You can teach the true meaning of Christmas or celebrate the fun that comes with the season during a read-aloud. Enjoy Christmas time with these book recommendations from our family and yours. Merry Christmas!
One of my favorite parts of the Christmas season is snuggling up with my children and reading aloud from our favorite Christmas books. Our children are avid readers, so it’s not uncommon for them to receive books as a Christmas present, either.
In years past, we have also used books as an advent calendar. In October and November, I start sourcing books from thrift stores and children’s consignment shops, wrapping them in Christmas-themed paper as I go.
When December 1 rolls around, we are ready to begin our countdown to Christmas!
I hope that your kiddos enjoy these Christmas titles as much as my kiddos do. Merry Christmas!
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Why Read to Your Children?
I love to read to my children. It’s often a way to teach age-appropriate lessons about bigger concepts, like empathy, anger management, and grace.
I also find it can instill in them a love of reading, help develop their language skills, give us the time to bond, and encourage their imaginations to bloom.
Whether you read stories year-round or enjoy one of these books on Christmas Eve, I hope your children enjoy these Christmas books as much as my kiddos do.
Picture Books or Chapter Books?
This list is comprised of short picture books because my children are toddlers. That doesn’t mean there aren’t great Christmas-themed chapter books out there!
I have already introduced books with short chapters to my kiddos. But for our family, those books are best reserved for older kids.
Picture Books to Read Aloud During Christmas
Classic Christmas Books
1. The Night Before Christmas
This story was originally a poem detailing a visit from St. Nicholas. This book is a favorite of my kiddos, and based on the version you buy, the artwork is just as fun as the poem!
2. The Polar Express
Also a popular Christmas movie, The Polar Express recounts a magical train ride to the North Pole for all children who believe in Santa Claus.
But will the children who board this year’s train still believe? Read the book to find out!
3. The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving
The Christmas season has a heavy undertone of giving. And that’s something in our family we strive to live out every day, not just during the holidays. That can be hard to teach, though!
That’s where this book comes in! Sometimes it’s easier to teach larger concepts like that through a book. And with beloved characters like Brother Bear, Sister Bear, and Honey Bear, who wouldn’t want to read it?
Join the Bear Family as they prepare their hearts and homes for Christmas this year. They will participate in a school production and go Christmas shopping, and you will learn how they enjoy the spirit of Christmas through gift-giving.
4. The Berenstain Bears Go Christmas Caroling
This is another seasonal twist on the classic Berenstain Bears series. But this book gets you in the festive spirit with songs to sing!
If you are looking for a short and sweet way to sing some Christmas carols this year, this book is it! You can print off longer versions of the songs the Bears sing online if you don’t already have copies or music in your home.
5. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
If I’m not mistaken, Rudolph first made his appearance in a free story in the 1940s. He quickly became a claymation film and then a beloved character in books printed several years over since then.
We love the book because we adore the song.
Children are incredible learners, and anytime I can offer a story in more than one form, I’m going to jump on it!
Click on the pictures to purchase a copy for your family! *These links are affiliate links.
6. Mickey’s Christmas Carol
Disney productions reproduced a version of Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol” to use the classic characters, like Mickey, Donald, Minnie, and Daisy.
This story follows Mickey through the holiday season as he works with Scrooge McDuck (Donald Duck’s uncle). Scrooge is a shrew duck and doesn’t have much joy in his heart to spread during the Christmas season.
He is visited by three ghosts who try to sway his heart and get him to understand what his life would look like if he changed his attitude.
But will he change?
This book is a great introduction to the original “A Christmas Carol” story because it gives children characters they are familiar with. The characters are also appealing to children. The original Scrooge is a gruff man, and in my opinion, better suited for older children.
Luckily, the “Christmas Carol” story won’t be lost on children with the Disney version!
As Seen on TV Books
These books are written adaptations to modern TV shows. If you’re kiddo loves any of these television shows and their characters, they are sure to love these books!
7. Peppa’s Christmas Wish
This book follows Peppa Pig as she wonders about her Christmas gifts. She has one item in particular she wants this year, and she’s worried she won’t get it!
