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December
Picture Books to Read Aloud: Stories About Hanukkah and Christmas
The Story of Hanukkah by David Adler
Hanukkah Bear by Eric Kimmel
The Night Before Hanukkah by Natasha Wing and Amy Wimmer
The Trees of the Dancing Goats by Patricia Palacco
Maccabee! The Story of Hanukkah by Tilda Balsley
All-of-a-Kind-Family Hanukkah by Emily Jenkins
The Small One A Good Samaritan by Katherine Brown
This is the Stable by Cynthia Cotten
Mary's First Christmas by Walter Wangerin Jr.
The Spirit of Christmas a Giving Tradition by Nicky Benson
The Giving Manger: A Christmas Family Tradition by Allison Hottinger and Lisa Kalberer
The Last Straw by Paula Palangi McDonald
The Forgotten Carols a Christmas Miracle for Isaac and Eliza by Michael McLean
We Were There: a Nativity Story by Eve Bunting
Christmas From Heaven: the True Story of America's Candy Bomber by Tom Brokaw
The Miracle Maker by Ann Acton
A Christmas Carol: An Engaging Visual Journey by Charles Dickens, illus. by Jill De Haan
The Donkey's Dream by Barbara Helen Berger
The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado
The Sparkle Box by Jill Hardie
The Christmas Train A True Story by Thomas S. Monson
Santa and the Christ Child by Nicholas Bakewell
Elf: The Classic Illustrated Storybook by Kim Smith
A Candle in the Window by Michelle Ashman Bell
Snowmen at Christmas by Caralyn Buehner
Christmas is Here words from King James Bible and illus. by Lauren Castillo
Christmas Oranges by Linda Bethers
The Last Chimney of Christmas Eve by Linda Oatman High
Why Christmas Trees Aren't Perfect by Richard H. Schneider
A Small Miracle by Peter Collington
A Shepherd's Whisper by Heywood Broun
Annika's Secret Wish by Beverly Lewis
Mr. Finnegan's Giving Chest by Dan Farr
The Story of Holly and Ivy by Rumer Godden
Celebrating a Christ-centered Christmas by Emily Belle Freeman and David Butler
Penny's Christmas Jar Miracle by Jason F. Wright
It's a Wonderful Life for Kids by Jimmy Hawkins
Jingle Bells: How the Holiday Classic Came to Be by John Harris
A Christmas Like Helen's by Natalie Kinsey-Warnock
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens illustrated by P.J. Lynch
The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry illustrated by P.J. Lynch
'Twas the Night Before Christmas by C. Clement Moore, illustrated by Charles Santore
The Christmas Apron by Rachelle Pace Castor
The Christmas Sweater by Glenn Beck
Home for Christmas by Jan Brett
Santa Claus and the Three Bears by Maria Modugno
Lucia Morning in Sweden by Ewa Jydaker, illustrated by Carina Stalhberg
Lucia Saint of Light by Katherine Bolger Hyde, illustrations by Daria Fisher
Lucia, Child of Light: The History and Traditions of Sweden's Lucia Celebration by Florence Ekstrand
The Clown of God by Tomie dePaola
The Friendly Beasts an Old English Carol by Tomie dePaola
The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie dePaola
The Legend of Old Befana by Tomie dePaola
The Night of Las Posadas by Tomie dePaola
Joy to the World by Tome dePaola
Strega Nona's Gift by Tomie dePaola
The First Christmas by Tomie dePaola
How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree by Robert Barry
The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Wallburg
Song of the Stars by Sally Lloyd Jones
Gingerbread Christmas by Jan Brett
Christmas Trolls by Jan Brett
The Wild Christmas Reindeer by Jan Brett
Babushka, a Christmas Tale by Dawn Casey
The Night Before Christmas : a Visit from St. Nicholas by Clement Clarke Moore, ill. by Tom Browning
Dream Snow by Eric Carle
A Letter to Mary The Savior's Loving Letter to His Mother by Jason F. Wright
Christmas in the Barn by Margaret Wise Brown
Christmas for a Dollar by Gale Sears
Sam's Christmas Wish by George Durrant
A Christmas Dress for Ellen by Thomas S. Monson
The Miracle of the Wooden Shoes by Deborah Pace Rowley
Ming's Christmas Wishes by Susan L. Gong
Saint Nicholas: The Real Story of a Christmas Legend by Julie Stiegemeyer
Just Be Claus by Barbara Joosse
The Legend of St. Nicholas: a Story of Christmas Giving by Dandi Daley Mackall
On Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl S. Buck ill. by Mark Buehner
Nutcracker in Harlem by Regan McMahon
The Nutcracker by Susan Jeffers
Santa, Are You For Real? by Harold Myra
Grace at Christmas by Mary Hoffman
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susah Wojciechowski
Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale by Martin Waddell
The All I'll Ever Want Christmas Doll by Patricia McKisson and Jerry Pinkney
Christmas in the Trenches by John McCutcheon
Shooting at the Stars: the 1914 Christmas Truce Story by John Hendrix
Christmas is Here text from King James Bible
5 More Sleeps Till Christmas by Jimmy Fallon
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day by Lloyd and Karmel Newell
Hurry, Hurry, Have You Heard? by Laura Krauss Melmed
The Carpenter's Gift: A Christmas Tale About the Rockefeller Center Tree by David Rubel
Lighthouse Christmas by Toni Buzzeo
A Savior is Born: Rocks Tell the Story of Christmas by Patti Rokus
The Giver of Holy Gifts by Krisanne Hastings Knudsen
Asleep on the Hay by Ben Sowards
An Invisible Thread Christmas Story by Laura Schroff
The Christmas Book Flood by Emily Kilgore
The Christmas Boot by Lisa Wheeler
The Christmas Doll by Jason F. Wright
'Twas The Day Before Christmas by Brenda Seabrooke
Sounding Joy by Ellie Holcomb
Grandma's Gift by Eric Velasquez
The Christmas Promise Storybook by Alison Mitchell
There's a Lion in My Nativity by Lizzie Laferton
The Littlest Watchman by Scott James
What a Morning! The Christmas Story in Black Spirituals by John Langstaff
Coal Country Christmas by Elizabeth Ferguson Brown
The Christmas Tree Ride by Mary Neville
Carlos, Light the Farolito by Jean Ciavonne
Apple Tree Christmas by Trinka Hakes Noble
A Simple Christmas on the Farm by Phyllis Alsdurf
C is For Christmas by Tonya Skousen Arenaz
Babushka retold by Sandra Ann Horn
I am Max by Astrid Holm
I am Cindy-Lou Who by Tish Rabe
The Twelve Hours of Christmas by Jenn Bailey
The Christmas Truck by J.B. Blankenship
Grandma's Christmas Gift by Eric Velasquez
That Grand Christmas Day by Jill Roman Lord
The Christmas Tree Ride by Mary Neville
Coal Country Christmas by Elizabeth Ferguson Brown
Cranberry Christmas by Wende and Harry Devlin
Who Would Like a Christmas Tree for All Seasons? by Ellen Bryan Obed
Prairie Christmas by Elizabeth Van Steenwyk
The Mismatched Nativity by Merrilee Boyack
The Christmas Owl: Based on the True Story of a Little Owl Named Rockefeller by Gideon Sterer
God Bless Us Everyone!: The Story Behind A Christmas Carol by John Rhys-Davies
Chapter Books to Read Aloud: Stories About Hanukkah and Christmas
The Advent Storybook by Laura Richie
The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by Julie Lane, found here
I Saw Three Ships: a Magical Christmas Tale by Elizabeth Goudge
The Story of the Other Wise Man by Henry Van Dyke
The Christmas Thief by Carol Lynn Pearson
Big Susan by Elizabeth Orton Jones
Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
Christmas Jars by Jason F. Wright
Christmas Jars Reunion by Jason F. Wright
The 13th Day of Christmas by Jason F. Wright
A Christmas Jar for Santa by Jason F. Wright
Jotham's Journey by Arnold Ytreeide
Bartholomew's Passage by Arnold Ytreeide
Ishtar's Odyssey by Arnold Ytreeide
Tabitha's Travels by Arnold Ytreeide
The Legend of Holly Claus by Brittney Ryan
A Little House Christmas: Holiday Stories From the Little House Books Volume 1 by Laura Ingalls Wilder
A Little House Christmas: Holiday Stories From the Little House Books Volume 2 by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Christmas Remembered by Tomie dePaola
A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig
The Girl Who Saved Christmas by Matt Haig
How Winston Delivered Christmas by Alex T. Smith
How Winston Saved Christmas by Alex T. Smith
How Winston Came Home for Christmas by Alex T. Smith
The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser
Activities: About Hanukkah and Christmas
Decorate home for Christmas, including tree, with Christmas carols playing in the background
As you decorate the tree, tell the story behind ornaments that have a story attached to them, then end the evening with cookies or popcorn and hot cocoa with the tree all lit up. Some families end the night by having the kids sleep in sleeping bags around the tree
Consider having Christmas Day festivities be relaxing, especially if your Thanksgiving Day celebration involves a lot of cleaning, cooking, and relatives. Spend Christmas Day in your pajamas, stay home with just your nuclear family, and enjoy relaxing with new gifts and simple foods to prepare like stocking treats (jerky, nuts, oranges, candy), a brunch of muffins and scrambled eggs, and a charcuterie board for dinner.
