The cost of a college education can be staggering, but there’s hope for me and other parents and students aiming to avoid the burden of student loans. In a compelling episode of Katie Fenske’s podcast, we dive deep into the world of scholarships with the knowledgeable Dave Peterson, a father and scholarship coach who helped his own son win an astounding $95,000 in scholarships.

Dave’s journey from concerned parent to scholarship guru is not only inspiring but filled with actionable advice for those of us looking to tread a similar path. With the right strategies, early planning, and a dash of dedication, Dave assures me that a debt-free college education is not just a pipe dream, but a tangible goal.

One of the most enlightening takeaways from the conversation is the emphasis on starting the scholarship hunt early. Dave recommends that high school juniors begin applying, leveraging the advantages of less competition and gaining valuable experience that will serve them well during their senior year and college application process.

But the advice doesn’t stop there. Dave shares the staggering fact that around $100 million in scholarships go unclaimed every year. He discusses the importance of crafting standout applications, the impact of personalized recommendation letters, and the necessity of maintaining a comprehensive volunteering record that aligns with my child’s unique story.

Moreover, the episode doesn’t just focus on the application process. Katie and Dave explore the journey through college itself, underscoring the importance of understanding different colleges’ scholarship policies, managing scholarship funds, and even the tax implications of award money.

Dave’s insights don’t merely revolve around his expertise; they are peppered with personal anecdotes, such as his son’s switch from history to economics, demonstrating the fluid nature of college majors and career paths. This touch of personal experience brings home the message that adaptability and flexibility are just as crucial in college as they are in securing scholarships.

As Katie shares, the podcast is not just a treasure trove of strategies but also an invitation to empower us parents with knowledge. Whether it’s navigating the seas of college funding or crafting the winning scholarship application, Dave Peterson’s expertise is an invaluable resource for those of us on the quest for a debt-free college education.

For parents and students alike, this episode serves as a comprehensive guide to winning the scholarship race. The conversation is rich with tips and tricks, including the recommendation to focus on scholarships that award multiple prizes and the strategic benefits of applying early. And for those of us feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of scholarships out there, Dave reassures that a structured approach – investing as little as 30 minutes daily – can make all the difference.

We are encouraged to grab our notepads and tune in to this insightful conversation. With Dave Peterson’s guidance and Katie Fenske’s probing questions, this podcast episode is not to be missed by anyone looking to navigate the scholarship maze successfully. As Katie aptly puts it, this is a conversation that every parent needs to hear if their child is considering college. The dream of a debt-free college education is within reach, and this episode shows us how to chase it.

For those of us eager to delve into the world of scholarships, we should be sure to look up Dave Peterson’s daily podcast, ‘Your Daily Scholarship,’ and visit his website at no debt college.com for more information. With Dave’s expertise and Katie’s engaging hosting, this episode is a must-listen for families gearing up for the college adventure.

How to Find Dave:

Podcast – Your Daily Scholarship Podcast

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/davethescholar1/

Newsletter – https://substack.com/@nodebtcollege

The post Episode 51: The Ultimate Guide to a Debt-Free College Journey with Dave PetersonEpisode 51: appeared first on Burnt Pancakes.

(As an Amazon affiliate I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you).

Our Favorite Easter Books

The Classic Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter HERE

Ten Little Bunnies: A Magical Counting Storybook by Amanda Sobotka HERE

How to Catch the Easter Bunny by Adam Wallace HERE

Happy Easter, Mouse! (If You Give…) by Laura Numeroff HERE

The Good Egg Presents: The Great Eggscape! by Jory John HERE

True Meaning of Easter: Religious Easter book for kids about Jesus by Melissa Wingo HERE

The Donkey Who Carried a King by R.C. Sproul HERE

Marshmallow: An Easter and Springtime Book for Kids by Clare Turlay Newberry HERE

Little Blue Truck’s Springtime by Alice Schertle HERE

Too Many Carrots by Katy Hudson HERE

Happy Easter, Little Pookie by Sandra Boynton HERE

Easter is Coming! by Tama Fortner HERE

Little Blue Bunny by Erin Guendelsberger HERE

Home for a Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown HERE

The Little Rabbit by Nicola Killen HERE

Here Comes the Easter Cat by Deborah Underwood HERE

E is for Easter by Greg Paprocki HERE

A Little Chick by Rosalee Wren HERE

Check Out My Other Book Lists:

The post Best Easter Books for Young Children appeared first on Burnt Pancakes.

