What do I wish I had known and experienced when my sons lived at home? An Advent Calendar of Books.
Rather than candy or trinkets, this Advent Calendar involves books to be unwrapped one by one during Advent. New books don’t have to be purchased yearly. Opening Christmas favorites can be satisfying.
Ideas abounded on the internet, but my favorites were beginning with a book per week of Advent and using library books until you decide which books you want—and can afford—in your permanent Christmas collection.
After years of collecting, I might have enough for each day of Advent. I recommended new favorites last year. (See here.) Other recent additions include
Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree by Robert Barry
The Christmas Tapestry by Patricia Polacco
The Christmas Owl by Ellen Kalish and Gideon Sterer
and Have Fun, Anna Hibiscus by Atinuke (Also titled Merry Christmas, Anna Hibiscus).
More favorites from my son’s childhoods include
Peter Spier’s Christmas by Peter Spier
Cranberry Christmas by Wende and Harry Devin
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
and Good King Wenceslas by Pauline Baynes.
Happy reading.
* Updated version of November 23, 2024 blog
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