For many years, AMPM celebrated the joy of the season by sharing cherished holiday stories, starting with the classic, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Each year, a timeless book was gifted, spreading holiday cheer and nostalgia. Take a scroll through the shelves of time and rediscover the stories and the years they were shared.
The Polar Express is a 1985 picture book written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg. It is set partly in Grand Rapids, the author’s hometown. A successful film was made based on the book, starring Tom Hanks.
On Christmas Eve, a young boy lying in bed hears a train. He looks out the window and sees a conductor by a train, sneaks outside and boards the train and heads off to the North Pole. The Polar Express arrives at the top of the world, and the boy makes his Christmas wish. The book and story have become a classic children’s Christmas favorite.
The tale penned by Jeffery L. Schatzer, Don Rutt (Photographer), and our own Mark Bush (Designed by) and Ty Smith (Illustrator) is about a small bird that is left behind to face the bitter winter alone. Freezing and hungry, the bird calls out to Santa for help. With a kind word the bird is invited to shelter itself in the cozy blanket of Santa’s beard.
The Bird in Santa’s Beard is a tale of compassion, kindness and cooperation. Santa and the bird overcome problems and solve one of the biggest mysteries of Christmas – why children see so many different Santas each year.
Originally published as The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by E.T.A. Hoffmann in 1816, The Nutcracker has become a staple of holiday literature. The story has also become a prominent ballet, transformed by playwright Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1891 for Moscow’s Imperial Theatres.
The story follows a young girl who receives a nutcracker for Christmas and dreams it comes to life. She and her Nutcracker Prince then travel to a winter wonderland where they are hosted by the beautiful Sugarplum Fairy.
The Bump on Santa’s Noggin is another book by Jeffery L. Schatzer. Milo is a boy who has the most trouble remembering to pick up his things. A small toy he leaves behind at school causes a big accident when Santa Claus trips over it and loses his memory. Santa forgets who he is and what he needs to do. Who can help Santa to remember in time? Will it be a police officer? Or perhaps a doctor? Time is growing short but a caring teacher may just be able to help Santa recover his memory in time to save Christmas.
A Christmas Carol was first published in London in 1843. It’s the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, an elderly miser, visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley, and the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come. In the process, Scrooge is transformed and awakens on Christmas morning a changed man. Scrooge treats everyone with kindness, generosity and compassion.
Charles Dickens’ timeless novella is a ghost story that celebrates the Christmas spirit.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is a beloved children’s book written and illustrated by Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel. This heartwarming story about the effects of the Christmas spirit warms even the coldest and smallest of hearts. The book has been adapted many times: as animated TV shows, live action films and musicals.
Like mistletoe, candy canes and caroling, the Grinch is a mainstay of the holidays, perfect for readers young and old.
The Elves in Santa’s Workshop; Together at the North Pole is again authored by Jeffery Schatzer. How did Santa meet the elves? And why do they live and work at the very top of the world?
The Elves in Santa’s Workshop is a story of kindness, caring and overcoming obstacles through cooperation. Together, Santa and the elves make wishes come true for children around the world.
From Charles M. Schulz comes a true classic.
In A Charlie Brown Christmas, Christmas is almost here, which means ice-skating, Christmas carols and sparkly lights everywhere – even on Snoopy’s doghouse. Everyone is enjoying the holiday celebrations except Charlie Brown. Can the Peanuts gang help Charlie Brown discover the true meaning of Christmas?
Dream Snow by Eric Carle is a well-told story about a simple farmer.
It’s Christmas Eve, and an old farmer settles down for nap, wondering how Christmas can come when it hasn’t snowed yet. The farmer falls asleep and dreams of snowflakes covering him and his animals. He awakens to discover it really has snowed. Putting on his red suit, he goes outside, puts some gifts under the tree for his animals, and presses a button near a Christmas tree, creating a most surprising musical treat for children everywhere.
Ever since it was published in 1978, the picture-book presentation of Robert Frost’s poem Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening has been an enduring favorite. Illustrator Susan Jeffers adds detail and subtle color to her sweeping backgrounds of frosty New England scenes. There are animals to find among the trees, and the kindly figure with his “promises to keep” exudes warmth as he stops to appreciate the quiet delights of winter. This celebration of winter is ideal for the season.
An enchanting holiday treasure, The Autobiography of Santa Claus by Jeff Guinn combines solid historical fact with legend to deliver the definitive story of Santa Claus. And who better to lead us through seventeen centuries of Christmas magic than good ol’ Saint Nick himself?
Filled with details of Nicholas’s life, the beginnings of his gift giving, the expansion of his holiday calling and more, this book is for everyone who loves the year’s most special holiday.
Stranger in the Woods by Carl R. Sams II and Jean Stoick is a beautiful photographic fantasy.
The story follows forest animals, awakened by the birds’ warning that there is a stranger in the woods. The animals set out to discover if there is danger and find, instead, a wonderful surprise.
The pictures and story are described as lovely, enchanting and well-written. It’s a fun read for kids of all ages and is considered a wonderful Christmas or winter gift.
The Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer television special first aired on NBC December 6, 1964. It has become a beloved Christmas classic – capturing the heart and wonder of generations of fans.
The 50th anniversary book, retold by Thea Feldman and illustrated by Erwin Madrid is the complete story from the classic TV show. All of the other reindeer make fun of Rudolph and won’t let him play in their reindeer games because he’s different. But when Christmas is almost cancelled because of a huge snowstorm, Rudolph comes to the rescue with his wonderful shiny red nose.
For almost seventy years, people the world over have fallen in love with Frank Capra’s classic Christmas movie It’s a Wonderful Life. But few know that Capra’s film was based on a short story by author Philip Van Doren Stern.
Unable at first to find a publisher for his evocative tale about a man named George Pratt who ponders suicide until he receives an opportunity to see what the world would be like without him, Stern ultimately published the story in a small pamphlet and sent it out as his 1943 Christmas card. One of those 200 cards found its way into the hands of Frank Capra, who shared it with Jimmy Stewart, and the film that resulted became the holiday tradition we cherish today.
Based on the story written by John Hughes, eight-year-old Kevin McCallister wished his family would disappear. He never thought his wish would come true! Can he keep a couple of crooks from entering his house? And will his family return in time for Christmas? Complete with bumbling burglars, brilliant booby traps, and a heartwarming happy ending, Home Alone is perfect for movie fans, parents and any kid who’s ever dreamed of being home alone.
