viking, 1959. DDC Easy.

1960 Caldecott Medal Winner. Ceci anxiously awaits his first posada. [Mexico, Christmas]

Harrison, Susan. AlphaZoo Christmas. Nashville, TN: Ideals Children's Books, 1993. Grades K-3.

An alphabet book in verse describing animals engaging in various Christmas activities. Review sources at Follett's TITLEWAVE

Hoban, Tanya. Arthur's Christmas Cookies. Harper & Row, 1984. Grades K-3. Easy

Arthur finds a way to enjoy his Christmas cookies even after he discovers they can't be eaten. Review sources at Follett's TITLEWAVE

Hoffman, E. T. A. Nutcracker. Translated by Ralph Manheim; illustrated by Maurice Sendak. Crown, 1984. Ages 8 up. [102p]

Translation of the original with Sendak's spooky illustrations. Recommended by New York Times, November 11, 1984.

Lagerlof, Selma. The Legend of the Christmas Rose. Retold by Ellin Greene; illustrated by Charles Mikolaycak. Holiday House, c1990. DDC 398.21/09485 Ages 5 and up.

Adaptation of a Swedish folk legend. Robber Mother gains her husband's release from prison when she shares her knowledge with the abbott of the Christmas Rose. Recommended in New York Times Dec. 9, 1990.

Lewis, J. Patrick. Long Was the Winter Road They Traveled; A Tale of the Nativity. Illustrated by Drew Bairley. Dial Books, 1997. DDC 811/.54 Ages 4-8.

Story of the Nativity through an extended poem about the responses of the animals to Jesus' birth. Reviews at Amazon

London National Gallery. The First Christmas. Simon & Schuster, 1992. DDC 755/.53/09407 Ages 4-8.

Text from the King James Version of the Bible, illustrated with reproductions of Renaissance paintings. Reviews at Amazon

Menotti, Gian Carlo. Amahl and the Night Visitors. Illustrated by Michele Lemieux. William Morrow, c1986. DDC Fic Ages 5 up.

Adaptation of the opera about a lame shepherd boy who entertains the Three Kings in the desert. Recommended by New York Times Dec. 14, 1986. Review sources at Follett's TITLEWAVE

Mikolaycak, Charles. Babushka; An Old Russian Folktale. Retold and illustrated by Chrles Mikolaycak. Holiday House, 1984. Grades K-3. Folktale

Retells the traditional tale of the old lady who, having missed her chance to take gifts to the newborn Christ Child, still wanders leaving gifts for all children in hopes that, one day she will come upon Him. Review sources at Follett's TITLEWAVE

Parish, Peggy. Merry Christmas, Amelia Bedelia. Illustrated by Lynn Sweat. Greenwillow, 1986. DDC Easy Ages 5-9.

Amelia's literal interpretation of language leads to hilarious results as her employers prepare for a Christmas party. Recommended in New York Times Dec. 7, 1986.

Porter, Connie Rose. Addy's Surprise; A Christmas Story. Illustrateds by Melodye Rosales; vignettes by Renee Graef and Jane Varda. Middleton, WI: Pleasant Co., 1993. The American Girls Collection. Grades 3-6. Fiction

Addy and her mother forgo their Christmas plans to help the newsly freed slaves arriving in Philadelphia during the Civil War. Review sources at Follett's TITLEWAVE

Presilla, Maricel E. Feliz Nochebuena, Feliz Navidad. Pictures by Ismael Espinosa Ferrer. New York: Henry Holt, 1994. DDC 394.2 Ages 4-8.

Combining history and her own memories, the author takes readers on a culinary journey to the Caribbean (especially Cuba) at Christmas time. The book combines history with memory, and food as it connects people in Miami and in the Caribbean. Emphasis is placed upon family and the sharing of traditions. Recipes are incorporated throughout. 1994 Americas Award Commended Children's Book List.

Robbins, Ruth. Baboushka and the Three Kings. Illustrated by Nicholas Sidjakov. Houghton Mifflin, 1960. Ages 4-8.

Russian Folklore. Folktale about an old woman's endless search for the Christ child. Booklist New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books of the Year, Caldecott Medal, 1961. Review sources at Follett's TITLEWAVE

Sabuda, Robert. The Christmas Alphabet. Orchard Books, 1994. DDC Easy Ages 4-8.

Seasonal, alphabetical pop-up book with paper sculptures. Golden Kite Award for Illustration 1994. Reviews at Amazon

Sawyer, Ruth. Christmas Anna Angel. Illustrated by Kate Seredy. Viking, 1944.

1945 Caldecott Honor Book.

Shannon, David. The Amazing Christmas Extravaganza. New York: Blue Sky Press, 1995. Grades K-3. Easy

Much to the dismay of his neighbors and family, Mr. Delbert's Christmas display grows from a simple string of white lights into an outrageous spectacle. Review sources from Follett's TITLEWAVE

Smalls-Hector, Irene. Irene Jennie and the Christmas Masquerade : The Johnkankus. Illustrated by Melodye Rosales. Little Brown, 1996. DDC Easy Ages 4-8.

