Looking for the best Christmas books for kids to read aloud this year? These are the top holiday stories you and your kids are going to love.
One of my all time favorite things to do is snuggling up to read with my littles. It is such a great way to bond, as well as instilling a love of reading, something that is so beneficial for children.
One of the things my kids look forward to each holiday is getting out the holiday books we’ve had stored away since the previous year. I swear they sit for hours going through all the winter and Christmas books we bring out after Thanksgiving.
In this post you are going to read about the best Christmas books for kids such as Bear Stays Up For Christmas, How to Catch an Elf, Olaf’s Night Before Christmas and so many more!
After reading about the best Christmas books for kids you will feel so prepared choosing the right Christmas stories that both you and your kiddos will love.
Best Christmas Books For Kids
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1. Bear Stays Up For Christmas
Bear Stays Up For Christmas by Karma Wilson is such a great addition to the bear series. If your family enjoys any of the other bear books such as Bear Wants More or Bear Feels Sick you will definitely want to check this Christmas story out.
In the book, Bear’s friends are insistent on making sure he stays up for Christmas this year.
2. Olaf’s Night Before Christmas
Olaf’s Night Before Christmas by Jessica Julius is a cute spinoff of ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas poem. You will read Olaf’s funny interpretations of Christmas Eve when he is awoken by a strange man dressed in red.
If your kids love the Frozen movies and the adorable character Olaf then they will definitely enjoy this book.
3. Grumpy Badger’s Christmas
Grumpy Badger’s Christmas by Paul Bright tells a story about a grumpy badger who wants nothing to do with Christmas and everything to do with hibernating. After many interruptions to his nap there is one interruption he can’t ignore.
Read this book to find out what helps Badger finally find the Christmas spirit.
4. Merry Christmas, Splat
Merry Christmas, Splat by Rob Scotton is a great addition to the best Christmas books for kids list because Splat is such a well-loved character by many young children. As Christmas approaches Splat is worried he may not have made Santa’s list.
5. Construction Site on Christmas Night
Construction Site on Christmas Night by Sherri Duskey Rinker is a great Christmas rhyming book for the truck loving kiddos. As the bulldozer, excavator, cement mixer, dump truck, and crane truck are working hard to do their job, they each discover a Christmas gift just for them.
6. A Very Fiona Christmas
A Very Fiona Christmas by Zondervan is a book based on the adorable baby hippo Fiona, who was born at the Cincinnati Zoo. This book is all about Fiona’s quest through the zoo to discover what Christmas is.
7. Who’s That Knocking On Christmas Eve?
Who’s That Knocking On Christmas Eve? by Jan Brett is a tale about a girl named Kyria whose house gets broken into by trolls each Christmas Eve that steal her delicious Christmas Eve meal. Will a boy and his pet polar bear be able to help her this year?
8. I Got the Christmas Spirit
I Got the Christmas Spirit by Connie Schofield-Morrison has such a sweet message. The book is about a girl embracing the true meaning of Christmas and the spirit of giving.
9. Snowmen At Christmas
Snowmen at Christmas by Caralyn Buehner is a story depicting what snowmen do on Christmas Eve when everyone is sleeping. If you have read and enjoyed Snowmen at Night you will enjoy this book too.
10. Mooseltoe
Mooseltoe by Margie Palatini is a story about a Moose who wants to make Christmas perfect.
He creates a long list of all the things he must do in order for it to be perfect but ends up forgetting the tree. Will his Christmas be ruined or will he make-do without the tree? Read this fun Christmas story to find out!
11. How Do Dinosaurs Say Merry Christmas?
How Do Dinosaurs Say Merry Christmas? by Jane Yolan and Mark Teague teaches dinosaurs (and your littles) about Christmas manners. In this funny story, the dinosaurs learn things like not touching the ornaments on the tree, not peaking in the presents and how they can help hang decorations.
12. The Wild Christmas Reindeer
The Wild Christmas Reindeer by Jan Brett is about a girl named Teeka who has the job of training Santa’s reindeer before Christmas Eve.
Teeka tries everything to get the stubborn reindeer to listen to her. She ends up learning the important lesson that kindness works much better than yelling and bossing the reindeer around.
This one definitely is at the top of my best Christmas books for kids list because the message is great and the illustrations are absolutely beautiful.
13. Santa’s Little Helper
Santa’s Little Helper by Angela McAllister tells the story of an arctic hare named Snowball who ends up hiding in Santa’s sleigh during a game of hide and seek. Read this story to find out what happens when Santa discovers the hare.