Read aloud the book The Sparkle Box by Jill Haderlie. Put a Sparkle Box under your tree. Every night gather the family by the tree and write on slips of paper what the family did to put sparkle or the Light of Christ into someone's life that day. On Christmas Day, after all the gifts have been opened, open the Sparkle Box and read aloud the slips of paper.
Count down the days to Christmas with an Advent Calendar
Count down the days to Christmas with the book 'Tis the Season Family Advent Activity Book by Leslie Calhoun, Bunmi Ishola, and Jamie Lapeyrolerie
Hang ornaments on your tree that each have a name of Jesus in the Bible
Create a Jesse tree and hang up an ornament on it each day that tells the story of the family tree of Jesus. See this site: "All About a Jesse Tree"
Limit gifts to your children using the Three Gifts of Magi Tradition. Gold = something fancy or something to encourage play, myrrh= something to care for the body, and frankincense= something to encourage spiritual growth
Limit gifts to your children using the rhyme "Something you want, something you need, something to wear, and something to read."
Use an Immanuel Wreath for your Advent Calendar. Every night you light a new candle in the wreath and talk about one of the names of Christ, and how you saw Christ show up in your life that day with that name.
Wrap Christmas picture books and put under tree, and unwrap one a day to read for a picture book advent. If you don't want to wrap, use gift bags, even plain paper brown ones. Or just read one book a day without wrapping and unwrapping.
Display a Nativity Set in your home, but hide the baby Jesus figure to show that you are waiting for Jesus to come. Talk about what you can each do to prepare to receive Baby Jesus. Put him in the manger on Christmas Day.
Buy or make an ornament for each person in the family that has special meaning for something signficant that happened the past year. When your child leaves the home to start his or her own home, give him or her the collection of ornaments.
Use your tree as an Advent Calender. Every night gather around it with the lights on and put something sweet under its branches. Then each person shares something sweet he or she experienced that day that brought the love of God into his or her life. Then eat the sweet treat.
Make and give out handmade gifts
Attend or watch a performance of the Nutcracker Ballet
Anonymously leave gift cards or envelopes full of cash on people's porches or hand them out at stores, dressed up as Santa, Mrs. Claus, or an elf
Play and/or sing Christmas songs and carols in your home and car
Host a Christmas sing-a-long singing Christmas songs, gathered around a piano or karaoke machine
Host or attend a "Journey to Bethlehem" event
Attend a Messiah concert and singalong
Participate in or attend a live Nativity event
Celebrate the Swedish holiday of St. Lucia's Day on December 13
Walk or drive through a place that has a Christmas light display
Participate in Angel Tree giving
Participate in giving a shoebox of goodies with Operation Christmas Child sponsored by Samaritan's Purse
Solicit donations from friends and/or extended family for a Sub-for-Santa family. Involve your children in shopping, wrapping, and delivering gifts anonymously to the Sub for Santa family
Make gingerbread houses, or just gingerbread cookies in the shape of houses (see Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays p. 318)
Give simple gifts to your neighbors like a loaf of bread, small kitchen gadget, or plate of cookies
Host a Christmas cookie exchange so that you take home a variety of cookies to share with family and friends
Send Christmas cards
Anonymously give a family a gift on each of the Twelve Days of Christmas by leaving the gift on the doorstep, knocking or ringing the doorbell, and running away so you are not seen
Host a talent show with friends and family, and ask for donations of boxed and canned goods for admission and donate to food pantry
Go caroling, especially to lonely people at a nursing home or assisted living center
Watch The Nativity Story movie
Celebrate Jolabokaflod. This word translates into "Christmas Book Flood." It is an Icelandic Christmas Eve tradition of exchanging gifts of books on Christmas Eve and sipping hot cocoa while you read them. If Christmas Eve is already full of activities, choose another night to do it.
