Miracle on 34th Street: Storybook Edition of the Heartwarming Christmas Classic for Children



Last updated Thursday, December 8, 2022

Author: Valentine Davies Estate and Susanna Leonard Hill
Date of Publication: 2018
ISBN: 1492669865
Grade Level: 3rd    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Dec. 2022

Synopsis: For a little girl named Susan Walker, Christmas could be any other day. She doesn't believe in Santa Claus or magic or miracles of any kind. But when she meets Kris Kringle and tells him what Christmas gifts she most wishes for, Susan finds herself hoping that maybe, just maybe, he is the real thing. Based on the original holiday classic, Miracle on 34th Street

Note to readers:
•  This book is based on a much longer book that became a famous movie. The title refers to the location of the original Macy's store on 34th Street in Manhattan
•  At 40 pages and with lots of text, this picture book may take longer to read

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  Do you celebrate any winter holidays?
•  How do you spend the winter break from school?
•  What do you like about the holiday season?

Vocabulary:

•  Courtroom - a special room where legal activities take place
•  Miracle - an extremely outstanding or unusual event, thing, or accomplishment
•  Prosecutor - a person hired by the state to question an accused person to prove his or her guilt
•  Witness - a person who gives evidence for a case before a court of law

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  n in the story could have been the real Santa Claus? Why or why not?
•  What happened to make Susan finally believe in Santa?
•  If you could ask Santa for anything, what would it be?

Craft ideas:
•  Draw a picture of one of your wishes
•  Write a letter to Santa
•  Make a holiday card

Special activities:
•  Try the Miracle on 34th Street Storybook Edition Word Search

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!