Ho ho ho! Gather ’round, little ones, as Christmas approaches with jingling bells and Santa’s laughter!
Christmas is not just about presents; it’s about sharing moments with family – and what better way to celebrate than reading some delightful stories together?
Christmas books for kids can make the countdown to Christmas even more exciting. Just imagine: cozy nights by the fire, hot cocoa, and freshly baked cookies in hand as you enjoy tales filled with magic, joy, and a sprinkle of mischief.
Eventually, it doesn’t matter what you’re reading about – Santa’s adventures, friendship, or the true meaning of Christmas – all these stories create lasting memories.
In this blog post, we’ve gathered a list of the 14 best Christmas books for kids. These books are perfect for bedtime reading and family storytime, bringing laughter and warmth to your home. Let’s explore these Christmas reads that will make this holiday season unforgettable!
How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney?
📖 Plot: How does Santa visit homes without chimneys? This question gets a hilarious spin in this book. From sliding through doors to shape-shifting or using the faucet, the possibilities are endless! With humor and creativity, the book explores how Santa might navigate any home—no chimney required.
🌟 Lesson: Imagination to think creatively about everyday problems, curiosity to ask questions to find fun and unexpected answers, open-mindedness showing that there are many ways to look at the world and solve problems, humor, the joy of laughter and playful thinking.
🎁 Perfect for: Children ages 4-8, good for holiday reading, bedtime stories or family traditions.
Little Blue Truck’s Christmas
📖 Plot: Little Blue Truck spreads holiday cheer by delivering Christmas trees to his animal friends. With fun counting from one to five, kids will follow how Blue makes his snowy deliveries and saves one tree for himself. The story ends with a magical surprise—flashing Christmas lights on the final page!
🌟 Lesson: Counting (children practice numbers while having fun), the joy of giving and helping others, Holiday spirit that fosters excitement and warmth for the Christmas season, interaction (children’s participation through the light-up feature).
🎁 Perfect for: Toddlers aged 1-3, great for holiday gift-giving and bedtime reading.
The Polar Express
📖 Plot: On Christmas Eve, a young boy boards the magical Polar Express, journeying to the North Pole to make his Christmas wish. The train chugs through snowy forests and icy deserts, taking him to the heart of Christmas magic, where the boy will experience something unforgettable.
🌟 Lesson: The importance of believing in the impossible, adventure, curiosity, the joy of exploration,imagination, creativity.
🎁 Perfect for: Children aged 4-8, perfect for bedtime, holiday reading, or any occasion when you want to share the magic of Christmas.
Song of the Stars
📖 Plot: Children will be taken on a journey through the Advent season, where all of creation are excitedly waiting for Jesus. Forest animals, sea creatures, and more come together in joyful celebration as the world prepares to welcome its King. This tale beautifully captures the wonder and joy of Christmas with poetic charm and imagination.
🌟 Lesson: Anticipation, the power of waiting and preparing for something special, the importance of celebrating significant events, the connection between all living things and the Creator, imagination, creativity, a sense of wonder.
🎁 Perfect for: Children ages 4-7, ideal for Advent storytime, Christmas Eve reading, or a family tradition. It’s also a beautiful gift for those looking to share the spirit of Christmas in a fresh, meaningful way.
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh
📖 Plot: The Pigeon is back and determined to drive a sleigh this holiday season. With his usual begging and hilarious tantrums, he learns that things might not be what they seem. Will his holiday dream come true, or will he be left in the cold? You’ll find that out when you’ll be reading this book.
🌟 Lesson: Understanding that not all wishes come true, accepting disappointment gracefully, recognizing that desires can change, valuing humor in unexpected situations.
🎁 Perfect for: Kids ages 3 to 7, ideal for cozy family nights, classroom read-alouds, or as a gift for young readers who enjoy engaging tales.
Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas
✏️ By Russell and Lillian Hoban
📖 Plot: Emmet Otter and his mother both dream of Christmas gifts that could change their lives—a piano for Ma and a guitar for Emmet. When their village announces a talent contest with prize money, they join with high hopes. However, they learn that love and family are what truly matter, even when things get hard.
🌟 Lesson: The importance of family and love, understanding the value of sacrifice, finding joy in giving rather than receiving, hope and bravery in the face of challenges.
🎁 Perfect for: Kids aged 3 to 8, an ideal read-aloud for family gatherings, bedtime stories, or holiday celebrations. It’s a wonderful gift for parents and grandparents looking to share timeless messages of love and hope during the Christmas season.
The Christmas Story
📖 Plot: This heartwarming book tells the story of Jesus’ birth in a stable in Bethlehem and captures the essence of Christmas in a simple and poetic way. With beautiful illustrations by Eloise Wilkin, this book brings the Christmas story to life for young readers.
🌟 Lesson: The true meaning of Christmas, the importance of giving, the joy of sharing God’s love, the values of family, kindness, and faith.
