Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their favorite holiday books for children. Responses have come in from across the country, and the books that garnered the greatest number of votes are listed below.

Whether your suggested book made the cut or not, the sentiment conveyed by hundreds of respondents was very much the same — their recommended book has been a family tradition for a long time, and the book holds a special place in their heart.

Take a look at what readers across the country have to offer as their traditional holiday stories. Maybe one of them can become part of your family's holiday tradition.

<B>"The Night Before Christmas"</B> by Clement Moore; <B>"The Polar Express"</B> by Chris Van Allsburg; <B>"How the Grinch Stole Christmas"</B> by Dr. Seuss; <B>"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"</B> by Robin Cuddy & Robert L. May; <B>"Jolly Old Santa Claus"</B> by Sparkie.

<B>"The Story of Holly and Ivy"</B> by Rumer Godden; <B>"Christmas Trolls"</B> by Jan Brett; <B>"A Christmas Carol"</B> by Charles Dickens; <B>"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever"</B> by Barbara Robinson; <B>"Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins"</B> by Eric Kimmel; <B>"The Wild Christmas Reindeer"</B> by Jan Brett.

<B>"A Child's Christmas in Wales"</B> by Dylan Thomas; <B>"The Littlest Angel"</B> by Charles Tazewell; <B>"A Christmas Memory"</B> by Truman Capote; <B>"Arthur's Christmas"</B> by Marc Brown; <B>"Charlie Brown's Christmas"</B> by Charles M. Schultz; <B>"Olive, the Other Reindeer"</B> by Vivian Walsh; <B>"Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree"</B> by Robert Barry; <B>"It's Christmas"</B> by Jack Prelutsky; <B>"Merry Christmas, Stega Nona"</B> by Tomie dePaola; <B>"The Friendly Beasts"</B> by Tomie dePaola.

The following book is available at many public libraries.<B>"Christmas Day in the Morning"</B> by Pearl S. Buck; illustrated by Mark Buehner; HarperCollins; 40 pages; read aloud: age 4 to 5 and older; read yourself: age 7 to 8 and older.Originally published in 1955, this classic story is a glorious offering.Fifteen-year-old Rob and his family live on a farm. Rob helps his father with the endless chores farming demands, although rising before the sun isn't Rob's favorite task.On Christmas Eve, Rob lay in bed wishing he had more money to have purchased a better present for his father, something more than the necktie he'd gotten. Suddenly he realizes he does have something more to give, something that doesn't require money — a gift of true love from Rob to his father.A beautifully wrought story supported with warm, inviting illustrations, "Christmas Day in the Morning" is everything it should be, and more.

<B>Library:</B> Prospect Community Library, Prospect<B>Library Director:</B> Jeanne Sarnese<B>Choices this week: "Peef the Christmas Bear"</B> by Tom Hegg; <B>"The Quiltmakers Gift"</B> by Jeff Brumbeau; <B>"The Golden Compass"</B> by Philip Pullman

The following books are available at favorite bookstores.0<B>"Mrs. Wishy-Washy's Christmas"</B> by Joy Cowley; illustrated by Elizabeth Fuller; Philomel, 2005; 34 pages; $15.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 2 to 4; read yourself: age 6 to 7.Mrs. Wishy-Washy comes outside in the snow, fills up a big tin tub with cold water, and tells her farm animals, to take their Christmas bath while she goes to town on some errands. But the animals don't want to scrub in cold water. They'll freeze!Then Duck has a plan. Mrs. Wishy-Washy doesn't bathe outside in the cold, and they don't have to, either. Mrs. Wishy-Washy has a nice warm bathtub in her house...Charming, fun, and full of good cheer, this delightful Christmas tale will have young children smiling on every page.<B>"Millie Moo"</B> by Camilla Moody; illustrated by priddy books; St. Martin's Press/priddy books, 2005; 24 pages; $12.95 board book; read aloud: age 18 months to 3; read yourself: age 6 to 7.Help Millie Moo, the crazy cow, find her friends in this wacky book that's loaded with zany characters, funny rhymes, and tons of things to touch-and-feel, all wrapped up in a mini search-and-find mystery.Brimming with color and fun, toddlers and young children will enjoy this selection all year long.Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children's literature. She can be reached via e-mail: kendal@sunlink.net.