A great way to feel the magic of Christmas around you is to snuggle up with a good book by the fire, which is why we’ve compiled a list of the best Christmas books for kids. Settle down together and get into the holiday spirit while enjoying beautiful illustrations and lovely tales with the option to choose paperback or board books depending on your child’s age. More: 12 Days of Fun (and Cheap!) Christmas Activities for Kids and Families Come together to create a new tradition and save each book for year after year. Before you know it your child will be reciting the stories back to you from memory. We’re sure you’ll find something for everyone, young and old, with this extensive list including some of our favorite classics of all time.
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What to Consider When Purchasing Christmas Books for Kids
A classic story all about how the Christmas spirit can change a person with the whimsical undertones Dr. Seuss is known for. The Grinch is a recognizable character and the flowing rhymes will engage and entertain young readers. How the Grinch Stole Christmas touches on so many holiday traditions and special symbols and the underlying lesson is a great one to share as you head into the holiday season.
This book is a collection of 24 years worth of letters author J.R.R Tolkien sent to his children as they were growing up from the perspective of Father Christmas, or other characters from the North Pole. They tell enchanting stories of mischief and fun and are scripted in beautiful calligraphy.
Choose from hardcover or board book versions for a sturdy story with flaps that little fingers can lift. Toddlers will be delighted by the illustrated animals hiding under a blanket of snow as they uncover each flap. Eric Carle’s trademark pictures accompany a simple story that will appeal to younger children.
The Snowy Day is a classic story all about the magic of the first snowfall and how it can create a new world for children to discover and explore. Your family will enjoy snuggling up on a cold day and getting into the winter spirit with this lovely tale of adventure and enchantment.
A classic story that follows a beloved character, Corduroy, through his travels to the North Pole as he searches for answers on how to find a home for Christmas. Corduroy is the perfect example of perseverance and having never-ending hope. If your child enjoys this story, there are many other Corduroy classics that you can add to your library as well.
This is a delightful story all about how one tree can bring joy to so many. It starts with Mr. Willowby, who finds that his Christmas tree is just a little bit too tall. The snipped-off top gets passed from character to character who keeps trimming just a little bit off the top to create a new tree for the next recipient.
It is a cute story about sharing with others when you have more than enough, and the beautiful illustrations accompanying the story are just as lovely.
The Polar Express won the 1986 Caldecott Medal for best illustrations. It’s the tale of a young boy lying awake on Christmas Eve who gets to take a trip to the North Pole with Santa Claus and some other lucky children. There is a special surprise for him when he gets to the North Pole.
This is Hoffmann’s original story, written in 1816, adapted by the New York City Ballet. A nutcracker comes to life, battles with the evil mouse king, then takes Marie, the girl who tended to his wounds, on a tour of Christmas Wood and Candytown. Her love breaks the spell over him, which leads to the happily ever after. The adorable pictures that illustrate this copy will engage and enchant even the littlest ballet lovers.
This story is all about stopping to listen to the soft and quiet sounds of Christmas. Follow along with adorable little animals as they quietly search for presents, turn on Christmas lights, play in the snow and participate in other fun winter and Christmas activities. It is a great reminder for children to slow down and listen for all the wonderful Christmas sounds that the season brings.
As with all Berenstain Bears books there are lessons through, the main one in this story is that there is more to Christmas than just receiving gifts, the true joy of the season comes with giving. Your children may be able to relate to Brother and Sister Bear as they follow along on their adventure starting at the Christmas Eve Pageant.
In a world that is filled with technology and email, kids may not see as many handwritten letters arrive in the mail. They will delight in being able to take out each individual letter throughout this book and read a message from each character delivered by the friendly postman.
This is a classic story of the first Christmas illustrating the wonder of the Nativity for children. Beautiful pictures are accompanied by simple text, making this a great choice for young children or new readers.
Bear gets very sleepy every winter when he is preparing to hibernate. Can all his friends in the forest help him stay awake for the magic of Christmas? Bear will discover that the joy of giving is worth staying awake for.
Get ready for nonstop laughs with this Christmas classic following the Herdman siblings as they take over the Christmas Pageant. Known as “the worst kids in the history of the world”, you know they will be up to no good. This is a short chapter book and geared towards readers 8+.
Tomi dePaola’s retelling of a Mexican legend about the first poinsettias (called flores de la Nochebuena, or flowers of the Holy Night, in Mexico) combines rich artwork with a timeless story. A little girl named Lucida worries that she has no gift to offer the Baby Jesus other than an armful of weeds she has gathered. But when something miraculous happens to the weeds, she learns that the best gifts come from the heart.
First published as an anonymous poem in a New York Newspaper, The Night Before Christmas has become a classic that is read far and wide. This story will encapture the hearts of readers, and listeners young and old, and is a timeless classic that would make a perfect Christmas Eve tradition.
The Gingerbread Man is the whimsical tale of a gingerbread man who comes to life and has to outrun all of the characters who want to take a bite out of him! Will he be able to dodge the hungry people and animals? Children will enjoy chanting “Run, Run as fast as you can…” throughout the story as the Gingerbread Man continues to escape.
Follow along with our favorite Llama Llama character and the whimsical rhyming lyrics. This is a short and sweet book, perfect for babies and toddlers or beginner readers. It’s hard to wait, but Llama Llama makes it fun for little ones.
Perhaps one of the best Christmas classics, Charles Dickens tells the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim, Bob Cratchit, and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. Geared towards older readers, this is a great literary classic that spins the Christian tale of giving with love.
Count along with all the Christmas trees Little Blue delivers to his friends this Christmas. This is a simple, easy story that is engaging and perfect for babies and toddlers, and we love the extra element of encouraging counting.
Pete the cat is a well known “groovy” blue cat. Follow along in his silly antics with this rhyming take on ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas where Pete saves the day! If your children like Pete the Cat Saves Christmas, they can also check out Pete the Cat’s 12 Groovy Days of Christmas.
Based on the holiday TV special, little children will enjoy this Little Golden Book take on Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. It’s a sweet book with the underlying lessons of including those who are different, and the idea that everyone has something special to offer no matter how they appear.
Wordless books are a great option for allowing children to use their imagination and really interpret illustrations. This is a wonderful story for readers of all ages that allows your children to picture their way through the story and tell their own tale.
This sturdy board book is bright and colorful and has die-cut circles in the middle that expand as you flip each page. Help find out who stole Santa’s cookie! This is a great board book for babies and toddlers.
This is a lovely poem-based story highlighting all the various colors that come along with Christmas. It’s an excellent choice for new readers who can reinforce their understanding of color words as they follow along in sing-songy lyric type poems.
If you’re a fan of The Day the Crayons Quit and The Day the Crayons Came Home, then you will love The Crayons’ Christmas. It makes a wonderful addition to the series, and includes letter-style envelopes with various games and activities inside. Children will be excited each time they get to open an envelope and discover what’s inside.
Mr. Fish is known for being mopey, but he learns an important lesson in this book all about giving at Christmas time. Follow along as he searches for the perfect gift for each of his friends all the while learning the true meaning of Christmas.
If you’re a fan of the No, David! books, then this is a great Christmas option. David is his naughty self as he participates in Christmas activities. Perhaps your children can relate to his mischievous ways!
This is a lovely story based in Appalachian culture during the Civil War. It is a story of how a a family comes together with love and courage. Parents reading the story will find it heartwarming and truthful.
Author Illustrator Jan Brett is known for her wonderful illustrations that keep children searching each page and making predictions about the story. This cute Christmas story is all about getting the reindeer ready for Christmas Eve and the power of kindness.
