The First Night - Christmas Picture Books

The First Night
By B. G. Hennessy
(Puffin Books, 1993)

The First Night, a Christmas picture book about the Nativity, is filled with delicate and beautiful paintings. The simple language is perfect for retelling the story about the birth of baby - Baby Jesus. Young children will enjoy both the story and the illustrations.

For young children, The First Night gives a story in simple format. As parents, teachers, and caregivers read aloud, preschoolers will internalize concepts of print - reading front to back, front and back, text, illustrations, and story features.

Merry Christmas!

Kid Kandy:

Look at the illustrations. Dig out a black permanent marker or felt tip pen. Let your child draw a picture on heavy paper. Use watercolor pencils, water, and brushes to color in and paint the picture. Discuss the different techniques used by illustrators and artists. Maybe your child will grow up to become an artist or illustrator. How awesome would that be?

The Christmas Song, Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire - Christmas Picture Books You Can Sing

The Christmas Song, Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire
By Mel Torme and Robert Wells (1946)
Illustrated by Doris Barrette
(Scholastic, Inc., 2007)

Here is a beautifully illustrated Christmas picture book you can read and sing!

Everyone knows "The Christmas Song", though I would hazard a guess to say we instead call it "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire." Each year, as I go around humming this song to myself, I am again urged to go hunt down some chestnuts and throw them on an open fire. Tried that once and managed burnt chestnuts.

Now that certain home and cooking magazines have shown the correct way to prep and cook chestnuts, should I venture to purchase those chestnuts (which magically appear in the produce section of the grocery store come every December), I think my success would be much greater. Perhaps even tasty.

Go for it. Sing the song. I mean read this book. And sing the song.

And while you are at it, pick up some chestnuts. Watch an online video on how to cook them up proper.

And have a wonderful, beautiful Christmas.

The Christmas Story - Christmas Picture Books

The Christmas Story
By Patricia A. Pingry
(Ideals Children's Books, 2005)

Welcome to a children's picture book that tells the story of the birth of Jesus using the language of kids.

Yes, the story is familiar to many adults, and even many children. But when it comes to easy to read and understand, Patricia A. Pingry does a wonderful job in simplifying and keeping the story accurate. The illustrations by Wendy Edelson are colorful and perfect for this book. I like the way the text, in red and black, is set apart on a field of white. This text feature helps young readers locate the words.

Thumbs up for this version of The Christmas Story.

And while we are at it - celebrating the birth of Christ - why not add a birthday something to your Christmas traditions?

Such as:

~ share a birthday cake or cupcakes complete with candles for Christmas Day

~ sing the birthday song to Jesus

~ wear birthday hats and bounce balloons as you cheer for Jesus' birthday

~ take an annual photo of your kiddos holding the birthday cake for Jesus

~ add a new Nativity ornament to your tree each year, letting the children remember each and putting them on the tree

Peace and Merry Christmas to you!