The best Christmas children’s picture books that show kindness and helping others

Why am I passionate about this?

I am a writer, educator, and mother. Finding books in local libraries or bookstores is necessary so children will read a diverse assortment of stories that teach a lesson and engage their interest. I’ve found that all young children at home and in schools like books with interesting pictures that they can follow along. Children want to share stories and have time to read and absorb the content. Sometimes children see details in illustrations that adults might not notice. Kids learn in different ways. These books will capture the child’s attention and teach about kindness, friendship, and determination.


I wrote...

Piper the Elf Rides a Reindeer

By Colleen Driscoll, Brian Dumm (illustrator),

Book cover of Piper the Elf Rides a Reindeer

What is my book about?

When a new visitor comes to the North Pole, Piper the Elf learns about patience as she struggles to teach the stubborn reindeer, Stomper, how to fly. Throughout the story, Piper shows perseverance and a growth mindset in helping her new friend learn how to fly. Despite Piper's efforts, Stomper refuses to cooperate, and Santa leaves on Christmas Eve without the little reindeer. When Piper discovers Santa forgot to pack a special gift, Stomper pushes past his fear and flies Piper and the gift to Santa. Piper and the young reindeer discover the special gift was for Stomper. Santa can be tricky as well as jolly! 

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of The Magical Christmas Horse

Colleen Driscoll Why did I love this book?

This story about the love between siblings warms my heart. After an older brother makes a promise to his younger brother regarding a keepsake toy that had been in the family for generations, the toy is found in disrepair. The older brother is heartbroken that the toy which meant so much to him cannot be cherished by his brother. Unbeknownst to the older boy, his father and grandfather work all day before Christmas to repair the toy and place it under the tree on Christmas. A great story about how important a special toy is for children and adults.

By Mary Higgins Clark, Wendell Minor (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Magical Christmas Horse as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

New York Times bestselling collaborators Mary Higgins Clark and Wendell Minor tell a touching Christmas story of a heartwarming family celebration and the meaning of Christmas.

Johnny's wish had come true. His family would be visiting his grandparents for Christmas. His grandparents lived in an old house in New England where his father had been born. The family together, the smells of the cookies baking, the snowy Christmas tree farm with trees of so many shapes and sizes, and most of all the wooden horse he had told his brother Liam about would make this the best Christmas ever. In…


Book cover of Santa Mouse, Where Are You?

Colleen Driscoll Why did I love this book?

I like how Santa Mouse, Santa’s little mouse friend, wrapped a special present and took good care of it, despite falling from Santa’s sleigh and getting lost. Santa Mouse wouldn’t let the present out of his grip until he found a special Christmas tree inside a house with a special light to set the present on. The book shows the reader the importance of using care to protect something treasured. Santa Mouse’s determination pays off. This is a great message for kids.

By Michael Brown, Elfrieda De Witt (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Santa Mouse, Where Are You? as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

Santa's littlest helper gets lost and must find his way back to Santa's sleigh in time to save Christmas in this delightful holiday picture book.

Every Christmas, Santa Mouse becomes Santa's little helper. This year, when Santa's ready to take off in his sleigh, Santa Mouse scurries onto his shoulder-only to fall off into the deep, dark snowy ground below. How will he ever find Santa and help him deliver presents to the children?


Book cover of Suzy Goose and the Christmas Star

Colleen Driscoll Why did I love this book?

I loved this story and how Suzy was willing to go the extra mile to make Christmas special for her friends. Suzy is a caring goose who would do anything to make the outside Christmas tree aglow with the brightest star in the sky. When she flies off hilltops and wanders far away from her friends, she doesn’t stay lost very long as her friend's onomatopoeia calls lead her back home, and Suzy discovers a special surprise on the tree. The book shows miracles do happen.

By Horacek Petr,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Suzy Goose and the Christmas Star as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Suzy, the silly goose with a mind of her own, returns in a brand new read-aloud Christmas picture book.

