7 Books to Celebrate Baby’s First Christmas

By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: November 13, 2009

It’s baby’s first Christmas! This is his first introduction to a very special time of year: the beginning of many festive holiday traditions. There are a few things to look for when selecting holiday books for this age group:

• Simple illustrations with patterns and contrasting colors.
• Babies are facsinated by faces, especially baby faces.
• Interactive books with touch and feel textures.
• Sturdy pages so baby can hold the book to get the full sensory experience — this is the beginning step of reading.

Christmas Peekaboo

by DK Publishing

Reading level: Baby-Preschool

Board book: 12 pages

Publisher: DK Preschool (August 18, 2008)

TCBR analysis: The photographs of real babies and the lift-the-flap peekaboo game make this book a true winner.

Publisher’s synopsis: Babies love playing peekaboo from about six months onward-and once they latch on to this simple game, they can’t get enough of it! DK’s Peekaboo books make the most of this fun interactive activity with flaps that open to reveal appealing babies and toys.

Add this book to your collection: Christmas Peekaboo

That’s Not my Reindeer

by Fiona Watt

Reading level: Baby-Preschool

Board book: 10 pages

Publisher: Usborne Books (January 2008)

TCBR analysis: Super sturdy pages and select textures. This series of books is fantastic for throwing in a diaper bag for vacation travels.

Publisher’s synopsis: This delightful series of board books is aimed at very young children. The bright pictures, with their patches of different textures, are designed to develop sensory and language awareness. Babies and toddlers will love turning the pages and touching the feely patches.

Add this book to your collection: That’s Not my Reindeer

Where is Baby’s Christmas Present?

by Karen Katz

Reading level: Baby-Preschool

Board book: 14 pages

Publisher: Little Simon; Brdbk edition (October 6, 2009)

TCBR analysis: Solid shapes, vibrant colors, and hide-and-seek lift-the-flaps to entice baby to interact.

Publisher’s synopsis: Baby is looking everywhere for the Christmas present—but where can it be? Little ones will love lifting the large, sturdy flaps to reveal special, holiday surprises: Christmas cookies, candy canes, ornaments, and more! Babies are sure to love this Christmas treat!

6 5/8 X 7 3/8 board book has rounded corners. Includes 6 large, sturdy flaps.

Add this book to your collection: Where is Baby’s Christmas Present?

Little Reindeer

by Klaatje Van Der Put

Reading level: Baby-Preschool

Board book: 12 pages

Publisher: Chronicle Books (September 28, 2006)

TCBR analysis: Small enough for baby to hold, appealing enough to hold her attention. Older babies will enjoy attempting to operate the finger puppet.

Publisher’s synopsis: An adorable finger puppet peeks through a die-cut hole on each page making this book an excellent way to read and play.

Add this book to your collection: Little Reindeer

Pat the Bunny Christmas Gift Set

by Edith Kunhardt Davis

Reading level: Baby-Preschool

Hardcover: 18 pages

Publisher: Golden Books; Bk& Acces edition (October 25, 2005)

TCBR analysis: This classic staple for baby’s library goes all “holiday” on us! A sweet, tactile keepsake.

Publisher’s synopsis: The perfect Christmas gift for pat the bunny fans! Children and parents will love all the touch-and-feel elements in this ultra-adorable Christmas story as well as the huggable plush Christmas bunny ornament that comes in the boxed set–an amazing value at $12.95!

Add this book to your ocllection: Pat the Bunny Christmas Gift Set

Funny Face Santa Claus

by Roger Priddy

Reading level: Ages 0-4

Board book: 10 pages

Publisher: Priddy Books (August 19, 2008)

TCBR analysis: Kids can’t seem to get enough of this tenacious series. Whether it’s the vibrant colors or the amusing sounds that captivate your baby, it’s sure to be a hit.

Publisher’s synopsis: Rhyming story about Santa Claus and his unusual Christmas adventures, which is fun to listen to and read.

Bob

by Sandra Boynton

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Board book: 18 pages

Publisher: Little Simon (October 1, 1999)

TCBR analysis: A great choice for the older baby. Boynton’s masterful rhymes truly appeal to the auditory part of babies brain.

Publisher’s synopsis: I have a tiny reindeer. He says his name is Bob.

The winsome tale of Bob opens this book of seven Boynton Christmas stories. Using the colorful picture tabs, little children can choose the story they want to hear:

* Bob
* Merry Christmas Party
* The Star
* A Big Box
* Eight Wishes
* Wake Up!
* Christmas Lullaby

Every perfectly silly selection is just right for snuggling by, all December long. And highly approved by Bob.

Add this book to your collection: Bob

You may also like to check out:

• Holiday Gift Guide: Best Children’s Books and Toys
• Christmas Gifts for Kids: Book Collections, Box Sets, & Toys
• 20 of the Best Kids Christmas Books
• 8 Books to Celebrate Baby’s First Christmas

_{Source of books: Publishers, Authors, Library, Book Store.}