Favorite Picture Books for Christmas

Humphrey’s First Christmas
by Carol Heyer

Humphrey’s First Christmas is the story of a star, a newborn babe in a manger, and a life-changing moment for an ornery camel.

Let It Snow
by Holly Hobbie

In classic Toot & Puddle fashion, Let It Snow reminds children that showing your friend how much you care is the greatest gift of all.

An Orange for Frankie
by Patricia Polacco

Set during the Great Depression, An Orange for Frankie is a charming and true tale of gifts and giving, of generosity and love.

An Otis Christmas
by Loren Long

Otis’s new horn is the best Christmas present ever … but he doesn’t realize just how special it is until his friends need a miracle on a stormy night.

Auntie Claus
by Elise Primavera

It all begins when young Sophie starts to wonder about her eccentric auntie. Her quest to discover the truth takes Sophie to places she’s only dreamed of.

A Christmas Tree for Pyn
by Olivier Dunrea

This is a story of love between a hard-hearted father and a tiny but determined girl who wants a Christmas tree more than anything in the world.

Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree
by Robert Barry

Mr. Willowby’s fabulous Christmas tree is too big for his parlor, so he cuts off the top and gives it away. But that’s just the beginning of this sweet story!

Olivia Helps with Christmas
by Ian Falconer

It’s the day before Christmas and all through the house … uh-oh, Olivia has been helping her mother with the Christmas preparations again!

Silent Night
by Susan Jeffers

In this exquisitely illustrated picture book, Susan Jeffers brings the well-known lyrics of one of the season’s best-loved carols to life.

The Spirit of Christmas
by Nancy Tillman

Is the best part of Christmas found in sparkles, tinsel, and bright, shiny ornaments? You may find that The Spirit of Christmas is much, much more.

The Twelve Days of Christmas
by LeUyen Pham

Though you may have heard the song again and again, LeUyen Pham’s heartwarming illustrations breathe new life into this familiar holiday classic.

The Polar Express
by Chris Van Allsburg

Join a young boy on the journey of a lifetime across fields, through forests, and into a magical world found only in a child’s dreams of Christmas.

The Crippled Lamb
by Max Lucado

The Crippled Lamb offers a sweet reminder that sometimes the very best place to be isn’t the place you would choose to be.

One Starry Night
by Lauren Thompson

On a serenely starlit night, a manger creates the backdrop for a cast of animal characters—and a very special family.

Manger
compiled by Lee Bennett Hopkins

Imagine what the animals in Bethlehem might tell us if they could share their thoughts about the night that Jesus was born.

Great Joy
by Kate DiCamillo

A little girl with a big heart shows what it really means to share Great Joy during the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season.

A New Coat for Anna
by Harriet Ziefert

Set in the aftermath of WWII, A New Coat for Anna is the true story of a determined mother, a little girl, and a special gift for Christmas.

Silver Packages
by Cynthia Rylant

Frankie learns that a simple act of kindness, no matter how small it may seem, can become a blessing that lasts a lifetime.

Cranberry Christmas
by Wende Devlin

When old Cyrus Grape chases the children of Cranberryport away from the skating pond, Mr. Wiskers decides that something must be done.

Mortimer’s Christmas Manger
by Karma Wilson

Mortimer the mouse is very happy in his new home. But this story gets even better when Mortimer decides to make room for a very special family.

The Christmas Wish
by Lori Evert

Stunning photographs tell the tale of Anja, a little girl who sets out on a magical Nordic adventure to become one of Santa’s elves.

The Jolly Christmas Postman
by Allan Ahlberg

The Jolly Christmas Postman is much more than just a picture book; it’s “a present full of presents” to share with your loved ones this Christmas.

Under the Christmas Tree
by Nikki Grimes

Under the Christmas Tree, a collection of poetry that celebrates the holiday season, is the perfect book to put under your Christmas tree!

Who Is Coming to Our House?
by Joseph Slate

The excitement and anticipation is contagious as the barnyard animals busily prepare their house for the arrival of a very special guest.

The Light of Christmas
by Richard Paul Evans

The Light of Christmas is a sweet reminder that the spirit of Christmas isn’t found in the greatness of the gift, but in the heart of the giver.

Christmas Day in the Morning
by Pearl S. Buck

A farm boy, barn chores, Christmas morning, and the love between father and son: this book has all the makings of a true Christmas classic.