Travel Toys for Babies

Aside from all the baby necessities including bottles, pacifiers and changes of clothes/diapers, things to entertain babies (especially babies that are starting to move) is key. Here are some that my boys loved.

Travel Toys for Toddlers and Young Kids

Toddlers are the most challenging to travel with simple because their attention span is the shortest. Along with tons of snacks, brining items to keep their little hands busy is the key. Here are some of our favorites!

Toys for Kids

As an Amazon Associate I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

The post Best Travel Toys for Kids appeared first on Burnt Pancakes.

This year, I have read books that have made me really think about my life, made me cry, or kicked me in the booty and motivated me beyond belief.

If someone were to ask me my reading genre of choice, I’d definitely say that historical fiction is what I gravitate toward most but I tried to branch out a bit and get into the “self motivation” genre as well.

Here are the books that were my top picks from 2022 that are definitely worth the read.

(As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you).

The Traitor’s Wife is a historical fiction about Peggy Arnold, wife of Benedict Arnold. My best friend Meghan shares a love of my favorite topic to read about; The Founding Mothers of the Revolutionary War. This one is right in my niche. I literally could not put this one down. Although she wasn’t quite the patriot like Martha Washington or Abigail Adams, hearing about her courtship and life as a socialite was simply entertaining. Meghan, you have to borrow this one from me so we can discuss Peggy! 

The Four Winds is the first of Kristin Hannah’s books that I’ve read but I now see why her books pop up on so many “must read” lists. This historical fiction is set during the Great Depression, and gives a glimpse into life during the Dust Bowl. It beautifully depicts what migrant workers in California had to endure. I cried at the end of this book and gained a new appreciation for the true determination of a mother’s love. 

To say that this book has been eye opening for me would be an understatement. The Warmth of Other Suns tells the biography of three African Americans who each left the South at three different decades during the great migration. The struggles these individuals faced is beyond anything I have ever come close to experiencing and gave me a new understanding of the lasting effects of slavery in our country. What really hit me was that one of the men ended up settling in Los Angeles in a neighborhood that was literally a few blocks from where my husband and I bought our first home. This is a long book but definitely worth the read. 

Similar to the last book, Homegoing tells the story of 2 African sisters from Ghana in the 18th century and how their lives and their descendants’ stories unfold after they are separated. One remained in Ghana and one was taken into slavery in the American south but each have a unique story to tell. 

The Tattoist of Auschwitz was the last book I read in the year. I literally could not put this one down. Based on a true story, this book follows two individuals in a German concentration camp. The courage and hope it took to survive is truly inspiring. 

I just found out that A Man Called Ove was just made into a movie and I can see why. Ove is a grumpy, heart broken man who is struggline in the year following his wife’s death. To see him evolve over the course of the book, mostly in part by some interesting characters he meets, is so heart warming. This is another book that made me cry, simply for the realization that you can find love after despair. I am looking forward to seeing how this book plays out on the big screen. 

I loved The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate. It’s a novel about novel of three young women searching for family amid the destruction of the post-Civil War South, and of a modern-day teacher who learns of their story and its vital connection to her students’ lives.

Self Motivation Books for 2022

As you can tell from this list, I do love fiction and especially historical fiction. But, I did manage to read some “self motivating” books this year. Starting Burnt Pancakes is just the tip of the iceberg for what I plan to accomplish but along with that comes a lot of self doubt and insecurities. Everything is Figureoutable gave me the boost in confidence I needed to keep pushing forward. I highly recommend this book to anyone that has just started or wants to start a new venture in life. 

