Bookworm: Christmas reads for young and old

Christmas books for kids

• c. 2023, various publishers
• $7.99-$19.99, various page counts

Your child has already started listening for the sound of jingle bells. Reindeer hooves on the roof would be okay, too, but here’s another idea. Give your kids some fun holiday tales to listen to, starting with these great books ...

For the littlest kid, “Latke’s First Hanukkah” by Alan Silberberg (Viking, $7.99) is a book meant for ages 6 months to two years. It’s a counting book about dreidels and gelt, a Hanukkah party, and eight nights of lights. Kids will love the story; parents will love that this is a sturdy board book that will last.

The kid who loves the Grinch will be so very happy to own its sequel, “Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Lost Christmas!” (Random House, $19.99). The Grinch has come to looooove the holiday... maybe a little too much. Can he once again learn to share Christmas? Kids of all ages will want to find out.

Next, grab “Little Red” by Will Hillenbrand (Little, Brown, $18.99), the story of a mighty but tiny truck; his best friend, Katie; and a big blizzard. All that snow threatens to postpone Christmas, and that would be a disaster! This book is great for little car or truck lovers ages three to seven, and it’s perfect for Dads to read-aloud. Speaking of blizzards, “The Kitten Story: A Mostly True Tale” by Emily Jenkins, illustrated by Brittany Cicchese (Minerva, $18.99) is a winter tale of a family that wanted a kitten but not just any kitty. It had to be the right one and it has to have the perfect name. Be sure your 5-to-8-year-old knows that there’s a real cat behind this adorable story of rescue and rejoicing.

And here’s some good news: Christmas books don’t have to be about Christmas, and you don’t have to put them away when the holiday’s over. Check out these great books that you can read now and for the next few months to come ...

Almost every kid loves to play in the snow, and “The Magical Snowflake” by Bernette Ford & Erin K. Robinson (Boxer Books, $18.99) is perfect for the snow-lover in your house. When there’s no snow on the ground but it’s cold, you can stomp and beg and wish but it takes a little magic to make things happen. Watch as the people in town become enchanted with a single snowflake and the little girl who hears it. Accompanying the story are gorgeous, brightly-colored illustrations that your child will want to see again and again.

And finally, “The Snow Man” by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Jeanette Winter (Beach Lane, $18.99) is the story of a rugged loner who lives in the mountains of Colorado, so that he can keep track of the snow that surrounds him every winter. He keeps records in piles of notebooks, and he makes his cabin in the woods more comfortable with each passing year. This is a great book for young environmentalists ages six to ten, and for little scientists who are into meteorology. Look for it.

Christmas Books for adults

• c. 2023, various publishers
•  $16.95-$28, various page counts

You’re definitely in the mood. You’ve been seeing Christmas ads for weeks now, and you’ve started decorating your home, office, and vehicle. So maybe it’s time to find some great holiday reads to complete your Yuletide merry-making...

What’s the holiday without a good romance? No fun, that’s what, and you’re in luck this Christmas. Start with “Bright Lights, Big Christmas” by Mary Kan Andrews (St. Martin’s Press, $24), a book about second chances, second thoughts, and new romance. Then there’s “The Christmas Wager” by Holly Cassidy (Putnam, $17), a novel about a snarky competition, a tradition, and love with a man who plays games, in a good way. Add “Snowball Unwrapped” by Kristen McKanagh (Kensington, $16.95), the story of a kitten who accidentally plays matchmaker, and wrap up your romance reading with “Love in Winter Wonderland” by Abiola Bello (Soho Teen, $18.99), a young-love story set in a London bookstore.

The reader who wants a little whodunit alongside the tree will want “The Christmas Guest” by Peter Swanson (Morrow, $19.99), a tale of Christmas in a large mansion near a charming little town, an enigmatic host, and the smell of pine and death. Thirty years later, the weekend filled with murder comes to light again, and not in a ho-ho-happy sort of way. Follow that story with “The Christmas Appeal” by Janice Hallett (Atria, $21.99), the tale of a troupe of actors and an exciting Christmas production. It’ll be great, providing the members can stop bickering. It’ll be successful, providing they identify the dead body on the stage. Finish your Christmas mystery list with “‘Twas the Bite Before Christmas” by David Rosenfelt (Minotaur, $26), a story of a dog rescue and the murder of one of the organization’s best volunteers. There’s more to him than meets the eye, though, and it might take three dogs to solve this crime.

If your reading tastes are more fact-based and you prefer non-fiction, there are new Christmas books out for you, too, this year.

Santa may warm your heart. Snowmen may charm the mittens off you. But if an Abominable Snowman also intrigues you, then you’ll want to read “Scary Book of Christmas Lore” by Tim Rayborn (Cider Mill Press, $16.99), a book of legends and frights from around the world. You might already know about Krampas, a cautionary figure who hails from Austria, Croatia, and Northern Italy – but do you know the Hawagoas, who are said to accompany him? Or Hans-Trapp from France, or the Yule Cat in Iceland? For the traveler or anyone who wants to see a different side of the holiday, this is your book.

And finally, if you’ve got your Christmas viewing completely scheduled, what you need is “Christmas Movies: Revised & Expanded Edition” by Jeremy Arnold (Running Press, $28.00). Filled with photos, old movie posters, and comprehensive run-downs of your favorites, this book is one to have so you know more about what your traditional flicks, and so you find new ones to get you in the mood.

Season’s Readings!

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The Bookworm is Terri Schlichenmeyer. She has been reading since she was 3 years old and never goes anywhere without a book. Terri lives on a hill in Wisconsin with two dogs and 11,000 books. Read past columns at marconews.com.