Anticipating the wonderful Johnkankus parade on Christmas day, a young slave girl, Irene Jennie, is saddened that she cannot share the festivities with her parents, who have been loaned to another plantation master. A Society of School Librarians Honor Book 1997-98.

Tornqvist, Marit. Christmas Carp. Illustrated by Marit Tornqvist. Translated by Greta Kilburn. New York: R&S Books/Farrar, Straus & Giroux.

Six-year-old Thomas and his grandfather keep their carp in the bathtub in wait for a traditional Czech Christmas dinner but neither he nor his grandfather have the heart to kill it. Recommended in New York Times Dec. 9, 1990.

Troll Treasury of Christmas. Edited by John C. Miles; illustrated by Elizabeth De Lisle, Wendy Purdy and Graham Dennison. Mahwah, NJ: Troll Associates, 1991. DDC 808.8 Grades 3-6.

Poems, Bible stories, fiction, carols, informational articles, customs, lore, and handicrafts relating to Christmas. Review source at Follett's TITLEWAVE

The 12 Days of Christmas. Illustrated by Linnea Asplind Riley. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 1995. Grades K-3.

Illustrated version of the English folk song. Includes musical arrangement by Adam Stemple, from HARK! A Christmas Sampler by Jane Yolen. Review sources at Follett's TITLEWAVE

Wells, Rosemary. Max's Christmas Dial Press. DDC Easy Ages 3 to 5.

Wry Christmas story about an encounter between Santa and a fat little rabbit, named Max. Recommended in New York Times Dec. 7, 1986.

Wojciechowski, Susan. The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey. Illustrated by Patrick James Lynch. Candlewick Press, 1995. DDC Fic Ages 4-8.

Pushing his friends and neighbors away in his grief over losing his wife and child, gifted woodcarver Jonathan Toomey finds his life changing when the widow McDowell asks him to carve a special christmas gift and allow her young son to watch. 1995 Kate Greenaway Medal. Reviews at Amazon

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Easter

Ashcroft, Mary Ellen. The Magdalene Gospel. Doubleday, 1995. DDC 813/Fiction Grades YA
A fictional gospel, set in the days between the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, in which Mary Magdalene and other women who followed Jesus tell their stories of how he changed their lives. Review sources at Follett's TITLEWAVE

Milhous, Katherine. Egg Tree. Atheneum, 1971; 2nd Aladdin ed. Aladdin, 1992. DDC Easy Ages 4-8.

Pennsylvania Dutch traditions. Describes the tradition of the Easter Egg Tree in a story that will persuade readers to make their own Egg Tree for Easter. Caldecott Medal Book 1951.

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Biblical Themes

Emberley, Barbara. One Wide River to Cross. Illustrated by Ed Emberley. Little Brown, 1992. DDC Easy.
1967 Caldecott Honor Book. Woodcut illustrations and brief text from an American folk song relate the story of the animals on Noah's ark.

Field, Rachel. Prayer for a Child. Illustrated by Elizabeth Orton Jones. Board ed. Little Simon, 1997; Macmillan, 1944. Baby - preschool.

Winner of the 1945 Caldecott Medal presented in a board book format. Illustrated bedtime prayer which gives thanks for many aspects of a child's world. Reviews at Amazon

Geisert, Arthur. After the Flood. Houghton Mifflin, 1994. DDC Easy Grades K-3.

After surviving the Flood, Noah and his family settle in a sheltered valley with the animals they have saved and begin the glorious experience of repopulating the Earth. Review sources at Follett's TITLEWAVE

Gellman, Marc. Does God Have a Big Toe? : Stories about Stories in the Bible. Harper & Row, 1989. DDC Fic Grades 4-6.

A collection of humorous stories derived from the Old Testament. From Baker & Taylor School Selection Guide. Review sources at Follett's TITLEWAVE

Gellman, Marc. God's Mailbox : More Stories about Stories in the Bible. Morrow Junior Book, 1996. DDC Fic Grades 4-6.

Humorous stories derived from the Old Testament. From Baker & Taylor School Selection Guide. Review sources at Follett's TITLEWAVE

Goodhart, Pippa. Noah Makes a Boat. Illustrated by Bernard Lodge. Houghton Mifflin, 1997. DDC Easy Ages 4-8.

The story of Noah, illustrated with lino-cuts. Reviews at Amazon

Hegg, Tom. The Mark of the Mkker. Illustrated by Warren Hanson. Minneapolis: Waldman House, 1991. Grades 3-6. Fiction

Describes Joseph's apprenticeship to his father, his courtship to Mary and going to Bethlehem where his son Jesus is born and where he finally understands the lesson his father taught about dedication and hard work. No review. From Follett's TITLEWAVE

Hickman, Martha Whitmore. And God Created Squash : How the World Began. Illustrated by Giuliano Ferri. Edited by Abby Levine. Albert Whitman, 1993. DDC Easy Ages 4-8.