Girl on Fire by Cara Alwill Leyba. If this book doesn’t light a fire under your butt I don’t know what will. As the title suggests, this book sparked something in me that couldn’t be extinguished. I powered through this book soaking in every ounce of inspiration to keep moving forward with my dreams.

The post The Best Books I Read in 2022 appeared first on Burnt Pancakes.

I want things that I know my boys will actually use but toys also need to be tough because my boys are very rough on their toys.

I have put together a list of our favorite gifts. These are toys that my boys have played with the most but that have also lasted at least a year in our house without break (if you know my boys, you will know that this is a very hard thing to ask).

My Ultimate List of Toys for Boys That Will Actually Get Played With and Last at Least a Year

As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. All these items are things that we personally own and have use.

Brio Train Set

This is the absolute best toy train brand. Brio is a bit of an investment (this was the kit that we first started with) but I can honestly say that my boys play with this so much. The best part is that you can start with a small set and build on it through birthday and Christmas lists. My 3 year old is obsessed with these.

No Mess Paint Sticks

I love these No Mess Paint sticks. They are so fun for little kids to use, giving the same look of painting, but without the materials and mess to clean up. They are great for all ages too as my 8 year old still loves using them.

Melissa and Doug Interactive Dashboard and Steering Wheel

We found this gift at a local toy shop downtown and it was a HUGE hit. We gave it to my youngest when he was 2 but can honestly say that all three of my boys will play with it. It has gotten more use than I could have ever imagined.

Large Garbage Truck Toy

We have had this trash truck for almost 4 years now and can honestly say that we still haven’t lost the trash cans. My boys love filling the cans up with their lego pieces dumping them into the trash truck.

Bruder Fire Truck

If you have boys that play rough with their trucks then you NEED to invest in the Bruder brand. Like the Brio trains, these are a bit pricey but our firetruck is over 2 years old and has every piece still intact (and I can admit that I have seen this truck tossed off our play set more than once). I love that it has realistic parts including a working hose and adjustable ladder.

Sandbox Excavator

My boys LOVE this toy. We have had it over two years and even though it has been outside in our backyard the whole time, it is still in great condition! This is such a cool toy for any truck loving boy.

Melissa and Doug Ice Cream Set

Believe it or not, but this might be my 3 year old’s favorite toy at the moment. I have had to “eat” lots of ice cream since my 5 year old got this for his birthday, but I love the imaginative play that it creates.

Cash Register

Who knew a cash register would be such a hit, but pair it with the ice cream set and you’ve got yourself the perfect gift combo. My boys have played with this thing for hours.

Magnetic Tiles

What children’s play room isn’t complete without Magnetic Tiles? These things are amazing and I am blown about by the things my boys are able to create every time.

Spot It!

The Spot It! game is AMAZING! To this day I still don’t know how it works every time but these are soooo fun. The object is to be the first to find the matching animals on each card and shout Spot It! There are so many variations too. We have the Spot It! Jr, Camping Spot It! and Cubs Baseball Spot It! versions.

Outfoxed

I am a huge fan of cooperative games (anything to eliminate the fighting in my house) and this one is a favorite. Think of this as Clue for kids. Players work together to use clues to determine which suspect fox is the actual thief.

Race to the Treasure

Another amazing cooperative game is Race to the Treasure. Players work together to create a path to the treasure before the Ogre makes it to the end.

Smart Farmer Game

This is a lesser known game but is perfect for my puzzle loving 5 year old (heck, my kids caught my husband and I playing the “challenging” level). The object is to put up the fences to separate the animals according to a certain diagram. It may seem like a children’s game but it’s actually a great challenge for all ages.

