New Christmas Classic Picture Books

Five great new Christmas picture books.

There are plenty of classic holiday picture books out there. How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss, The Snowman by Raymond Briggs and Olive the Other Reindeer by Vivian Walsh immediately come to mind. But there are plenty of new Christmas picture books to choose from. After all, Christmas is the season for giving, and publishers keep giving us new Christmas books (because they sell!).

Here are a few Christmas picture books I've thoroughly enjoyed.

1. Bad Kitty Christmas – Nick Bruel returns to the picture book format that launched Bad Kitty in the first place. This time, he spins two stories into one book, the first featuring Bad Kitty’s antics early on Christmas morning told, as always, with a romp through the alphabet. The second finds Kitty on his own, with no place to go for Christmas, until he finds a caring stranger. Christmas gains a new and heartwarming meaning for both of them.
2. Pete the Cat Saves Christmas -- Author Eric Litwin uses his rhythmic abilities to set a new Pete the Cat story to The Night Before Christmas. Santa’s sick and Christmas could be cancelled. It’s up to an enthusiastic Pete the Cat to deliver all the presents – and in the spirit of Christmas, he gives it his all. Illustrated by James Dean.
3. Charlie and the Christmas Kitty -- Poor Charlie. Everyone’s favorite ranch dog gets a Christmas present he didn’t want – a cat! If your child balks at socks or sweaters or that thing they can’t figure out from Aunt Gertrude, then this book could teach them to appreciate it (even if it’s not as a kitten!). Written by Ree Drummond and Illustrated by Diane deGroat.
4. Turkey Claus -- In this sequel to Turkey Trouble, Turkey’s still in trouble. He may have survived Thanksgiving, but now Edna wants turkey for Christmas dinner! Can Santa get him out of trouble? What’s our intrepid turkey to do? Written by Wendy Silvans and illustrated by Lee Harper.
5. How Do Dinosaurs Say Merry Christmas?-- This series from author Jane Yolen and illustrator Mark Teague is a picture book phenomenon. If your little reader already knows How Dinosaurs Say Goodnight or I Love You, then this book is a great fit in the series. I mean really, Christmas wasn’t even around yet, so how did they say “Merry Christmas!”? And I know this one’s a week late, but there’s also a How Do Dinosaurs Say Happy Chanukah book, too.

 

So if you haven't picked up a Christmas picture book for your little reader(s) and are looking for something fun that they'll probably want to read next year (or they just like cats), try one of these new Christmas classics.