As families get ready for wintry weather and festive gatherings, here’s a selection of picture books that are sure to get everyone in the mood for all things December.
Winter Wonderland
By Annie Herzig
Jump right into the magic of the season in this new children’s story about a lively snowman named Wonder and a little girl who’s in awe of her new friend. Together, they explore the outdoors in the midst of winter, discovering many “wonder”-full things: fish in frozen ponds and nests in a tree. As spring approaches, Wonder says goodbye. But the little girl carries on “wonder and awe” into spring, noticing and appreciating life around her. Will Wonder come back for another winter?
This delightful picture book—reminiscent of “Frosty the Snowman”—reminds young readers that magic is all around, if we just open our eyes and look.
Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books, 40 pages, Oct. 15, 2024
By David Melling
A preschool favorite, Ruffles the dog, together with five playful kitten friends, are back. In this book, winter lurks and snow season is coming. Ruffles is excited to play outside in the snow. At first, he delights in the snow’s softness on his paws, but then he realizes that it’s cold. And slippery. And slidey. He doesn’t like it one bit. When the kittens get buried under a deep drift, Ruffles needs to overcome his dislike for the snow and help his teeny-tiny friends.
Young children will delight in this story of helping friends, and they’ll cheer Ruffles on to do the right thing. It’s the perfect bedtime read when the weather gets colder, and little ones snuggle in their cozy beds.
Candlewick Press, 32 pages, Nov. 5, 2024
Santas and Sleighs
By Jarvis
A little girl accidentally sees Santa Claus as he drops off presents at her house and instantly peppers him with questions: “Can reindeer talk?” “Do you stop at traffic lights?” “Cats or dogs?” If your children have always wondered about the magic of Santa Claus, asked you similar questions, and—you’ve never quite known how to answer them—then, here’s the book for those inquisitive young minds.
The book, littered with typical questions from a child, will engage youngsters as you turn the pages. The teal background throughout the book is soft on the eyes and creates the ambiance of an enchanting winter night.
Candlewick Press, 32 pages, Oct. 1, 2024
By Michael Brown and Robert McPhillips
In this seventh book in the “Santa Mouse” series, Santa Claus’s furry companion goes along for a ride as the jolly old elf rushes to get presents delivered before the stroke of midnight. Along the way, Santa Mouse sees a furry creature in distress. Will he and Santa be able to find a way to help while sticking to their deadline?
In this lively Christmas adventure, young readers will understand that the best gift one can receive is the gift of friendship. As the Santas dash from one place to another, they realize that sometimes, one has to pause and appreciate the intangible things that matter more.
Little Simon, 40 pages, Sept. 10, 2024
By William Boniface and Julien Chung
The wacky letters climbing up the tree are back! As they zoom, zoom, zoom, to make room, room, room for them to fit on the branches of the Christmas tree, the tree starts wobbling and they all drop and plop! With the help of the presents of different shapes, the colorful letters make their way back up, even placing a star on top.
It’s the perfect read-aloud for fans of the “Chicka Chicka” series and those still learning their shapes and ABCs.
Beach Lane Books, 40 pages, Oct. 1, 2024
A Solemn, Meaningful Season
By Amy Welborn and Ann Kissane Engelhart
A beloved Italian tradition is for children to bring figurines of the baby Jesus (“Bambinelli”) from their home crèches to church for a blessing on the third Sunday of Advent. A little boy, Alessandro, is staying with his grandfather, who makes figurines of people from the Bible. December is an especially busy time of the year as people get their nativity scenes all decked out. Alessandro tries his hand at making his own “Bambinelli.” As he prepares to take his little creation to be blessed, he accidentally drops the figurine. With no time to make another one, what will Alessandro do?
Readers will learn about this beautiful tradition as families prepare for the reason for the Christmas season. The illustrations are based on the real-life Via San Gregorio Armeno, a street in Rome where craftsmen set up shop selling figurines. “Bambinelli Sunday,” first published in 2013, went out of print in 2022. It has since been picked up by Ignatius Press and published for 2024 with a new cover. Used copies are available on Amazon and other online retailers.
Ignatius Press, 32 pages, Nov. 18, 2024
By Anthony DeStefano and Bernadette Carstensen
Though Christmas is usually a time marked with great joy and anticipation, especially for children, it can also be a sad time for families who have just lost a loved one. In this uplifting book, “Christmas in Heaven” seeks to console a little boy who is missing his grandmother who had just died. “How do they celebrate Christmas in Heaven?” is the story’s opening question. The grandfather explains that there is much merrymaking in heaven as all the angels and saints are busy preparing for Jesus’s birthday. What a grand heavenly feast that must be!
This comforting picture book will help ease the sadness of families who are missing loved ones during the Christmas season. It’s a gentle reminder that as much as we may miss them, the hope of that reunion helps us get through each day and each Christmastime.
Sophia Institute Press, 40 pages, Sept. 17, 2024
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