Traditional Christmas Picture Books: A Roundup

The Chimney Problem, the decorating dilemma, a pesky pigeon, and a reformed Grinch take center stage in four new Christmas picture books.

Those of us who don’t forget the Reason for Season can still participate in traditional Christmas fun: Santa, reindeer, Jingle Bells, and tinsel. Also picture books to read under the tree. Here are four new ones by popular authors (and one classic spinoff).

We Disagree About This Tree by Ross Collins. Candlewick, 2023, 32 pages.

Reading Level: Picture book, ages 0-4

Recommended for: ages 2-5

Bear and Mouse have very different preferences when it comes to decorating their Christmas tree. Their competing decorating styles (including a manatee) nearly lead to disaster, but thankfully harmony and fellowship are restored in time to celebrate. Humor and excellent rhyme and meter make this a delightful read aloud, though observant knitters may be troubled by the position of Mouse’s knitting needles in the opening page spread.

Overall rating: 4

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh! By Mo Willems. Union Square Kids, 2023, 36 pages.

Reading Level: Picture Book, ages 0-4

Recommended for: ages 2-6

You, dear reader, have an important job from Santa himself: Don’t, under any circumstances, let the pigeon drive the sleigh. But that pesky bird wants to—Oh, he wants to so bad! He’ll try to flatter you, reason with you, finally yell at you and throw a tantrum. But don’t give in. You might go for a bit of reverse psychology instead: let him get a good look at that famous conveyance, and just maybe he’ll change his mind.

Fans of the persistent pigeon will enjoy this Christmas twist on his machinations.

Overall rating: 4

Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Lost Christmas by Alastair Heim, illustrated by Aristides Ruiz. Random House, 2023, 30 pages.

Reading Level: Picture Book, ages 4-8

Recommended for: ages 4-10

Cynics will say this is a syrupy attempt by Random House to squeeze a little more profit out of Dr. Seuss’s most infamous creation. And they would be right, but if not brilliant it’s an okay follow-up. The story follows the Grinch, one year after stealing Christmas, getting into the spirit of the holiday by entering Whoville’s tree-decorating contest. His envy upon not winning—when he clearly thought he should have—threatens to trash good-will-toward-Whos again. Needless to say, there will be another reformation, and “maybe . . . just maybe . . . we ALL win instead/ by being together at Christmas,” he said. It’s a lightweight follow-up but the rhymes have a Seussical flavor and the illustrations are a convincing imitation of the Seussical style.

Overall rating: 3.5

How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? By Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen. Candlewick, 2023, 25 pages.

Reading Level: Picture Book, ages 0-4

Recommended for: ages 3-5

This winning writer/illustrator duo team up again to tackle a perennial question. The jolly old elf is too hefty to get down a space barely two feet square, unless . . . he has magic powers. It can’t be as simple as cinching in his belt. Can he shrink himself, or stretch himself? And wouldn’t his suit get dirty? Does he have time to use the family laundry facilities before moving on to the next house? And what if that house doesn’t have a chimney? Is the Flat Stanley option a possibility?

Meanwhile, reindeer are ready to give assistance, like a helpful kick when Santa gets stuck. Regardless of the family position on Santa, the text and illustration will generate Christmas cheer around the tree.

Overall rating: 4

Read more about our ratings here.

Also at Redeemed Reader:

• Review: A warm-and-fuzzy favorite from years gone by is A Christmas for Bear.
• Reviews: There’s no end of “Night before Christmas” spinoffs! Here are two more.
• Resource: See our interview about family Advent traditions with Amanda Wright, author of Truth in the Tinsel.

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