– New Christmas Books for the Feast of St. Nicholas –

Once again, as the holiday season approaches, and we bid farewell to All Saints’ Day and Martinmas, it’s time to shift our focus to the upcoming feast of St. Nicholas. Amidst the hustle and bustle of Thanksgiving preparations (we hopefully have family coming to visit, weather permitting!), we are all looking forward to our family’s annual Advent traditions including celebrating St. Nicholas Day which is coming up so quickly!

On the morning of December 6th, our children wake up to discover their letters to the Holy Child and St. Nicholas have disappeared, replaced with treats in their slippers. New Christmas Books, sometimes new slipper or shoes (when needed) oranges, chocolate gold coins, candy canes, and a note from St. Nicholas himself.

Over the years, our children, who are now mostly teenagers and young adults, have continued to receive a new Christmas book as an integral part of this beloved tradition of ours. After 25 years our collection is huge and yet we still keep finding wonderful books to add. I look forward to passing down these treasured Christmas books to them when they start their own families one day.

Below you will find the list of new Christmas books I picked out for this year.

Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Additional affiliate links included to TAN Books, Ignatius Press, Sophia Institute Press and Holy Heroes as well.

For Our Young Adults

The Road to Bethlehem: Daily Meditations for Advent and Christmas

I included this book in last year’s New Finds for Advent but it took my until this year to order a copy. During the recent sale at TAN Books I ended up ordering four more copies to give to all of our older children this Advent.

Also available from Amazon here.

Twinkle Toes

The Twelve Cats of Christmas

… or CelticKittens as you’ll find her over on Instagram, I picked up a copy of The Twelve Cats of Christmas. “This joyful Christmas story combines the warmth and spirit of a timeless holiday classic with the funny and familiar quirks of cats—from their ability to squeeze into small spaces to their penchant for bird-watching, and more.”

Scout – 17

Mystery in White (British Library Crime Classics)

Our older kids love mysteries. Last year I got one of the girls Hercule Poirot’s Christmas, this year it’s a British Crime Classic for our 17 year old. I haven’t read it but it sounds like one he might enjoy over his Christmas break from all the dual-credit college courses he has been taking.

“The settings of train, blizzard, and the eerily welcoming home are all engrossing. Dorothy L. Sayers characterized Farjeon as ‘unsurpassed for creepy skill in mysterious adventures.’ This reissue proves it.” ―Booklist STARRED review

Rose – 14

The Catholic Cartoon Collection No. 1

Rose recently asked for a comic book and I think she is going to LOVE The Catholic Cartoon Collection!

Enjoy the fun, hectic, and holy moments of the everyday life of Fr. Otto and his parish in this very first Catholic Cartoon collection! Artwork by Joshua Masterson

I found myself laughing and relating as I skimmed through the collection of comics!

The Light of Christmas Morning

She is also getting The Light of Christmas Morning. I just love the illustrations in this book. Another beautiful addition to our collection.

Bud – 12

The Two-Tall Swiss Guard

“Andreas was a new Swiss Guard, and he was proud to be one of the soldiers who kept the pope safe in Vatican City. He was also very tall. From riding in small cars to crossing busy streets and even getting his uniform properly fitted, life in Rome was a big adjustment for Andreas. He felt lonely, out of place, and just too tall.

On Christmas Eve, Andreas was sad. This was his first Christmas away from his home in Switzerland, and he missed his family. But that all changed after a surprise meeting with Pope John Paul II, whose kindness filled Andreas with joy!

Based on a true story, The Too-Tall Swiss Guard is a timeless tale with awe-inspiring illustrations of the Swiss Guard, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Eternal City that teaches children about courage, generosity, and trusting in God. As readers journey with Andreas, they see how God created each person and all our unique traits for a purpose.”

Bambinelli Sunday: The Most Wonderful Surprise of All

I bought the original version back in 2013 for one of his brothers and we read it every Advent. I decided to gift our current 12 year old his own copy now that it’s been republished by Ignatius Press!

Grace – 7

Christmas in Heaven

I think this has to be my favorite new picture book this year! I actually re-read it aloud to my husband after reading through it the first time.

The publisher’s description describes it better than I ever could:

In charming rhyming verse, Christmas in Heaven tells the poignant story of a little boy who is sad because his grandmother has passed away. It is Christmastime, and the boy asks his grandfather where his grandmother might be. The grandfather responds by telling the boy his fondest hope—that his grandmother is in Heaven.  

The boy closes his eyes as his grandfather describes that Christmas is Jesus’ birthday and that a great, festive party is taking place in Heaven. It’s a scene filled with angels and saints, music and laughter, joy and love, and most of all, abundant life!

This beautiful little book will give children an unforgettable vision of Heaven while strengthening in them the theological virtue of hope — a hope that will assist them throughout their lives in dealing with fear, grief, pain, and suffering.

And my favorite part? I LOVE how it cleverly includes the saints!

It will also introduce them to the incredible world of the saints. Indeed, the most beloved saints and angels make appearances in Christmas in Heaven, all doing the things they’re best known for:

• St. Honoré, patron saint of bakers, is making Jesus’ birthday cake
• St. Cecilia, patron saint of music, is leading the choir
• St. Lucy, patron saint of the blind, is lighting the Christmas tree 
• St. Gabriel is blowing his horn
• St. Nicholas is leaving presents under the tree
• St. Thérèse is giving out flowers
• St. Francis is surrounded by little animals
• St. Patrick is handing out shamrocks

The book includes a helpful two-page glossary with short descriptions of each saint depicted.