Snowmen at Christmas
by Caralyn and Mark Buehner

The fun-loving snowmen who frolicked on the pages of Snowmen at Night are back! But now they’re celebrating Christmas … snowman style!

Pick a Pine Tree
by Patricia Toht

Lilting rhythm and delightful illustrations help this perfect picture book offer readers a timely reminder—it’s time to Pick a Pine Tree!

Christmas Tapestry
by Patricia Polacco

Just when it seems like the Christmas service may be ruined, Jonathan witnesses the unfolding of an amazing Christmas miracle.

The Legend of the Christmas Rose
by William H. Hooks

Dorothy longs to join her brothers when they visit the baby that the angel told them about. But first she has to find a gift to bring to the baby.

Apple Tree Christmas
by Trinka Hakes Noble

Katrina loves the old apple tree, but when an ice storm takes it down, it may take a special Christmas present from Papa to make her merry again!

Christmas in the Big Woods
by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Join Laura and the Ingalls family for an old-fashioned Christmas. Their celebrations may be simple, but the memories they make will last a lifetime.

Why Christmas Trees Aren’t Perfect
by Richard H. Schneider

Enjoy the beautifully illustrated story of a perfect pine tree that discovers that some things are more important than being perfect.

The Wild Christmas Reindeer
by Jan Brett

Santa has given Teeka a special job to do before Christmas, but first she has an important lesson to learn about gentleness and patience.

Angelina’s Christmas
by Katharine Holabird

Angelina feels sorry for poor Mr. Bell, a lonely mouse who lives all alone. Can she find a way to bring him some merriment for Christmas?

Grumpy Badger’s Christmas
by Paul Bright

Winter is for sleeping, but Grumpy Badger’s friends keep waking him up! Will he be able to have a happy Christmas after all?

Song of the Stars
by Sally Lloyd-Jones

It’s a special night and all the animals know it! Listen in as they join together to announce the arrival of a perfect Christmas gift.

B Is for Bethlehem
by Isabel Wilner

From A Is for Augustus to Z Is for Zest, this one-of-a-kind alphabet book is a must-have for every Christmas picture book collection!

‘Twas Nochebuena
by Roseanne Greenfield Thong

Discover the joy of a Latino family Christmas (and learn a little bit of Spanish) in this bilingual version of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.

The Carpenter’s Gift: A Christmas Tale
about the Rockefeller Center Tree
by David Rubel

When a boy’s Christmas wish comes true in a most amazing way, he wonders if someday he’ll be able to make someone else’s wish come true.

Santa Clauses: Short Poems
from the North Pole
by Bob Raczka

Santa Claus himself celebrates the traditions of the Christmas season in this collection of short poems—sent all the way from the North Pole.

Santa Claus, the World’s
Number One Toy Expert
by Marla Frazee

Go behind the scenes at the North Pole to discover just what Santa Claus has to do to make sure every child gets just the right toy on Christmas Day!

Yoon and the Christmas Mitten
by Helen Recorvits

Yoon wants to celebrate Christmas! Can she convince her parents to create Christmas traditions of their own?

Red & Lulu
by Matt Tavares

When Red loses Lulu and their treetop home, he knows he has to try to save his friend. But first he has to find her!

The Christmas Baby
by Marion Dane Bauer

In this heartwarming Christmas story, the animals in the stable welcome Mary and Joseph into their home.

The Christmas Miracle
of Jonathan Toomey
by Susan Wojciechowski

Can the gentle questions of a young boy soften the heart of a broken and bitter man and remind him of the miracle of Christmas?

Cobweb Christmas:
The Tradition of Tinsel
by Shirley Climo

Have you ever noticed that tinsel looks like cobwebs? Maybe that has something to do with how tinsel became a favorite Christmas tradition!

The All-I’ll-Ever-Want
Christmas Doll
by Patricia C. McKissack

It could be the best Christmas ever for three sisters—but only if they can stop quarreling over their new Christmas doll.

The Christmas Coat:
Memories of My Sioux Childhood
by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve

What if Virginia’s parents can’t afford to buy her the warm winter coat she needs? Can Christmas make her wish come true?

Dasher: How a Brave Little Doe
Changed Christmas Forever
by Matt Tavares

This charming picture book tells the story of how one little reindeer found a new home for her family—and how Santa got his reindeer!

The Christmas Tale of
Peter Rabbit
by Emma Thompson

When they discover the McGregors are having William the Turkey for Christmas dinner, Peter and Benjamin help their friend out of a big predicament.