I cannot resist. We’re not even to Thanksgiving, but for those who know and love little ones, here are three wonderful Christmas picture books to buy as gifts or check out from the libe:

  1. Mr. Willowby’s Christmas tree, by Robert Barry. (Hint: it’s too big, but someone else can use the chopped-off top. But even that is too tall …)
  2. Santa’s Favorite Story, by Aoki and Gantschev, in which Santa tells the story of the first Christmas in gorgeous watercolors. Great way to integrate faith and tradition.
  3. The Story of Holly and Ivy, by Rumer Godden, ill. Barbara Cooney. A longtime family favorite, for slightly older kids. An orphan and a lonely doll find each other.

For grammar school, try if you haven’t already: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, by Barbara Robinson. A giggler that will make everyone think. You can even buy a guide for this book. And then there’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas … oh, I’d better stop.