You can also order it directly from Sophia Institute Press here.

(Or possibly win a copy below!)

Chicka Chicka Ho Ho Ho

When I saw the new Christmas themed Chicka Chicka book I had to grab a copy for our collection!

Joy – 5

My First Story Orchestra: The Nutcracker

“The My First Story Orchestra series brings classical music to life for little children through illustrated retellings of classic ballets, operas, and musical stories paired with 6 10-second sound clips of real orchestras playing the music.“

This ended up in my shopping cart during a recent Costco shopping trip. She is going to love pushing the buttons to hear the music on each page and the illustrations are lovely!

Oliver Elephant

Another sweet book with lovely illustrations!

ORDER NOW FOR CHRISTMAS

I also have a copy of My True Love Gave to Me: A Children’s Catechism for the Twelve Days of Christmas on order from TAN Books, but it hasn’t arrived yet. I plan to either include this in this year’s Advent Book Basket or give it to the kids as one of our O Antiphon Treats. Really looking forward to seeing it in person. (Also available at Amazon here.)

FREE PRINTABLES

You can download my St. Nicholas labels over at Dropbox with either Black or Green text… And here is the link to my original St. Nicholas Chocolate Coins from 2010 and the updated version in 2019!

SAINT NICHOLAS GIVEAWAY

Once again this year I will be hosting FOUR Advent and Christmas giveaways here on the blog:  this St. Nicholas Giveaway, the 2024 Shower of Roses Christmas Gift Guide + Giveaway, another Advent Book Basket giveaway and finishing up with another O Antiphon giveaway!  Here is the first giveaway in preparation for the feast of St. Nicholas!

Enter for a chance to win one of the following seven prizes:

Rycraft Cookie Stamps

Prize # 1 – Includes: #001 – Santa Claus, #031- Noel Stocking, #317 – Old St Nick, #357 -Santa on the Rooftop, and #413 – St Nicholas from Rycraft Cookie Stamps ($64.95 Value)

Shining Light Dolls

Prize #2 – Includes St. Nicholas Plush Doll, St. Nicholas Mini Puzzle, Our Lady of Guadalupe Mini Puzzle, Nativity Cookie Cutters and Stamps Set and Saint Friends Wooden Puzzle Set sponsored by Shining Light Dolls ($60.95 Value)

(Check out their new Advent and Christmas book and toys!)

Save 10% at Shining Light Dolls with Coupon Code: SHOWEROFROSESBLOG

Sophia Institute Press

Prize # 3 – Includes Christmas in Heaven and The Melody of Love sponsored by Sophia Institute Press ($35.90 Value) – Also on Amazon here and here.

Author Patrick O’Hearn

Prize #4 – Incudes Our Lady of Sorrows: Devotion to Mary’s Seven Sorrows for Children and Nursery of Heaven written by author Patrick O’Hearn ($32.90 Value) – Also available on Amazon here and here.

I posted a review of the beautiful Our Lady of Sorrows book earlier this year.

The Catholic Cartoon

Prize #5 – Includes: The Catholic Cartoon Collection: No 1 by Joshua Masterson ($18.99 Value)

St. Augustine Academy Press

Prize # 6 – Includes Saint Nicholas: Patron of Children sponsored by St. Augustine Academy Press ($17.95 Value)

*Our candle and handcarved Ostheimer St. Nicholas isn’t included but you can find him here, or a similar one from an Etsy shop for much less here.

I posted a review of beautiful new book last year. You can find the review here!

Ignatius Press

Prize #7 – Includes: Bambinelli Sunday: The Most Wonderful Surprise of All sponsored by Ignatius Press ($14.99 Value)

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

Please leave a comment on this post and then enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter box below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Note: If you have any trouble with Rafflecopter just send me an email or message with your name/email address (and required comment for the blog post if you are unable to add it yourself) and I can add you manually. I’ve been looking for alternatives, but haven’t found a free option yet that offers what I need for these annual giveaways that I love hosting for you all! 

More Suggestions from the Archives

• Saint Nicholas & the Nine Gold Coins (2015 Review – Beautiful book!)
• Saint Nicholas: Patron Saint of Children (2023 Review – Another beautiful book!)
• A Child’s Christmas ABC Book (Another favorite!)
• Christmas Mosaic: A Review & Featured Book List
• 35 Favorite Christmas Picture Books for Children
• Feasts & Seasons :: Advent & Christmas Collection

Advent Book Basket and Printable Labels: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023

New Christmas Books for the Feast of St. Nicholas: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023

Stacks of Books on Christmas Morning or Epiphany: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017

You can find the rest of our booklists here or scroll through all our past St. Nicholas Day Celebrations in the archives.

Even more St. Nicholas themed gifts can be found in these past posts filled with Christmas Gift Ideas & Stocking Stuffers from 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023

Read about our family traditions: 

The Advent Season in Our Catholic Home

Scroll through past posts featuring the Feast of St. Nicholas

Click here if you are on the home page to get to comment box: Leave a Comment