🎁 Perfect for: Children aged 1 to 7, a wonderful gift during the holiday season, perfect for bedtime reading, family gatherings, or as an addition to any child’s library.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
✏️ By Dr. Seuss
📖 Plot: In this beloved holiday classic, a grumpy Grinch tries to stop Christmas from coming! Living just north of Who-ville, the Grinch wants to ruin the festive spirit, but with the help of a little girl named Cindy-Lou Who, he learns the true magic of Christmas.
🌟 Lesson: The importance of kindness, generosity, and the joy of community. Kids will see how even the coldest hearts can change when they embrace the spirit of giving and love.
🎁 Perfect for: Kids aged 3 to 8, an ideal choice for Christmas Eve reading or family gatherings during the holiday season.
The Night Before Christmas
📖 Plot: While the house sleeps, Santa Claus prepares to make his grand entrance, bringing joy and excitement to children everywhere. This beautifully illustrated edition will transport readers into a world filled with wonder and holiday cheer.
🌟 Lesson: The spirit of giving, imagination, the joy of anticipation, the magic of family traditions.
🎁 Perfect for: Kids aged 3 to 8, perfect for family read-alouds, holiday gatherings, or cozy bedtime stories during Advent.
There’s an Elf in Your Book
📖 Plot: In this fun and interactive read-aloud, an elf challenges you to complete silly tasks to see if you can make Santa’s Nice List. Children will join in the excitement, singing carols and following the elf’s quirky instructions.
🌟 Lesson: Kids will develop important qualities like listening, creativity, and participation. They’ll also learn about the spirit of Christmas and the importance of being kind and nice throughout the holiday season.
🎁 Perfect for: Children aged 3 to 7, an ideal choice for family storytime, Christmas Eve celebrations, or as a playful gift.
Bear Stays Up for Christmas
📖 Plot: Bear and his friends are getting ready to celebrate Christmas. Determined to keep Bear awake for the festivities, his friends enlist his help to find a Christmas tree, bake treats, and sing joyful songs. Eventually, bear learns that the true spirit of Christmas comes from giving and sharing with others.
🌟 Lesson: The joy of friendship, the importance of generosity, and the magic of Christmas traditions. This story encourages kindness and shows that giving can be the best gift of all.
🎁 Perfect for: Children aged 2 to 6, an excellent choice for family storytime during the holiday season. It’s also a wonderful gift for new parents or a heartwarming addition to Christmas celebrations.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
📖 Plot: The wild Herdman kids decide to take over the annual Christmas pageant at their local church, turning everything upside down. Famous for causing trouble, they’ve never heard about Christmas before. Their hilariously unique interpretation surprises everyone in town and is very funny. In their own crazy way, the Herdmans help everybody understand what Christmas truly means.
🌟 Lesson: Acceptance, the importance of community, how unexpected people can bring new perspectives, the values of compassion and understanding, showing that everyone deserves a chance to shine.
🎁 Perfect for: Kids aged 7 to 12, ideal for family reading during the holiday season or as a fun gift for young readers.
The Christmas Pig
📖 Plot: On Christmas Eve, Jack loses his favorite toy, Dur Pig, and feels very sad. Luckily, with the help of a new toy called the Christmas Pig, they go on an exciting adventure to find DP. During their journey filled with fun and magic, they learn that true friendship is all about love and not giving up.
🌟 Lesson: Friendship, loyalty, the importance of perseverance, the value of love and sacrifice in difficult times, how to face challenges with courage.
🎁 Perfect for: Children aged 7 to 12, perfect for family reading during the holiday season, bedtime stories or as a special gift.
5 More Sleeps ‘til Christmas
📖 Plot: Children eagerly mark each day until Santa’s visit, their excitement growing every night. Fun rhymes and charming pictures show the happiness of waiting for Christmas. When reading this book, you’ll follow a little boy trying to stay awake but falling asleep with a giggle on every page!
🌟 Lesson:Patience, the joy of anticipation, enjoying the moments leading up to special events, fostering a sense of excitement and family bonding.
🎁 Perfect for: Children aged 3 to 7, perfect for cozy bedtime reading during the Christmas season.
Final Thoughts
Each of these 14 Christmas books for kids offers a unique glimpse into the magic of Christmas and carries valuable lessons, reminding us all of the importance of love, kindness, and togetherness.
Don’t forget to check out our other blog posts for more book recommendations and interesting topics that will inspire you throughout the year:
Best Children’s Books Of All Time
16 Best Halloween Books for Kids
13 Charming Christmas Gifts for Book Lovers That Will Bring in the Holiday Spirit
Christmas Gifts for College Students: 12 Awesome Ideas
Winter Bucket List: 100 Things To Do This Winter
Jolabokaflod and Other Cozy Book-Related Christmas Traditions
And if you’re looking to add these wonderful books to your collection, be sure to visit BookScouter.com for great deals. May your holidays be filled with joy and joyful stories!
