Fast Five Fiction: Favorite Christmas books

 Merry Christmas! As Christmas falls on a Friday this year for today's Fast Five Fiction I've got my five favorite Christmas books on our shelves. Click the link to be directed to the catalog to place materials on hold. Book descriptions are from Goodreads. 

The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

This just might be the best known Christmas book of all time. And we have numerous versions of this holiday classic, a Lego version, Berenstain Bears, as well as editions done by a few different illustrators. 

Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree by Robert E. Barry

This was my favorite Christmas story as a kid and I still have my mom's copy from 1963. Even though my kids are past the Christmas stage we read it together every Christmas. 

Christmas is here and Mr. Willowby's tree has arrived. There's just one big problem: The tree is too tall for his parlor. He cuts off the top so it will fit, and soon the top of that tree is passed along again and again to bring holiday cheer to all the animals in the forest.

Kids will love watching the tree move from home to home, and families will appreciate the subtle message of conservation and recycling, as the tree top spreads joy to so many of the forest dwellers.

This heartwarming story is the perfect way to start your yuletide season, and a warm addition to your family's festive holiday traditions.

Llama Llama Holiday Drama by Anna Dewdney

Llama Llama holidays. Jingle music. Lights ablaze.

How long till that special date? Llama Llama has to wait.

If there's one thing Llama Llama doesn't like, it's waiting. He and Mama Llama rush around, shopping for presents, baking cookies, decorating the tree . . . but how long is it until Christmas? Will it ever come? Finally, Llama Llama just can't wait any more! It takes a cuddle from Mama Llama to remind him that "Gifts are nice, but there's another: The true gift is, we have each other."

Home Alone by Jason Rekulak

Eight-year-old Kevin McCallister wished his family would disappear. He never thought the wish would come true!

Home Alone arrived in theaters twenty-five years ago, and remains the #1 highest-grossing live-action comedy film of all time. Now, illustrator Kim Smith has reimagined the story as a classic Christmas fable--complete with bumbling burglars, brilliant booby-traps, and a little boy named Kevin who's forced to fend for himself. Through a series of comic adventures, Kevin learns lessons about responsibility and the importance of family. 

Merry Christmas, Squirrels! by Nancy Rose

Nancy Rose's squirrel books are a true delight and this Christmas themed one is no exception. 

Mr. Peanuts loves Christmas - but he loves it even more when he has a friend to share it with. When Cousin Squirrel invites him to spend the holidays together, Mr. Peanuts is in for a whirlwind of winter fun! Mr. Peanuts and Cousin Squirrel are the perfect holiday addition to every household. Featuring photographs of wild squirrels in handcrafted homemade miniature settings, this striking book is sure to surprise and delight young and old alike. 

Happy Friday, and happy reading. And a very Merry Christmas to you & your families!