Christmas in the library is the best time of year. Here are my favourite ideas for making your library a festive and inviting place to be.
1. Christmas Books as Movies
In the last few weeks before Christmas break I like to play Christmas movies during our lunch break. Of course I only pick movies that were books first to encourage student reading. My top two are ‘The Grinch who Stole Christmas’ by Dr Seuss and ‘The Polar Express’ by Chris Van Allsburg.
2. Christmas Themed Activities
I love to add a little Christmas spirit to my library lessons with my Christmas themed activities. My top 5 Christmas resources from my store are:
1. Library No Prep Printables- Christmas Themed
2. Library Scavenger Hunt Christmas Themed
3. Library Color by Call Number- Christmas Themed
4. Library Activity Task Cards- Christmas Themed
5. Library Research Activity- Christmas Around the World
You can grab each of those activities by clicking on the link, or save some money by purchasing the MEGA BUNDLE.
3. Christmas Bookmarks
A fun lunch time or fast finisher activity is to color in these cute and festive Christmas bookmarks. They are the perfect activity that encourages reading and don’t use up a lot of printing!
These ones come from my Christmas Themed Library Skills No Prep Printables
4. Christmas Reading List
What better way to encourage reading over the Christmas break that to give students this cute Christmas Reading List. Students are encouraged to read from a variety of Christmas themed topics. You can grab this FREE printable from the Little Library Learners Resource Library HERE.
5. Christmas Book Display
We love to celebrate Christmas in our library, and what better way than to immerse students in engaging picture books that evoke Christmas spirit. Here are my top ten Christmas read alouds.
There’s a Hippopotamus on Our Roof Eating Christmas Cake- Hazel Edwards
Another book in the ‘Hippopotamus on my Roof’ series, which first came out in the 80’s. This story, written in first person centres on fun Christmas traditions the protagonist enjoys, of course with the much loved hippopotamus.
There was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Star- P.Crumble & Louis Shea
A fun book in the same vein as There was an old lady who swallowed a fly. Each object she swallows is Christmas themed and includes a reindeer, Christmas tree, stocking and even Santa Claus. Children love the familiar repetition and rhythm of this book. A definite favorite to read aloud!
Pout Pout Fish Christmas Spirit- Deborah Diesen and Dan Hanna
The Pout Pout fish is feeling glum because he cannot find his Christmas spirit. A simple and short story about how showing selflessness and helping others leads to the true meaning of Christmas.
There’s an Elf in your Book- Tom Fletcher
This book is a perfect student participation read aloud. There’s a cheeky Christmas elf in your book and he’s asking your students to pass the naughty or nice test to see which of Santa’s lists they make it onto. There are lots of fun little tests like ‘blow a Christmas kiss’ and ‘name Santa’s most famous reindeer’ and maybe even a trick question involving a silly joke. Will your students get awarded their place on the ‘nice list’ by the end of the book?
Macca’s Christmas Crackers- Matt Cosgrove
Another book that chronicles the adventures of everyone’s favourite Alpaca, Macca. It’s Christmas time, and as much as Macca loves celebrating all things festive, he realises he has no money to buy gifts for his loved ones. An important book about making do with what you have,adorned with Matt Causgrove’s amazingly vibrant and detailed illustrations
Pig the Elf- Aaron Blabey
One of my absolute favourite read aloud Christmas books. Pig the Pug is always a hit with my students. The fun rhyming story about greedy Pig sends the message that Christmas isn’t about just getting more, more, more. I particularly love reading Pig’s outrageous Christmas wish list on the endpapers of the book.
Christmas Wonder- Vicki Conley & Cheryl Orsini
I absolutely adore the illustrations by Cheryl Orsini which add to the magic of this simple, yet whimsical book.
I Love Christmas- Anna Walker
A simply written Christmas book, detailing all the festive pleasures of Christmas. An easy, rhyming story- perfect for the lower years.
Emily Brown & Father Christmas- Cressida Cowell and Neal Layton
Emily Brown comes to the rescue when Father Christmas tries to modernise his Christmas delivery system with fancy climbing equipment, up-to-date sleighs and confusing GPS’s.
An adventurous story with a message of kindness and a reminder that sometimes the tried and true methods are the best.
Santa’s High-Tech Christmas- Mike Dumbleton and Angela Perrini
Santa attempts to be more efficient on Christmas eve with the use of his techno pad, rocket pack and weatherproof sleigh. There’s just one little problem, he breaks his techno pad and can’t remember who to deliver his presents to. An unexpected visitor shows kindness to Santa and helps to get Christmas back on track.
Don’t forget to grab your FREE Christmas Reading List from my resource library HERE.
I’d love to hear any other fun and creative ideas you have for making Christmas come alive in your library!
