Holiday reading traditions

In this bustling season where everything seems to be about partying, it’s good to know that you can relax with a holiday read that reminds us of the values of Christmas or that you can relax by reading a Christmas story to your children.

Today, I have included books for children and adults. You know Mr Ives Christmas, a remarkable story of forgiveness by Oscar Hijuelos is always going to top my list of favourite Christmas books. But today, The Christmas Genie by Dan Gutman tops my list.

The Christmas Genie by Dan Gutman – Boys in elementary school who are reluctant readers always seem to love reading Gutman’s Captain Underpants series.

The diapered superhero is not my favourite literary character, but I have to respect how much boys appreciate Gutman as an author – especially his humour.

In this Christmas novel, Gutman produces a genie who makes his grand arrival on a meteor that hits an elementary school. The genie promises the children they can have one wish, but they only have a short time to agree on the wish.

I just finished reading this novel to my 11-year-old students and they loved the humour. I particularly liked this novel because Gutman found a fun way to make Christmas an analytical exercise to sharpen students’ thinking skills during the holiday season. Without even thinking, students began to analyse the wishes of the children in the book. They liked trying to predict why the children’s wishes in the books wish would not work out. Students felt empowered when their analysis proved to be correct. Students really appreciated having a funny Christmas book.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens – You can’t celebrate Christmas without reading this classic about mean and stingy Mr Scrooge who is visited by three ghosts one Christmas. This story is timeless and it deserves a re-read every Christmas. There are many good narrations of this book on audible.com. Actor Tim Curry is one of my favourite narrators.

The Gift of the Magi by O Henry – This Christmas classic about a poor husband and wife determined to buy the perfect gift for one another – even though they have no money – is an enjoyable short story that should be read every Christmas.

There is much to ponder about that perfect gift we all search for during the holiday. What lengths will we go to find and purchase that perfect gift? What does the “perfect” gift mean? This story inspires much discussion about the meaning of Christmas.

Letters from Father Christmas by JRR Tolkien – This delightful collection of letters that Tolkien wrote to his children every Christmas tells the story of Santa’s life at the North Pole. Readers see pictures of the original letters from Santa with their squiggly handwriting. Tolkien works his magic once again.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr Seuss – This is a poetic children’s tale of the Grinch who stole all of the presents in Whoville is a story that every adult should read aloud to small children during the December holiday. This story never gets old.

The Top 40 Traditions of Christmas by David McLaughlan – Find out why we have Christmas trees and candy canes; Santa Claus and Christmas lights in this book that tells the stories behind the holiday.