Classic Christmas Books for Kids

This classic Christmas poem from the early 1800s continues to delight readers as a staple of Christmas read-alouds. Although many famous illustrators have captured this story in their art, this particular version is a crowd-pleaser. Jan Brett, the quintessential Nordic-inspired artist known for her elaborate page borders and intricate, detailed artwork, illustrated this book. The colorful, eye-catching artwork gives young readers an immersive, wintry experience.

The Christmas tree in this story spreads joy from one family to the next. With each trim of its top, Mr. Willowby’s Christmas tree becomes a Christmas tree for each subsequent community member, whether it’s the maid, the Bear family, or Mistletoe Mouse’s family. Soon, everyone has their own Christmas tree, all originating from one single source. Illustrated with vintage charm, this is a feel-good cause-and-effect classic.

Captured in beautiful snowy Nordic environment photographs, Anja embarks on a magical trip to find Santa Claus. After stopping to help a neighbor, new animal friends join Anja on her journey North. When Anja finally arrives at the North Pole, Santa Claus rewards her year-round kindness with a bell and lets her drive the sleigh back home. On Christmas morning, Anja finds no sleigh tracks in the snow. Was it all a dream?

This humorous, heartwarming Christmas story existed long before the many movie adaptations, and it’s worth including in your read-aloud rotation. The grumpy Grinch, in his Santa suit, arrives in Whoville to ruin Christmas for everyone. But much to his surprise, his shenanigans don’t thwart the Christmas spirit in the Whoville children. Even more surprisingly, their joyful response enlarges the Grinch’s bitter heart. This is a redemption story about how joy and love can soften even the hardest hearts.

If you’ve ever wondered about the origin of Santa’s reindeer, read this story to find out. Inspired by her mama’s stories of the North Star and freedom, a young reindeer named Dasher escapes the confines of their traveling circus home. She follows the North Star until she meets a kind man named Santa. When Dasher and Santa rescue Dasher’s entire reindeer family, they all decide to help Santa pull his sleigh. This is a story about magic, wishes, family, and Christmas lore is required reading at Christmas time.

In this adventurous Christmas story, Jim makes gingerbread cookies shaped like pirates, but he doesn’t want Santa to eat them. (Captain Cookie doesn’t want to be eaten either!) While Jim sleeps, Captain Cookie searches for his pirate crew and meets the dreaded cookie-eating Santa. Luckily, instead of eating the pirate cookies, Santa gives all the pirates a special gift, which becomes Jim’s favorite present. Readers will love the festive, feel-good ending.

Inspired by the classic poem, this lively adaptation is filled with Spanish words, Mexican culture, and vibrant illustrations of happy children, family, and neighbors. During their Nochebuena celebration, a family and their friends make tamales, hang adornos, go casa a casa for las posadas, play lotería, break a piñata, attend church, host relatives for una cena, and open regalos. This cultural story invites readers of all backgrounds into the family’s rich, loving traditions as they celebrate Christmas.

Pham reimagines the traditional “The Twelve Days of Christmas” song with illustrations of playful animals and international cultures, while keeping a vintage vibe. Readers will enjoy the bonus seek-and-find page of gifts, plus back matter about the song’s history.

It’s the Great Depression, and money is tight for Nella’s family. Even still, Nella desperately wants a Baby Betty doll for Christmas and writes that in a letter to Santa Claus. When her parents give the doll to all three sisters, Nella insists it’s meant only for her. (She wrote the letter, after all.) But soon Nella realizes that playing without her sisters isn’t as fun as playing together, so she spreads the Christmas spirit by inviting them to share the doll with her.

Immerse yourself in a colorful Christmas celebration! From a shiny red sled and glittery gold gift wrapping to green pine needles and white angel wings, Christmas traditions and experiences come in every color. After you read about all the colorful elements in a Christmas celebration, the author reminds you that you are also a Christmas color, and that how you love and care about others is an important part of the Christmas story!