Children’s books often carry magical qualities, but holiday storybooks feel especially magical. With so many beautiful children’s books set in winter and at Christmas, we asked a few Calgary Reads Big Book Sale friends to share their favourite holiday story.

Here’s what they had to say.

Anne Logan

Associate Director of Development, Calgary Public Library Foundation

Connection: We get to team up with the CPL Foundation for a book drive in 2026!

Favourite holiday book: The Little Crooked Christmas Tree by Michael Cutting and Ron Broda

Anne says: “I've had this book since I was young, and I love it because of its beautiful and simple message: Help those who are in need when you are able to, and you will be rewarded in ways you will never expect.”

Since it’s a longer read, Anne says it’s great for kids preschool and up, “but the illustrations are so memorable—they are made of paper cuttings, with some fabulous texture thrown in.”

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Joanne Pitman

Chief Superintendent, Calgary Board of Education, and Trustee, KidsLiteracy Collective

Connection: Book sale proceeds support the work of KLC, striving toensure each child can read by Grade 3

Favourite holiday book: Little Women by Louisa MayAlcott

Joanne says, “As a young girl, the first time I read Little Women was over the Christmas holiday and I fell in love with a story about writing stories. While many movie adaptations have been created, I love tucking into this book to connect with the character of Jo March and all that she takes on in life.”

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Bill Hamilton

President, Rotary Club of CalgaryDowntown

Our connection: Rotary stewards our book sale and its Early Childhood Literacy Committee helps distribute sale proceeds to local evidence-based early childhood reading initiatives.

Favourite holiday book: The Night Before Christmas

Bill says, he couldn’t count the number of times he has read this Christmas classic.

“This is a special Christmas book for me and my family,” says Bill. “Every year, on Christmas Eve, we read TheNight Before Christmas.”

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Parisa Radmanesh

Coordinator, Little Red Reading House

Our connection: Book sale proceeds support Book Bank, which gets books into the house so every child who visits gets to take home their very own book

Favourite holiday book: The CobwebChristmas by Shirley Climo

Parisa says The Cobweb Christmas is her favourite holiday book from childhood. It’s a heartfelt story about a little old lady preparing her cozy cabin in the snow-covered forest for Christmas.

“We see all the lovely but simple treats she’s making for the animals and children in her community, and then experience something truly magical in her cabin on Christmas Eve thanks to a curious group of spiders,” says Parisa. “I love the sparkle in this story that captures the spirit of magic and miracles, excitement and anticipation and warmth and kindness of the holiday season.

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Cassandra Wyatt

Director, KidsLiteracy Collective

Our connection: KLC connects and empowers adults across sectors to ensure every child can read by Grade 3. Book sale proceeds supports this important work!

Favourite holiday book: The Snow Day by Ezra Jack Keats

"The SnowyDay’s joyful scenes of snow-day wonder remind me of a teaching an Elder once shared: to be present, to enjoy each season fully, and not to rush toward the next," says Cassandra. "Winter invites us to slow down, connect, listen, and notice the beauty we might otherwise pass by. When I read The SnowyDay with my family, I feel that teaching come alive, and I’m grateful for the memories it sparks of our own joyful, snowy days together.

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We’re so grateful for the chance to be a part of all this reading cheer! We hope you enjoy some magical reading moments and memories of your own this holiday season.

Thank you for being a part of the book sale community making it possible to spread the joy of reading to so many children in Calgary throughout the year.

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