• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Baby + Toddler (0-2)
  • Pre-K (3-5)
  • Beginning Readers (6-7)
  • Growing Readers (7-9)
  • Tweens (10-12)
Happily Ever Elephants
Happily Ever Elephants

Happily Ever Elephants

The Best Kids Books Found Here!

  • Home
  • Book Lists
  • Winter Books!
  • About
  • Home
  • Baby + Toddler (0-2)
  • Pre-K (3-5)
  • Beginning Readers (6-7)
  • Growing Readers (7-9)
  • Tweens (10-12)
Books by Theme » Holidays » The Best Christmas Books for Kids!

The Best Christmas Books for Kids!

By Lauren Bercuson ·  Published: Nov 8, 2020 ·  Modified: Nov 21, 2022 ·  This post may contain affiliate links

Christmas books for kids celebrate the magic, joy, and wonder of this meaningful holiday! We’ve got the most fabulous books to get your family into the holiday spirit, so check them out below!

The covers of 9 Christmas books for kids.
Table of Contents:
  1. The Best Christmas Books for Kids Evoke the Magic of the Holiday Season
  2. Frequently Asked Questions
  3. Happily Ever Elephants’ Favorite Christmas Books for Kids!

The Best Christmas Books for Kids Evoke the Magic of the Holiday Season

Christmas books for children are plentiful, that’s for sure! There is an abundance of holiday stories published each year around the world, making it seemingly impossible to wade through them all.

But this list? The Christmas books for kids on this list are timeless. Beautiful. Diverse.

They are pure magic.

These books don’t just celebrate the holiday, but they celebrate everything Christmas is about. Family, friends, giving, peace on earth, and gratitude for the abundance of joy that can be found around us.

RELATED: Trying to find books for all the kids on your holiday list? Check out our Ultimate Book List with more than 200 titles for all ages and stages!

Perhaps even more importantly, they show a diverse array of families celebrating the holiday in their own vibrant homes, whether here or around the world. What a wonderful way to show children the similarities they have to families of all colors, backgrounds, and sizes, as well as the amazing unique traditions that make every celebration special.

There are so many Christmas books out there, that putting together this list seemed like a daunting task. But when I began looking through piles and piles of stories, it was not hard to find what sticks out and which books are destined to become modern classics.

Through illustrative beauty, pitch-perfect writing, and stories that elicit joy and celebration, these are our favorite Christmas books for kids. Enjoy!

RELATED: Looking for the best gifts for little bookworms? Check out this awesome list of bookish gifts!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is your favorite Christmas book for kids?

I’ve got two! I have forever loved A World of Cookies for Santa, by M.E. Furman and illustrated by Susan Gal. It is absolutely fascinating to see the way children around the world prepare themselves for Santa’s arrival, and I love learning about the different treats that are left for Santa around the world. I have also fallen for It’s Christmas Everywhere: Celebrations From Around the World, by Hannah Barnaby and Joao Fazenda. Not only is the book shaped like a Christmas tree which young readers adore, but it is also another great book for exploring Christmas traditions worldwide.

Do you have a list of Christmas books for toddlers?

Of course! While you can certainly share these books with your younger children, here is a list of favorite Christmas board books that will be perfect for your littlest readers!

Do you happen to have a list of Hanukkah books?

Absolutely! My family celebrates Hanukkah, as do so many others, so no blog would be complete without a post of outstanding Hanukkah books. Click here for our list of must-have children’s books about Hanukkah.

Happily Ever Elephants participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about these links in my disclosure policy.

RELATED: We’ve got more than 100 children’s book lists on Happily Ever Elephants. Be sure to check out this link!

Happily Ever Elephants’ Favorite Christmas Books for Kids!

The cover of A World of Cookies for Santa, one of our favorite Christmas books for kids.
A World of Cookies for Santa
By M.E. Furman and illustrated by Susan Gal

This fabulous book details the varied ways in which children worldwide prepare themselves for Santa’s arrival.  Santa doesn’t get milk and cookies in India. Instead, kids leave Christmas Baba (Father Christmas) a crispy fried treat called a kulkuls, together with a cup of spicy chai. And in South Africa, Kersvader arrives by donkey, and children leave him hertzog cookies filled with apricot jam and topped with coconut meringue. Yum! This is a fascinating look at how Christmas is celebrated across the globe, filled with gorgeous illustrations to boot. Definitely a new favorite, and such a fun way to explore unique foods from around the world!

