Families who loved Claude the Dog: A Christmas Story by Dick Gackenbach often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when you want to gently shift your child's focus from the excitement of getting gifts to the deep fulfillment of giving to others. It is a perfect choice for the holiday season or when a child is struggling with possessiveness and needs a soft, non-preachy model of empathy. The story follows Claude, a beloved family dog who receives several wonderful Christmas presents, only to give them all away to his homeless friend, Bumpy. Through Claude's selfless choices, children ages 3 to 7 learn that the best part of any gift is the love it represents. The simple text and clear emotional beats make it an excellent tool for discussing how we can support friends who have less than we do, emphasizing that kindness is the greatest gift of all.
