To make the wait for Christmas even more magical, we recommend reading Christmas stories with your children. It brings a lot of joy and also builds children's reading habits. Even if a child can't read yet, reading aloud plays an important part in forming a reading habit. The Estonian Children's Literature Centre has celebrated Reading Aloud Day on 20 October since 1994. The Estonian Children's Literature Centre points out why reading aloud is absolutely invaluable for a child's development: “This is where a child's speech development, literary growth and wider cultural interest begin. Reading aloud is also a lovely pastime and gives adults the chance to spend quality time together with the family.”
Reading is one of the most important skills children can acquire, and it has several important benefits.
- First, reading develops children's language skills. Books introduce new words and phrases, helping children express their thoughts and feelings better.
- Second, reading stimulates children's imagination and creativity. Made-up stories and characters open up new worlds, encouraging children to dream and create their own stories.
- Reading also supports the development of critical thinking, as children learn to analyse and interpret different topics and ideas.
- In addition, reading helps children develop empathy, allowing them to understand and feel other people's emotions and experiences. Books introduce different cultures and ways of life, which broadens children's horizons.
Reading is a wonderful way to spend time. It gives children the chance to relax and experience exciting adventures. That's why it's important to encourage children to read, so they can enjoy the benefits of reading for life.
Read children's author Ilmar Tomusk's opinion too.
We recommend reading the following lovely Christmas books with your children.
1. “Christmas Stories” – Astrid Lindgren
“The Christmas stories conjure up a picture of the pre-holiday bustle: Christmas cleaning and baking, gingerbread and bringing home the tree, delicious Christmas food, longed-for presents, the Christmas party, Christmas games and a sleigh ride in the dark of night.”
2. “Christmas in Noisy Village” – Astrid Lindgren
“All the children of Noisy Village are busy with Christmas preparations. They put out sheaves for the little birds, fetch Christmas trees from the forest, bake gingerbread and do many, many more exciting things.”
3. “Molli's Christmas” – Katri Kirkkopelto
“Molli's friends Little Sisu and Pusa are behaving very strangely and keep talking about some Christmas that is supposed to arrive soon. Molli doesn't know who or what this Christmas is, but in any case it seems to be something very peculiar.”
4. “Little Mouse's Christmas” – Riikka Jäntti
Little Mouse starts waiting for Christmas as early as November. Why does time move so slowly… Will Christmas ever come at all?
5. “Santa Claus” – Mauri Kunnas
The story of Santa Claus preparing for Christmas and handing out presents. The book also has lovely illustrations and fun adventures.
6. “Twelve Gifts for Santa Claus” – Mauri Kunnas
“What will Santa think when little elf Ville stops the clock and Santa oversleeps along with all the worker elves? He's happy! At last he can get a proper night's sleep! That's exactly what Ville had planned – to make Santa happy.”
7. “The Ladybirds' Christmas” – Janno Põldma
On Christmas Eve, ladybird boy Tim goes to visit ladybird girl Mia. Mia's little house hangs on a spruce tree. But then a human comes, chops the tree down and takes it home as a Christmas tree, and Tim and Mia end up in the world of house insects.
8. “Christmas Saved” – Ilmar Tomusk
“Christmas Eve has long since arrived in Viljandi, but Santa just won't come. The children, led by eight-year-old Mirjam, discover that someone has broken the Christmas satellite and Santa has landed on top of Viljandi's old water tower instead of the town square. Is Christmas ruined, or will the clever children find a way to save Christmas both in Viljandi and around the whole world?”
Have you ever wondered what elves do? You'll say they peek through windows and bring presents to children's Christmas stockings at night. Yes, that's what they do all through December. But then what? There are 11 more months in the year. What do they do with the rest of the year?
These books are full of magical moments and lovely stories that create a Christmas mood and inspire children to read!