Do red cups have you feeling festive?

So, you might already be regretting signing up for your school’s Secret Santa and in just a few weeks, your desk will be covered in gifted hand lotion from every student in your class, but DON’T FRET! I have the books to put the spirit and joy back into your teaching! These books are sure to put a glow in your heart just like the glitter stuck in your carpet from last year's ornament art project - here we go:

For the “First Snow"- Snow by Uri Shulevitz- The simplicity of the art and storyline of this book is truly special. It’s a lovely reminder of all the times children are right and just how magical snow can be. Perfect for a “What would you do with a snow day?” write in your classroom. Also, if it is the first snow in your area, earn some bonus points and thank your recess monitors, the first snow is always crazy.

Silly but special pick- A Penguin Story by Antoinette Portis- Okay, I get it. This book is a stretch as a “holiday” pick but, if I am being honest, I LOVE PENGUINS! Truly, everyone loves penguins. In January, I am considering dedicating a week to penguins in books. However, this snow-covered book is a great reminder to be nice to those who are different and the importance of dreaming big and sharing. Read the book, love a penguin.

The classic Christmas book- Bear Stays Up for Christmas- A GREAT rhyming book so your students can read along. The book is predictable and fun as Bear and his friends try to stay up for “you know who”. A great book to do a re-tell with students and for your “read to a partner” center.

The “back in my day” book- Deck the Halls with Normal Rockwell Art- The words in this book are just the classic lyrics to “Deck the Halls” but the pictures are also Norman Rockwell art. It’s a great way to introduce students to classic Christmas art, talk about how today’s Santa was designed by coke and compare Christmas lists of yore. (Remember when all you wanted was an Easy-bake Oven- now there’s an app for that!) Also, anyone can read, “Falalalalalala!”

The “don’t forget to stop and smell the roses” Christmas book (that’s a thing, right?)- Winter Lights- It’s beautiful art with a message to remember to take it all in. If you’re able to get your students to stop thinking about presents and consider the beauty of the season or kindness towards others for even a minute, you can call that success. This book might even inspire you to take out the glitter despite what happened last year.

Alright, that’s it, put a red bow on it and take my advice, this really only does happen once a year, so TRY to enjoy it! Also, check out the Scholastic Warehouse Sale (only comes twice a year)- I bought all of the books on this list for less than 3$ last year at the sale.