December 2022

By Jashar Awan

Published by tundra

First line: The night was silent and still.

Elements used: makes the reader wonder something

By Bruce Hale, art by Guy Francis

Published by Harper

First line: Hey-ho, here we go! It’s countdown time—just minutes away from Christmas Eve, the most magical night of the year.

Elements used: references something with universal appeal

By Dianne White, art by Ramona Kaulitzki

Published by Candlewick Press

First line: Cool winds blow through graying skies.

Elements used: engages multiple senses

By Chris Naylor-Ballesteros

Published by tundra

First line: Tiny Reindeer was just like any other reindeer, but with one big difference.

Elements used: makes the reader wonder something

By Billy Sharff, art by Eda Kaban

Published by Dial Books for Young Readers

First line: When Santa Claus came by last year, He liked our cookies so…He came again on New Year’s Eve and did not want to go.

Elements used: establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader in, engages multiple senses, and references something with universal appeal

By Maudie Powell-Tuck, art by Hoang Giang

Published by tiger tales

First line: Benji’s grandma had always said, “Magic happens on Christmas Eve.”

Elements used: makes the reader wonder something

By Jennifer A. Bell

Published by two lions

First line: Hedgehog had spent the morning decorating cookies for her friends and neighbors.

Elements used: references an activity with universal appeal

By Dawn Young, art by Kenneth Anderson

Published by Worthy kids

First line: Once upon a Christmas, the Three Bears decided to host their first-ever Christmas Eve celebration.

Elements used: hints at a beloved classic and reference something with universal appeal

By Barbara Joosse, art by Kim Barnes

Published by Sleeping Bear Press

First line: Once upon a snowstorm, a jolly little, round little baby was born.

Elements used: subverts the readers expectations

By Meika Hashimoto, art by Xindi Yan

Published by Harper

First line: One frosty winter’s night, a boy named Theo gazed out his window.

Elements used: introduces the main character, makes the reader wonder something, and engages multiple senses

By Meena Harris, art by Keisha Morris

Published by Little, Brown and Company

First line: Amalia the Elf came from a long line of proud teddy-bear makers.

Elements used: references something with universal appeal and introduces a unique premise

By Jon-Erik Lappano, art by Byron Eggenshviler

Published by Groundwood Books

First line: In early winter, Freya dreamed of the snow.

Elements used: introduces the main character

By Jeff Gottesfeld, art by Michelle Laurentia Agatha

Published by Creston Books

First line: Al Rosen was a Jewish man who loved Christmas.

Elements used: introduces the main character and a unique premise

By Sarah Nelson, art by Rachel Oldfield

Published by Barefoot Books

First line: I like the snow—crunching underneath my toes, icy kisses on my nose, on my eyelids, chin and cheeks.

Elements used: engages multiple senses and establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader in

By Charles Beyl

Published by Albert Whitman & Co

First line: I’m Chip, and this is my friend Ben.

Elements used: introduces the main character

By Jess Redman, art by Ramona Kaulitzki

Published by Farrar Straus Giroux

First line: After red and green dreams, we wake up before the sun.

Elements used: subverts the readers expectations and makes the reader wonder something

By Tom Fletcher, art by Shane DeVries

Published by Random House

First line: Santa and his reindeer live as north as you can go, in a place that’s full of magic (and quite a lot of snow).

Elements used: establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader in and references something with universal appeal

By Phyllis Alsdurf, art by Lisa Hunt

Published by Beaming Books

First line: When white frosts the barnyard fence posts and snow blankets cover the fields, when boughs on the pines hang heavy and snowdrifts pile next to the barn, that’s when we start to get ready for Christmas on the farm.

Elements used: engages multiple senses and references something with universal appeal

By Colleen Madden

Published by two lions

First line: FA LA LAAA! jingle jingle jingle jingle Bumpity Bumpity Bumpity Bumpity WOOO—YEAH!

Elements used: engages the reader and incorporates onomatopoeia 

By Alastair Heim, art by Alisa Coburn

Published by little bee books

First line: Hello, tree.

Elements used: makes the reader wonder something and subverts the reader's expectations

By Lisa Swerling, art by Ralph Lazar

Published by Chronicle Books

First line (over two spreads): Each star you see on Christmas Eve…is a wish that’s come true for those who believe.

Elements used: establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader in, references something with universal appeal, and establishes a unique premise

By Alastair Heim, art by Sara Not

Published by Clarion Books

First line: There. Everything looks perfectly merry.

Elements used: references something with universal appeal

By Jim Benton

Published by two lions

First line: ‘Twas the night before Christmas, a tense situation.

Elements used: references a beloved classic, establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader in, and makes the reader wonder something

By Tameka Fryer Brown, art by Ebony Glenn

Published by Kokila

First line: At the first dinging doorbell this holiday I see…a sweetp potato pie just for me!

Elements used: references a beloved classic and establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader in

By E.G. Keller

Published by Abrams Books for Young Readers

First line: Murray was a very good boy.

Elements used: introduces the main character and references a beloved phrase

By Julia Donaldson, art by Victoria Sandoy

Published by Scholastic Press

First line: Once upon a time I stood.

Elements used: establishes a rhythm that pulls the reader in and references a beloved classic

By LIndsey McDivitt, art by Katarzyna Bukiert

Published by Familius

First line: Tessa tugged off her red mittens.

Elements used: introduces the main character, engages multiple senses, and hints at the setting of the story

By Siobhan Parkinson, art by Shannon Bergin

Published by Little Island

First line: Christmas is coming.

Elements used: introduces something with universal appeal

By Polly Faber, art by Richard Jones

Published by Candlewick Press

First line: A little fox came hunting through the snow.

Elements used: introduces the main character, hints at the setting of the story, and makes the reader wonder something

By Patricia MacLachlan, art by Micha Archer

Published by Margaret K. McElderry Books

First line: SNOW FALLING all day—all night. Drifting over meadows and gardens and roads.

Elements used: sets the scene of the story and engages multiple senses