14. Tractor Mac Saves Christmas
Tractor Mac Saves Christmas by Billy Steers is a great addition to the Tractor Mac books. In this story Tractor Mac comes to the rescue when Farmer Bill, who is hauling the town Christmas tree, becomes stranded in a blizzard.
15. How to Catch A Gingerbread Man
How To Catch A Gingerbread Man by Andy Elkerton is a funny story about the Gingerbread Man who jumps out of the book during the bookstore story time. Will the traps the children set be able to catch the Gingerbread man and get him back into the story?
If you’re looking for a fun Christmas activity, try making gingerbread cookies before or after reading this book.
16. How The Grinch Stole Christmas
How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss makes the best Christmas books for kids list because it is a Christmas classic. This is one of the few Christmas books we actually keep out and read all year long.
During the holidays though, we will read this book and follow it up with a family movie night of How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
17. The Polar Express
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg is another Christmas classic. Again, I love reading this and following it by a family movie night watching the movie The Polar Express.
18. My Book About Christmas
My Book About Christmas by ME, Myself is actually an activity book. However, it is a fun Christmas activity and makes for the perfect Christmas keepsake.
19. Little Blue Truck’s Christmas
Little Blue Truck’s Christmas by Alice Schertle is the perfect Christmas story for babies and toddlers who are learning their numbers from one to five.
20. Llama Llama Jingle Bells
21. Mickey’s Christmas Carol
Llama Llama Jingle Bells by Anna Dewdney is a short, rhyming book great for young kids who may not be able to sit for longer stories yet.
Mickey’s Christmas Carol by Megan Roth is the classic story of Ebenezer Scrooge and the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future using the familiar characters of Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy.
22. Pete the Cat Saves Christmas
Pete the Cat Saves Christmas by James Dean and Eric Litwin is another spin off of the ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas poem, only this one follows the beloved character Pete the Cat.
23. Pete the Cat’s 12 Groovy Days of Christmas
Pete the Cat’s 12 Groovy Days of Christmas by Kimberly and James Dean is another Pete the Cat Christmas story. This one is a spin on The 12 Days of Christmas song. From 6 skateboards rolling to 5 onion rings your kids are sure to love Pete the Cat’s funny, new version.
24. Friendly Little Snowman
Friendly Little Snowman by Samantha Meredith is a finger puppet board book. This is a great interactive story for babies and young toddlers.
25. The Christmas Quiet Book
The Christmas Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood is a cute Christmas story that makes for the perfect holiday bedtime book.
We checked this one out from the library last Christmas and really enjoyed it so I plan to buy it and add it to our Christmas collection at home this year.
26. The Littlest Elf
The Littlest Elf by Brandi Dougherty is about the smallest elf at the North Pole desperate to find his special job. Will he find a job perfect for him or will he be too little for them all?
27. How Winston Delivered Christmas
How Winston Delivered Christmas by Alex Smith is the perfect Christmas countdown book to start on the first of December. In the story, a mouse named Winston finds a letter for Santa and sets off to deliver the letter himself. Your children will love following Winston’s journey and reading a chapter each day.
28. Is it Christmas Yet?
Is it Christmas Yet by Jane Chapman is a very relatable book for children. Little Bear is just so excited for Christmas that he keeps asking Big Bear “Is it Christmas yet?”
29. Elmo’s Merry Christmas
Elmo’s Merry Christmas is a fun Christmas lift flap book perfect for babies and toddlers.
30. Just Right For Christmas
Just Right For Christmas by Birdie Black is a great story about the spirit of giving, as well as, repurposing items.
31. The Not Very Merry Pout-Pout Fish
The Not Very Merry Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen is about the Pout Pout fish and his stressful experience Christmas shopping. With Miss Shimmer’s help, the Pout Pout fish realizes the best gifts aren’t the biggest and brightest ones at the store, rather the ones that come from his heart.
32. Gingerbread Mouse
Gingerbread Mouse by Katy Bratun is about a mouse who loses her home and is on the hunt for a new place to live. She ends up making her new home inside a family’s gingerbread house.
Where will she live when Christmas is over and the gingerbread house is gone? Read this cute story to find out!
33. Click Clack Ho! Ho! Ho!
Click Clack Ho! Ho! Ho! by Doreen Cronin is a Christmas addition to the Click Clack series. In this story, Duck gets all the farm animals stuck in the chimney. What will happen when Santa comes? Will he still be able to make it down the chimney or will Christmas be ruined on the farm?
