1. Up first is the classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Not only is is a long-standing tradition, but this book has so much heart as well. I love the theme behind it all that becomes clear when the Grinch himself declares, "Maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more." That is the message I want my students to understand. It isn't about you. It isn't about what you give. Christmas is so much more and that is why this book was my number one pick.
2. Another favorite of mine is The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey. This is the story of a woodcarver who lost everything (his wife and child) and moved to a new town to have a fresh start with no one to bother him. A widow and her son live in the same town and they have lost their most prized hand-carved nativity set. They seek out the woodcarver and hire him to do the job of recreating it. He's grouchy and makes no guarantee that the set will be done by Christmas. The widow's little boy asks to watch the woodcarver and his mother takes him on several occasions. Through the days the woodcarvers heart begins to soften and he allows himself to really live again. I love this book and the message in it. It is beautifully written and has stunning illustrations.
3. The Christmas Candle is my next top pick. This book has so many deep meanings that are perfect to dig down into for any older student. It creates great conversation that lies well below the surface.
In the book, a young man is caught in the cold and dark without a candle. On the way in, he is met by a beggar whom he harshly puts off. He goes to a candle shop and purchases the most simple one possible, ignoring the fancy Christmas ones displayed. As he gets ready to leave, the shop owner warns him that this candle is actually more costly than the man realizes.
The man responds gruffly and heads out into the cold with his candle in hand. As he tries to find his way home, he sees many different people out in the night and in need of help. He tries to ignore them, but each time his candle light shines on them, he sees their appearance change to that of one of his loved ones. He ends up helping each one. As a third person begins to approach him, he realizes the candle's trick and refuses to shine his light in their direction. Instead, he hurries home penniless, without coat or pack. He had given everything away.
He steps through the door of his house to be greeted and surrounded by family, food, and warmth. But something inside the young man is unsettled. He cannot shake the feeling of unrest. Walking out the door, he turns his back on the party to find the last beggar that he completely ignored.
This story reinforces the idea that we are all one family and should care for those who need help. It models the Biblical motto of "If you did it unto one of the least of these, you did it unto me" although it does not come right out and say it. It is the perfect book to use to lead into a service project. I absolutely LOVE it.
4. This book, Humphrey's First Christmas, has gorgeous illustrations that bring the story to life. It is also a great book to talk about point of view. The book retells the story of the very first Christmas through the eyes of the camel who carried the wisemen to Bethlehem. It brings out the theme of giving instead of getting.
6. Secrets of Winter is just a super fast and fun read with secret hidden things. You have to use a flashlight to see the hidden pictures on each page. Some things are hidden in lakes, under snow, behind trees, or in tree stumps. When you shine a light behind the page, the hidden image pops through. Even though this book was written with younger kids in mind, my upper elementary students enjoyed it because it is such a fun and unique book.
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