Favourite festive videos
December stories for children
It’s that time again with rehearsals for a festive show/performance, assessments & report writing, parties to organise, etc. etc. Curated by Jan Homden here are stories on line to dip into over the coming weeks that are all beautifully narrated.
Scholastic’s Fletcher and the Snowflake Christmas by Julia Rawlinson – Uploaded by Kids Bookshelf
It’s Christmas Eve and Fletcher lays sticks directing Santa to the rabbits’ new burrow. But when it snows, he wonders how will Santa find them? A story about friendship and kindness.
Playing time: 9.12
Age Range: 4 – 7
Story Time: The Winter Wish by Gillian Shields & Rosie Reeve – Uploaded by Story Time
William hoped more than anything else that it would snow this winter. As he watched the snowflakes tumble in his Grandpa’s snow globe, Grandpa told him to make a wish…..
Playing time: 6:06
Age Range: 2 – 4 years
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, as read by Penguin authors
Watch a special reading of the classic Christmas poem ‘A Visit from St. Nicholas’, from some very familiar faces.
‘Twas The Night Before Christmas, When all through the house, Not a creature was stirring, with Emma Thompson, Jamie Oliver, Cerys Matthews, Colm Toibin, Clare Balding, Charlie Higson, Conn Iggulden, Jeremy Paxman, Malcolm Gladwell, Jennifer Saunders, Graham Nash, Meg Rosoff and Richard Curtis.
Playing time: 4:16
Age Range: 8+
A Penguin Story by Antoinette Portis – read aloud by Beth at Happy Cultivated. Book Online | Winter Books for Kids | Children’s Books Read Aloud
In the Winter Children’s Book, A Penguin Story, the Peguin Edna is on a search for something more than just white, black and blue. She searches everywhere and then suddenly finds something amazing! It’s everything she hoped for and more.
Playing time: 5.16
Age range: 3 – 5 years
Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” NBC Newsanchor Keith Morrison tells the classic tale of a sinister plot to stop Christmas.
“The Grinch hated Christmas! The whole Christmas season!
Now, please don’t ask why. No one quite knows the reason…”
Playing time: 9:56
Age Range: 5 – 9 years
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg (A Christmas classic and in 1986 The Polar Express was awarded the prestigious Caldecott Medal and hit the New York Times bestseller list.)
Listen to this beautiful story narrated by Liam Neeson
Late on Christmas Eve, a boy boards a mysterious train, the Polar Express bound for the North Pole. When he arrives there, Santa offers him any gift he desires. The boy asks for a silver bell from the reindeer’s harness. It turns out to be a very special gift, for only believers in Santa can hear it ring.
Playing time:16.36
Age Range 6 – 9 years
Penguin Based on the book by Polly Dunbar (Penguin is a 2007 award winning children’s picture book)
Narrated by Emilia Fox.
When Ben rips open his present, he finds a penguin inside. “Hello, Penguin!” he says. “What shall we play?” But Penguin says nothing. What will it take for Penguin to say something – or for Ben to understand what Penguin has to say?
Playing time: 4.20
Age range 4 – 7 years.
Percy the Park Keeper – Sleigh Ride (1999) Based on the book by Nick Butterworth
One Snowy Night – Nick Butterworth
Narrated by Richard Briers
As the wind blew and great big snowflakes fell past the window of Percy’s hut, the woodland creatures arrive homeless and shivering at Percy’s Door. Percy’s hut is rather small….but as everyone finds a bed and snuggles down – “What’s that noise?” squeaked one of the mice. “There’s something moving under the floor” whispered Percy.
Running time: 9:26
Age Range: 3 – 6 years
Meg and Mog – Meg’s Christmas – by
Featuring the voices of Alan Bennett as Owl, Fay Ripley as Meg, Phil Cornwell as Mog.
Mog is too excited to sleep but on Christmas morning the trio discover there are no presents under the tree. Father Christmas got stuck in the chimney and its Meg to the rescue!
Playing time: 4:30
Age range 2 – 5 years
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats – read aloud by Beth at Happy Cultivated | Winter Books for Kids | Children’s Books Read Aloud
“Ezra Jack Keats’s classic The Snowy Day, winner of the 1963 Caldecott Medal, pays homage to the wonder and pure pleasure a child experiences when the world is blanketed in snow.”— Publisher’s Weekly
Playing time: 3:59
Age Range: 2 – 5 years
First Snow by Bomi Park – read aloud by Beth at Happy Cultivated, Book Read Aloud | Winter Books for Kids | Children’s Books Read Aloud
For those who are looking forward to the magic of that first snowfall. A young girl wakes up to the year’s first snowy day. From her initial glimpse out the window to her memorable adventures—rolling a snowman, making snow angels—the girl’s quiet quests are ones all young readers will recognize. Simple, muted text and exquisite, graphic art conjure the excitment of a day spent exploring the wonder of snow.
Playing time: 3:10
Age Range: 2 – 4 years
Jan Homden
An early years teaching specialist and designer, Jan has taught in international schools around the world. She has also worked with a leading architectural practice in Istanbul and is now responsible for design and research at Consilium Education.
Feature Image: Jill Wellington – Pixabay
