Read this with coffee
The Holiday Bookshelf. Pajamas Encouraged.
A few books to bring out each season. The tradition is the reading, not buying a whole new shelf.
Halloween: a little spooky, a lot cozy.
Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler, is a cheerful starting point for a seasonal read-aloud.
- Borrow before buying if you are discovering what your child enjoys.
- Let your kid pick the repeat read. Hearing it for the 40th time is half the fun.
Thanksgiving: gratitude, no speeches.
Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Jane Chapman, is a sweet way into talking about sharing and friendship.
- Ask one small question: who made your day better?
- A child can answer with a drawing. No speech required.
Christmas: make room for the tree book.
Pick a Pine Tree by Patricia Toht, illustrated by Jarvis, belongs near the decorating basket. For a longer read, try The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston, illustrated by Barbara Cooney.
- Read one before decorating and one during a quieter evening.
- Read before everyone’s overtired. Bedtime has enough on its plate.
The little holidays get a little shelf.
The Night Before New Year’s by Natasha Wing, illustrated by Amy Wummer; Love from the Crayons; St. Patrick’s Day by Gail Gibbons; and Llama Llama Easter Egg by Anna Dewdney offer starting points across the year.
- Match the book to your kid’s attention span and interests. A list is not homework.
- Check a library copy or publisher preview to decide whether the reading level suits your family.
Summer: one book, then outside.
Corduroy’s Fourth of July, created by Don Freeman and illustrated by Lisa McCue, gives the summer basket a seasonal addition.
- Keep the seasonal stack small enough that it actually gets read.
- Store favorites with the decorations. Their comeback becomes part of the excitement.
More for this holiday. Explore the Christmas edit →: More for this holiday.
Want the stuff in these photos? Shop the Christmas picks on Amazon (opens in a new tab)