Watch A Charlie Brown Christmas TV special
Watch The Best Christmas Pageant Ever TV special
Watch The Muppet Christmas Carol movie
Watch It's a Wonderful Life movie
Watch Elf movie
Watch White Christmas movie
Watch Christmas in Connecticut movie
Watch Instrument of War movie at byutv.org
Watch A Winter Thaw movie at byutv.org
Watch Christmas Jars movie at byutv.org
Watch Silent Night movie at byutv.org
Deliver a Christmas Jar to someone anonymously
Host a musical program involving the Nativity Story and Christmas carols, using the book,Witnesses of Christ a Musical Journey through the Nativity of Jesus the Christ by Jason F. Wright, Jenny Oaks Baker, and Family Four
Hang up a banner in your kithen or family room where everyone gathers that says, "Happy Birthday Jesus!" Invite each family member to sign it with a scripture that has especially guided them or resonated with them this past year.
Host a Bethlehem Supper on Christmas Eve by candlelight, eating Middle Eastern food that Jesus would have eaten: olives, fish, flat bread, etc.
Act out Nativity Story from Luke 2 on Christmas Eve
Be Santa for each other in the family by stuffing stockings anonymously.
Participate in a gift exchange on Christmas Day.
Host Christmas Dinner, and invite people who might be lonely on Christmas Day to attend, and use these conversation starters with one under each plate: Christmas Conversation Starters
On Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, gather as a family to discuss what gifts you will give to Jesus. Reading aloud the book The Giver of Holy Gifts by Krisanne Hastings Knudsen, found here, can set the stage for the discussion. The book shares what gifts Jesus has given to us. Ask family members what gift each one might give to Jesus in the coming year. Invite each family member to write the gift down on a slip of paper. Put the slips of paper in an envelope to put in mom's stocking to open next year, or a wrapped box. Put box or envelope away with the Christmas decorations, then put under (if box) or on the tree (if envelope) next year. Open or unwrap and reflect upon, on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Also invite each family member to write a sin he or she will give up and have them write it on a piece of paper and insert these in a black envelope, to represent a lump of coal. Open up next year and let family members review what they wrote the previous year, before they write a new gift to give and a sin to give up.
After Christmas Day dinner, serve a birthday cake for Jesus and sing "Happy Birthday" to Him. Before eating cake, let each family member review the gifts given to Jesus by each family member (see bullet point above).
Celebrate Boxing Day, Dec. 26, by cleaning up wrapping paper and boxes, and boxing up stuff to give away, then playing board games for the rest of the day and eating leftovers
Food from PWCYH (Pioneer Woman Cooks a Year of Holidays)
Mulled Cider p. 326 PWCYH
Sugar Cookies p. 314 PWCYH
Gingerbread Houses or Cookies p. 318 PWCYH
Chocolate Candy Cane Cookes p. 306 PWCYH
Caramel Apple Sweet Rolls p. 321 PWCYH
Prime Rib p. 330 PWCYH
Yorkshire Pudding p. 332 PWYH
Rosemary Garlic Roasted Potatoes p. 335 PWCYH
Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries p. 336 PWCYH
Books for Parents: About Hanukkah and Christmas
The Nativity Story by Angela Hunt
Witnesses of Christ a Musical Journey through the Nativity of Jesus the Christ by Jason F. Wright, Jenny Oaks Baker, and Family Four
Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration by Ann Voskamp
Unwrapping the Names of Jesus: An Advent Devotional by Asheritah Ciuciu
Our Family Christmas: Creating Meaningful and Memorable Christ-Centered Traditions by Christie Gardiner
Skipping Christmas by John Grisham
The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
The Man Who Invented Christmas by Les Standiford
The December section of The Lifegiving Home by Sally Clarkson
Get the Christian Read-Aloud Family Calendar!
