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20 favorite Christmas books for kids

December 3, 2015 //  by Jamie C. Martin

Screen Shot 2013-12-03 at 3.02.28 PM
Written by Jamie Martin, editor of Simple Homeschool

Last Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, we followed our usual tradition of chopping down our Christmas tree.

But there’s another tradition we always follow on that day as well, and I was reminded of it when one of my children asked:

“When will we get the Christmas books out?”

It wouldn’t be the holiday season without a selection of special titles to read and share together, would it?

So here’s a list of 20 favorites–most of these reside in our personal home library, but a few are new-to-me popular titles I’ve heard about online. Enjoy!

Board Books

* A Child is Born by Margaret Wise Brown (Out of print, but so special I had to include it!)

* Christmas in the Manger by Nola Buck

Picture Books

* Apple Tree Christmas by Trinka Hakes Noble

* Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson

* A Christmas Carol (picture book edition) by Charles Dickens (I’m excited about using this edition to introduce my three to this classic!)

* The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Woljciechowski

* The Christmas Story by Jane Werner Watson (Love these illustrations by Eloise Wilkin–you’ll recognize them from her other Little Golden Books.)

* God Gave Us Christmas by Lisa T. Bergren

* How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

* The Little Drummer Boy by Ezra Jack Keats

* The Nativity by Julie Vivas

* The Nutcracker Ballet by Vladimir Vagin

* The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

* Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale by Martin Waddell

* Santa’s Favorite Story: Santa Tells the Story of the First Christmas by Hisako Aoki

* Snowmen at Christmas by Caralyn Buehner

* The Story of Holly and Ivy by Rumer Godden

* Mr Willowby’s Christmas Tree by Robert Barry

Chapter Books

* The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson

* Little House Christmas Treasury by Laura Ingalls Wilder (Takes the holiday chapters out of each Little House book and combines them into one treasury. We read them each year!)

Have another holiday favorite in your home library? Share it with us in the comments!

Originally published on November 29, 2012

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Category: family timeTag: christmas, jamie

About Jamie C. Martin

Jamie is an introverted mom of three, who loves books, tea, and people (not always in that order), and avoids answering the phone when possible. She co-founded SimpleHomeschool.net in 2010 and began IntrovertedMoms.com in 2020.

Jamie is the author of four books, including Give Your Child the World (reached #9 on Amazon's Top 100 Best Sellers list), and her latest release, Introverted Mom (an ECPA bestseller). Her work has been featured by LeVar Burton of Reading Rainbow, the Washington Post, Parents, Today Parenting, and Psychology Today.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Southern Gal

    November 29, 2012 at 6:11 am

    We love Apple Tree Christmas and The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey. I’ll have to get the Little House one for my daughter to read to my granddaughters.
    Southern Gal’s latest post: Wordless Wednesday

  2. Johanna @ My Home Tableau

    November 29, 2012 at 6:41 am

    Love this list, Jamie. A couple of new ones for me that are already on reserve at the library. 🙂

    We love the Gingerbread Baby, The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey, and way more than I can write here.
    Johanna @ My Home Tableau’s latest post: Clutter free gift ideas

  3. Lynda @ Rhody Reader

    November 29, 2012 at 7:33 am

    What a great list–and quite a few I haven’t read. I’m especially intrigued by the Margaret Wise Brown board book–we love her! My little guy is just 3 so we don’t have many favorites…yet! He has been enjoying The Grinch who Stole Christmas. I’m looking forward to reading some of these titles with him, as well as what we find at the library, to see what our favorites are!
    Lynda @ Rhody Reader’s latest post: The Girl in the Glass by Susan Meissner

  4. sara

    November 29, 2012 at 8:37 am

    We love An Orange for Frankie and A Christmas Tapestry both by Patricia Polacco.

    • Laura

      December 6, 2014 at 6:05 pm

      I love those two!

  5. Julie

    November 29, 2012 at 8:49 am

    This is one of our favorite traditions, too. The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston, A Certain Small Shepherd by Rebecca Caudill, The Stable Where Jesus was Born by Rhonda Gowler Greene, Papa Panov’s Special Day adapted by Mig Holder, and The Best Christmas Book Ever by Richard Scarry are also must-reads around here.