BUY THIS BOOK FROM:

The cover of It's Christmas Everywhere, one of our favorite Christmas Board Books.
It’s Christmas Everywhere: Celebrations from Around the World
By Hannah Barnaby and Joao Fazenda

This novelty Christmas board book will be cherished by young kids. They will love the fact that it is shaped like an actual Christmas tree! With pitch-perfect rhyme and secondary text offering readers a look at how Christmas is celebrated around the globe, this book rocks! Kids marvel at the unique ornaments used to decorate the tree from different countries, and they are mesmerized when the whole book is folded back to create a free-standing Christmas tree.

BUY THIS BOOK FROM:


The cover of The Night Before Christams, one of our favorite Christmas books for kids.
The Night Before Christmas
By Clement C. Moore and illustrated by Loren Long

In this beloved Christmas poem, one of my very favorite illustrators puts a modern twist on classic words. Featuring stunning illustrations, four diverse families, and — of course — the magic of Christmas, this beauty is an absolute winner and one you will cherish for generations!

BUY THIS BOOK FROM:

The cover of The Broken Ornament,  a favorite Christmas book for kids.
The Broken Ornament
By Tony DiTerlizzi

More! More! More! Isn’t that what we all hear our children say all the time? Jack constantly wants more of everything, so when he breaks his mom’s old Christmas ornament, he doesn’t understand why she is so upset. Can’t they just buy more ornaments? Turns out, that dusty old ornament was his mother’s treasured heirloom, and Jack has much to learn about the true meaning of the holiday and Christmas spirit.

BUY THIS BOOK FROM:

The cover of Pick a Pine Tree,  a favorite Christmas book for kids.
Pick a Pine Tree
By Patricia Toht and illustrated by Jarvis

This book so perfectly captures the joy inherent in each beloved Christmas tradition. From picking out the perfect tree to bringing it home and decorating it, from hanging stockings on the mantle to lights outside on the house, each of these beautiful pages celebrates family, tradition, and the excitement of the Christmas holiday.

BUY THIS BOOK FROM:

The cover of The Polar Express,  a favorite Christmas book for kids.
The Polar Express
By Chris Van Allsburg

You can’t celebrate Christmas without this marvelous classic, the story of a young boy who is welcomed aboard the Polar Express on Christmas Eve, right when he begins to question Santa’s existence. The boy’s magical journey to the North Pole reminds us that being a believer will keep us young at heart, and even as we age, the spirit of Christmas can continue to enchant us.

BUY THIS BOOK FROM:

The cover of If You Ever Want to Bring a Pirate to Meet Santa, Don't,  a hilarious Christmas book for kids.
If You Ever Want to Bring a Pirate to Meet Santa, Don’t!
By Elise Parsley

In case your parents tell you that you are going to meet a guy with a beard, a red suit, and a sack full of treasures, chances are, they are not talking about a pirate. But if you do find a pirate, and you happen to bring him in line with you to sit on Santa’s lap, will he be naughty or nice? And can he change his swashbuckling ways? Such a fun and funny Christmas read!

BUY THIS BOOK FROM:

The cover of Red and Lulut,  a favorite Christmas book for kids.
Red & Lulu
By Matt Tavares

This book is perfect and heartwarming! Red and Lulu are two birds that make their nest in a majestic evergreen tree. But one day, the two are separated when the tree is chopped down and hauled away — with Lulu still in it! Red chases after the tree and finds himself lost in New York City. But when the magic of Christmas leads him to Rockefeller Center, Red finds his heart — and his home— amidst the holiday spirit. We also love Tavares’ newest book, Dasher: How a Brave Little Doe Changed Christmas Forever.

BUY THIS BOOK FROM:

The Nutcracker in Harlem
By T.E. McMorrow and illustrated by James Ransome

In this beautiful retelling of The Nutcracker, set in Harlem during the peak of the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s, young Marie encounters a magical toy nutcracker — and finds her own music, as well. With jazz music instead of Tchaikovsky and a cast of Black characters, this lovely retelling breathes new life into the classic ballet, complete with an author’s note that gives children a brief background about this important historical period.

