Has your child made a Santa list yet? On Monday, my son’s friend told me that he had 21 items on his list! Guess what? Books accounted for 16 of the items!

If you’re headed to the bookstore or library to pick up some holiday books for your children, don’t leave without reading our editor’s picks first. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, you’ll find stories to cover a range of ages and stages, from teaching numbers to explaining holiday traditions. Some tales tell of compassion and family values while others simply make you laugh!

Carolina Parent Associate Editor Carol McGarrahan says one book about Santa’s reindeer going on strike turns hilarious as Santa tries everything from flamingos to elephants to guide his sleigh. But if you’re looking for a beautiful gift book, she suggests "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King," a classic for nearly 200 years. You can find more of her recommendations in the Triangle Holiday Guide.

Heading to the library or local bookstores is a fun way to escape from the house for a few hours and instill a love of books in your children without spending a dime. Find out what’s happening in your town each day, in CarolinaParent.com’s Story Times and Weekly Events.

Don’t miss the Scouts Caroling at the Capitol For a Cause on Thursday, Dec. 10.