Will Santa Claus make her Christmas wishes come true?
8. Merry Christmas, Peppa!
An accident lands Peppa in the hospital. Will she make it out of the hospital in time for Christmas?
9. Blippi Get Ready for Christmas
There is so much to do around Christmastime! Follow Blippi as he decorates his tree, bakes cookies, and goes sledding.
This book is especially great for toddlers because there is only about a sentence or two per page.
Seasonal Spin-Offs
Sometimes a specific book series will create a Christmas version of the main character. Here are some titles we know and love!
10. Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer Oh, Nose!
This book is a spin-off of the claymation film Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
The difference, however, is the backstory of how Rudolph got his red nose! His elf friend, Hermey, tries to help Ruldolph and cure him of his glowing red nose.
It’s not until the end of the story we find out that Rudolph’s red nose is very special.
11. Little Blue Truck’s Christmas
We are huge fans of the Little Blue Truck series! We have almost every book.
Based on the original Little Blue Truck book, this spin-off follows Little Blue Truck as he works to deliver 5 Christmas trees to his friends across town. Will Little Blue Truck get the trees delivered in time for Christmas with the help of Green Toad?
This board book also has a Twinkling Lights edition. Such a fun way to add some Christmas magic to your read-alouds!
12. Construction Site on Christmas Night
Based on the original title “Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site,” this spin-off follows the construction vehicles as they build a special house, get Christmas gifts of their own, and go to sleep on a snowy Christmas night.
The original “Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site” is a favorite of my son’s! Like the Little Blue Truck series, there are several seasonal spin-offs you can read and learn more about how the construction vehicles get through seasonal tasks.
This book is the perfect Christmas read-aloud for your car-loving kiddos!
Click on the pictures to purchase a copy for your family! *These links are affiliate links.
More Christmas Reading
13. How Do Dinosaurs Say Merry Christmas?
The “How Do Dinosaurs” series has been filled with fun jokes and adventures for my kids. The Christmas version is no different!
Do dinosaurs cause havoc during Christmas? Do they roar “Merry Christmas?” Find out in this cute, poem-like story!
We also appreciate the “How Do Dinosaurs” series because, usually, at the beginning of the book there are pictures alongside the scientific names of the dinosaurs mentioned in the book. You could easily turn this into a fun science read for your children!
14. Sneezy the Snowman
Three children happen upon a snowman (Sneezy) who is chilly. They find ways to warm him up without making him melt.
It’s a cute story about friendship, working together, and acts of kindness. It also has some fun illustrations sprinkled throughout the story that all parents can enjoy.
“Sneezy the Snowman” is a must-read for us every winter!
15. Christmas is Awesome!
“Christmas is Awesome!” is a good choice for parents who enjoy a little humor in their parenting. The bright illustrations follow cheeky characters as they frolic through snow, Santa’s workshop, and Christmas dinner parties.
I have a hard time not giggling as I look through the pictures when reading this to my children.
It’s also one of my favorites because the pictures speak for themselves. There is only a saying on each page and the book is written in rhyme.
16 .Who’s Hiding with Penguin?
This is a “peekaboo” style storybook my children have been enjoying since before they could speak.
Learn about new arctic animals and help them find their friend, Penguin, in this very short board book.
I highly encourage this book as a stocking stuffer! This is great for babies and young toddlers.
Want to do more family activities during the month of December?
I created a bucket list you and your family can go through this winter!
Check off items like “make paper snowflakes” or “tour neighborhood Christmas light displays.” Or add your own Christmas traditions to your list!
Supply your email below and I’ll send you my Family Winter Activities Bucket List PLUS a bucket list for spring, summer, and fall!
Related Blog Posts
Winter Activities for Families
The Christmas Story
The religious world celebrates Christmas as the birth of Jesus Christ.
If you aren’t religious, you may know “A Christmas Story” as a funny movie about a young boy trying to dodge his bully while he dreams about his ideal Christmas present.
Whatever your roots in Christmas are, look for written versions of the story! There may even be an adaptation to some of your favorite stories that you can share with your children.
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