Story Time Chess

We introduced the game of Chess using Story Time Chess to my oldest when he was 5. It is such a great game to teach kids step-by-step the moves of each piece. I wasn’t sure if a young child could learn to play chess but this game proved me wrong.

Catan Jr.

Talk about a game that you won’t mind playing with your kids. This Junior version of the popular Catan board game is a must for your house. It involves strategy and planning with a little dash of adventure as players race to buy and build ships and lairs before their opponents do.

Taco vs. Burrito

My 8 year old son gets the biggest kick out of this game every time we play. It’s perfect for this age.

Ninja Slack Line

This ninja slack line has been a huge hit. We put this up in our backyard and my boys love playing with it. My 8 year old especially has gotten a lot of use out of it.

Bird and Squirrel Graphic Novel Book 1

Bird and Squirrel Graphic Novel Set books 1-6

The Bird and Squirrel series by James Burke is probably my favorite graphic novel if not favorite books to read with my kids. The bird and squirrel characters have the best personalities and go on some crazy adventures each one ending with a wonderful moral about friendship and teamwork. One thing I love most about these books though is the fact that you can actually read them aloud easily unlike other graphic novels. Book 7 just came out and it is already on my 8 year olds list.

Bath Bombs Dinosaurs

Ninja Bath Bombs

You may be surprised to find bath boys on a gift guide list for boys, but these things have been a major hit in our house. My boys will beg me to take a bath because they love these things so much. We’ve gotten both the ninja set and the dinosaur set. They make really great stocking stuffers too.

The post Best Gift for Boys Ages 2-10 appeared first on Burnt Pancakes.

(As an Amazon Affiliate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. These are all items that we have used and loved, and I feel confident recommending them to you.)

Removable Toilet Seat or Mini Toilet Seat Lid

Little Potty

A little potty is a must! Most kids feel more comfortable on one and is better positioning for going #2. Also, these are super portable and easy to take on the go. Here are my two favorites:

Step stool

Step stools are important because they help promote independence and send the message to your child that they can do this by themselves.

Potty Training Board Books

Reading potty training books to your little one before you even start potty training can be so helpful. For a list of our favorites, click HERE.

Get a sneak peek into our favorites in this video:

Elastic waist-band pants

These will be easier for your little ones to pull down by themselves when they are training. I made the mistake of putting my son in jeans right after he potty trained and it was almost impossible for him to pull them down by himself.

Waterproof Car Seat Liners

I found these disposable, Waterproof Car Seat Liners and they have been a game changer. In the early days of potty training, even a short drive can be nerve wracking. These liners will give you the peace of mind that you won’t be cleaning the seat. Note: most car seat manufacturers will not approve of adding anything to the carseat. See manual for details.

Travel Potty

This is my absolute favorite travel potty. It is compact and has bags that make cleanup super easy. It also doubles as a toilet mini lid too.

I absolutely love this foldable travel lid by One Proud Toddler. We took it on a trip and used it in the hotel and when we were on the go. It is super compact and easy to store. Use code Katie10 for 10% off.

Training Underwear

Training underwear is different than regular underwear and pull-ups. Unlike pull-ups they look and feel like regular underwear, but unlike underwear, they have an added lining build into the center for attend protection for accidents.

Peejamas for Nighttime Training

Like training underwear, these pajamas come with a liner inside so they are more absorbent and the nighttime accident is minimal. Plus, unlike pull-ups, these will help a child feel wet and wake up and will cost less in the long run. Get a pair HERE. Use code Katie10 for 10% off.

Liquids (juice, sports drink etc.)

You will want to be increasing the amount of times your child has to pee so offering more liquids is key to upping your chances.

Shout/Clorox Wipes

Let’s all be really honest here…potty training is messy. There is no way around it. Go into potty training prepared by having your favorite cleaning items on hand.

Water Proof Bed Sheets

When it is time for nap and nighttime training you will definitely want some water proof sheets.

