It’s the “most wonderful time of the year,” and taking time out from the busyness of the season to read a few of these wonderful picture books with your family will make it extra special. Whether it’s the touching story of a special gift for a little girl, a magical journey to the North Pole, or a life-changing moment for an ornery camel, you won’t want to miss a single book on this list.
And if you’re looking for an extra special way to incorporate read-aloud time into your holiday festivities this year, why not create your own Christmas Book Advent Calendar. It’s the perfect way to make reading a part of your Christmas traditions.
Download our free library list to take with you on your next visit to the library.
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.
Gather a selection of books from this list. Just click to download our list to take to your local library.
For some extra-special reading fun, Create a Christmas Book Advent Calendar and make reading a daily part of your holiday traditions!
Looking for MORE books? You can find more great library lists here!
Do you have a favorite picture book about Christmas? Please share it in the comments and I’ll add it to our Readers’ Picks list!
Nicole
says:Wow, I only have one of those books. So many new options!
Allison
says:So many books I have never read. I did have The Jolly Postman when I was a little girl and remember loving it. I had forgotten about that book.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceAllison,
I think one of the joys of reading to our children is rediscovering the books we ourselves loved when we were children!
Lauren McCray
says:Great list with some new to use titles. Excited to check out some new ones with my kids!
Sarah C
says:So many books we haven’t read, thank you so much! This is wonderful :)
Nancy
says:This is a great list. I printed it off so we can start checking them off.
Erin
says:Wow, this is great! I’m going to check out these books from the library. Thank you for all your book lists, they really help in finding good books to read to my kids. Getting that 20 minutes a day of reading is much easier now!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceThank you, Erin! It’s wonderful to know that these lists are helpful.
Nicole
says:Thank you for putting together this book list!! there are a few on here I haven’t heard of before. I downloaded the list and will be on the lookout!!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceGlad to direct you toward some new books, Nicole! I hope you enjoy them.
Elaina
says:What a great book list! I am going to have to check my library for these!
Michele
says:I love book lists! Thank you for putting this together for us.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceYou’re very welcome, Michele! I hope you find plenty of titles to enjoy in this list.
Bryan Vice
says:These are awesome I remember reading books like this when i was little and my cousin even got me a personalized book I would love to get one or books like these for my kids
marria Dunlap
says:I absolutely love this idea! I just so happened to picked some of these books up at my local library today how crazy is that. my kids will love this!
Beth wilkins
says:Love this!! Thanks so much for the book ideas
Savannah
says:Love this list! Hadn’t heard of a lot of these – excited to find new books
Teresa
says:Thank you for these great ideas!
Rachel Burman Zeleniak
says:We love Snowmen at Work!
Ashley Diehl
says:We love Christmas books! What a great list.
Cheryl
says:Thanks for this!
Stacy
says:What a fantastic list! I opened up another tab on my computer for our local library and immediately put books on hold as I read through your blog post. The book summaries were helpful too. Thanks for this! I would add two recommendations from our favorites…
1. A Christmas Tree for Pyn by Olivier Dunrea
2. Refuge: The Timeless Story of Christmas by Anne Booth & Sam Usher
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceThank you for the additional recommendations, Stacy!
Amanda
says:I love being able to get a list of good Christmas books for my kids. It saves me a lot of time and research. It is much appreciated.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceI’m pleased that this is helpful for you, Amanda! I hope you find lots of books to enjoy.
Shannon Alexander
says:An Orange for Frankie is my all time favorite! It is such a sweet story.
Melody
says:Such a wonderful list of picture books for Christmas. The Spirit of Christmas makes me tear up every time. We enjoy that one every year. We will have to check out our library for some of these we haven’t read. Thanks for the great list!
Jennifer McWethy
says:Many thanks! I was just looking for Christmas books to read to my kiddos.
Sarah
says:I love all the great Christmas books
Kimberley
says:Thoroughly enjoying All About Reading and All About Spelling. Our 9 yo who struggles a little with reading and spelling is doing so much better with your program. Thank you
Sarah
says:This is such a great list! Thanks.
Samantha Stickler
says:What a great list! Looks like I need a trip to the library. Thanks!
Christina
says:What a great list!
Kim
says:Love this list! I’ve been searching for a list like this to build our Christmas book library!
Kassi
says:Thank you so much for the suggestions! Reading Christmas picture books in December is one of our family traditions.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceI love book related traditions, Kassi!
Evangeline
says:Thank you for such a wonderful list!