Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Top Five Christmas books

Nowadays, I often hear some parents lamenting that the children has forgotten the habit of reading story books. Of course, Harry Potter series is an exception. My experience tells me that it is a truth that children would love a Halo 3 more than reading a classic by Charles Dickens. Nevertheless, we can make or at least ask them to read. Can't we? If you want your children to read the books that enthralled you in your childhood then why not keep one of the Christmas classic books in their stockings on the night of the Christmas Eve? The classic books, written on the theme of Christmas, are not only for children but everyone from any age group would enjoy reading those classics.
Here is a list of my favorite Top Five Christmas story book ever written.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

This is my all time favorite. I don't know how many times I read it but still I enjoy reading it.
This famous story by Charles Dickens is about the miser Scrooge who does not believe in celebrating Christmas or enjoy company of any relation. The only concern of his life was having money, money and more money. On Christmas eve, the ghost of his former business partner visits him and warns him of the dire consequences that he will face for his miserliness and contempt for everyone. Then Three spirits of Past, Present and Future came to him and forced him to have a vision of Scrooge's past, present and future life. It was an eyeopening lesson for him and he changes into a kind-hearted, generous and cheerful person and embodied the true spirit of Christmas in his life.

Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien

Let me be honest. I am not a big fan of Tolkien but I loved this book. This book is about the letters of Father Christmas describing the life and people in North Pole.

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

This is book written in 1985 and won the Caldecott Medal for best illustrations. It is story of a young boy, who, while waiting for Santa's sleigh on the night of Christmas Eve, actually takes a trip to North Pole along with other children. Santa gives him a bell but the boy lost it. In the morning, the boy and his sister finds the bell wrapped as a gift under the Christmas tree of their house. While both the children can hear its beautiful chimes, their parents could not do so and thought it to be broken. However, most of the friends of the siblings can hear the sound of the bell. But with years, it fell silent for all of them except the man who got it in his childhood.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

This is one of the most famous children's story on Christmas and Grinch is probably the most popular villain in the Christmas stories. This book, written in rhymed verse, along with the illustrations, is about the bitter creature Grinch living in a cave. Being envious of the mirth and joy of the warm -hearted Whos of Whoville during Christmas, Grinch decided to spoil their Christmas festivity. He stole all the presents and decorations to"prevent Christmas from coming" but still found Christmas has come. He realizes that Christmas is something beyond gifts and decorations and it is to be celebrated with love, joy and harmony. The heart of Grinch enlarged and after returning the gifts to the Whos, he was warmly welcomed to the their community.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson

This Barbara Robinson book is a hilarious tale of the chaos and craziness that happened when Grace Bradley, the protagonist of the story, tried to stage a Christmas Pageant with the misbehaved Herdman kids. It was through this play that the kids learnt the true meaning of Christmas and it was the best pageant ever of their place.

So I have given my reviews of my favorite books on Christmas. If you haven't read any one of these, then during the holidays, why don't you pick one of them and spend a cozy afternoon in the blanket reading it. You will enjoy- it's my guarantee.



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