Looking for something festive to read this Christmas? Perhaps something beyond the usual run of A Christmas Carol and The Polar Express? Look no further! Here are four of my favorite little-known Christmas books.
A Bad Kitty Christmas by Nick Bruel
Bad Kitty is a delightful series that combines picture books with easy readers. This is one of the picture books. When Bad Kitty doesn’t get the presents she wants, she goes on a rampage and ends up lost in the city, where she meets a sweet elderly lady who teaches us all about family. It’s a great book, and it’s also notable because the lady has a remarkably diverse family, including a lesbian couple and people of various skin colors.
Herobear and the Kid by Mike Kunkel
Do you like books about toys coming to life? Do you like cartoony superhero comics? Do you like crying about cartoony superhero feels? Do you like Santa Claus? Me too.
Season for Surrender by Theresa Romain
A rich playboy takes on a wager that he can keep a bluestocking at his outrageous Christmas party for the full two weeks… The title and cover make this Christmas romance look like a formula bodice-ripper, but it’s not. It’s funny, an extremely light take on “historical,” but there’s surprising emotional depth as well. This is a romance for introverts and bookworms.
Batman: Noel by Lee Bermejo
This is the Batman version of A Christmas Carol that you’ve always wanted. Casting Batman as Scrooge, supported by rhyming narration and gorgeous snowy art, the conceit holds up incredibly well.
What’s your favorite holiday-themed read?
Yeah, I really should pick up Batman Noel sometime.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooh, love the idea of the Batman book. Need to pick that one up!
LikeLike
Hey, somebody had to write the Batman Christmas Carol eventually. 😉
LikeLike
Have your read Christopher Moore’s The Stupidest Angel? If not, you totally should.
LikeLike
I have not… I think I tried another one of his books, the one about the whale, and never could figure out what was supposed to be funny. I have this problem a lot.
LikeLike
I think that one’s Fluke, and honestly it’s the most confusing/unfunny of the bunch that I’ve read. I’d say give Stupidest Angel or Lamb a go and if neither of those does it for you, it may not be your cuppa.
LikeLike
Ah, yeah, it was Fluke. That’s good to know, maybe I’ll see if I can get Stupidest Angel in before Christmas. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
We love Bad Kitty!
LikeLike
Awesome! I started with A Bad Kitty Christmas, but I’m working through the whole series and am increasingly impressed.
LikeLike
My oldest son has all the books and reads them repeatedly. And he hates to read on a normal day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m a big fan of Santa Mouse (since he visits our house every year and everything). 😀
I so very much *need* a copy of Batman: Noel. 😀
LikeLike
Santa Mouse looks adorable!
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oooh, I don’t know those ones — yay for new books on my list!!
LikeLike
That’s what we all need, right? 😉
LikeLike
Of course!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have you read Jan Brett? I absolutely love both the words and the artwork in her books. They’re not all explicitly about Christmas but winter is a common setting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I haven’t — added to the TBR list!
LikeLiked by 1 person