Christmas Children's Literature: Have a Tomie DePaola Holiday

Tomie DePaola is a one of the world's best loved artists and children's authors. Tomie DePaola admits that he loves Christmas and it shows in the holiday magic he imbues in his stories and art. Here's Tomie DePaola's Christmas collection. I've included all Tomie DePaola stories including his advent books, saints whose feast days fall in Advent and Christmas stories themselves.

The Lady of Guadalupe: My favorite retelling of the Story of Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe (feast day, December 12).

The Legend of the Poinsettia: With no gift to offer the Bambino at Midnight mass, a little girl brings some flowers growing by the wayside, and a miracle occurs.

The Night of Las Posadas: Posadas are parties celebrated during Advent in Mexico beginning nine days before Christmas as an advent novena.

Tomie DePaola's Make-Your-Own Christmas Cards: Tomie teaches us how to use our own artistic skill to make holiday greetings.

Get Dressed, Santa A charming story for the little ones.

Country Angel Christmas: Tomie DePaola specializes in angels. They peek out of every corner of his stories. Nothing says Christmas like angels.

Hark! A Christmas Sampler Christmas recipes, songs, stories and fun from the Christmas man himself.

Baby's First Christmas

Tomie DePaola's Book of Christmas Carols: Favorite holiday classics illustrated by Tomie DePaola

The Night Before Christmas Clement C. Moore's timeless classic, DePaola style.

The Friendly Beasts Based upon the Welsh song and legend of the night the angels talked.

Merry Christmas, Strega Nona: Big Anthony goofs again, but can Strega Nona save the day with 'no magic at Christmas'?

My First Christmas: Another one for the youngers.

The Family Christmas Tree Book: Holiday memories of Christmas trees past

The Legend of Old Befana La Befana is the Italian equivalent to Russia's Baboushka, a woman too busy to stop for the baby Jesus and His guests.

The Clown of God: Medieval French tale of beauty and devotion.

The Christmas Pageant: Tomie DePaola tells the nativity story.

Sing Pierrot, Sing! Perhaps not a Christmas story, but surely the old 'Italienne Comedie' belongs at Christmas?

An Early American Christmas: What was Christmas like in a strange new world?

Santa's Crash-Bang Christmas: A rolicking silly story for children.

The Popcorn Book: Again not a Christmas book as such, but references are made to the holiday favorite popcorn balls and popcorn strung on Christmas trees.

Christmas Remembered: Holiday memories.

Angels, Angels Everywhere: Tomie friendly angels year round.

Guess Who's Coming for Santa's Dinner? Poor Santa, he just wants to relax. But what do you do when Mama Santa invites all the relatives over for Christmas dinner. Great fun to imagine what Santa's relatives might be like.

Tomie has also written several lovely books for Chanukah. Tomie DePaola has been illustrating books since 1965. Tomie originally published with Harcourt, Brace, Jovanvich, and now writes for G.P.Putnam's Sons, with many of his series books being published by Simon and Schuster. Some holiday books are published by Holiday House. There are 24 Christmas titles in all that were both written and illustrated by Tomie DePaola. Why not read one each night, every night of Advent until Christmas? Make it a Tomie DePaola 'countdown to Christmas'.

For more about Christmas, visit me at www.thechristmasseason.blogspot.com . For more great kids books, I can be reached at www.kidzliterature.blogspot.com . Season's blessings to you.