When Suzy Goose decides that the Christmas tree is missing a star, she sets off on a journey to fetch the shiny star in the sky. No matter how far she travels, she never reaches it. But when she finds herself back at the tree, everyone has a beautiful Christmas surprise!


Book cover of Snow Sounds

Colleen Driscoll Why did I love this book?

Snow Sounds may seem like a simple book on onomatopoeia, but the beautiful illustrations tell their own story of community workers, a boy, and the boy’s family working together to make sure the boy can get to school on time and deliver a specially wrapped gift. Readers will smile at the illustrations as they absorb the story’s message. 

By David A. Johnson,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Snow Sounds as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Sweep, crunch, swoosh, scrape . . . All night long, snow falls silently, bringing forth a world blanketed in white—and a very noisy day.
For at dawn’s light, machine, man, and child begin to dig out: first the big highway grader and snowplow, then the smaller town plow, a father’s snow blower, and a boy’s shovel . . . But will the streets get cleared in time?

Spare poetry and elegant watercolor paintings cleverly bring to life this unique story of snow removal and the fun onomatopoeic sounds accompanying it.


Book cover of Bear Stays Up for Christmas

Colleen Driscoll Why did I love this book?

Bear Stays Up for Christmas skillfully portrays how friends will work together to help each other achieve their goals. The book also shows that each of us is unique, and we cannot be expected to do everything exactly the same as our friends. The message of kindness, friendship, acceptance is clear throughout the story.

By Karma Wilson, Jane Chapman (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Bear Stays Up for Christmas as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Celebrate the holidays with Bear and his friends in this sweet picture book from bestselling author Karma Wilson!

Bear’s friends are determined to keep Bear awake for Christmas! So they wake Bear up and have him help them find a Christmas tree, bake cakes, hang up stockings, and sing Christmas songs. Bear stays up—by discovering that giving is one of the best Christmas presents of all!


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Cold War: A Novel of the Berlin Airlift

By Helena P. Schrader,

Book cover of Cold War: A Novel of the Berlin Airlift

Helena P. Schrader Author Of Cold Peace: A Novel of the Berlin Airlift, Part I

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

I first went to Berlin after college, determined to write a novel about the German Resistance; I stayed a quarter of a century. Initially, the Berlin Airlift, something remembered with pride and affection, helped create common ground between me as an American and the Berliners. Later, I was commissioned to write a book about the Airlift and studied the topic in depth. My research included interviews with many participants including Gail Halvorsen. These encounters with eyewitnesses inspired me to write my current three-part fiction project, Bridge to Tomorrow. With Russian aggression again threatening Europe, the story of the airlift that defeated Soviet state terrorism has never been more topical. 

Helena's book list on the Russian blockade of Berlin and the Allied Airlift

What is my book about?

Stopping Russian Aggression with milk, coal, and candy bars….

Berlin is under siege. More than two million civilians will starve unless they receive food, medicine, and more by air.

USAF Captain J.B. Baronowsky and RAF Flight Lieutenant Kit Moran once risked their lives to drop high explosives on Berlin. They are about to deliver milk, flour, and children’s shoes instead. Meanwhile, two women pilots are flying an air ambulance that carries malnourished and abandoned children to freedom in the West. Until General Winter deploys on the side of Russia...

Based on historical events, award-winning novelist Helena P. Schrader delivers an insightful, exciting and moving tale about how former enemies became friends in the face of Russian aggression — and how close the Berlin Airlift came to failing under the assault of “General Winter.”

Cold War: A Novel of the Berlin Airlift

By Helena P. Schrader,

What is this book about?

Fighting a war with milk, coal and candy bars....

In the second book of the Bridge to Tomorrow Series, the story continues where "Cold Peace" left off.

Berlin is under siege. More than two million civilians in Hitler's former capital will starve unless they receive food, medicine and more by air.

USAF Captain J.B. Baronowsky and RAF Flight Lieutenant Kit Moran once risked their lives to drop high explosives on Berlin. They are about to deliver milk, flour and children's shoes instead. Meanwhile, two women pilots are flying an air ambulance that carries malnourished and abandoned children to freedom in…


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