Finding Christmas
by Helen Ward
Dutton Children's Books 2004
Great fit for 3rd grade
Reading level and content both target K–3rd grade · ages 5–9
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Genre
Themes
- friendship
- generosity
- kindness
- holiday spirit
- community
- belonging
About this book
In this gentle, wintry picture book, woodland animals search for the meaning of Christmas and discover that it’s found in kindness and caring for one another. Helen Ward’s luminous, detailed illustrations create a cozy snow-filled world perfect for sharing at storytime. With simple, heartfelt text, it’s ideal for young listeners and early readers who enjoy animal tales and holiday stories. Families will appreciate its warm message about giving, friendship, and the joy of the season.
Setting: a snowy woodland at Christmastime
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Finding Christmas right for my child?
Yes — Finding Christmas is a great fit for 3rd grade. The reading level is AR 3.2, which is typical for 3rd grade. The interest level is rated Lower Grades (K–3), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 5–9 (K–3rd grade). Themes include friendship, generosity, kindness.
How long does it take to read Finding Christmas?
At a typical 3rd grade reading pace, Finding Christmas takes around 7m to finish. The book has 900 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Finding Christmas have an AR quiz?
Yes — Finding Christmas has an AR quiz available, worth 0.5 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is Finding Christmas?
Finding Christmas has an AR reading level of 3.2, which places it at a 3rd grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Lower Grades (K–3) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.