5 Christmas Themed Books To Read This Holiday Season

Whether or not you still believe in Santa Claus, there’s no denying that the essence of this jolly old man and his legacy has a way of putting a smile on your face and adding some well-needed holiday cheer. Though there is countless literature about Santa Claus, we think these five titles below stand out very well and would be a perfect gift for you, or a child you know!

• DREAM SNOW By Eric Carle
• THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF SANTA CLAUS By Jeff Guinn
• THE POLAR EXPRESS By Chris Van Allsberg
• SANTA’S GOTTA GO By Derrick Barnes
• THE SANTA SUIT By Mary Kay Andrews

DREAM SNOW By Eric Carle

Eric Carle, rest his soul, was known for an endless variety of colorful and introspective picture books dating all the way back to the late 1960s. DREAM SNOW is a whimsical story about Santa characterized as a simple old farmer who falls asleep and through a vivid dream, witnesses a blanket of snow covering everything around him, including his animals, respectively named One, Two Three, Four and Five. When he awakes, he sees his dream become real and takes the next step to spread holiday cheer.

DREAM SNOW is an entertaining Christmas story that shows how to do something a little differently and also provides great counting and vocabulary material for children.

THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF SANTA CLAUS By Jeff Guinn

The first installment in a trilogy, Jeff Guinn’s passion project THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF SANTA CLAUS is the perfect read for anyone looking for a blend of historical context and fantastical elements. The story gives seventeen centuries worth of origin material to keep you thoroughly entertained. Many have argued that Guinn’s series reflects the real meaning of Christmas, which may be true if we reflect on the typical Westernized point of view.

Christmas should always be about love and happiness instead of simply gift-giving. THE SANTA CHRONICLES series has a fun and concise way of bringing that message to the forefront.

THE POLAR EXPRESS By Chris Van Allsberg

Many Christmas and Santa-themed books give a warm feel-good energy that makes you want to grab your favorite comforter, a steaming cup of hot chocolate (or another drink of your choice) and enjoy the ride. The storyline of THE POLAR EXPRESS gives such an energy, centering a boy who gets the opportunity of a lifetime on Christmas Eve to visit the North Pole and make the ultimate Christmas wish.

Much like Eric Carle’s work, millions of global readers regard THE POLAR EXPRESS as an all-time classic that spans generations and age groups alike. The 2004 movie of the same name makes a commendable pairing for families to enjoy this holiday season.

SANTA’S GOTTA GO By Derrick Barnes

SANTA’S GOTTA GO, while wildly humorous and perfect for the average giggly five-to-eight-year-old holds an important theme – be careful what you wish for, because you may just get it. In Mabel and Monte’s case, this rings true when Santa himself encounters an issue with his beloved sleigh and winds up stuck at their home until he gets it running again.

What seems at first like a delightful wish come true for the two siblings turns into an absolute nightmare with Santa being the ultimate freeloader and most selfish houseguest that has ever existed. This book will give everyone a great laugh and teach them the importance of sometimes accepting things as they are instead of wishing for something else and that too much of a good thing can be bad. Santa must always continue making his pit stops, and going along his merry way to spread well-needed holiday cheer to the world.

THE SANTA SUIT By Mary Kay Andrews

After protagonist Ivy Perkins recently gets divorced, she understandably desires a brand new life path, deciding to purchase The Four Roses, an abandoned farmhouse that hasn’t been used or held residency in what seems like decades. While tidying up the place, Ivy comes across a plethora of items and possessions left behind by the previous owner(s), among them a quality Santa Claus suit.

An old letter is discovered in one of the suit pockets – the written remnants of a little girl expressing that her only Christmas wish is to have her father back from war. Through this singular inciting incident, Ivy’s storyline arc experiences many heartfelt and impactful moments throughout, including the possible chance of a new connection. THE SANTA SUIT is perfect for those who enjoy a delectable mixture of mystery and sentimentality woven into one.

Conclusion

We did our best to combine a well-thought-out list of Santa Claus titles! The year has come and gone, but one thing is always constant – exceptional literature. We hope this list provides a few good options to read during Christmas, or even into the new year if you’re still feeling festive!

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