We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, we LOVE, LOVE, LOOOOOOOVE holiday books! We eagerly look forward to discovering and adding a few new titles to our library each year. Below we’ve shared some of our all-time favorite Christmas books with you!
Let’s start out with the classics. Some of these books are no longer in print, so only used copies are available, but it is so worth it to add one (or more) to your holiday library!
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First up, my very favorite Christmas book ever!!! A Christmas Card for Mr. McFizz embodies all of the qualities that make a picture book absolutely magical: a beautiful lesson, brilliantly witty writing, and stunning illustrations. Mr. McFizz, a fastidious and fussy (but good-hearted) critter, learns to overcome loneliness and jealousy after a family of pack rats moves in next door.
What is it about Little Golden Books that instantly evokes such strong childhood nostalgia?! The Biggest, Most Beautiful Christmas Tree was one of my most read and highly treasured Christmas books. It’s a sweet, simple tale about a group of critters who were sad that Santa never came to their tree. Great Aunt Mim came for a visit and inspired them to decorate their home, turning it into the biggest, most beautiful Christmas tree in an effort to catch Santa’s attention.
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A Christmas Guest gives me a lump in my throat every time I read it. It is the story of a how young boy and his mom help an elderly woman who appears at their door on Christmas Eve. It is such a beautiful reminder of the importance of giving to others.
The Friendly Beasts Aren’t Tomie dePaola’s illustrtations so stunning?! We have a number of his books, but this is our favorite. It’s actually an old English Christmas Carol that tells the Christmas story from the perspective of the animals of the manger.
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The Polar Express is a classic that is seeped in holiday magic and still gives me goosebumps! Follow along as children take a trip to the North Pole to meet Santa on Christmas Eve.
Now on to more recent favorites….
Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree Mr. Willowby is the sweetest story of sharing. When Mr. Willowby’s tree arrives it is too large for his parlor, so he lops off the top of the tree to make room. The butler gifts the top of the tree to the maid, but it is too small for the place she has for it so she cuts off the top as well. This pattern of giving continues throughout the story so that many have trees to enjoy for Christmas. This is one of Isla’s very favorite books!
After discovering Pick a Pumpkin this fall, I knew we had to add Pick a Pine Tree to our library! Whimsically illustrated and rhythmically written about the traditions of choosing and decorating a Christmas tree, it is the perfect book for those with nostalgic hearts.
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A World of Cookies for Santa This is a fantastic book for little bakers in your life! It tells about the traditions and cookies children from all around the world leave for Santa. Recipes are included too!
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This is Christmas is new to our holiday library this year. The illustrations are just darling! A baby chipmunk asks his mother “What is Christmas, Mama?” As they walk through the forest together they observe animals involved in their Christmas traditions and the baby begins to build and understanding of the holiday.
Room for a Little One On the night of Jesus’ birth and old ox lay in his stable. As smaller animals approach, looking for a place to escape the cold, the ox welcomes them in by saying, “There’s always room for a little one.” Mary and Joseph arrive and are met with the same welcome, and that is stable where Jesus is born.
Henry and Mudge in the Sparkle Days This is one of those books where every word is just perfection. Included are three nostalgic stories about Henry and his big dog, Mudge, during the holidays.
Mr. Putter and Tabby Bake the Cake Mr. Putter seeks to make a truly meaningful gift for his neighbor and good friend, Mrs. Teaberry, so he decides to bake her a Christmas cake… only he has never baked a cake before. This is the sweetest story about giving from the heart.
How Winston Delivered Christmas. This clever books acts as a bit of an advent activity! It has 25 chapters, and you are to read one a day starting on the 1st of December and ending on Christmas. We’re excited to try it out this year!
Little Blue Truck’s Christmas I first fell in love with the charming illustrations and upbeat rhymes of the Little Blue Truck series after reading this book. Little Blue Truck delivers Christmas trees to his friends and has one leftover for himself. Kids are given a big surprise when they turn to the back page and see real lights blinking all over the tree!
There are countless versions of this Christmas classic (we have several!), but this Little Golden Book version of The Night Before Christmas has the most charming vintage illustrations, so it is our household favorite!
Favorite board books for our littlest Christmas enthusiasts…
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Christmas Cookie Day! This rhyming story celebrates the tradition of making and decorating Christmas cookies. It even includes a special recipe!
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Christmas in the Manger Both our kids loved this sweet and simple version of the nativity story, told from the various perspectives of those present at the birth of Jesus.
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Christmas Songs A musical book with songs that we enjoy listening to as well! Cole received this last year and absolutely loved looking at the beautiful illustrations, pushing the buttons, and dancing along with the songs.
S is for Santa Our favorite Christmas ABC book with jolly retro illustrations!
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Teeny Tiny Santa A teeny tiny fox lives in the forest and fears he is too small for a visit from Santa… but then a Teeny Tiny Santa arrives! A heartwarming rhyming story with darling illustrations.
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We hope this list inspires you to grow your Christmas library, and leads to many happy, magical hours of holiday reading with your family!
We have even more fantastic Christmas stories for kids on Pinterest! Click HERE to check them out!
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