Beyond the trees and the decorations and the cookie baking, its really about those quiet times with the little ones that make the holidays so special in our homes.
Every day during the holidays, we dedicate time to reading special Christmas stories that help our kids better understand the reason for the season and get excited about this special holiday (beyond just making a list for Santa)!
We’ve provided our own curated list of what we deem the very best selection of Christmas books for children. Our children range in age from nine to three years of age….making the span of interests and topics pretty wide. We’ve built a list of our favorites, but each year we are exploring new books that we will eventually add to our Christmas book basket.
About that basket…..one of the most important Christmas decorations (next to the tree) in our family rooms is a small box or basket that serves as a decoration, but also as a vessel to hold our favorite Christmastime stories. We have so many favorite books that the basket doesn’t hold them all, so we rotate through as the weeks draw closer to Christmas.
IDEA: Have fun creating your own holiday book basket! Look for a vintage suitcase that you can paint festive colors or consider using a picnic basket jazzed up with a ribbon or greens for the decorative storage.
Be sure to check out our links to score some deals online for these Christmas story favorites!
IDEA: Always, always scour the clearance rack at local bookstores off-season. Many of our treasured children’s Christmas books were found 50% or more in warmer months!
The Night Before Christmas (Clement Clarke Moore – Pop Up by Robert Sabuda)
Age: ALL (seriously, this would even make a wonderful gift for an adult)
Everyone knows this classic story of Santa’s arrival on Christmas Eve. This extra special version though brings the images to life with some of the most intricate pop up creations we’ve ever seen. This isn’t a book that we allow the children to read on their own, simply because we fear that the pop ups may get ripped or folded wrong. But, as a family we are still in awe of this amazing pop up book creation. Book or work of art? You decide!
Once There was a Christmas Tree (by Jerry Smath)
Age: 4-8
So many reasons to love this book! It’s cute. Its short. Its interactive. And, most important, it demonstrates how a simple act of kindness carries through for four families. Mr. and Mrs. Bear have a tree that is too big, but share it with other woodland creatures. “We took our tree and made it two.”
The Spirit of Christmas (by Nancy Tillman)
Age: 4-8
Without even opening this book, we knew it would be a favorite. It’s a Nancy Tillman book! If you have little ones, than you know (and love) Nancy Tillman books like I’d Know You Anywhere, My Love and On the Night You Were Born. (Seriously, we’re getting a little choked up just thinking about these sweet, sentimental books). As with all her books, the illustrations are amazing, the story is simple and, yes, a few tears will be shed. She doesn’t disappoint with her Christmas book. If you are a parent with children of any age, she wraps our feelings up so eloquently of how we want to spend Christmas with them.
Snowmen at Christmas (by Caralyn Buehner, illustrated by Mark Buehner)
Age: 3-7
This adorable companion book to Snowmen at Night doesn’t disappoint and brings to life the active lives of snowmen (and women) once the children have gone to bed. Icy treats and festive carols at the town square, along with a special visit from Snowman Santa make this a simple and sweet story. The illustrations, though, really make the warm glow of these snow people so believable as they celebrate the holiday with their own special, snowy traditions.
Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale (by Martin Waddell, illustrated by Jason Cockcroft)
Age: 3-7
This sweet and beautifully illustrated book tells the story of baby Jesus born in the stable next to the inn, as told through the eyes of the animals. Each animal is invited to stay in the warmth and comfort of the inn on a cold night because as the ox says throughout the story, “There’s always room for a little one.”
The Gingerbread Pirates (by Kristin Kladstrup, illustrated by Matt Tavares)
Age: 4-8
Arrrggghh! We have an all boy family and pirates are a common theme around our house! This gingerbread pirate book is a fun adventure for your little pirates. It begins with a gingerbread pirate cookie coming to life and his adventure of saving his crew from the cannibal Santa Claus! A magical ending wraps up this fun Christmas adventure!
Here Comes Santa Cat (by Deborah Underwood)
Age: 3-5
We are also a cat family and love these cat books. This cat is a little like my children, full of grandiose plans and a little naughty. Cat realizes how close Christmas is and is trying desperately to get on the nice list. If you enjoy this feline adventure, be sure to find the Easter bunny, Tooth Fairy and teacher editions!
A Charlie Brown Christmas (by Charles Schulz)
Age: 4+
Like peanut butter goes with jelly. Like cookies go with milk. Charlie Brown just naturally goes with Christmas. We read the book and watch the movie at nauseum in our house during the holidays, but we just can’t get enough of our lovable underdog, Charlie Brown and that sweet Linus sharing what ‘Christmas is all about.’
The LEGO Christmas Ornaments Book: 15 Designs to Spread Holiday Cheer (by Chris McVeigh)
Age: 7+
For our boy family this book provides hours of fun and creativity. The ornaments featured in this book are all made from our beloved Legos (yes, those pesky little blocks that we find in the sofa cushion or step on in the middle of the night). As with most Lego projects, it spells out the pieces needed and provides easy step-by-step instructions your little ones can follow with little to no assistance. Most important, this little book helps inspire your Lego creators to make their own Christmas decorations and ornaments!
The Spirit of Christmas: A Giving Tradition (by Nick Benson, illustrated by Jason Cockcroft)
Age: 4-7
Be prepared to start a new (and wonderful) tradition with your children when you read this book. Sold as a set with a special Giving Bag and bell from Santa, this story shows how one young boy decided that he wanted to help less fortunate children who might not get presents at Christmastime. He selects toys that he no longer uses and packages them in the Giving Bag for Santa. Santa leaves a bell behind to let the boy know he was there. Its been five years since we were first introduced to this story, and it’s been five years that we have filled our Giving Bag with unused toys for Santa (aka Mom takes them to Goodwill or church).
