(4) adorable Christmas Books for kids from Candlewick Press

Red and Lulu; Matt Tavares

Candlewick - 2017

Such a lovely Christmas story featuring two gorgeous cardinals who lived a happy life in a bog evergreen. It was a tree that sheltered them from the elements in all kinds of weather.  For Christmas, people even decorated their tree and sang songs there as well.

One day the huge tree was cut down and hauled off in a big truck; the cardinals were frantic. They flew fast but couldn't keep up and, soon found themselves in an unfamiliar place.  Their tree had found a new home where people come to sing as well -- Rockefeller Center in New York.

Gorgeous, vibrant illustrations, sweet story and a history of the Rockefeller Tree tradition as well -- Loved this sweet book.

Coming Home; Michael Morpurgo

Beautiful birds and Christmas just seem to be the perfect combination.  A beautiful red breasted robin braves the weather in hopes of returning home to his mate in time for Christmas.

Beautifully illustrated, somewhat poetic story that adults will appreciate reading to little ones. I do think early readers 6+ might be a bit frustrated trying to read and understand this one fully on their own. It is a lovely book though.

Little Christmas Tree; Jessica Courtney-Tickle
Big Picture Press - Candlewick - 2018

The Little Christmas Tree is the story of a lonesome Christmas tree with is slowly transformed into a thing of beauty.   A lovely, tall board book with little lift up flaps that hide elements of nature and colorful creatures everywhere. This is not your average board book, it's special: beautiful illustrations and design - a definite keeper.

 The Christmas Eve Tree; Delia Huddy
Candlewick - 2018

In this Christmas story a young homeless boy rescues a crooked, carelessly planted tree that no one wanted and was about to be discarded. He takes the tree to where he has been living, under a bridge, and decorates it, and an unexpected magical Christmas Eve is enjoyed by many. When Christmas is over the tree gets planted and lives on. The boy, now a young man, returns and admires the tree.  

This is a hopeful story. What starts out very sad, ends with a sense that the homeless boy is doing well as a young man.  This is a story that will take some discussion between adult and child as it might not be totally obvious how to interpret the ending from the final illustration.  I liked the old-fashioned illustrations and the beautiful surprise pop up as well.