Christmas is right around the corner! Everyone can feel it in the air, none more so than children. But during this magical season, it can be difficult for kids to concentrate in the classroom. Why would they want to focus on lessons when they could draft a Christmas list or daydream about their upcoming holiday break?
If you want to incorporate learning into the season, these books are the perfect gifts to stow under the Christmas tree. Filled with both learning and holiday fun, these engaging reads will pique little learners’ interests in everything from biology to scientific invention. There’s truly something for every future doctor and engineer — and who knows, parents may even learn something new as well!
Over and Under the Snow by by Kate Messner, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal
Christmas isn’t just about December 25th! Part of the magic is the lead-up to the Christmas season, as the weather gets colder and snow starts to dust the landscape. But while we’re cozy in our homes, what about the wild animals outdoors? Part of the Over and Under series of children’s books, this Amazon Teacher’s Pick unveils the animal world beneath the blanket of snow. From teaching about animal hibernation to showing illustrations of different animals’ burrows, Over and Under the Snow teaches animal biology at an accessible level for young children. This peaceful tale gives us an inside glimpse into the wintertime secrets of the animal world.
Construction Site on Christmas Night by by Sherri Duskey Rinker, illustrated by AG Ford
Perfect for your little engineer, Construction Site on Christmas Night combines two popular children’s interests — heavy machinery and Christmastime! Aimed for 2 to 4-year-olds, this charming read can still be enjoyed by all as Excavator, Bulldozer, Crane, Dump Truck and Cement Mixer all work on their Christmastime project. The narrative dives into each machine’s function on the construction site, as well as a tailor-made Christmas present that each vehicle receives. Bulldozer gets a new carbon steel blade, Excavator receives a replacement for his chipped scoop and Cement Mixer even gets a new, candy-cane-striped cement drum! The holiday joy from this anthropomorphic construction site crew is contagious and is the perfect Christmastime pick for vehicle-loving toddlers and preschoolers.
A Very Merry If Not You, Then Who? Christmas by by David and Emberli Pridham, illustrated by Nadia Ronquillo
Have you ever stopped to wonder about the invention of Christmas string lights? What about ornaments? What are the origin stories of the contraptions that makes Christmas Christmas? A Very Merry If Not You, Then Who? Christmas wraps all that up and more in an inspiring tale of invention and intergenerational bonding. The newest addition to the If Not You, Then Who? series, this book harnesses children’s wide-eyed wonder for the Christmas season, all while teaching a lesson about the holiday’s history from the series’s signature STEM perspective. Young readers will have a new awareness for the science behind Christmas celebrations, as well as appreciation the loved ones they celebrate with.
Read our full review of the book here!
The Shortest Day by by Susan Cooper, illustrated by Carson Ellis
Kids may very well be noticing the change in the winter season — not just the dipping temperatures, but the increasing darkness of the night, as well. Newbery Medalist Susan Cooper brings a magic to her explanation of the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. Filled with Carson Ellis’s captivating illustrations, this beautiful read brings a brightness to the long night. With Christmas trees and yuletide fires to light the darkness, even children with an apprehension for the dark can find a way to enjoy the season. After all, as Cooper describes in her lyrical prose, it’s what people have been doing for centuries — heralding the season with a celebration of light, community and festivity.
Where Would Santa Go? by by Julia Inserro, illustrated by Natalie Merheb
This book’s tagline — “A Christmas Adventure With the Most Famous World Traveler” — says it all. With its lessons on geology and the introduction of cultures throughout the world, Where Would Santa Go? is the perfect story time read to round out the holiday season. Santa takes two young adventurers on a journey to explore each of the seven continents — yes, even Antarctica! From the rainforests of Costa Rica to the grasslands of Tanzania, readers will gain a newfound appreciation for the biodiversity that our planet has to offer. And when it comes to the holidays, there’s nothing more unifying than joining together with humankind to celebrate the season.
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