Great holiday read alouds/chapter books

[Nosy]

We read a chapter book at night & I thought it would be great to have some holiday-themed ones for the next few months- Thanksgiving (real stories about the way it was for early settlers Native Americans or stories about gratitude), Solstice, Christmas (though we'd want "secular" Christmas ones, as we are not too religious but do celebrate as it is part of our family history). Any suggestions?

[vbactivist]

Originally Posted by Nosy

We read a chapter book at night & I thought it would be great to have some holiday-themed ones for the next few months- Thanksgiving (real stories about the way it was for early settlers Native Americans or stories about gratitude), Solstice, Christmas (though we'd want "secular" Christmas ones, as we are not too religious but do celebrate as it is part of our family history). Any suggestions?

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. I don't think it's too religious, but maybe someone else will chime in.

[annettemarie]

I was going to say The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, too. I think it's fairly spiritual though. I'll have to think about some secular Christmas books.

[Thalia the Muse]

How old are your kids? I think that Witch of Blackbird Pond might be good for Thanksgiving -- historical fiction set in a Puritan village -- but it's best for kids ten and up, IMO.

I didn't think The Legend of Holly Claus was the most amazing book ever, but it is a non-religious Christmas novel and the illustrations are totally gorgeous. It's about Santa Claus' daughter and invents this whole sort of wintery Christmas world.

Of course there's A Christmas Carol! And A Child's Christmas in Wales. The Little House books have splendid Christmas chapters. The American Girl historical book series include a Christmas book for each girl -- well, I assume not the newer Jewish heroine, Rebecca, I'm not sure how they're handling that one.

[Thalia the Muse]

Adding -- if your kids have a good sense of humor, they will LOVE Robert Benchley's Christmas pieces. These include Editha's Christmas Burglar and Christmas Afternoon (which KILLS me), plus a couple of "Uncle Edith's Christmas Stories."