The Christmas Donkey

by Alta Halverson Seymour

Set in a small town in France in the late 1940s or early ’50s, young Michel want to get his Grandmother, whom he lives with, a donkey for Christmas. But how can he earn the money? Michel won’t give up even when everything seems hopeless. I love the characters in Alta Seymour’s books. They are so real. This story gives you a feel for Christmas traditions in France as well as a wonderful story of love, friendship and Christmas.

The Candle in the Window

by Margaret Hill McCarter

This is such a heartwarming story. It takes place in a rural area of the US in the winter of 1917 during the first World War. The characters are so real, from the mail carrier, to the little boy, to the schoolmistress, and all the others. Each one has their own personalities and problems. But that Christmas time, and the candles in the widows . . . I want to put a candle in my window now after reading this story even if I live in a city.

The audio drama is good too, but I prefer the books to the dramatized version.

The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree

by Gloria Houston

Illustrated by Barbara Cooney

The first time I read this book, I almost cried. The second time I read this book, aloud to my niece and nephews, I almost cried. I still get a bit choked up reading this tender story even if it is written for children. There is something just so special and sweet about the little girl waiting for her father to come home from war (WWI) and helping her mother cut down the perfect Christmas tree for church. And of course the pictures by Barbara Cooney are just wonderful! If you don’t have a copy of this book, you need to get one.