Christmas Picture Books

I read a few books with my niece and nephew over Christmas.

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Series: Peter #1
Published by Scholastic on June 28, 1999 (first published 1962)
Source: On shelves
Genres: Picture Book
Pages: 28
Format: Paperback
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The Snowy Day is the simple tale of a boy waking up to discover that snow has fallen during the night. Keats's illustrations, using cut-outs, watercolors, and collage, are strikingly beautiful in their understated color and composition. The tranquil story mirrors the calm presence of the paintings, and both exude the silence of a freshly snow-covered landscape. The little boy celebrates the snow-draped city with a day of humble adventures--experimenting with footprints, knocking snow from a tree, creating snow angels, and trying to save a snowball for the next day. Awakening to a winter wonderland is an ageless, ever-magical experience, and one made nearly visceral by Keats's gentle tribute.The book is notable not only for its lovely artwork and tone, but also for its importance as a trailblazer. According to Horn Book magazine, The Snowy Day was "the very first full-color picture book to feature a small black hero"--yet another reason to add this classic to your shelves. It's as unique and special as a snowflake.

The Snowy Day is a sweet, simple little story about enjoying the snow. The illustrations are warm and inviting and go along with the text well. It’s never been one of my favorites, but is still a classic worth reading.

The Biggest Snowman Ever by Steven Kroll
Illustrator: Jeni Bassett
Published by Scholastic on October 1, 2005
Source: On shelves
Genres: Picture Book
Pages: 32
Format: Paperback
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When the mayor of Mouseville announces the town snowman contest, Clayton and Desmond claim that they will each make the biggest snowman ever. But building a huge snowman alone is hard! They work and work, but their snowmen just aren't big enough.

Soon they have an idea. As the day of the contest approaches, Clayton and Desmond join forces to build the biggest snowman ever.

I like that The Biggest Snowman Ever encourages teamwork. It also encourages creativity, no two snowmen are alike, they can be traditional or a princess or a martian and they’re all good.

The Littlest Christmas Tree by R.A. Herman
Illustrator: Jacqueline Rogers
Published by Cartwheel Books on October 1, 2007
Source: On shelves
Genres: Picture Book, Christmas
Pages: 32
Format: Paperback
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The Littlest Christmas Tree wants to find a home for Christmas in this companion to the bestselling favorite The Littlest Pumpkin.

There are only five days until Christmas, and the Littlest Christmas Tree is still waiting for a home. All it wants is for a family to take it home, decorate it, and sing its favorite song, "Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree, how lovely are thy branches..."

But as Christmas nears, and one by one the other trees find homes, the Littlest Christmas Tree begins to think that no one will ever take it home. And then, on Christmas Eve, its wish comes true when the man who runs the Christmas tree stand takes it home to his family.

The Littlest Christmas Tree makes me tear up a little in the middle, when the tree is sad and lonely and afraid it will never get to be a Christmas tree. Thankfully it has a happy ending and the tree gets to go to the perfect home.