Rewards for your child

I strongly believe that potty training needs lots of positive reinforcements aka rewards. The first reward I always use is verbal praise. This includes high-fives, positive encouragement and even a pee pee dance. But what I know about most kids, they are motivated by candy. If you have a child who is not, you need to tell me your secrets!

For us, having a jar of m&ms or jelly beans always seems to be the best option. I only give 1-2 every time the actually get anything in the toilet so I feel like it isn’t hurting them too much to have sugar. I generally don’t reward them just for trying though.

Some people worry that eating candy will be a habit but I remind them that as the days/weeks go on, the novelty of the candy tends to wear off or the jar is empty and it kind of just goes away. Once my boys seemed to have potty training pretty much down, they didn’t really even need the candy anymore.

Other rewards can include, sticker charts, stamps, or even calling a loved one to share the news.

Treats for mom and dad

Ok, potty training is EXHAUSTING! At the end of a long day, once your little one is asleep, you deserve a reward to. Pour a glass of wine, eat the chocolate, fill up a bubble bath or call up your girl friends for a quick mom’s night. You will need to treat yourself for getting through the long days.

Activities

The first few days of potty training will be spent entirely at home so stock up on some fun new activities to try with your child. Here are some of our favorites.

Paint Sticks:

Play Dough Kits:

Our favorites come from an awesome company called Young, Wild and Friedman. Check them out HERE

Kinetic Sand Kits – these have been our favorites

Coffee or Tea Play Set

My son spent hours playing with this coffee set when he got it. It would make a perfect activity to do with your little one when you are potty training because it is a great play activity that you can do together and encourages drinking water!

Products that help with Constipation/Withholding

Withholding and constipation can cause setbacks to potty training. Please reach out to me and your pediatrician for recommendations on how to use these products and help your child with constipation and withholding.

(As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.)

Need more help with Potty Training?

As a certified potty trainer, I love taking the frustration and stress off parent’s shoulders and give them confidence that they will have success with potty training. Check out what I can offer you!

Read More Potty Training Blog Posts

The post Potty Training Must Haves appeared first on Burnt Pancakes.

What’s the solution? Cooperative games. We have been introduced to several cooperative board games and they have changed our game night experiences.

What are cooperative games? They are games that involve all the players working together to accomplish a task or beat the game.

Cooperative games promote:

1. Teamwork
2. Sibling Bonding
3. Encouragement of others
   

From my experience, introducing cooperative games has led to calmer and more enjoyable board game experiences.

Here are a few of our favorites:

Outfoxed! by Gamewright

2-4 players ages 4+

In this game, a sneaky fox has stolen a chicken pot pie and it is the job of the players to determine which of the 12 suspect fox is the guilty one. Think of it as Clue but for kids. There are clue cards that the players earn to help identify characteristics of the thief to determine which fox stole the pie. All the players work as a team to unveil the guilty fox before it makes it to the fox hole.

As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. We personally own and love this game).

Want to see this game in action? Watch my kids and I play Outfoxed!

Lion in the Way by eeBoo

2-6 players and ages 5+ (but my 4 year old plays and loves this)

This was our first introduction to cooperative games and it was a huge hit. My 4 year old especially loved this one. We are working on his speech and this game really got him talking and I could see his confidence rising while playing.

Object: come up with creative solutions to get past obstacles in the path. For example, in the scenario below, my son said that he would use the fireworks to blast through the mountain to get through them. After each player shares their idea with their tool card, a new obstacle card is placed in the path. Play continues for a predetermined amount of obstacles or until players are ready to stop.

You’d be amazed at the clever ideas your kids will come up with.

Which tool card would you pick to get past the fire in the path?

Race to the Treasure by Peaceable Kingdom

2-4 players (ages 5+ but my 4 year old plays this and loves it).

I personally have so much fun playing this game too!

Object: All players work together to build a path, collect three keys and beat an Ogre to the treasure chest. I especially like that the players need to use strategy to decide which direction to build their path. I have found my boys talking over different possible moves and deciding together which to pick.

