12 Christmas Books for Living Literature Learning

12 Christmas Books for Living Literature Learning {The Unlikely Homeschool}


The books are wrapped. The basket is packed. Our Christmas countdown with books has begun. While most of the books I've chosen are simple, but Scripturally accurate retellings of the first Christmas story, there are also a handful of living-literature books that depict Christmas celebrations and traditions from Christmases past. Incorporating historical fiction during this season of extravagance provides perspective. When reading about humble Christmases filled with simple pleasures like peppermint sticks and corn cob dolls, it's only natural for a child to look around at abundance and be grateful.



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Here's a look at some of our favorite living-literature Christmas books


Lucy's Christmas by Donald Hall
Prairie Christmas by Elizabeth van Steenwyk
My Prairie Christmas by Brett Harvey
The Money We'll Save by Brock Cole
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wjociechowski
The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston
Christmas in the Trenches by John McCutcheon
Grandfather's Christmas Tree by Keith Strand
A Carpenter's Gift by David Rubel
Christmas in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Uncle Vova's Tree by Patricia Polacco
An Orange for Frankie by Patricia Polacco

(Of course "perspective" isn't the ONLY reason I loooove living literature books. That's just the short answer. Here's the long one>>)

Looking for more lists like this?


Once a month I email a book list to the members of the Biblio-files. Additionally, each quarter, I send out a printable themed booklist just like this one. Every title on each list has been personally read and vetted by me and has been compiled by age range in order to help you navigate the library with your kids. In addition, I also include a few books that you should be aware of--books that contain explicit language, sexual agenda, graphic violence, etc. so that you can make an educated decision when/if your kids should ever be interested in reading any of them. What's more, members are invited to join me in a private Facebook group where we help each other find just the right books for our kids. We'd love to have you join us!

8 comments:

  1. We incorporated this idea after reading a similar post on your blog last year! Our kiddos LOVED it!!! I planned all year for this Christmas, I searched thrift shops and yard sales, was able to find 24 Christmas books that fit our beliefs. I also started this tradition for my 1.5 year old niece! I found 24 board books, wrapped them, and mailed them across the country to her:) thank you Jamie for such a simple idea, but it has had a lasting impact on the Christmas season for us!

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    1. I'm so excited for you and your Christmas! Thank you for sharing this with me.

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  2. Oh how I love your blog, Jamie! I just filled up my library cart with these gems, just like I nearly always do after reading your other posts. :) You are such an inspiring wife & mother.

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  3. Thank you sooooo much for this list!!! God bless you and other out there for helping us newbie homeschoolers!

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  4. Just came across your blog and am copying and pasting like crazy to my booklist. I'm a new homeschool mom and am so excited to have good, clean books that have already been vetted. Thank you for the gift of sharing treasures of books!

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    1. You're most welcome! Happy to share book titles. It's what I do in the Biblio-files community.

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