Kid’s Festive Reads

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse! It’s words like these that put the magic in holiday-inspired storybooks. Kids love to seize the holiday spirit by sipping on some hot chocolate, snuggling in a cozy blanket, and reading enchanting tales about the holiday season. Every year we read our favorite classic holiday stories that have waited almost a whole year to be opened again. And they still feel like it’s the first time. But new Christmas books are released each year and it’s exciting to add new titles to our holiday library. Schiffer Publishing has three new festive reads and they are winsome, captivating, and heartwarming.

The Visit: The Origin of “The Night Before Christmas” is a charming story that will walk readers through the makings of this well-loved classic poem. It was passed down generation after generation of the Moore family and now all the details of its conception are exposed for all who hold the spirit of Christmas in their hearts. The author, Clement Clarke Moore, wrote a Christmas poem for his ailing daughter not knowing it was to become one of the most beloved holiday classics of all time.

The story is written in a delightful rhyming format and is accompanied by over 50 warm and richly detailed illustrations set in the early 19th and 20th centuries. The narrator (Papa) recalls and reminisces about a visit to his grandfather’s home way back in 1836. He then explains various parts of the poem like why stockings were hung, what sugarplums are, why windows were shuttered, what a courser is, and much more. The back of the book shares a copy of The Night Before Christmas written in the author’s handwriting. It will give you the warm fuzzies and make you appreciate just how fortunate you are.

Yikes! Santa Claus is in his Underpants! Santa is caught with just his festive drawers on, how embarrassing. The book comes with a detachable poster and over 50 clothing accessories so kids are dress Santa up. The center of the books has two pages of reusable sticky dots that kids will use to adhere the clothing to Santa. He’s got some pretty pieces of attire that include pants, boots, slippers, belts, goggles, facial expressions, a guitar, and much more. Kids will have a blast dressing Santa in the 6 contrived outfits or they can mix and match and create their own look.

Creatures in the ocean celebrate Christmas Eve in an underwater tale about a visit from St. Nick. It’s written in the same format as the original poem, but some words are changed to reflect an underwater Christmas in The Lobster’s Night Before Christmas.

‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the ocean,
Not a creature was stirring, there was simply no motion.

The underwater creatures are preparing for the Sea Santa in his clamshell sleigh being pulled by 8 paddling minnows. Each of the minnows has a name and they obediently follow Santa’s orders as they flow through the water. It’s such a cute and unexpected version of this holiday poem and kids will enjoy it. The illustrations look like watercolor paintings as they depict sea creatures getting ready for Santa.

Disclaimer: I received complimentary products to facilitate a review. All opinions are my own, yours may differ.