For Christmas itself we’re going to look at some more family-friendly classics this time around, from both sides of the Atlantic. I’ll admit I’m personally a little biased in a few of these choices, but I really wanted to bring them to the forefront once again.
And, with many adaptations of these stories becoming a yearly ritual around the TV, I also wanted to give the original stories a revisit. So, what are five classic children’s books that still ring the bells true?
Raymond Briggs – The Snowman / Father Christmas (1978/1973)
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As a Brit, this one is pretty much a given, so I’ll get to it immediately. Raymond Briggs has always been a mainstay of many childhoods, from his classic illustrated graphic novels to the animations (though maybe save When the Wind Blows for a more sombre occasion). His work is right up there with Wallace and Gromit as a Christmas Day tradition.
And you know what? The work still holds up. From The Snowman’s silent panels about a boy making friends with a walking, talking snowman, to Father Christmas himself being portrayed working the annual festive grind with grumpy affection. Then there’s his summer vacation with ‘Father Christmas Goes on Holiday,’ which is a hugely underrated sequel. Seeing Claus play the slots in Vegas was always fun.
I picked both The Snowman and Father Christmas because it’s hard to choose a top spot here. They’re classics for a reason. Just straightforward charm that’s never overplayed. And, bonus points for anybody who can remember the David Bowie intro to the annual Snowman TV showing. For years I swore it was some Mandela Effect-type deal, vaguely remembering it from a dusty old VHS…
Dr. Seuss – How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1957)
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And now we head across to America for their annual Christmas TV event with the Seuss classic (and that’s both the animation and Jim Carrey’s live-action version). Seuss was also a massive deal for me growing up, with the words twisting around his illustrations. Or was it the other way around?
Once again, everyone knows the story here. The Grinch is, well, a Grinch (it’s pretty much entered the lexicon now) who wants to ruin everyone’s celebrations. The Whos of Whoville are getting ready for some fun and community, but the Grinch has other plans.
I don’t really need to continue. But, amidst the animation and the live-action (which are great, mind), people sometimes overlook the original. And it should be remembered; it’s a classic for a reason. With its flowing poetry and bright visuals, it’s perfect reading for the festive season.
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I’m sticking this in the middle to cushion the depressing vibes. I didn’t want to harsh the festive buzz, but I personally used to love this maudlin little tale (and, perhaps unsurprisingly, I’d soon go through my Addams Family tween Goth phase).
It’s a beautifully told short story of a young girl selling matchsticks in the freezing cold on New Year’s Eve. Lighting the flames to keep warm, she sees magical images before her. Needless to say, it doesn’t end well.
But it’s a great story for fostering empathy, and one that still holds up centuries later. Anyway, I’ll quickly move on to the next before I completely bring down the mood.
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It’s the original Toy Story. Well, maybe that’s a bit of a broad sweep. Toys coming to life and living for the love of their owners is not all that new (Winnie-the-Pooh for one). But it’s Williams’ gift for making her whimsical fantasy so touching that really makes her story stand out.
Given to a young boy one Christmas, a velveteen rabbit yearns to become real. It is only through the love and adoration of the child, though, that he will achieve his wish. But unfortunately, it seems the boy is distracted by his many other, more modern toys.
There have been several adaptations of this work, but it’s typically flown under the radar for many (apologies if this was nothing but a classic in your household growing up). This is definitely a Christmas miracle that needs to be rediscovered.
Charles M. Schulz – A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
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While this may have come on the heels of of the animated television special, nobody understood the characters better than Schulz himself (obviously, as their creator and all). So much has already been said of the show, with its iconic music and ensemble cast, but the book really brings it back to basics.
Fearing something is missing from Christmas, Charlie Brown wants to feel the magic of the festive season amidst all the commercialism. By putting on a play and decorating a tree, the Peanuts gang comes together to rediscover the true meaning of Christmas.
On the surface it seems pretty standard stuff, but there are genuinely heartwarming messages underneath that break through. And, again with the characters so well-defined at this point, it becomes original, authentic, and memorable. Yes, the show might be the classic, but it’s here that Schulz is doing what he does best, back in his element.
And if you really do miss the music, you can always play it while reading.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A lifelong lover of quality storytelling, Sam grew up in rural England with little else but reading (okay, and some gaming). Starting with Charlotte's Web, he developed a passion for ghost stories and comedy. With his background in narrative and scriptwriting, he writes for Book Notification, providing recommendations both good and not so terrible.