It’s you against that ogre and the kids just love working together to beat him!

Get Race to the Treasure. Just click below!

The post Best Cooperative Board Games for Kids appeared first on Burnt Pancakes.

Here are our favorites:

As an Amazon Affiliate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. These are all books in our own private library that we have purchased and loved.

Even Firefighters Go to the Potty: A Potty Training Lift-the-Flap Story by Wendy and Naomi Wax

This is our favorite!!! Not only is it a lift-the-flap book which is so great for active toddlers, the story shows many different people and asks the reader where he or she went…to the potty! This helps little ones see that using the bathroom is normal and everyone does it.

Dinosaur vs. The Potty by Bob Shea

From one of our favorite book series, this one shows a dinosaur competing against different liquids to see if he can make it to the potty in time. Dinosaur vs. Lemonade??? Dinosaur wins!

Potty Superhero: Get Ready for Big Boy Pants by Mabel Forsyth

This book shows a little super hero trying to stay patient and sit on the potty. It introduces your little one to the reward of wearing big boy pants.

Potty: Big Kid Power by Leslie Patricelli

Celebrate this little boy because he feels like he has to go potty, patiently sits and waits, and then successfully goes!

I Use the Potty: Big Kid Power by Maria van Lieshout

Follow the journey of this little child as he goes from wearing diapers to peeing in the toilet.

Where’s the Poop? by Julie Markes

Here’s another Lift-a-Flap book that will keep your little one engaged. Each page has a different animal and your little reader’s job is to find its poop hiding under a flap. Don’t worry, it won’t teach your child to poop in your backyard. The last page celebrates a little boy going in the toilet.

Duck Goes Potty by Michael Dahl

Little duck is ditching the diapers and trying to use the potty. Cheer on Duck as he works to make it in the potty without an accident.

Chugga Chugga Poooo-Pooooo! The Potty Train by David Hochman and Ruth Kennison

This title alone is enough to get this book. How fun is it??? This one teaches your little one that along your journey in potty training, there will be accidents, but you need to keep chugging along.

Everyone Poops by Taro Gomi

I actually remember this book when I was younger. What better way to get your kids comfortable with potty training than teaching them that everyone, from animals to moms and dads, poop.

How to Pee by Todd Spencer

There are two books in this series. Potty Training for Boys and Potty Training for Girls. These to come from one of our favorite illustrators. These funny books show little readers steps to peeing in different styles of peeing like Cowboy Style, Movie Star Style and Super Hero Style

Let me know if any of these are in your home library or if you have another favorite.

The post Best Potty Training Books for Kids appeared first on Burnt Pancakes.

Cute Quotes:

You’re The Bees Knees

You Make My Heart Race

I Love You A Bushel And A Peck

You Are The Apple Of My Eye

It’s All About the XXXXs and the OOOOs

You Are My Today and All My Tomorrows

Romantic Quotes:

Love Is In The Air

Will You Be My Valentine

Be Mine

I Love You, XOXO

Love Is The Closest Thing To Magic

Hug And Kisses and Valentine Wishes

All You Need Is Love

My Heart Belongs to You

When I Follow My Heart, It Leads Back To You

Nothing Could Be Sweeter Than Being Your Valentine

Funny Quotes:

I’m Yours, No Returns

Is Your Name Wifi Because I’m Feeling the Connection

I Love You More Than Coffee

I Love You A Latte

We Are The Perfect Pair (socks)

Can I Borrow A Kiss? I Promise To Give It Back

Olive Juice

Movie/Book Quotes:

I Love You To The Moon And Back – Guess How Much I Love You

And IIIII EEEEEEE I Will Always Love Yooooou – Whitney Houston

You’ll Always Be My Baby – Mariah Carey

I Love You Through And Through…Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow Too – I Love You Through and Through

