[sc name=”disclosure”]
As mentioned in the first two Christmas Book Blog posts centering on the Nativity and the Gift Givers, we have provided an extensive book list to enable you to travel Around the World! In GO GLOBAL in addition to the Nativity stories and the Gift Giver stories, we have books on Christmas songs, and books about Christmas celebrations in Italy, France, the United Kingdom, Russia, Germany, Eastern Europe, the Scandinavian countries, and South of the Border. Here are just a few of our favorites. For the complete list, see GO GLOBAL curriculum, coming early Spring 2019.
Jingle the Christmas Clown, Tomie dePaola. Ages 3–10. Left behind by the circus, Jingle the little clown and his baby animals make Christmas Eve special for the poor villagers in an impoverished Italian town.
The Clown of God, Tomie dePaola. All Ages. French legend of juggler offering the Christ Child the only gift he has. One of my favorite books of all that still moves me to tears.
Saint Francis and the Nativity, Myrna Strasser. Ages 4–7. The fictional story of Mario, a young shepherd boy, is woven with the historical first nativity. Saint Francis of Assisi is credited with creating the first live nativity scene in the 13th century to emphasize the worship of Christ rather than secular materialism and gift giving. The first crèches were staged with live people and animals. Eventually statues were used to represent the animals and people in the Nativity scene.
The Friendly Beasts, Tomie dePaola. Ages 4–8. A 12th century English Christmas carol with exquisite Italian style pre-Raphaelite illustrations.
The Miracle of St. Nicholas, Gloria Whelan. Ages 5 and up. Fictional story of a 20th century Russian boy who sees a Christmas miracle when his church has the first service in decades. Sobering, inspiring, and a wonderful glimpse of the Russian Orthodox church.
An Early American Christmas, Tomie dePaola. Ages 4–10. The German immigrants bring their Christmas traditions to early 1800s New England.
Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot, Margot Theis Raven. Ages 5–10. The true story of the Candy Bomber from the perspective of a little German girl who received candy.
Silent Night: A Christmas Carol is Born, Maureen Brett Hooper. Ages 5–7. Story of the origin of the famous Christmas Carol written in Austria in 1818.
Gingerbread Christmas, Jan Brett. Ages 3–6. A gingerbread baby takes a band to a Christmas festival in Germany. Secular, but fun, and captures the mood of Christmas in Germany!
The Legend of the Poinsettia, Tomie dePaola. Ages 4–9. A poor Mexican girl wants to give a gift to the Christ child. Her modest gift of weeds become beautiful red stars to adorn the manger.
The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree: An Appalachian Story, Gloria Houston. Ages 5-9. A story of courage and the power of family and community in 1918 Appalachia.
Join the GO GLOBAL ADVENTURE
The rest of the Ultimate Christmas Book collection is nestled within our GO GLOBAL curriculum. It will provide fresh inspiration for your children for years to come! If you LOVE books and want an interactive, movement-rich curriculum that you and your children will love, check out GO GLOBAL.
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