    • Melissa L.

      December 4, 2013 at 7:14 am

      A Certain Small Shepherd is a favorite from my childhood! I was lucky to find a used copy to buy for my kids (not sure what happened to mine; I have others from my childhood. I’ve not met anyone who remembers this book.

  6. Kimberly

    November 29, 2012 at 8:52 am

    A favorite from when I was child is Santa Claus and His Elves by Mauri Kunnas. I rented the book from the school library so many times that my mom hunted down a copy (it was long out of print). It is one of the most cherished books in my library. http://www.amazon.com/Santa-Claus-Elves-Mauri-Kunnas/dp/0517558181/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354196989&sr=8-1&keywords=mauri+kunnas

    • Kristen

      November 29, 2012 at 10:57 am

      Yes! I grew up with this one, too! Are you Finnish? I love when they take a sauna.

  7. Kristina

    November 29, 2012 at 9:05 am

    So many of the books on your list were the very same ones that we pulled out just last week. One of our very favorites that wasn’t on your list is The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Barbara Cooney. This is the story of a little girl named Ruthie, preparing for an Appalachian Christmas while her father is away at war. In perfect Barbara Cooney style, the feelings of a by-gone era become vivid and tangible to readers. A perfect book to snuggle up to!
    Kristina’s latest post: Book Train Rolls Out of the Station!

  8. Kristina

    November 29, 2012 at 9:07 am

    Oops! I meant The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree, written by Gloria Houston and illustrated by Barbara Cooney. Sorry!
    Kristina’s latest post: Book Train Rolls Out of the Station!

  9. Jeni

    November 29, 2012 at 9:37 am

    I just got done buying 25 books for advent – and I’m not sure how I missed some of these! Hmn. Maybe we’ll do more than one a day(?). 🙂 I love reading what other people are using, especially not-all-Santa-oriented people. Thanks!
    Jeni’s latest post: How to Feature Your Most Pinterest-Worthy Posts in Your Sidebar

  10. Kim S.

    November 29, 2012 at 9:55 am

    Oh these are wonderful! I didn’t know about the Little House treasury. That made my day!

  11. Ashley

    November 29, 2012 at 10:10 am

    Last year we read “The Family Under the Bridge” by Natalie Savage Carlson. WONDERFUL story! It’s a short chapter book, comparable to The Best Christmas Pageant Ever in length. It offers a very different perspective on life at Christmas time than any other Christmas books we’ve read. Can’t recommend it enough!
    Ashley’s latest post: For the Drab Days

    • renee @ FIMBY

      December 5, 2013 at 10:44 pm

      Love that book.
      renee @ FIMBY’s latest post: Drudgery & Discipline

  12. Heather Y.

    November 29, 2012 at 12:02 pm

    The Fourth King by Ted Sieger is an absolute must, must, must read. I discovered it quite by accident at our public library a number of years ago and go back to it every year. Beautiful story with charming, whimsical illustrations. I routinely get choked up when reading it to my kids.

  13. Jamie

    November 29, 2012 at 12:26 pm

    I absolutely must share Song of the Stars by Sally Lloyd-Jones. It’s beautiful. http://www.amazon.com/Song-Stars-A-Christmas-Story/dp/0310722918

  14. rachel

    November 29, 2012 at 1:13 pm

    thanks so much for this list! i just placed most of these books on hold at the library. i appreciate you taking the time to compile this list! super helpful. 🙂
    rachel’s latest post: Pre-travel crafting extravaganza!

  15. Jessica Wilhelmsen

    November 29, 2012 at 3:16 pm

    Thanks for the list! I just ordered a bunch of them from Better World Books! So great!!! Can’t wait to read The Best Christmas Pageant again! It was one of my favorites as a child!

  16. Jessica @ Quirky Bookworm

    November 29, 2012 at 4:03 pm

    Man – wish I’d seen this list BEFORE I banned myself from any more holiday books this year (I already bought about 10 picture books). Adding them to next year’s list!
    Jessica @ Quirky Bookworm’s latest post: Questions to Ponder: Reading Goals

  17. Emily @randomrecycling

    November 29, 2012 at 4:49 pm

    I still love Santa Mouse from when I was a child.
    Emily @randomrecycling’s latest post: Making Eco-Friendly Choices Even During the Holidays

  18. Becca

    November 29, 2012 at 5:03 pm

    Love the post–(and everyone’s else’s additional suggestions)–thank you! I’ve also recently discovered one called The Third Gift, by Linda Sue Park.

