A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens tells a story about Ebenezer Scrooge: a grumpy, stingy, old man who has absolutely no love for Christmas. One Christmas Eve, he is visited by the ghost of his old business partner, Jacob Marley, and then by three spirits who show him his past, his present struggles surrounding him and his family, and his future if he does not change his ways. After experiencing all three, Scrooge turns over a new leaf and becomes more kind and generous with his family, work, and community.
This is a classic Christmas story, and one that holds a very deep meaning for me, as it brings back memories of my nanny reading this book to me when I was little. What made it even more special were all the different voices she used for each ghost, which still sticks with me today. I truly love that a book I enjoyed so much as a child is still so well known today and continues to be an iconic Christmas tradition for me.
Tree of Cranes written and illustrated by Allen Say
One day, a young Japanese boy notices that his mother is acting strange as she folds paper cranes and digs up a small pine tree. Not quite sure what’s going on, he eventually learns that his mother was raised in California, and is preparing their family’s first Christmas tree, showing a blend of Japanese culture with American traditions. This book highlights family, culture, and how new holiday traditions evolve all over the world.
When I found out about Tree of Cranes, I realized it has a softer impact that feels different from the common loud and joyful Christmas stories. What really stood out for me is how it shows Christmas from a different cultural perspective, with traditions that aren’t always highlighted in more familiar holiday stories. For example, the mother was folding paper cranes to put on the tree to make a wish, compared to the ornaments and tinsel that are commonly known in American households. It’s a nice reminder that although Christmas isn’t the same everywhere, the feeling and meaning behind it is.
The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by E. T. A. Hoffmann
A young girl named Marie is given a wooden nutcracker as a Christmas present. That night, she discovers that the nutcracker has come to life and is leading a battle against the Mouse King and his army. Marie is then pulled into a magical world where battles unfold and adventure waits around every corner. This story is filled with imagination and captures the spirit of Christmas.
The Nutcracker and the Mouse King brings back so many memories for me. When I was younger, our family tradition was to watch The Nutcracker play every year, and for us, it felt like the moment Christmas really began. Knowing that the story originally came from Germany makes it even more interesting and also shows how a tale from another culture has become such a big part of Christmas traditions everywhere. That’s why this story sticks with me so much. It has that mix of magic with the Christmas spirit, which is exactly what makes it a must-read and timeless story.
The Legend of Old Befana written and illustrated by Tomie dePaola
The Legend of Old Befana is an Italian Christmas story about an old woman named Befana who gives gifts to children each year. The story shines a light on her kindness and generosity, and also explains why in Italy, children traditionally receive presents on Epiphany Eve, which is the night before January 6th.
When I found out about this story, it really caught my attention because it shows a Santa-like figure in a completely different way and on a completely different day. Befana delivers gifts on Epiphany Eve instead of Christmas, which I found really interesting. It’s a great reminder that holiday traditions can vary a lot around the world but still have the same meaning of giving and spreading joy.
Whether it’s a story about Santa, Befana, or even a magical nutcracker, these books from around the world are a fun reminder that the spirit of the holidays truly has no borders. Happy holidays!
Keonte Emerson, Pine Reads Review Writer, Editor, and Social Media Manager
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