BUY THIS BOOK FROM:

The cover of The Little Reindeer,  a favorite Christmas book for kids.
The Little Reindeer
By Nicola Killen

Oh, how I adore the illustrations in this book! This is one of those quiet, understated stories that breathes magic on every page. The story tells of a friendship between a little girl and a lost reindeer, and a Christmas eve the two will never forget.  It’s a simple, sweet, and wondrous tale – complete with die-cut pages and metallic ink – sure to become an enthralling family favorite.

BUY THIS BOOK FROM:

The cover of Too Many Tamales,  a favorite Christmas book for kids.
Too Many Tamales
By Gary Soto and illustrated by Ed Martinez

Christmas Eve began so perfectly. Until that is, Maria tries on her mother’s diamond ring for just a minute and then loses it in the masa she kneads to make Christmas tamales. Oh no! Maria needs to get the ring back, and fast! But the ring is inside one of the tamales! Whatever will she do? Well, she has to eat the tamales, of course. Nothing beats Maria and her cousins’ animated expressions as they realize how many tamales they must eat to find Mama’s diamond! This one is such a hoot!

BUY THIS BOOK FROM:

The cover of I Got the Christmas Spirit,  a favorite Christmas book for kids.
I Got the Christmas Spirit
By Connie Schofield-Morrison and illustrated by Frank Morrison

A mom and daughter are enjoying the sights, smells, and sounds of Christmas! Spreading Christmas spirit wherever she goes, the girl smells chestnuts roasting (CRUNCH! CRUNCH! CRUNCH!), donates money to the needy (JINGLE! JINGLE!), and sings carols in the street (FA LA LA!). This is a simple and joyous book, complete with a diverse cast of characters and a message of peace, kindness, and love for everyone.

BUY THIS BOOK FROM:

The cover of Room for a Little One,  a favorite Christmas book for kids.
Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale
By Martin Waddell and illustrated by Jason Cockcroft

This is a gorgeously illustrated book that tells the story of all the animals sharing the manger — animals who are typically foes but instead rest together in harmony. In the end, Joseph and Mary arrive and Mary gives birth to Jesus, who is welcomed by all.  A heartwarming and simple story that celebrates Jesus’s arrival in a manner even toddlers can understand.

BUY THIS BOOK FROM:

The cover of The Waltz of the Snowflakes,  a favorite Christmas book for kids.
Waltz of the Snowflakes
By Ellie Mackay

Do you remember the first time you saw The Nutcracker? This wordless book is exquisite from start to finish, showcasing one child’s first experience at The Nutcracker ballet. It’s a dreary day outside, and upon being gifted tickets to the ballet, one little girl is totally unenthused. But as she sits down in the theater and the curtain rises, the child lights up, drawn into the show’s magic, the beauty of the dancers, and a new friend. This one is stunning, and it brought me right back to my first time seeing a live ballet!

BUY THIS BOOK FROM:

The cover of The 12 Sleighs of Christmas,  a favorite Christmas book for kids.
The 12 Sleighs of Christmas
By Sherri Duskey Rinker and illustrated by Jake Parker

If your kids love Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site, don’t walk but run out to buy them The 12 Sleighs of Christmas.  When Santa’s elves discover Santa’s sleigh is totaled just before Christmas, the elves split into a dozen teams and set out to build Santa Claus a cool new sleigh — and Santa himself will decide which one to use for his special day.  A fun new read-aloud that will have kids marveling at the coolest sleighs imaginable, inspired by big rigs, motorcycles, and zeppelins, too! And make sure to check out their newest Christmas-themed read, Construction Site on Christmas Night!

BUY THIS BOOK FROM:

The cover of Silent Night,  a favorite Christmas book for kids.
Silent Night and 12 Days of Christmas
By Lara Hawthorne

These two stunning books celebrate all the magic of Christmas through the words of two beautiful carols. Silent Night is a beautiful celebration of the Nativity Story, complete with diverse characters from around the world. 12 Days of Christmas is a visual dream, a walk through the beloved, traditional poem that takes readers on a journey through the sights and sounds of Christmas. Both are absolute wonders!

