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ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC
HOMESCHOOL |
 The
Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey,
by Susan Wojciechowski
I have yet to read The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey
without crying.
It is a touching story about a sad carver whose life changes
thanks to a widow, her seven-year-old son and the crèche they
ask Mr. Toomey to carve for them.
The illustrations
are beautiful and truly capture the expressions of the characters.
(Christine B. 11/05)
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The Christmas Story Book, Neumann PressMy children enjoy all the stories in this book. (Barbara S. 12/02) |
The Donkey’s Dream, by Barbara
Helen Berger, Philomel Books (also available as a Puffin Book).Vibrant, detailed pictures add to the beauty of this story about Christ’s birth. (Mary L. 12/01) |
 The
Fussy Angel, by Mary Arnold, Bethlehem Books, Lamb Time Book,
1995
Christ's guardian angel, "the smallest angel in Heaven",
tries to make everything perfect for Him on the night of His
birth. The angel tries to remove the "smelly beasts", he reprimands
the shepherds, he questions the wise men's gifts, he tries to
shut out all the light, etc. The angel cannot understand why
God would send Jesus into such a mess. Finally, the smallest
angel realizes that everything is perfect because it is human.
It is the "divine mess" God wants.
My children start enjoying this book around age two. (Christine B. 12/7/05) |
The Lady of Guadalupe, by Tomie
dePaola, Holiday House.This book tells the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe in easy to understand language. (Rebecca C.) |
 
The Little Drummer Boy,
Illustrated by Kristina Rodanas, Clarion Books.Kristina Rodanas brings this song to life with her beautiful illustrations. My almost two-year-old asks Mommy and Daddy read (we actually sing) this book over and over again. He also enjoys sitting and looking at the beautiful illustrations. (Christine B.) |
 Merry
Christmas, Strega Nona, by Tomie de Paola, Harcourt
Brace Jovanavich, 1986The story takes place in Italy around Christmastime. It is near Christmas and Strega Nona is getting ready for Christmas without using magic. When things started to go wrong, Big Anthony made up for what he did. Big Anthony decides to help Strega Nona by planning a surprise Christmas party for her with the help of the whole town. (Bernadette, age 6) |
 The
Miracle of St. Nicholas, by Gloria
Whelan, Bethlehem BooksA young Russian boy tries to make his dream of having the village church reopened become a reality. (Christine B. 12/02) |
An Orange for Frankie, by Patricia Polacco, Philomel
Books, 2004
Last night, we read An Orange for Frankie. Patricia Polacco
travels back in time to the Christmas when her grandmother's
youngest brother, Frankie, was ten years old. It is the eve
prior to Christmas Eve and the Stowell family is anxiously waiting
for their Pa to return home with the nine Christmas oranges
(one for each of the children). Despite their worries about
Pa not being home, the Stowells prepare for Christmas as only
a warm and loving family can. By the time I finished the book,
tears were rolling down my face and Frankie, my children and
I had learned a valuable lesson. (Christine B. 11/30/05)
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 The Story of Holly & Ivy, by Rumer Godden, Viking, 2006 |
Take Joy! The Tasha Tudor Christmas Book,
by Tasha Tudor, PhilomelThis out of print book contains a wonderful selection of traditional Christmas stories, poems, carols, lore and legends, and the author’s Christmas traditions. Some of the included stories are: The Fir Tree by Hans Christian Andersen, The Caravan by Ruth Sawyer, and The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry. Tasha Tudor’s illustrations add to the beauty of this book. (Christine B. 12/03) |
The Trees Kneel at Christmas,
by Maud Hart Lovelace, Abdo & Daughters Publishing, 1994
The Trees Kneel at Christmas is a poignant chapter book
about a Catholic Lebanese family, living in Brooklyn. On the
eve prior to Christmas Eve, Grandmother tells two of her grandchildren
how the trees in Lebanon kneel at Christmas. Her story inspires
her grandchildren to see if the trees kneel at midnight on Christmas
Eve in Brooklyn, too. The children secretly set out to see three
trees in Prospect Park. The tale the children tell, upon their
return home, affects all of their family members.
My children, ages 5 and up, enjoyed listening to this book. My 6 and 8 year olds are now reading it on their own. (Christine B. 11/29/05) |
The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree,
by Gloria Houston, illustrated by Barbara Cooney, Dial Books.Papa has gone away to war, leaving Ruthie and her Mama wondering how to get the perfect Christmas tree to their Appalachian town church. (Christine B. 12/01) |
St. John Chrysostom: Hom. 60 in Matth., 18. (4th cent.)