Monday, December 2, 2013

Holiday Gift Guide - Great Books from Sterling Children's Books


I love reading to my kids every night before bed. During the holiday season I fill a basket with all kinds of great holiday stories and the kids can pick a book on their way up to bed. This year I am excited to add some great ones from Sterling Children's Books!

Christmas Eve with Mrs. Claus
M. P. Hueston, illustrated by Teri Weidner

Christmas Eve is a busy time in Santa's headquarters - for Mrs. Claus, too. She's baking treats for everyone in this merry, lift-the-flap picture book. Kids will have happy holiday fun helping her find her missing items to make yummy biscuits, scrumptious gingerbread, and a tasty snack for Santa's trip around the world. At the end, a sweet surprise awaits Mrs. Claus!

My Thoughts: 
My daughter loves books that really get her engaged. She loved helping Mrs. Claus in this story and looked forward to turning the page and finding more flaps to lift and explore. We've already read this book a couple of times! And of course, now my little one wants to get bust baking just like Mrs. Claus. This is a super sweet and fun story that gets you into the holiday spirit.

The Gifts They Gave
Patricia Reeder Eubank

This beautiful holiday book uses a timeless, beloved Christmas song to tell the story of the nativity. In the manger where Jesus was born, all the animals flock around Him and tell of the special gifts they gave to the infant. From the donkey that carried Mary to Bethlehem to the sheep whose wool made the baby's blanket, these fluffy creatures will steal children's hearts. 

My Thoughts:
This book is truly beautiful. So often we lose sight of what Christmas is really about. This is the perfect book to remind ourselves and our children that Jesus really is the reason for the season. The pictures are beautiful and my daughter loved seeing all the animals and learning the role they played during this very important occasion... the birth of Jesus!

Brownie Groundhog and the Wintry Surprise
Susan Blackaby, illustrated by Carmen Segovia

Brownie is ready for a long winter's nap. "Just don't wake me up," she warns. But her friends miss her so much that they can't bear to obey her orders - and they turn Brownies "do not disturb" into a comic commotion, complete with a stunningly beautiful nighttime surprise. 

My Thoughts: 
A true tale of friendship! This fun winter story is not a Christmas story. It is simply a warm tale about friends. The illustrations are just beautiful. And the book is so well written that even in such a short story you feel like you really get to know the characters and each of their unique personalities. It's a lovely book to share with your children during the long, cold winter months. 

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