BUY THIS BOOK FROM:

RELATED: Looking for great books for storytime? We have an excellent list of kindergarten read-alouds for you, so be sure to check them out!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

All Book Lists

« Previous PostMust-Have Children's Books About Hanukkah
Next Post »Happily Ever Elephants' Best Picture Books of 2020!

OTHER POSTS YOU MAY LIKE:

  • All Book Lists

    Must-Have Children's Books About Hanukkah
  • All Book Lists

    Your Must-Have Books for the Holiday Season - Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa!
  • All Book Lists

    Christmas Board Books We Love for Toddlers

Never Miss a Happily Ever Elephants Newsletter!

Join our community and discover 28 Unforgettable Books to Make Storytime Magical and Meaningful.

Thank you for subscribing!

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Welcome to Happily Ever Elephants!

Lauren

Hi! I’m Lauren. I’m a boy mom, former attorney, current elementary school librarian, and moderator of book clubs for kids around the country. My goal is to make storytime with your children both magical and meaningful. Welcome! LEARN MORE 

AS FEATURED IN

Good Housekeeping

Winter Books!

10+ Valentine’s Day Books for Kids!

The Cutest Children’s Books About Penguins

The Best Lunar New Year Read-Aloud Books!

The Best New Year Read-Alouds

SEE ALL WINTER BOOKS!

Popular Posts

kindergarten-read-alouds

These Kindergarten Read Alouds Will Wow Kids!

The covers of 9 of the best books for 10 year olds.

The Best Books for 10-Year-Olds To Excite Your Kids!

The cover of Gossie with some rubber ducks, a great book for 2 year olds.

The Best Books for 2-Year-Olds Your Reader Will Love!

beginning-reader-books

The Ultimate List of the Best Books for Beginning Readers!

JOIN OUR BOOK CLUB

Browse by Age

BABY + TODDLER (0-2)
PRE-K (3-5)
BEGINNING READER (6-7)
GROWING READER (7-9)
TWEENS (10-12)

before footer form

Don't Miss a Book!

Join our community and discover 28 Unforgettable Books to Make Storytime Magical and Meaningful.

Thank you for subscribing!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
Make Storytime Magical and Meaningful with these 28 Unforgettable Books! DOWNLOAD

browse by age!

0-23-45+6-77-910-12

Looking to help your child develop their social and emotional skills?

Download our 8 Week Guide!

Suggested Grade Level: Pre-K - 3rd DOWNLOAD NOW

Archives

  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • October 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016

Categories

  • 0-2
  • 10-12
  • 3-4
  • 5+
  • 6-7
  • 7-9
  • All Book Lists
  • Animals
  • Anti-Bullying
  • Award Winners
  • Back to School
  • Bedtime
  • Black Children's Books
  • Combat Bias
  • Concept Books
  • Confidence
  • Diversity
  • Emotions
  • Empathy
  • Fall Books
  • Family
  • Featured Books by Age
  • Featured Books by Theme
  • Featured Children's Book Reviews
  • Friendship
  • Funny
  • Growth Mindset
  • Halloween
  • Holidays
  • Imagination
  • Interactive
  • Jewish Books
  • LGBQT
  • Life Skills
  • Life Transitions
  • Non Fiction
  • Own Voices
  • Playing Preschool Book Lists
  • Popular Posts
  • Raising Readers
  • Social Justice
  • Special Interests & Hobbies
  • Spring Books
  • STEM
  • Summer Books
  • Thanksgiving
  • Uncategorized
  • Winter books
  • Winter Holidays
  • Wordless

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Join 70k+ Instagram Followers

Find even more great book recommendations with the @happily.ever.elephants Instagram community!
Join more than 70k+ parents for more tips, recommendations and reviews.

Footer

Don’t miss a single book.

Join our community and discover 28 Unforgettable Books to Make Storytime Magical and Meaningful.

Thank you for subscribing!

Buy the Books

The best virtual book clubs for kids. Why read alone when we can read together?

JOIN NOW!
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2025 ·  Happily Ever Elephants LLC ·  Review Policies & Disclosures ·  Accessibility ·  SITE CREDITS

3 shares