Christmas Holiday Songs Made into Children's Books

I enjoy collecting Christmas and holiday children's books, especially those made from popular holiday music.  Throughout the month of December you can hear my husband and me reading singing these books to our children, who are less than appreciative of our talents.

Here are four of the musical books we are torturing our children with enjoying this year.

The Story of the Nutcracker Ballet by Deborah Hautzig.  Illustrated by Diane Goode.  Published by Random House, 1986.

I have vague memories of seeing the ballet as a child.  Honestly, I didn't understand the storyline.  Now I do!  This book tells the story of the Nutcracker.  The characters in the illustrations are all wearing ballet shoes so you still get the feel of the dance (without the form fitting tights).

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Winter Wonderland:  Sleigh Bells Ring, Are You Listening?  by Dick Smith and Felix Bernard.  Illustrated by Jacqueline Rogers.  Published by Scholastic, 1993.

Very cute book!  The "story" is illustrated with mice as the main characters.  Sweet.  Charming.  Fun to sing!

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The Twelve Days of Christmas illustrated by Claire Counihan.  Published by Scholastic, 1989.

"All the illustrations of this book are photographs of cakes and cookies. The actual Christmas gifts are represented by gingerbread cookies."

The book includes a recipe for gingerbread cookies just in case you feel inspired to make your own version of the book.  VERY cute idea.

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Over the River and Through the Woods illustrated by John Steven Gurney.  Published by Scholastic, 1992.

Even though the second verse mentions Thanksgiving, I always think of this as a Christmas song.

The illustrations show a Victorian era family as they celebrate the holidays.  Who wouldn't like to go sledding or do a little ice fishing?



I found most of these books at the used book sales I attended this year.  I think they cost me .$25 each.  You can't beat that for Christmas reading singing fun!

Do you have any Christmas music books?

For more Christmas book recommendations:  2009, 2007, 2007.