Once Upon a Christmas

There is no time like the holidays to cuddle up with classic Christmas stories. I still remember when I first saw A Christmas Carol as a young girl. Seeing Goodman Theatre's A Christmas Carol this month gave me the same thrill. Wanting to continue that magic, I was inspired to re-read this classic Dickens tale.

Though there are many versions of A Christmas Carol, my favorite for young readers is this short adaptation of A Christmas Carol with wonderful color illustrations. Older readers will enjoy the Sterling edition of A Christmas Carol, which includes black-and-white illustrations along with discussion questions at the end.

Scrooge is not alone in feeling humbug about Christmas. Dr. Seuss' famous Grinch, in How the Grinch Stole Christmas, is determined to stop Christmas from coming to Whoville. This story is one of my favorites and I never tire of reading the book or watching the movie.

If you love Margaret Wise Brown's books, be sure to check out The Little Fir Tree. This story may not be as well-known as other Christmas favorites, but this story captured my heart as it reminded me of the tiny Christmas tree in A Charlie Brown Christmas.

And don't forget to grab a favorite copy of The Night Before Christmas to read on Christmas Eve. Did you know that this poem was originally published as the "Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas" in The Troy Sentinel on December 23, 1823? It may be hard to pick just one as there are so many versions to choose from! What makes each of them special are the illustrations, ranging from classic to contemporary. No matter which interpretation you choose, this revered tale is sure to please readers of all ages.

What's your favorite holiday tale?