Christmas picture books you want on your shelf! Part 1

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Y’all, I love Christmas. Maybe it has something to do with being a December baby, born on the third Sunday (the JOY Sunday) of Advent. Or maybe it has to do with growing up in Michigan, where the first snow was a holiday in itself and a family ritual was going to Bill and Alice’s tree farm and picking the perfect Blue Spruce or Douglas Fir. And of course there’s all the Christmas movie watching and the bedtime stories!

This year, we have quite a treat in that two wonderful Christian authors have published beautiful Christmas picture books that would be lovely gifts for any children in your life. I ordered mine just about as quickly as possible and was delighted when they arrived! (Also there’s a limited time deal on Amazon—buy 2 get 1 free!)

All the Colors of Christmas by Matthew Paul Turner

Author: Matthew Paul Turner

Illustrator: Gillian Gamble

Known for books like When God Made You and When I Pray for You, this is Matthew Paul Turner’s first seasonal picture book. A favorite thing about his books is that the rhymes he employs are unexpected, and he’s not afraid to use words that are for adults! His books are great for children and the grown-ups who read with them. All the Colors of Christmas is no different. MPT begins with the expected red and green of Christmas, but then continues on to gold, blue, white and brown. A favorite rhyme in this book are “it’s a sweater Mama knit, stretched yet still fits. It’s turquoise lights in the darkest of nights. It’s a snowman’s outfit.”

And then of course there’s the illustrations by Gillian Gamble, bright and colorful and filled with beautiful children of all shapes, colors, sizes and textures. (And—no white Jesus!) Over the course of the rainbow journey through the Christmas season, a house fills with friends young and old, snowy activities commence and a pageant is performed before young’uns traipse off to bed.

This book is a great addition to the Christmas section of a picture book collection at home or church. I look forward to sharing it with children in my community…and sending it all wrapped up to some other young loved ones!