Top 5: Nostalgic Christmas Books

So with Christmas being this week, I thought I’d do something a little special for the holidays. Since Christmas is a time where many reminisce about the past and memories I wanted to share some my own nostalgia with you. Here is a top five list of my favorite nostalgic Christmas books I grew up with.

1) “Too Many Tamales” by Gary Soto

Synopsis: Maria was feeling very grown-up on Christmas Eve as she helped her mother prepare the tamales for Christmas dinner. When she slipped her mother’s diamond ring onto her finger, she only meant to wear it for a minute. But suddenly, the ring was gone, and there were 24 tamales that just might contain the missing ring.

This story was one of my favorites as a kid. The story is entertaining and hilarious. I love the illustrations and the food Maria and her family eat for a lovely Christmas meal. Tamales are so delicious!

2) “Eloise At Christmas” by Kay Thompson

Synopsis: Here she is at Christmastime /Complete with tinsel and holly Singing fa la la la lolly/ And over the roar of the jingle bells/ You can hear her say/ It’s absolutely Christmas/ But I don’t mind a bit/ I give everyone a present/ For that’s the thing of it/ So when it’s everly Christmastime/ And you’re under your Christmas trees/ Simply tinkle a bell and have a trinkle/ And remember Me Eloise

Eloise was also one my very favorite childhood books. I can remember reading the Eloise books over and over as I spent long summer days at my grandma’s house. This books focuses on Eloise’s adventures in The Plaza (hotel) during the holiday season. She is by far one of the most energetic, and bubbly literary girl characters I’ve ever met. I also really enjoyed the movie adaption.

3) “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” by Dr.Seuss

Synopsis: “Every Who down in Who-ville liked Christmas a lot . . . but the Grinch, who lived just north of Who-ville, did NOT!” 

A Christmas classic! Dr.Seuss plus Christmas rhymes equals an enjoyable book for all ages. And it also gives readers wise advice about the real meaning of the season: “Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!” 

4) “The Polar Express” by Chris Van Allsburg

Synopsis: A boy on Christmas Eve boards a magical train that’s headed to the North Pole and Santa Claus’s home.

Love, love love this book! The illustrations and scenery are absolutely beautiful. Not only is it a story about a boy’s mystical journey to the North Pole, but it also teaches readers about the power of believing and having faith. The movie adaption of the book is one of my holiday favorites.

5) “Olive, The Other Reindeer” by Vivian Walsh

Synopsis: Olive is merrily preparing for Christmas when suddenly she realizes “Olive… the other Reindeer… I thought I was a dog. Hmmm, I must be a Reindeer!” So she quickly hops aboard the polar express and heads to the North Pole. And while Santa and the other reindeer are a bit surprised that a dog wants to join the their team, in the end Olive and her unusual reindeer skills are just what Santa and his veteran reindeer team need. 

This book is a cute and quirky tale about a dog who thinks she’s a reindeer. It’s almost like a Christmas version of “The Little Engine That Could” as Olive doesn’t listen to those who thinks she crazy for dreaming that she’s a reindeer. She never gives up hope.

What are your favorite nostalgic holiday/Christmas books? Comment below! 😀

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