Ever since the Grinch stole into our holidays in 1957, authors have been spinning the “How xxx Christmas” tales. Take an unlikely hero and save the day! It’s holiday magic!
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss (Random House)
Unicorn and the Rainbow Poop Save Christmas by Emma Adams (Scholastic)
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas: A First for Gus by Sherry Roberts (Lee Press)
The Tinysaurs Save Christmas by Patricia Hegarty (Tiger Tales)
Little Bird Finds Christmas by Marianne Richmond (Jabberwocky)
How Winston Delivered Christmas by Alex T. Smith (Silver Dolphin)
Dasher: How a Brave Little Doe Changed Christmas Forever by Matt Tavares (Candlewick)
How to Hide a Lion at Christmas by Helen Stephens (Henry Holt)
Elbow Grease Saves Christmas by John Cena (Random House)
How Winston Came Home for Christmas by Alex T. Smith (Silver Dolphin)
How the Villains Ruined Christmas by Serena Valentino (Disney Press)
Dachshund Through The Snow by Michelle Medlock Adams (Endgame Press)
How the Crayons Saved Christmas by Monica Sweeney (Sky Pony)
Pete the Cat Saves Christmas by Eric Litwin (Scholastic)
How Do Dinosaurs Say Merry Christmas? by Jane Yolen (Blue Sky Press)
So how do we get our “How to xxx Christmas” books on the 2025 publishers’ lists?
WHERE?
Snow is not always in the weather forecast for December 25! Our northern hemisphere Christmas visions are based on European traditions, but Christmas comes worldwide and through time.
- Thailand
- South Africa
- Australia
- Underwater
- The far future
- Prehistoric times
How does the change in location impact how Santa dresses, who pulls the sleigh, and what they eat for Christmas dinner?
WHO?
Christmas-saving protagonists are unlikely but possess a unique talent.
- Wombats dig deep tunnels.
- Prairie dogs communicate and do “The Wave.”
- Plumed Basilisks walk on top of the water.
- Dung beetles roll up to 10 times their weight.
- Hummingbirds fly backward.
- Bats use sounds to guide them in the dark.
WHAT?
Our spunky protagonists need an insurmountable obstacle to overcome!
- Blizzard
- Air pollution
- Monsoon
- Living in a new place
- Monsters
- People who don’t believe in Santa!
AND A TWIST…
We need to know enough about the one who saves Christmas to care about the struggle and cheer for victory.
Has the protagonist been an outcast from the group, mocked for his size or lack of ability?
Does our protagonist display courage, compassion, or creativity? Will there be unlikely helpers or encouragers along the way?
What obstacles will cause failure (usually 2 times) and then be overcome by the unique skill?
Then a sprinkle of Santa’s magic and we take flight!
PS: Do let me know if you manage “How Dung Beetle Saved Christmas in South Africa!”
Award Winning author Robin Currie learned story sharing by sitting on the floor, in library story times. She has sold 1.7 M copies of her 40 storybooks and writes stories to read and read again! Robin is the author of the Baby Bible series of board books, including The Baby Bible Christmas Storybook.
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