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January
Picture Books to Read Aloud: Stories About New Year, New Beginnings, Dreams, Goals, Winter, and Martin Luther King Jr.
Spread Some Kindness Share Some Light by Apryl Stott
Snow Horses by Patricia Maclachlan
The First Snowfall by Anne Rockwell
Mrs. Muddle's Holidays by Laura F. Nielsen
A Time to Keep the Tasha Tudor Book of Holidays by Tasha Tudor
Squirrel's New Year's Resolution by Pat Miller
Our Walk With Christ by Marilee Joy Mayfield
The Lights in the Church by Marilee Joy Mayfield
Fanny's Dream by Caralyn Buehner
Snow by Roy McKie
Learning to Ski With Mr. Magee by Chris Van Dusen
An Orange In January by Diana Hutts Aston
Lucia and the Return of Light by Phyllis Root
The Big Snow by Berta Hader
The Blizzard by Betty Ren Wright
Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
Cold Snap by Eileen Spinelli
Katy and the Big Snow by Virginia Lee Burton
The Big Snow by Jonathan Bean
When the Snow is Deeper Than My Boots Are Tall by Jean Reidy
Ten Ways to Hear the Snow by
The Mitten by Jan Brett
The Snowy Nap by Jan Brett
The Hat by Jan Brett
The Three Snow Bears by Jan Brett
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
The Hat by Jan Brett
Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin
Brave Irene by William Steig
I Have a Dream by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Wintercake by Lynn Rae Perkins
Samson in the Snow by Phillip C. Stead
Winter is the Warmest Season by Lauren Stringer
Almost Time by Gary D. Schmidt and Elizabeth Stickney
A Perfect Day by Carin Berger
First Snow by Nancy Viau
Tea Party in the Woods by Akiko Miyakoshi
I Like the Snow by Sarah Nelson
Terrible Storm by Carol Otis Hurst
Blizzard by John Rocco
Snow Doves by Nancy Hartry
Snow by Joan Clark
Winter Days in the Big Woods My First Little House Books by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Winter Days on the Farm My First Little House Books by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Sugar Snow My First Little House Books by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Dance at Grandpa's My First Little House Books by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Almost Time by Gary D. Schmidt and Elizabeth Stickney
The Snow Man by Jonah Winter
The Indestructible Tom Crean by Jennifer Thermes
Over and Under in the Snow by Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal
Chapter Books to Read Aloud: Stories About New Year, New Beginnings, Dreams, Goals, Winter, and Martin Luther King Jr.
Chronicles of Narnia Series by C.S. Lewis
Twelve Kinds of Ice by Ellen Bryan Obed
Astrid the Unstoppable by Maria Parr
The Toothpaste Millionaire by Jean Merrill
Misty of Chincoteague Island by Marguerite Henry
The Year Money Grew on Trees by Aaron Hawkins
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
Miracles on Maple Hill by Virginia Sorenson
Little Lord Fauntleroy by Frances Hodgson Burnett
A Little Princess by Frances Hdogson Burnett
Activities: About New Year, New Beginnings, Dreams, Goals, Winter, and Martin Luther King Jr.
Host a New Year's Eve Party with tabletop games, lots of substantial snacks, and a countdown to the New Year with noisemakers. Ask friends to bring a favorite snack, a favorite tabletop game, and serve a hearty soup or stew with chips or bread.
Play Guess Who Wrote the Goal: everyone writes a silly goal and a serious goal each on a piece of paper, then read them aloud and guess who said what.
Host a Year In Review Dinner: fix a favorite dish of the family's, and have everyone share a favorite thing that happend last year and a dream for the new year.
Have dinner any day of the month with New Year's Conversation Starters, see link above
Make paper snowflakes to decorate your home
Have a Pack-Up-the-Tree party by inviting the children's friends over to help. Listen to big band music from the 1940s while you work, and then have an easy fun meal together afterwards like pizza, a charcuterie board or soup and bread.
Put away the Christmas decorations and decorate for the New Year with paper snowflakes and jewel-toned pom-poms and banners
After putting away the Christmas decorations, eat a snack together like popcorn, while reading aloud either of these books: Mrs. Muddle's Holidays by Laura F. Nielsen or A Time to Keep by Tasha Tudor. Talk about what you want to do in the coming year for the holidays and ordinary days too.
