Bring enchantment into someone’s life with one of these classics curated by Ultimate Library. From the magical ‘Nutcracker’ and the imaginative ‘A Christmas Carol’ to Hans Christian Andersons ‘The Snow Queen’, these five Christmas-themed books are bound to make the perfect gift to add to someone’s stocking.
1. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Best to start with the obvious; there is nothing that screams Christmas
more than Charles Dickens. Cruel Ebenezer Scrooge witnesses his own
past, present and future at the hands of three ghosts. Throughout these
travels’ readers are presented with various visions of Christmas,
alongside whimsey and imagination. This novel contains all the perfect
ingredients for a Christmas tale.
2. How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
Another Christmas classic and one that the whole family will enjoy.
With a heart two sizes too small, the Grinch is the meanest creature
you’ll ever meet. He hates Christmas and the whole festive season. But
when he hatches a dastardly plot to steal Christmas, he’s in for a big
surprise! With hilarious rhymes and beautiful illustrations, this classic
seasonal story has become a favourite for good reason and teaches
readers the true meaning of Christmas.
3. The Nutcracker by E.T.A. Hoffmann
Before becoming the famous ballet by Tchaikovsky, The Nutcracker was a classic children’s tale popular throughout Europe. Beginning on Christmas Eve, this fantastical story follows one girl as her toys come to life and whisk her away. Set in a magical world of sugar-frosted castles, chocolate kings and true love, this edition features beautiful illustrations by the Finnish illustrator Sanna Annukka.
4. The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry
A heart-warming story of gift-giving and the values of Christmas. Though
written in 1905, the themes and lessons learned still resonate with
today’s readers. A young couple search for the perfect gifts for each
other on a tight budget but what they find reminds them of the original
message of Christmas. The story is reminiscent of the story of the gifts
given by the wise men (or Magi) in the bible.
5. The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen
A tale that has enchanted adults and children alike for over 150 years,
featuring action and adventure as well as the ultimate battle between
good and evil. The story follows a young girl called Gerda as she
attempts to save the boy she loves from the grip of the evil Snow
Queen. Her journey provides many challenges but with the help of a
reindeer she makes her way to Lapland to free Kai from the control of
an icy spell.
