Olivia Hinebaugh

As parents, we make a lot of choices for our kids that we hope will prepare them for the world we live in. Choosing which books we read with them is a great first step. I've always known the importance of reading, of fostering a love of books and of establishing calming and loving bedtime routine, but I hadn't really thought that the choice of books could be impactful. To me, it felt like any book the kid was into was a fine choice.

We all know the holidays can be stressful, especially with kids. There is so much shopping, preparation, traveling, and social engagements that we commit ourselves to, and it's too easy to get caught up in it all. But even amongst the chaos, celebrating Christmas with children can — and should —be full of joy and wonder. One of the best ways to slow down and savor the good parts of the season is to pick up some of the best Christmas books for kidsand to read them with your little ones.

Children's book characters have always been a natural fit in the wild world (think: The Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, The Secret Garden, Where the Wild Things Are), but the last few years have brought a storm of gentle, thoughtful, sharp, and fantastical picture books that focus on nature.