You can never go wrong with books for Christmas! This year I’ve gathered an assortment of books and gifts from Raincoast Books sure to please any child and parent, including a classic Advent calendar, winter-themed books, a Christmas pop-up, and a fun sound book for little fingers to explore.
The Night Before Christmas Pop-Up Advent Calendar
by Marc Boutavant
When I was a child, opening the first window of the year’s Advent calendar and gobbling down the chocolate meant that Christmas was near. Oh, the anticipation was sheer torture, but counting down the days on my calendar made December bearable.
This pop-up Advent calendar has stickers instead of chocolate, so kids get to open one flap every day and decorate the 3D winter scene with that sticker. Tabs on the back fold out to display the scene on a table or dresser. My kids are sticker fiends, and I know this will be a hit come December 1st.
The Knights Before Christmas
by Joan Holub
“Twas December 24th,
and three knights ding-a-ling
were guarding the castle
for their illustrious king.”
Inspired by the holiday classic “Twas the Night Before Christmas”, this rhyming holiday tale is full of puns and good fun. Brave Knight, Polite Knight, and Silent Knight (chortle), think their castle is under attack by a strange red and white knight accompanied by eight dragons.
But Santa always gets his way, and no matter what, he’ll make sure the knights have a merry Christmas!
Planet Pop-Up: Bear’s Merry Christmas
by Jonathan Litton
Everyone loves pop-up books! Bear’s Merry Christmas is full of friendly animals all celebrating Christmas in their own ways. The first pop-up features Santa Bear in his flying sleigh looking down at the forest, and subsequent spreads show the animals having fun. The final spread shows everyone gathered around the Christmas tree.
The large size book is great for lap reading, and each of the six spreads has a large, sturdy pop-up, just right for little ones who may not be as careful with books yet as we would like.
Dear Yeti
by James Kwan
This simple story follows two hikers who set out one day to search for Yeti. The title Dear Yeti comes from the letters they write along the way to the elusive beast. But when they get hungry, cold, and lost, and run into a fierce grizzly bear, they discover just how good of a friend Yeti can be. Reading this book helped start a discussion about friendship, and what it means to be a friend.
Steam Train, Dream Train
by Sherri Duskey Rinker and Tom Lichtenheld
From the author and illustrator of the #1 New York Times bestseller Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site, this charming bedtime story is filled with friendly animals who help load the dream train up with all the best things in life – ice cream, paint, race cars, balls, and dinosaurs. Once everything and everyone is on board, it’s time to curl up for sweet dreams.
The magical nighttime scenes are illustrated in luminous oil pastels and create a soft dreamy atmosphere for the rhyming couplets. This is a fun book to read together, cuddled up before bed.
Steam Train, Dream Train Sound Book
by Sherri Duskey Rinker and Tom Lichtenheld
This board book is based on the imaginative prose from the original Steam Train, Dream Train story, now with sounds! The text is abridged but keeps the sense and gentle, playful feel of the original.
Every child likes to press buttons, and the buttons on the sound bar allow kids to participate in the story. Don’t worry, the sounds aren’t too loud for bedtime, even the train whistle noise.
Steam Train, Dream Train Puzzle
by Sherri Duskey Rinker and Tom Lichtenheld
Based on the images from the book, this is not what you might first think of as a puzzle. The engine and the caboose are clearly the front and the back, but the other ten pieces can be placed in any combination your child likes to build their own unique dream train. Each large piece (about 8″ x 5″) has a unique image on each side, so the combinations are endless!
The inside of the box top has suggestions for things to look for on the dream train. Parents can use these activities to encourage interaction and attention to detail, counting (e.g., find 1 elephant, 2 giraffes, 3 rabbits, etc.), colour identification and learning types of train cars (e.g., find the white reefer car, pink boxcar, etc.), as well as different animals.
Ruby’s Wish
by Bridges Shirin Yim
My daughters are one quarter Chinese, and I’m always looking for ways to make sure they have some familiarity and exposure to that part of their heritage. This true story is set in late 19th century China and introduces us to Ruby, a joyful and talented little girl whose only wish is to go to university like her brothers and male cousins. I’m working hard to raise daughters who believe in themselves and their dreams, and I’m excited about reading this to them.
Ruby’s Wish is beautifully illustrated in water colours, reminiscent of Chinese brush painting, but the best part is the final page when we see a photograph of the real Ruby, the author’s grandmother. Her photo makes it clear that this is a true story and underscores the lessons to be learned. Funnily enough, my great-great-grandfather had multiple wives too (four if I remember the family stories correctly), just like Ruby’s grandfather.
The Big Penguin Party
by Christian Jeremies and Fabian Jeremies
The premise behind this look and find book is that it’s Grandma Penguin’s birthday, and she needs to find all the pieces of her special rainbow birthday costume for the party. Can you find Grandma’s striped dress, green stockings, pink pearl necklace, blue scarf, hat, red gloves, yellow purse, purple shoes, and orange coat?