You Have Bewitched Me Body and Soul – Pride and Prejudice

You Are My Greatest Adventure – The Incredibles

I Look At You And I Am Home – Finding Nemo

If There Ever Comes A Day When We Can’t Be Together, Keep Me In Your Heart. I’ll Stay There Forever – Winnie the Pooh

We Belong Together – Mariah Carey

Take Me To Your Heart. For It’s There That I Belong – Elvis Presley

So I Love You Because The Entire Universe Conspired To Help Me Find You – The Alchemist

Love Is Like The Wind, You Can’t See It But You Can Feel It – A Walk to Remember

Cause All Of Me Loves All Of You – John Legend

Cause Girl You’re Amazing. Just The Way You Are – Bruno Mars

Which one is your favorite quote?

The post Valentine’s Day Letter Board Quotes appeared first on Burnt Pancakes.

Some years I bring out the whole box and let the boys devour them on December 1st, and other years I add one per day, building up the excitement as they eagerly say, “Which one will we get tomorrow.” Some are funny, some are classics and some are special because of who gave them to us.

I have put together a list of our top 24 books that we read each December. Some are Christmas themed and others are winter.

*As an Amazon affiliate, I may earn a small commission if you buy a book from one of these links. I personally own all of the books I am recommending and have purchased them all personally.

1. The Gingerbread Pirates

My kids absolutely love this one! And who wouldn’t? A boy creates a pirate made out of gingerbread who ends up protecting the house from an intruder on Christmas. We read this at least a hundred times each year and have found that it makes the best gift for friends. Attach a cookie cutter or even some homemade pirate gingerbread cookies to this book and you have a gift that any child will enjoy.

Get the Gingerbread Pirates here

2. Home Alone

This one was added to our library when my son was 6. We were not sure if he’d be old enough to watch the movie so we read him the book first. He absolutely fell in love with this classic and the nostalgia that goes along with it will even capture adult’s hearts.

Get Home Alone here

3. How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Who doesn’t love this classic? From the rhyming pattern to the heartwarming ending, anyone will fall in love with this classic story. I grew up watching the animated cartoon but really enjoy reading the story while cuddled up on the couch with my boys.

Get How the Grinch Stole Christmas here

4. A Wish to be a Christmas Tree

This is truly one of the most heartwarming Christmas story about friendship. An old pine tree watches year after year as families pass him but for other Christmas trees. The magic happens when his forest friends help to make his dream come true.

Get A Wish to be a Christmas Tree here

5. Bunny Slopes

This book is funny and interactive. Take a ride down the slopes with bunny and you tilt pages and soar into the air. This one is perfect for children that are active and don’t like to sit still.

Get Bunny Slopes here

6. The Polar Express

What says Christmas more than The Polar Express. We got this book from my mother-in-law along with a train set and it has become a favorite. When my son sees the train packed up high in the garage he begs us to take it down. This magical train ride to visit Santa gets me every time!

Get The Polar Express here

Get the train set here

7. The Tree That’s Meant To Be

This book teaches the sweetest message: You don’t have to be perfect to be special. A little tree learns the message in this adorably illustrated story.

Get The Tree That’s Meant To Be here

8. Dinosaur vs. Santa

This book is just plain fun. A dinosaur is getting ready for Christmas Eve and completes many challenges. Going to bed on Christmas Eve is the last one. Will he succeed?

Get Dinosaur vs. Santa here

9. S is for Santa

We always love a good alphabet book and this one has the best vintage illustrations. Each page is full of Christmas details keeping little eyes busy as you read.

Get S is for Santa here

10. Stick Man

From the creators of Room on the Broom and The Gruffalo, here is a story of a stick man who gets separated from his family at Christmas time. Facing many dangers, Stick Man must find his way back to his home with a little help from You Know Who. This one is sure to be a favorite in your house.

Get Stick Man here

11. Snowmen at Night

Take a sneak peek into the snowman world and read this rhyming book to see what snowmen really do at night while we are all sleeping. We also own Snowmen at Christmas and both are part of our Christmas library.