34. Llama Llama Holiday Drama
Llama Llama Holiday Drama by Anna Dewdney is one of my personal favorites. It is such a great reminder to slow down and not get caught up in all the hustle and bustle the holiday season usually brings.
35. Santa Cat
Santa Cat by Deborah Underwood is about a cat who thinks he may not have made Santa’s nice list. Is it too late or can he find his Christmas spirit and generosity?
36. The Crayon’s Christmas
The Crayon’s Christmas by Drew Daywalt is such a fun Christmas book for kids. Inside the book, there are letters written to the crayons complete with envelopes.
In the envelopes you can actually pull out the letters as well as the little surprises such as stickers, pop out ornaments, a game, and more.
37. I’ve Seen Santa
I’ve Seen Santa by David Bedford is about a little bear who is determined to see Santa. He stays up late and ends up catching Big Bear eating Santa’s snack and Mama bear putting a present in their stockings.
Afterwards, the three of them decide to stay up together in hopes of seeing Santa. Read this story to find out whether Little Bear finally gets to see Santa.
38. Duck & Goose It’s Time For Christmas
Duck & Goose It’s Time for Christmas by Tad Hills is a short, Christmas board book. This one is the perfect length for kids not quite able to sit for longer stories.
39. The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Christmas 1 2 3
The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Christmas 1 2 3 by Eric Carle is a cute counting board book perfect for babies and young toddlers learning to count up to ten. They will get to count Christmas objects such as holly leaves, reindeer, and Christmas trees.
40. There’s an Elf in Your Book
There’s an Elf in Your Book by Tom Fletcher is a such a funny interactive book for kids which is why it makes the best Christmas books for kids list. If your children have read and liked There’s a Monster In Your Book or There’s a Dragon In Your Book then they will love this one as well.
There is an elf in the story ready to test your kids and see if they pass the good list test. Can they do it? Be warned, elves can be mischievous.
41. Merry Christmas Curious George
Merry Christmas Curious George by Margret and H. A. Rey tells the story of George whose inquisitive nature ends him up in a children’s hospital. There, he is able to lift the kids’ spirits and spread some holiday cheer.
42. Reindeer’s Snowy Adventure
Reindeer’s Snowy Adventure by Hayley Down is a short, touch and feel board book that even comes with a carrying handle, perfect for little hands.
When my oldest was young she used to love carrying this book around the house by the handle.
43. Little Red Sleigh
Little Red Sleigh by Erin Guendelsberger is about a little sleigh with a dream to become Santa’s sleigh. This book has such a great message that with determination, no dream is too big.
44. Jingle Pups
If you have a Paw Patrol lover at home like I do, then you’ll want to read Jingle Pups this holiday season! This holiday Paw Patrol board book is very short and geared more toward the kids who aren’t able to sit for longer stories.
45. 5 Minute Christmas Stories
We have both the Disney 5 Minute Christmas Stories and the Nickelodeon 5 Minute Christmas Stories. While both books have a variety of stories, I much prefer the Disney version.
Personally, I was not impressed with the individual stories the Nickelodeon book had, however, my 4 year old loves that it has Paw Patrol stories so we end up reading that one a lot more.
46. Merry Christmas Stinky Face
Merry Christmas Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt is such a cute Christmas story. If you have a child who has a big imagination and asks a lot of questions you will want to read this book.
This story is about a boy who thinks up every possible thing that could go wrong on Christmas. Luckily, his mom comes up with the perfect solutions to put his little mind at ease.
47. Don’t Push the Button! A Christmas Adventure
Don’t Push the Button! A Christmas Adventure by Bill Cotter is a fun and interactive book kids love. They get to push the button, clap their hands, and shake the book.
Don’t be surprised if your kids beg to read this over, and over, and over again.
48. The 12 Days of Christmas
The 12 Days of Christmas by Jane Cabrera is a fun spinoff to The 12 Days of Christmas song. From 8 elves a-baking to 6 bears a-snoozing this catchy version is sure to have you all singing along.
49. I Spy Christmas A Book of Picture Riddles
I Spy Christmas A Book of Picture Riddles by Walter Wick and Jean Marzollo is a great book for those kids who love puzzles and look and find books. I still have the older version of this book (pictured above) from when I was a kid and my children seem to love it just as much as I did when I was young.
This post was all about the best Christmas books for kids you’ll want to read aloud this year.
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