Here are two lists from Minnesota children's author, Terri DeGezelle. Both lists contain classic books that have been DeGezelle family favorites. The first list is for younger readers and preschoolers. The second list is of books better suited for older children.
Frosty the Snow Man

Frosty the Snow Man — retold by Annie North Bedford, pictures by Corinne Malvern

In Frosty the Snow Man, the illustrations bring Frosty alive as he was in 1950, the year he was born. Frosty plays with the children but leaves on a sunny day. He will return with the snow again someday—he always does!
Baby's Christmas

Baby's Christmas— written and illustrated by Esther Wilkin

Only Esther Wilken could tell the story of Baby's Christmas with just a few words and beautiful true-to-life illustrations. Page by page, the reader learns what Santa brought Baby only to find a big surprise on the last page.
Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer

Rudolph, The Red-nose Reindeer — Barbara Shook Hazen, adapted from the story by Robert May, Pictures by Richard Scarry

All the reindeer tease Rudolph by calling him names. When fog threatens to cancel Christmas, Santa calls upon Rudolph and his special nose. The night is saved when the most famous reindeer of all, Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer leads the way.
Christmas in the Barn

Christmas In The Barn — Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Barbara Cooney

In the simple picture book of Christmas In The Barn all the manger animals wonder when they hear a baby's cry. With the dawning of Christmas morn wise men come to visit the baby and all in the barn are safe and warm.
Mousekin's First Christmas

Mousekin's Christmas Eve — story and pictures by Edna Miller

Mousekin needs to find a new home and the search takes him out into a cold, dark, and dangerous world. He finds a new home that is warm, and filled with laughter and music. Mousekin explores and discovers a Christmas tree and a crèche where he finally feels safe from the outside world.
Little Tree

Little Tree — e.e. cummings, illustrated by Deborah Kogan Ray

e.e. cummings performs his poetry magic in Little Tree and Deborah Kogan Ray's soft and subdued illustrations to bring the little fir tree to life for all to enjoy.
The Little Drummer Boy The Little Drummer Boy — Ezra Jack Keats

The illustrations of Caldecott Medal winner Ezra Jack Keats move the story of The Little Drummer Boy along with a musical rhythm. Before you finish Keats' The Little Drummer Boy, you are guaranteed to be singing.
Who Is Coming to Our House?

Who is Coming To Our House? — written by Joseph Slate, illustrated by Ashley Wolff

"Who is coming to our house?" "Someone, someone," says Mouse. Each animal has a certain job or a special gift for the guests. When everything is ready the unknown guests finally arrive and the first Christmas is celebrated.
Peter Spier's Christmas!

Peter Spier's Christmas! — Peter Spier

While reading Peter Spier's Christmas!, you'll experience 90 full color paintings of a quality that only Peter Spier can do. When finished, you realize no words were needed to tell the story of how this family prepares for, spends time, and cleans up after Christmas. "Show, don't tell," is truly Peter Spier's motto for this book.
Carl's Christmas Carl's Christmas — Alexandra Day

Words don't interfere in this beautifully illustrated picture book. Mom and dad have gone out for the evening leaving Carl the dog in charge. Carl not only keeps Baby safe but he saves Christmas for a needy family as well as a few cold and lonely animals. Carl even gets a special reward from Santa.
Christmas in Noisy Village Christmas in Noisy Village — Astrid Lindgren and Ilon Wikland

Noisy Village got its name from the many noisy children who live there. Christmas in Noisy Village has a Scandinavian flavor with its story and illustrations. Baking cookies, bringing in firewood, and cutting a Christmas tree are just a few of the many things that must be done to get ready for Christmas.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever The Best Christmas Pageant Ever —Barbara Robinson, Illustrated by Judith Gwyn Brown

Maybe you remember a family like the Herdmans. They have never heard of the Christmas story before. They have a lot to learn, but when everything is said and done, we all have a lot to learn from them. Their version of the Christmas pageant is one you will long remember.
The Little Fir Tree The Little Fir Tree — Margaret Wise Brown, Pictures by Barbara Cooney

Each winter a father goes out to the woods and brings in a little fir tree for his bedridden son. One winter, no one comes and the fir tree is worried. Read The Little Fir Tree and learn what happens to the fir tree and the little boy.
The Bear's Christmas Tree The Bear's Christmas Tree —Stan and Jan Berenstain

Never fear, Papa Bear knows just the perfect tree for his family's Christmas celebration. But every tree he finds does not work out—for many different reasons. Finally he decides to buy one from the local tree lot, but it's too late. When they arrive home—much to their surprise—everyone in Bear Country comes to help make Christmas the best ever for the Berenstain Bear family.
The Night Before Christmas The Night Before Christmas — Clement C. Moore, illustrated by Bruce Whatley

This familiar Christmas classic is beautifully illustrated. As you read through this story, you'll feel your voice dancing just like the sugarplums in the children's heads.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! How the Grinch Stole Christmas! — Dr. Seuss

In the holiday classic, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, the Grinch hates Christmas but the Who of Whoville change the Grinches heart by showing him the Christmas is really all about.
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey — Susan Wojciechowski, illustrated by P.J. Lynch

The town's people know him as Mr. Gloomy, but a quiet change comes over him when a widow and her son make a special request. P.J. Lynch's illustrations do a beautiful job of telling a story within story.
The Polar Express The Polar Express — Chris Van Allsburg

The Polar Express is written in the voice of a small boy who takes a wonderful train trip. His souvenir is a bell but he loses it. Christmas morning, when his mother finds the bell under the Christmas tree, she is sad because it doesn't ring, but the little boy knows only believers can hear it ring.
The Crippled Lamb The Crippled Lamb — Max Lucado, illustrated by Liz Bonham

In The Crippled Lamb, Josh the lamb is not perfect but God has a special place for him. When the baby Jesus is cold, Josh warms him—a very special place indeed.
The Jolly Christmas Postman The Jolly Christmas Postman — Janet & Allan Ahlberg

The Jolly Christmas Postman is the holiday sequel to The Jolly Postman. As in the first book, Readers will enjoy the letter from the Big Bad Wolf, a tiny book within, and even a Humpty Dumpty puzzle.

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