A whimsical retelling of the biblical story of the Creation. Reviews available at Amazon

Johnson, James Weldon. The Creation. Illustrated by James E. Ransome. Holiday House, 1994. DDC 811 Grade3s K-3.

A poem based on the story of creation from the first book of the Bible. Coretta Scott King Award. Review sources at Follett's TITLEWAVE

Lewis, J. Patrick. The Boat of Many Rooms : The Story of Noah in Verse. Illustrated by Reg Cartwright. Atheneum, 1997. DDC Easy Ages 4-8.

The story of Noah, told in episodic verse. Reviews at Amazon

Lindbergh, Reeve. The Circle of Days. Illustrated by Cathie Felstead. Candlewick Pr., 1997. Ages 4-8.

A hymn of praise for all creation by Saint Francis of Assisi, Italian founder of the Franciscans. Beautiful illustrations. Reviews at Amazon

Lucas, Daryl. The Baker Bible Dictionary for Kids. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Book House, 1997.

Provides simple definitions for words found in Bible stories, including Biblical names and Christian doctrines. From Baker & Taylor School Selection Guide

McKissack, Pat and McKissack, Fredrick. Let My People Go : Bible Stories Told by a Freeman of Color to His Daughter, Charlotte, in Charleston, South Carolina, 1806-1816. Illustrated by James Ransome. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 1998. DDC Fiction Grades 4-6.

The daughter of a free black man who worked as a blacksmith in Charleston, SC, in the early 1800s recalls the stories from the Bible that her father shared with her, relating them to the experiences of African Americans. Review sources at Follett's TITLEWAVE

Moyers, Bill. Genesis : A Living Conversation. Doubleday, 1996. Grades YA.

Companion book to the ten-part PBS series in which varying groups of people from different religions and cultural backgrounds discuss the stories in the Book of Genesis. [Bible-- Criticism and interpretation] Review sources at Follett's TITLEWAVE

Tallarico, Tony. I Can Draw the Bible : The Old Testament. Little Simon, 1998. DDC 743/.884 Grades 4-6.

Instructions for drawing famous people from the Bible and Bible stories. From Baker & Taylor School Selection Guide

Reader's Digest Atlas of the Bible; An Illustrated Guide to the Holy Land. Edited by Joseph L. Gardner; principal adviser and editorial consultant, Harry Thomas Frank. Pleasantville, NY: Reader's Digest Association, 1981. Grades YA

Narrative, maps, photos, and other illustrations place Bible stories in a historical-geographic framework. Includes a gazetteer of around 900 biblical place names. Review sources at Follett's TITLEWAVE

Singer, Isaac Bashevis. Why Noah Chose the Dove. Illustrated by Eric Carle; translated by Elizabeth Shub. Farrar Straus & Giroux, 1987. Ages 4-8.

As each animal boasts of the qualities he feels make him especially worthy to go on Noah's ark, Noah takes a particular liking to the dove. Review at Amazon. Spanish langugage ed.: Por Que Noe Eligio la Paloma. Mirasol, 1992.

Speare, Elizabeth George. The Bronze Bow. Houghton Mifflin pa., 1971.

Classic work set in Galilee in the time of Jesus. A young Jewish rebel is influenced by the teachings of Jesus.

Tallarico, Tony. I Can Draw the Bible : The Old Testament. Little Simon, 1998. DDC 743/.884 Grades 4-6.

Instructions for drawing famous people from the Bible and Bible stories. From Baker & Taylor School Selection Guide

Waldman, Neil. The Two Brothers : A Legend of Jerusalem. Atheneum, 1997. DDC 398.2/089924 Ages 4-8.

Retelling of the legend of how Solomon chose the site to build his temple and the city of Jerusalem. Reviews at Amazon

Wheller, Opal. Sing in Praise : A Collection of the Best Loved Hymns. Illustrated by Marjorie Torrey.

Caldecott Honor Book 1947.

Wilson, Elizabeth B. Bibles and Bestiaries : A Guide to Illuminated Manuscripts for Young Readers. Farrar, Straus Giroux, 1994. DDC 745.6 Ages 9-12.

Using examples from illuminated manuscripts, Wilson describes how a book was crafted in the Middle Ages. Review at Amazon

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Biography

Jackson, Dave and Jackson, Neta. Hero Tales. 3 volumes. Minneapolis: Bethany House, c1996. Grades 5-8.
A family treasury of true stories from the lives of Christian heroes. Includes Gladys Aylaward; William & Catherine Booth; Amy Carmichael; Adoniram & Ann Judson, David Livingstone; Martin Luther; Dwight L. Moody; Samuel Morris; George Muller; Menno Simons; Mary Slessor; Hudson Taylor; Harriet Tubman; William Tyndale; and other Christian heroes. Review source at Follett's TITLEWAVE

Lyons, Mary E. Stitching Stars : The Story Quilts of Harriet Powers. Reprint ed. Aladdin Paperbacks, 1997; Maxwell Mcmillan International, c1993. DDC 746.46 Grades 3-4.

Illustrated biography of the African American quilter who made quilts of her favorite Bible stories and folktales. From Baker & Taylor School Selection Guide

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