Get Snowmen at night here

Get Snowmen at Christmas here

12. A Loud Winter’s Nap

A grumpy old turtle just wants to take a winter nap but he keeps getting interrupted. Find out what finally makes him change his mind about snoozing through the winter season.

Get A Loud Winter’s Nap here

13. The Santa Thief

I am always looking for books that will teach my kids about the importance of giving rather than getting at Christmas. Step back to 1920 and a young boy really wants a pair of ice skates that his parents can’t afford. Find out what truly brings him joy on Christmas morning.

Get The Santa Thief here

14. Little Santa

This is a fun story that gives the reader a glimpse into what Santa was like as a child and how he came to be. See the origins of the chimney and his reindeer.

Get Little Santa here

15. Pick a Pine Tree

Traditions are such a huge part of Christmas. Follow this family as they pick out a tree, decorate it and celebrate the season one tradition at a time. The illustrations are cheery and festive and will put you in the holiday mood.

Get Pick a Pine Tree here

16. When Santa was a Baby

Here is another Santa origin story that helps explain the reason Santa looks the way he does and why he loves giving so much. My kids love seeing Christmas from “behind the scenes” in this fun story.

Get When Santa was a Baby here

17. Dream Snow

A farmer goes to bed dreaming of snow and wakes to find a winter wonderland. He then goes out to uncover his animals that have been blanketed by snow (flaps for your children to lift) and delivers them presents. This makes the perfect interactive book for busy toddlers.

Get Dream Snow here

18. Mouse’s First Christmas

Follow this little mouse as he explores the house on Christmas Eve and experiences all the joys of Christmas and eventually meeting Santa.

Get Mouse’s First Christmas here

19. Merry Christmas Curious George

Who doesn’t love George, the curious little monkey. Follow George as he gets into his usual mischief, but this time at the Christmas tree lot. Find out how he makes his way to the children’s hospital and finds a way to save the day.

Get Merry Christmas Curious George here

20. Walking in a Winter Wonderland

I can’t help but sing along as I read this book based on the classic song, “Walking in a Winter Wonderland.” The illustrations are bright and festive and contain all the lyrics. You will be transported to a snowy meadow in the middle of winter.

Get Walking in a Winter Wonderland here

21. The Night Before Christmas

No Christmas library is complete without The Night Before Christmas. We read it each year on Christmas Eve.

Get The Night Before Christmas here

22. The Crayon’s Christmas

From one of our most favorite author’s, Drew Deywalt, The Crayon’s Christmas shows us how Duncan and the crayons celebrate Christmas. This one has real letters, games and puzzles tucked away in the envelope pages. It truly is one of the best interactive books for older readers.

Get The Crayon’s Christmas here

23. The First Christmas Night

With all the giving and trees and Santa, sometimes it is good to step back and read the real meaning of Christmas. I love that this version uses the classic poem “T’was the Night Before Christmas,” but instead tells the story of the first Christmas.

Get The First Christmas here

24. Snowflakes A pop-up book

This beautiful pop-up book is always the book I read to my boys before we make paper snowflakes. The reader truly learns the uniqueness of each snowflake.

Get Snowflakes A Pop-Up Book here

A List of the best 24 Christmas Books

1. The Gingerbread Pirates
2. Home Alone
3. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
4. A Wish to be a Christmas Tree
5. Bunny Slope
6. Polar Express
7. The Tree That’s Meant to Be
8. Dinosaur vs. Santa
9. S is for Santa
10. Stick Man
11. Snowmen at Night/Christmas
12. A Loud Winter’s Nap
13. The Santa Thief
14. Little Santa
15. Pick a Pine Tree
16. When Santa was a Baby
17. Dream Snow
18. Mouse’s First Christmas
19. Merry Christmas Curious George
20. Walking in a Winter Wonderland
21. The Night Before Christmas
22. The Crayon’s Christmas
23. The First Christmas Night
24. Snowflakes A pop-up book

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