The holidays are nearly upon us! December has went by oh so quickly and I am personally very excited to have some much needed time off to relax, spend time with friends and family, and to read of course.
To celebrate, I've listed some of my very top choices for family friendly holiday books, films and audiobooks. These are wonderful choices to share bundled up on the couch while you munch on cookies or even to share as last minute gifts!
Scaredy Squirrel Prepares for Christmas: A Safety Guide for Scaredies by Melanie Watt (Kids Can Press, 2012). Everyone's favorite, slightly neurotic squirrel is back for Christmas! Scaredy Squirrel must figure out what gifts to buy, how to decorate and what to wear for the special holiday. This book is full of silly laugh out loud moments that children and adults will be able to enjoy together.
Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama by Selina Alko ( Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2012). Sadie's family celebrates both Christmas and Hanukkah, and readers will be able to get a peek into traditions from both holidays by reading this wonderfully illustrated picture book. 
Christmas Wombat by Jackie French; Illustrated by Bruce Whatley ( Clarion Books, 2012). A carrot-loving wombat accidentally stows away on Santa's sled after munching on the reindeer's vegetables! This humorous story will entertain toddlers and adults with comic antics and beautiful illustrations set against a stark white background. 
Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson; Illustrated by Jan Chapman. (Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2008). Bear learns that giving is one of Christmas's best presents when his friends decide they are determined to keep him awake for Christmas! The rhyming text and enchanting illustrations are sure to be a hit for years to come. 
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992). A must-watch for any Muppets fan. Enjoy the full Muppet cast and Michael Caine as Ebenezer Scrooge in this hilarious and heart-warming retelling of the Dickens classic. My family watches this film together every December!
A Charlie Brown Christmas ( 1965). A classic that grandparents, parents and children can enjoy together about Charlie Brown attempting to wade through the rampant commercialism at Christmas to find the true meaning of the holiday.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! And Other Gifts from Dr. Seuss by Dr. Seuss (Listening Library, 2008). Gather the family, grab a cup of hot chocolate and listen to this lovely audiobook together this holiday. How the Grinch Stole Christmas, the familiar story of one grouchy green creature and his attempt to ruin Christmas for the Whos of Whoville, takes on a wonderful character when read by the charismatic Walter Matthau. What are some of your family's favorite holiday choices? Do you have any films that your family watches each year? If not, this can be the year that you start a new family tradition! All of us here at the gmplkids blog would like to wish you and your family a very happy holiday season!
