It’s the middle of January, and winter finally came to Denver. I think back now to December, the month you typically wish for snow—especially that magical Christmas snow—and it was dry, dry dry, leaving me in a slightly salty mood throughout the month.(Don’t get me wrong. Christmas is without question my favorite time of the year. So when I say the lack of snow altered my mood, it means my Christmas spirit was diminished from say, an 11 down to a 10).

But diminished it was, and the reason was this: my Christmas nostalgia heavily associates the holidays with falling snow. I grew up in Wyoming, and although the constant wind blew a lot of the white stuff to Nebraska, my visions of Christmases past have snow blanketing the landscape. I recall fluffy flakes dancing from the sky and loading up the record player with Christmas albums, listening to the likes of Bing Crosby and Dean Martin and the Carpenters sing “White Christmas” and “Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!” and “Sleigh Ride.” My memories are filled with the glow of Christmas lights on frosted bushes and trees. To me, snow = Christmas. That’s what I hope for every year.

So without snow, my happy December nostalgia just wasn’t as strong. And when the Sahara desert-like 2018 Christmas season came to end, and the snow started flying in January, you can imagine the look on my face: 😳  Because January snow is not like December snow.

It just isn’t.

As we now approach February and the likely prospect of continuing cold, bleak, winter days, I think I need a little something to warm my mood.

And I know just the thing.

Last week I ran across an article about nostalgia that I hadn’t seen before:

Study: Nostalgia Makes Us Warm, and Cold Makes Us Nostalgic

The article reported the study’s conclusion: “Nostalgia appears both to be evoked in chilly atmospheres and to have a protective effect against the cold — either by making us feel warmer or at least increasing our tolerance.”

So there you go. Time to get nostalgic and warm . . . and get warm and nostalgic!

What better way to spark up nostalgia and the warmth it brings than a Throwback Thursday post celebrating our top 10 nostalgic childhood books. These books are sure to bring a smile to your face and stir warm memories in your heart. Maybe these are books you read as a child, or that you have read to your own children. Or… maybe you’ve never even heard of them! In which case check them out at your local bookstore, library or Amazon!

It’s time to cozy on up next to the fireplace or space heater, grab a cup of hot cocoa, pull on your fuzzy warm socks, pull your children close, and read these fabulous, nostalgic, childhood books!

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COREY’S TOP 5 NOSTALGIC CHILDHOOD BOOKS

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by Gertrude Crampton, Illustrated by Tibor Gergely

A tender reminder that no matter how far you roam or no matter wherever you end up, there will always be a place for you back home.

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by Judi Barrett, Illustrated by Ron Barrett

I mean, honestly – what child wouldn’t like a book about a town named Chewandswallow where meatballs fall from the sky? I used to love the description at the end about how the sun looked like a pat of butter and the snow looked like mashed potatoes. Steve, don’t you think the January snow would be better if it came down in the form of a hearty starch? 😊

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by Graeme Base

This clever, gorgeously illustrated book was one of my absolute favorites. I recall sitting with my mom and making lists of all the objects – including the little boy — we could find hidden inside its pages, and then doing the same with my daughter 30-some years later.

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by Tomie de Paola

Bubble, bubble, pasta pot
Boil me, some pasta, nice and hot
I’m hungry and it’s time to sup
Boil me some pasta to fill me up

Poor Big Anthony is in over his head with a magic pasta pot. Giggles are sure to ensure in Tomie dePaola’s whimsical retelling of this classic tale.

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by David McPhail

A sweet book about the fast friendship between a boy and a bear in need of help pulling out his aching tooth.  The silly antics and triumphant finale made me laugh every single time I read it as a child.

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STEVE’S TOP 5 NOSTALGIC CHILDHOOD BOOKS

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by Astrid Lindgren

A fabulous, quiet book.  My mom would read this to me before bed. “Seasons come, and seasons go…” A perfect book to lull you to sleep on a cold winter night.

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by Margaret Wise Brown, Illustrated by Clement Hurd

Who doesn’t love this classic? I read this book to my own kids. Looking for the little mouse was always my favorite part.

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by Syd Hoff, Illustrated by Mary Chalmers

Well, of course this is one of my favorites. This happy little book has wonderful illustrations evoking the longing for snow.  I know the feeling well.

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by Jean De Brunhoff

Dr. Joseph Dolan: Now, how long have you been having these pains, Mr. Barber?
Fletch: That’s Babar.
Dr. Joseph Dolan: Two bs?
Fletch: One. B-A-B-A-R.
Dr. Joseph Dolan: That’s two.
Fletch: Yeah, but not right next to each other. I thought that’s what you meant.
Dr. Joseph Dolan: Isn’t there a children’s book about an elephant named Babar?
Fletch: I don’t know. I don’t have any.
Dr. Joseph Dolan: No children?
Fletch: No, elephant books.

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by P.D. Eastman

I love the illustrations of all the funny dogs.  I love dogs.  And dog books.

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Talk to Us: What are your favorite childhood books? Let us know in the comments below! 

And speaking of books, make sure you check out Corey’s new book, Blessed, Beautiful Now, coming to Amazon on January 31, 2019!

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At The Nostalgia Diaries, our goal is to help you simplify, enhance, and engage your lives by focusing on the most important things: remembering, appreciating, believing, and becoming. It’s all about celebrating the past to create better days today.

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