Lesser Known Christmas Countdown Books

One of the best parts of Christmas for me was and always will be the reading and re-readaing of the wonderful stories of Christmas. I like holiday movies, but somehow nothing can compare with snuggling under a blanket watching the Christmas tree twinkle and reading a beloved story aloud. It's especially nice to have a child cuddled in your lap. We have been enjoying Christmas stories in our family for almost 20 years. Our oldest daughter who is 19 remembers countless stories and we all still love to read them.

Here is a Christmas countdown calendar of 25 of our best loved Christmas stories. I have not included the well-known stories. Some are picture books, some chapter books and some are stories that I dug out of some treasury or collection, some are just chapters of books. Some are very poignant and sad. Some are haunting; some whimsical, some are funny; but all the stories speak of the magic of Christmas love.

The Miraculous Staircase (Arthur Gordon) The little church of St. Loretto in Sante Fe has a new choir loft but no way to get to it. Who is the poor carpenter who comes from nowhere, builds a impossible staircase and leaves without pay? This is my favorite Christmas story of all time.

Jingle, A Christmas Clown - (Tomie Depaola)

The Legend of the Poinsettia - (Retold and illustrated by Tomie DePaola) Lucia has no gift to lay at the manger of the infant Jesus; will He still welcome her?

Babouska and the Three Kings - Ruth Robbins (Caldecott for Nicolas Sidjakov)

The Story of Holly and Ivy Rumer Godden/Barbara Clooney

The Tailor of Glouchester - (Beatrix Potter) How will the poor, ill, exhausted tailor finish the mayor frock coat in time for Christmas morning?

Maigret's Christmas - (Georges Simenon) The childless inspector and his wife unravel a mystery and find a Christmas miracle of thier own.

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathon Toomie (Susan Wojciehowski) Why is the talented woodcarver Mr. Toomie so bitter and sad? Will he carve the new nativity figures for Thomas?

Nine Days Until Christmas - (Marie Hall Ets) Little Cece will have her first posada in nine days? How will she wait so long? And which lovely pinata will she choose? Gentle story of the beautiful Mexican preparation and celeration of posada.

Strega Nona's Christmas - (Tomie DePaola)

The Clown of God - (translated from the French and illustrated by Tomie DePaola)

Seven Stories of Christmas Love - (Leo Buscaglia)

Hercule Poirot's Christmas Pudding (Agatha Christie) A crime is commited against our Belgian Sleuth in merry old England upon Christmas day.

The Fourth Wiseman - (Henry VanDyke) This wiseman gives away the gifts with which he was to present the Christ Child.

J.T. - (Jane Wagner) A young child of inner city urban despair rescues and is rescued by an injured alley cat. You must read this.

The Selfish Giant - (Oscar Wilde) An aesthetic, poignant tale by one of Britains' best satrical authors; a reads like a stained glass window or a passion play.

The Lady of Guadalupe - (retold and illustrated by Tomie DePaola)

The Friendly Beasts (Old English carol, illustrated by Tomie DePaola)

Sherlock Holmes and the Blue Carbuncle (A.C. Doyle, in collected works)

Mousekin's Christmas - Edna Miller

The Doll of Lilac Valley - Cora Cheney

Nellie's Wish (Uncle Arthur's bedtime stories)

Christmas Tapestry - Patricia Polloco

All of these stories represent a collection I have been assembling for 43 years. Read and re-read these holiday treasures this Christmas season.