10 Books to Give as Gifts This Christmas

Here are my 10 favorite Christmas books that explore the magic and meaning of the holiday to give as gifts to children.

1. Olive, the Other Reindeer by J. Otto Seibold & Vivian Walsh

After hearing the Christmas carol "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer," Olive, a dog, decides she's a reindeer and goes to the North Pole to join Santa's reindeer team. Her doggy talents prove invaluable to Santa as Olive manages to save Christmas and help lead Santa's sleigh.

2. The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry and illustrated by P.J. Lynch

Della and Jim, a husband and wife living in poverty, sacrifice their most treasured possessions to buy the perfect Christmas gift for the other. When they exchange the gifts, the two discover what the other has done. While filled with sadness at first, they realize that their love for each other is the best Christmas gift of all.

3. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

One Christmas Eve, Scrooge, a mean, stingy man, is visited by a trio of visitors. Not only do these visitors show him the true meaning of Christmas but the true meaning of life as well. This is a Christmas classic every child should own.

4. Cajun Night before Christmas by Howard Jacobs, Trosclair, and illustrated by James Rice

This is the Cajun's twist on the Christmas classic. St. Nicholas, dressed in a muskrat suit, drives a skiff piled high with toys and drawn by 8 flying alligators through a Louisiana bayou.

5. Magic Tree House #29: Christmas in Camelot by Mary Pope Osborne and illustrated by Sal Murdocca

The magic tree house brings siblings Annie and Jack to Camelot to save the legendary city from dark wizard Mordred's spell. This is a tale of adventure and seasonal enchantment.

6. Secrets of a Christmas Box by Steven Hornby

Filled with imaginative characters, adventure, and suspense, this fantasy novel is perfect for parent and child to read together. Larry, a Christmas snowman, goes on a search for his missing brother after awaking from a long sleep in the Christmas box. Accompanied by his girlfriend Debbie, his companion Tinsel, and Splint, Larry defies the "Tree-Elders," escapes down the Christmas tree, and goes on an adventure that has him learning more than he set out to learn.

7. The Christmas Baby by Marion Dane Bauer and illustrated by Richard Cowdrey

The birth of a baby is a reason to rejoice. This lyrical and well illustrated book recounts the night of Jesus' birth, celebrating the miracle of life and the Christian meaning of Christmas.

8. How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

Mr. Grinch is intent on ruining Christmas for Whoville. When the community celebrates the holiday despite his mischief, though, the Grinch learns the true meaning of Christmas. This is another wonderful Christmas book to add to a child's bookshelf.

9. A Wish to Be a Christmas Tree by Colleen Monroe

The pine tree in this story is never picked to be a Christmas tree. So to help him out, his woodland friends decorate the pine tree, while he's asleep, in their version of a Christmas tree to show their appreciation and love.

10. I Spy Christmas: A Book of Picture Riddles by Jean Marzolls and photographed by Walter Wick

Featuring rhyming riddles, this photographic puzzle book provides hours of challenging fun. Children search the holiday-themed pictures for hidden objects, and if they need help, you'll find yourself drawn into the search too.