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.
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.
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 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 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.
Beth C.
says:This is a fantastic list. Many we haven’t read. Hope we can find new favorites at our library. We are reading some Christmas ones by Tomie dePaola and loving them. Thank you!
Kelli
says:Great list! Our family also loves “The Money We’ll Save”!
Tiff
says:Thanks for the list. We own some of these… now I get to see what the library still has on the shelves :-)
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceI hope you find a lot available at your library, Tiff. But if not, maybe you can put them on hold and still get them in a couple of weeks.
Alyssa
says:So many great choices. Thank you for sharing!!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceYou’re welcome, Alyssa!
Bethany
says:I loved Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree as a kid. Was reminded about it recently and now can’t wait to read it to my kids. ♥️
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceReading childhood favorite books with your own children is a wonderful pleasure, Bethany! I hope you make some very sweet memories.
Rebekah
says:We love Room for a Little One
Jen
says:So many favorites and so many new titles to try thanks
Mandi
says:My kids always love getting picture books for any occasion. I know they’ll be read over and over. Great list!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceThank you, Mandi!
Jonie
says:Thank you for the amazing list!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceYou’re welcome, Jonie!
Adayla
says:I really like book lists. Thanks for the ideas
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceYou’re welcome, Adayla. I hope you find these enjoyable.
Cathy Hall
says:We love holiday books!
Lynette Taylor
says:One of our many favorite Christmas Around the World books is from Romania. It’s called “The Gift of the Traveler,” and it is written by Wendy Matthews with pictures by Robert Van Nutt. It is the story of a little girl named Anica who gets lost out in the woods while on an outing with her family to find a Christmas tree. A “mysterious traveler clad in fur and carrying a leather bag over his shoulder” finds Anica and reunites her with her family. The family invites the traveler to spend Christmas Eve with them, and it becomes a Christmas that Anica will never forget.
The story by Wendy Matthews is truly magical, and it combines with the illustrations of Robert Van Nutt create a Christmas classic that your family will want to read over and over again.
We have a very long list of Christmas Around the World books that we have pulled from the Native American cultures to the Celtic cultures to the Jewish culture and everything in between. Another of our favorites is Herschel and the Hanukkah Hobgoblins. We love to light the menorah and play dreidels after reading that and The Story of the First Dreidels. We read a different Jewish tale each night of Hanukkah. If it coincides with the month of December (as it most often does), then we read a different book from our small Christmas Around the World collection on the days when it is not Hanukkah and a Hanukkah book on the days of Hanukkah before we light the menorah and play dreidels.
Some of our favorites that we check out at the library are the Tomie dePaola, Richard Paul Evans, Jan Brett, and Max Lucado, just to name a few.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceWow! Thank you for the great recommendations, Lynette!
Stacy
says:What a great bunch of books!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceThank you, Stacy.
Jesse
says:Love Christmas in the Big Woods!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceOh, yes! I agree, Jesse. I love the Little House books.
Elizabeth
says:Thank you for all the great recommendations!
Danielle
says:So many great ideas for books!
Holly
says:I enjoy the Adventure of Fr. Evangelos
AnnMarie Jackson
says:Love this list of children books
Cathy Hall
says:We have enjoyed several books including Cranberry Christmas, The Polar Express, and a Russian tale about the Baba being visited on Christmas Eve only to realize the strangers were God in disguise. Christmas a great time to get the kiddos reading and the excitement generates even more desire to read more.
Kati
says:This is just what I was looking for! Thank you!!
Kara
says:I love Christmas picture books and am always collecting them all year long from the various thrift stores that I shop in regularly. I read my children a christmas themed book each night during the month of December…and naturally reading ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas’ n Christmas Eve!! My kids love this tradition and are always excited to see all the new Christmas books that ive collected during the year! Theres several here on your list i definitely want to pick uo for our holiday book collection! And ‘The Polar Express’ s definitely a family favorite for us…the book AND the movie!!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceWhat a lovely tradition, Kara!
Stephanie Briggs
says:“Mary’s First Christmas” by Walter Wangerin, Jr.
Robyn Bischof
says:I’ve always read “Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus!” It was one of my favorites as a little girl because my mother’s name is Virginia. :)
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceRobyn,
One of the joys of parenting for me is sharing books I loved as a child with my children! My favorite Christmas picture book as a child was The Christmas Day Kitten by James Herriot.
Christine P
says:We have read someone’s coming to our house many times at Christmas when my children were toddlers. They loved it
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceWonderful, Christine!
Jennifer Sears
says:There are so many great books, I can’t wait to read the Twelve days of Christmas.
Tracie
says:I have a lot more books to check out this Christmas! So many great books.
Christine
says:We loved reading who is coming to our house when my children were toddlers
Tiffany
says:My family doesn’t have a favorite Christmas book. This year I wanted to do something different to celebrate the Christmas season. When I saw this list I thought they works fit into my plan especially since we have a kindergarten son now.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceI’m glad this list will go with your plan for the Christmas season this year, Tiffany!
Shannon
says:Thank you for the wonderful library lists.
Rebekah Mick
says:My family likes Tonight You Are My Baby