Each spread is chock full of 90 penguins and all the chaos that would naturally accompany a party with 90 penguins in attendance. There’s so much going on in these fun watercolour paintings, it takes a good eye and attention to detail to find each piece, which means this is a great book to keep the kids occupied for a while!
Disney Frozen Crochet Gift Set
by Kati Galusz
This amigurumi gift set is perfect for an older Frozen fan or for a mom like me who wants to create these small crocheted and stuffed toys for her own kids.
The included softcover book starts with detailed pictures of different stitches and techniques needed to start crocheting. Then it moves into step-by-step and full colour illustrated instructions to create Queen Elsa, Princess Anna, Kristoff, Prince Han, Oaken, Olaf, Sven, Grand Pabbie (the ruler of the trolls), Marshmallow, Young Elsa, Young Anna, and Young Kristoff. The set includes all the materials and supplies you need to make the Elsa and Anna dolls.
I’ve wanted to learn how to crochet for a long time, and the book makes it look a little less intimidating. I’m looking forward to learning and hopefully creating a set of Frozen dolls for my girls!
Win a Steam Train, Dream Train Prize Pack!
One lucky Canadian reader will win a Steam Train, Dream Train prize pack. That’s the original hardcover book, the sound book, and the puzzle! This giveaway is open to residents of Canada, 18+. All entries will be verified. Prize delivery is not guaranteed by Christmas, so please plan accordingly.
While you’re here, check out my other open giveaways on my Giveaway Page!
Disclosure: I received sample items for review. All opinions expressed are completely honest and my own, based on my personal experience. Your experience may differ. This post contains affiliate links. This West Coast Mommy is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. I will receive a small commission if you purchase through my link, at no additional cost to you. This income helps pay for the operating costs of my website – thank you for your support!
Something wonderful that has happened is that we have family moving close to us that we have not been able to spend that much time with for years.
I had an ultrasound and the baby is growing and well.
Congratulations, and best wishes!
When my computer broke down and couldn’t be fixed, one of my sons bought all the bits and pieces and built me a new one and gifted it to me. He’s a student so he doesn’t have much money – it made me cry.
I added a third addition to the family were now a family of five ???
My dad officially beat cancer!
I got to visit my family out west and went on a road trip with the grandchildren.
Had a wonderful trip with the family.
My dad came to visit us for the first time in 3 years.
In August we were able to go see the Foo Fighters live in concert, we found a babysitter for the kids, and our seats were pretty good! The concert was amazing!
we purchased a new car!
2 weeks ago I became a first time grandparent.
I won a trip to Disney World in April. It was an amazing trip!
i met my new nephew for the first time!
I have a job this year 🙂
I graduated from my Master’s of Education programme!
I’ve been keeping a secret from my husband as a surprise at Christmas–since October! I can’t wait to see his surprise (we won an exciting prize!).
My best friend whom I haven’t seen in years upon years came for a visit!!
The most wonderful thing that has happened to me this year is we got a puppy <3 He has been the best thing to happen to us in years. His name is Earl and he makes us laugh and smile every day. He gets us out in nature every day and that is good for our health. He has also helped us meet so many nice people. I think the cats are even starting to like him a bit, a very little bit…Thank you for the great giveaway !! Happy Holidays 🙂
Something wonderful that happened this year is my oncologist thinks I might be cancer-free. It’s been 5 years now since there’s been any symptoms of re-occurance
We moved to a new town after DH got promoted
New job!
We went camping!! 🙂
Artemis got an adult tooth, Max found his love of Hot Wheels, I’ve been getting treatment for my back and my husband is in the process of retiring.
Besos, Sarah
Journeys of The Zoo
The wonderful thing that is happening to me is that our whole family is being together for Christmas!
After searching for the “Santa” gift since mid-November and every store being sold out, I called my local Toys R Us and they had 4 that just came off the truck, called hubby at work, his boss told him “Go get the toy!” he got there within 20 minutes after my call and grabbed the last one. Weight lifted off my chest!
This year my newest grandchild ran to me with open arms and a big smile……………..
My son met his grandparents after nearly 2 years.
I had a son this year and he is beautiful.
I gave birth to my daughter this summer and it has been an amazing experience!
We got to celebrate my Moms 90th birthday last month,it was big
In June I decided to leave a high stress office job and start my own virtual assistant business! It’s going very well and I’m much happier!
Something wonderful that happened this year was I got a new RN job at the hospital. I also work at a doctors office but the hospital has some other benefits that are beneficial to our future (ie a pension). So I was so happy to have this opprotunity!
I got out of the hospital in time to see my babies first steps!!!
I won a big prize of a trip.
Thanks for the contest.