Keep up the white twinkle lights from Christmas or put up white twinkle lights
Sledding
Slekking (go hiking with a sled, and when you get to the top of the hike, sled down the trail)
Snowshoeing
Iceskating
Skiing
Making snowmen
Have a Bibliophiles' Gift Party: everyone brings a used book, wrapped to exchange and fight over, then play a book-based tabletop game
Have a "Snuggle In with Books Night," even weekly, where everyone snuggles in blankets around the fire in fireplace or the warmth of a spaceheater to read books silently for an hour with substantial snacks instead of dinner. Have candlelight, and soft music playing, then at the end before going to bed, everyone shares something they learned from their reading.
Use these at dinner or other mealtime: Conversation Starters for Book Lovers. You could also use them for your Snuggle In with Books Night or Bibliophiles' Party
Fill up a box of books your family would like to donate. Then visit as many Little Library Boxes in your area in a day, trading out one of your old books for a book from each Little Free Library Box. Go here to find a map.
Host a Vision Retreat to create vision boards and discuss goals. Provide poster board or big pieces of paper, old magazines to cut out photos, scissors, glue sticks, pens, etc.
Host a board game night with hot cocoa and/or herbal tea, an easy dinner (pizza or substantial snacks), music, and candles
Shovel someone else's driveway anonymously
Do a jigsaw puzzle while conversing or listening to an audiobook
Do handicrafts while listening to an audiobook, sitting by a fire or indoor space heater
Host a movie night with popcorn, hot cocoa and herbal tea
Food from PWCYH (Pioneer Woman Cooks a Year of Holidays)
Resolutions Smoothies for New Year's Day Brunch p. 3 PWYH
Baked French Toast for New Year's Day Brunch p. 8 PWYH
Hoppin' John Stew for New Year's Day Dinner p. 18 PWYH
Black-eyed Pea Salsa for New Year's Day Dinner p. 15 PWYH
Loaded Cornbread for New Year's Day Dinner p. 20 PWYH
Collard Greens for New Year's Day Dinner p. 22 PWYH
Explore new soup recipes
Explore new bread, especially sourdough, recipes
Books for Parents: Stories About New Year, New Beginnings, Dreams, Goals, Winter, and Martin Luther King Jr.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
The Power of the 8th Habit by Stephen Covey
Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
You Need a Budget by Jesse Mecham
The Read-Aloud Family Handbook by James Trelease
My Journey Of Faith: An Encounter with Christ: and How He Used Me to Spread His Love to the Poor by Charles Mulli
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Treasuring God in Our Traditions by Noel Piper, free download is here.
The Laws of Lifetime Growth by Dan Sullivan
The January section of The Lifegiving Home by Sally Clarkson
February
Get the Christian Read-Aloud Family Calendar!
Picture Books to Read Aloud: About Love, Kindness, Friendship, Valentine's Day and Black History Month
Groundhog Day by Gail Gibbons
Toads and Diamonds Retold by Charlotte Huck
The Magic Kerchief by Kirby Larson
Passing the Music Down by Sarah Sullivan
The Love Letter by Anika Aldamuy Denise
The Secret of the King by Rachel Ann Nunes
Yettele's Feathers by Joan Rothenberg
The Grannyman by Judith Schachner
The Way Home a Princess Story by Max Lucado
Somebody Loves You Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli
The Quiltmaker's Gift by Jeff Brumbeau
The Quiltmaker's Journey by Jeff Brumbeau
Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett
Let Me Call You Sweetheart: a Valentine's Day book for Kids by Mary Lee Donovan
I Love You As Much by Laura Krauss Melmed
I Love You: a Rebus Poemby Jean Marzollo
Love From the Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Amelia Bedelia's First Valentine by Herman Parish
Happy Valentine's Day, Mouse! by Laura Numeroff
Lola Dutch I Love You So Much! by Sarah Jane Wright
Amy Wu and the Warm Welcome by Kat Zhang
That's Me Loving You by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
A Spy Called James by Anne Rockwell
Frederick's Journey by Dorreen Rappaport
Aunt Harriet's Underground Railroad in the Sky by Anne Ringgold
Follow the Drinking Gourd by Jeannette Winter
Henry's Freedom Box by Ellen Levine
The House of Love by Adriana Trigiani
Valentine's Day Is... by Gail Gibbons
Arthur's Great Big Valentine by Lillian Hoban
