A Christmas Carol extensions and More Favorite Christmas Books

As I've mentioned before, we've been reading A Christmas Carol aloud and also had a fun excursion to a live Dickens Village last weekend.  I really wanted to take this opportunity to help my children understand MORE about Charles Dickens and more about what life was like in the late 1800s in England.


It's funny how God puts just what I need in my path, because at the Scholastic Warehouse sale earlier this week I stumbled upon these two books:

While we have been enjoying A Christmas Carol, it is a difficult read (especially for my almost 7 year old!).  I think the only way my little guy makes it through is because he is building Legos while he's listening.  Don't get me wrong:  I find immense value in reading to him ABOVE his level... but I also want to make our study of Charles Dickens more meaningful for him.  

Enter the Magic Tree House books.  Oh, how we love THEM!  We have read so many of them, and I was thrilled to find A Ghost Tale for Christmas Time and the research companion to go along.    As Jack and Annie are whisked back in time to old England I hope the times will come even more alive for my children.   I think Jack and Annie make every time period in history a little more interesting to children!  

We have not used a Magic Tree House Research Guide yet, but it looks quite interesting to me... I'm curious to know if anyone has used them and if you've liked them?   

I am loving reading A Christmas Carol to my oldest (10) because she gets the deeper meaning in the book... she understands Dickens subtle and sometimes not so subtle innuendos and she is starting to appreciate GREAT literature. 

Two other great Christmas reads this week:

A Christmas Tapestry by Patricia Polacco:  All I can say is get out the Kleenex, moms.   This is a heartwarming story centered around two people who are survivors of concentration camps during World War II.    Their lives are connected by a Christmas tapestry and a pastor's kindness.  I'm so thankful a sweet friend of mine brought me this book to borrow!

The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado: In this book, Max Lucado helps us see God's plan for us through a crippled lamb in Bethlehem.   You'll definitely want to add this to your Christmas reading list!  

What are you reading aloud this week?   


*Linking with Amy, at Hope is the Word... it's the THIRD year anniversary of Read Aloud Thursday!