For many, the chill in the air and the turning of the leaves means curling up with a great book while hibernating through the winter. I know, firsthand, that when children and grandchildren see you reading they learn to appreciate the value you place on literacy. Start a new family tradition today. Collect holiday or other seasonal books and stack them around the house so that they are within easy reach. Make a goal to read together as a family often and consider giving a book as a Christmas or Hanukkah gift this year. When we give books as gifts we always include a little book plate and personal message. I've included a link for free homemade bookplate designs that you can print out and use.

We have a big holiday book collection in our family. These beautifully illustrated Christmas books come out every year around Thanksgiving. When our grandchildren come to visit, we read the stories together with a cup of warm cocoa. Trust me. It’s so much more rewarding than chasing down those elusive door-busters at a Black Friday sale. Speaking of which...

I'd like to share some of our favorite holiday books:

Christmas in New York by Chuck Fischer

Christmas Jars by Jason F. Wright

The Night Before Christmas by Clement C, Moore

Silver Packages by Cynthia Rylant

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry

A Christmas Bell for Anya by Ben Sowards

Christmas Oranges by Linda Bethers

A Christmas Dress for Ellen by Thomas S. Monson

I buy a new book every year and I'm looking for ideas. What's your favorite holiday book? Suggest a book in the comment section. Thank you!