Cookies: Bite-sized Lessons in Love by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
The Valentine Bears by Eve Bunting
A Little Spot of Love by Diane Alber
A Little Spot Learns Kinds Words by Diane Alber
The Love Letter by Annika Denise
Turkey's Valentine Surprise by Wendi Silvano
Bear Hugs by Karma Wilson
Snowy Valentine by David Petersen
Miss Hunnicutt's Hat by Jeff Brumbeau
Saint Valentine by Robert Sabuda
The Seed of Compassion Lessons from the Life and Teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama by His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Love Is by Diane Adams
Here Comes Valentine Cat by Deborah Underwood
Cranberry Valentine by Harry and Wende Devlin
Bear in Love by Daniel Pinkwater
Pickle Chiffon Pie by Jolly Roger Bradford
The Princess and the Kiss by Jennie Bishop
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
Damon, Pythias, and the Test of Friendship by Teresa Bateman
Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
Pink and Say by Patricia Palocco
The House of Love by Adriana Trigiani
Chapter Books to Read Aloud: About Love, Friendship, Valentine's Day and Black History Month
The Princess Bride by William Goldman
Mustaches for Maddie by Chad Morris
Adventures with Waffles by Maria Parr
Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Laddie by Gene Stratton Porter
Charlotte's Web by E. B. White
Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillio
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
Princess Academy by Shannon Hale
The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
Listening for Lions by Gloria Whelan
All of a Kind Family by Sydney Taylor
The Star of Kazan by Eva Ibbotson
Beauty and the Beast retelling by Robin McKinley
Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink
Food from PWCYH (Pioneer Woman Cooks a Year of Holidays)
Red Velvet Pancakes p. 51 PWCYH
Huevo in the Heart p. 54 PWCYH
Chocolate Covered Cherry Smoothie p. 57 PWCYH
Homemade Chocolate Truffles p. 60 PWCYH
Chocolate Valentine Cookies p. 64 PWCYH
Jiggly Hearts p. 68 PWCYH
Candy-dipped S'mores p. 71 PWCYH
Heart-shaped Sugar Cookies p. 314 PWYH with heart-shaped cookie cutter
Bacon-wrapped Filet p. 76 PWCYH
Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes p. 78 PWCYH
Cheddar-Bacon Wedge Salad p. 81 PWCYH
Sticky Cherry Cake p. 83 PWCYH
Activities: About Love, Friendship, Valentine's Day and Black History Month
Decorate your home for Valentine's Day with banners, streamers, and hearts across doorways or windows and centerpieces
Celebrate Candlemas on Feb. 2. It is the day halfway between the winter solstice and the vernal equinox, and marks when Jesus was presented at the temple. Light candles in your home after sunset and keep the electricity off. Consider eating the traditional Cendlemas dinner of crepes or pancakes by candelight and doing all evening chores by candlelight.
Collect hats, eyeglasses, coats and gloves for needy people and donate to a homeless shelter
Watch Charlotte's Web movie, live-action version, 2006
Watch Yours, Mine and Ours 1968 movie,
Make Valentine mailboxes or stockings for each family member to deposit notes or treats
Make your own Valentines to mail or hand-deliver
Ask "Who do we know who likely won't get any flowers or Valentines on Valentine's Day?" then deliver some to them.
Deliver Valentines anonymously, especially to those who tend to be overlooked
Deliver Valentine treats anonymously
Give someone a "Heart Attack:" cut out lots of paper hearts to decorate some one's front door anonymously
Watch A Charlie Brown Valentine TV special
Host a Valentine's Day or "I Love You Day" party
Host a Valentine's Day Dinner, with one of these Friendship Conversation Starters tucked under each plate to answer: "Friendship Conversation Starters"
Play Valentine Scattergories
Take Valentine treats to service people: post office workers, police officers, firefighters, EMTs, nurses, teachers, store workers, etc.
Books for Parents to Read: About Love, Friendship, Valentine's Day and Black History Month
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Real Love in Marriage by Greg Baer
Real Love in Parenting by Greg Baer
Wife for Life by Ramona Zabriskie
The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
No Better Friend by Robert Weintraub
The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck
The February chapter of The Lifegiving Home by Sally Clarkson
