Children's Book Publishers

If you are looking for the best children's Christmas picture books of 2005 and 2006, these are my choices. Both the illustrations and the story in each of these children's Christmas picture books are of high quality.

1. There Was No Snow on Christmas Eve
Dennis Nolan’s lovely, soft focus watercolors complement the lyrical text by Pam Muñoz Ryan. It’s often hard for young children, who are used to cold weather and snow during the winter, to understand how very different it was on the first Christmas. By starting with scenes of three children in the snow and contrasting that modern scene with text, then artwork and text, the reader is transported to Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus.

(Hyperion Books for Children, 2005. ISBN: 0786854928)

2. One Splendid Tree
Marilyn Helmer's story, with photo-collage artwork by Dianne Eastman, takes place during WW II, but it will have special meaning for any family with a parent away on active duty with the military. While Daddy is away, Hattie and Junior and Momma are living in a city apartment. Despite missing Daddy, the two children transform an old plant into a splendid Christmas tree, and in the process, create a friendly community of tenants and a festive Christmas.

(Kids Can Press, 2005. ISBN: 1553376838)

3. Dear Santa Claus
Three- to six-year-olds love Dear Santa Claus by Alan Durant. The story is about a little girl, Holly, her correspondence with Santa, and a wish that comes true. Holly’s wish, to help Santa as he delivers Christmas gifts, is a wish many young children share. In addition to the appealing watercolor illustrations by Vanessa Cabban, throughout the book there are envelopes with letters from Santa in them. Some even include special treats.

(Candlewick Press, 2005. ISBN: 0763628298)

4. Aunt Olga’s Christmas Postcards
Kevin Major’s story will appeal to older kids and adults. Despite the age difference and the fact that Great-Great Aunt Olga “isn’t as sharp as she used to be,” young Anna and the 95-year-old Olga are very close. When Anna visits, Olga shares stories and her postcard collection. There is poignancy to one life just getting started while the other is nearing an end. The artwork combines pen and ink sketches by Bruce Roberts with historical postcards.

(House of Anansi Press, 2005. ISBN: 0888995938)

5. Merry Christmas, Merry Crow
At dusk on a snowy day, a crow flies through the festively decorated town in Kathi Applet’s rhyming story. Flying to and fro, the crow collects all kinds of things, including: “A shiny ring/A piece of string/A length of garland glimmering.” With all of these treasures and some birdseed, the crow creates a special Christmas tree for all the birds. The artwork, paintings in oil and acrylic on canvas, by Jon Goodell, is rich with color and detail.

(Harcourt, Inc., 2005. ISBN: 0152026517)