Holiday Books for the Kids

Christmas is coming, and there’s a lot of excitement about it. In “Steam Train, Dream Train: Next Stop, Christmas!” by Sherri Duskey Rinker and Ag Ford (Chronicle Books, $18.99), magic is also on its way.

In the middle of the night, the workers load the steam train with gifts and treats, music and holiday smells, lights and happiness for everyone it meets. Filled with lush illustrations, every 3-to-6-year-old will love this latest installment of a beloved series.

Who can stand to wait? Not your child and “How Many Sleeps Until Christmas?!” by Rebecca Patterson and Luciano Lozano (Happy Yak, $18.99) makes the anticipation fun and a great book for 3-to-5-year-olds when time slows to a crawl.

The countdown started weeks ago. How many sleeps until Santa arrives? Is there time to make your wish list? The answer’s in a cute tale that can be read often – especially when the waiting is hard and Christmas seems far away.

A wonderful (but quite unappreciated) gift is what you’ll find in “The Christmas Sweater” by Jan Brett (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, $19.99).

Theo’s Yiayia loves to knit, so when she gives his dog, Ari, a sweater for Christmas and Ari doesn’t like it, Theo thinks maybe an afternoon out in the snow might change Ari’s mind. But as the snow comes down hard, Theo sees that the boy and dog are both lost. Now what? Kids ages five to seven will enjoy finding out, and they’ll love the (spoiler alert!) happy ending.

Okay, so what if your family doesn’t celebrate Christmas?

You’re in luck then, because there are books for you, too - and speaking of lost, Nate usually loves Hanukkah but there have been so many changes this year. Worst of all, a “shop cat” at a nearby store is missing and that makes Nate unhappy. In “Lost and Found Hanukkah” by Joy Preble, illustrated by Lisa Anchin (Chronicle Books, $17.99), Nate learns that sometimes, Hanukkah means new things and start-overs.

It was late at night and Horton the elephant was asleep when he thought he heard something. In “Dr. Seuss’s Horton Hears a Hanukkah Party!” by Leslie Kimmelman, illustrated by Tom Brannon (Random House, $10.99), everyone in the Jungle of Nool thinks he’s imagining things, which makes Horton sad. He knows he hears something soft, and there’s wobbling. What can it be? And where did those nine tiny lights come from?

While this is absolutely meant for kids ages 3-to-5, anyone of any age will be charmed to pieces by this adorable book. Bonus: it contains an explanation of the Hanukkah celebration for kids who aren’t familiar with it.

If these books aren’t enough for your child, then be sure to ask your favorite bookseller or librarian for more. They can help you find a book that fits perfectly!