  19. Kerry @ Made For Real

    November 29, 2012 at 7:03 pm

    Great list, thank you!
    Kerry @ Made For Real’s latest post: Clean & Scentsible {Day 4}

  20. Emily

    November 29, 2012 at 10:18 pm

    You might like this! http://www.amazon.com/Newbery-Christmas-Martin-H-Greenberg/dp/0385304854
    There is such a lovely story by Madeleine L’Engle.

  21. Jeanine

    November 29, 2012 at 11:55 pm

    I love “S is for Star: A Christmas Alphabet” by Cynthia Furlong Reynolds and illustrated by Pam Carroll. It is one of the many wonderful themed alphabet books by Sleeping Bear Press. My kids (2 & 4 yrs) enjoy the beautiful illustrations and alphabet-oriented rhymes about the various aspects of Christmas, and I enjoy the detailed information in the side bar on each page about the historical, cultural, and/or religious significance of the various Christmas traditions. Merry Christmas to all! “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” ~Matthew 1:21

  22. Victoria

    November 30, 2012 at 4:28 pm

    Our favorite is called “The Christmas Tree”

  23. Patience

    December 1, 2012 at 4:35 pm

    I just posted a list of our favorites as well.
    Patience @ Savvy Homeschool: Christmas picture books and read alouds
    Patience’s latest post: Winter Lapbook Ideas

  24. Melody Bartley

    February 21, 2013 at 8:38 am

    One of my kids favorites was “Thingamajig’s Christmas”. My kids favorite part was always when they walk the fish.

  25. John Dent

    December 4, 2013 at 2:23 pm

    “Little Bunny finds Christmas” was a favorite of our three year old last year.

  26. Alison

    December 4, 2013 at 2:39 pm

    Was thinking about Christmas reads yesterday too. Currently having lots of fun reading a Maurice Sendak illustrated version of The Nutcracker – maybe a bit more suitable for older children, but my boy is having lots of fun hearing about all the toy soldiers.
    Alison’s latest post: A Christmas Carol: daily readings

  27. Marnita

    December 4, 2013 at 3:57 pm

    Here are some great Christmas books: Christmas in noisy Village , Have you seen Christmas?, Saint Nicholas the real story of the Christmas Legend, Christmas around the world ( Us borne), Pine Tree Parable, Night before Christmas ( Tasha Tudor version- so beautiful), The Story of the Lost Star, An unexpected Christmas Gift.

  28. Marnita

    December 4, 2013 at 3:58 pm

    Sorry, last one was An Unexpected Christmas Guest.

  29. Penny

    December 6, 2013 at 9:57 pm

    The Three Gifts of Christmas! by Jennie Bishop (who wrote the princess and the kiss). Just read it again to the girls tonight.

  30. Teresa Hilliard

    December 12, 2014 at 11:00 pm

    The Polar Express is one of our favorites. We also liked Closing the Book on Santa Claus by Ron Chandler. It is about a father who tries to save his daughter’s holiday celebration after it is cancelled at the local school. He organizes a rally at city hall, but unexpected calamity prevails. My daughter made me read it to her twice.

  31. Lori

    November 27, 2015 at 7:20 pm

    Thank you so much for this list! I was able to find all but one or two at our local library! Will be wrapping these and opening one (or two!) a day leading up to Christmas! Hooray!

  32. Erin

    December 3, 2015 at 8:54 am

    What a great list! I love this time of year, especially for these kind of special, quiet read aloud times. One that we read every year is The Christmas Day Kitten by James Herriot. It’s wonderful and makes us all tear up every time!
    Erin’s latest post: An Illustrated Pride and Prejudice

  33. Erin

    December 3, 2015 at 8:59 am

    Have to chime in with one more we love: The Gift of the Christmas Cookie by Dandi Daley Mackall. It’s a simple read, but very sweet and poignant.
    Erin’s latest post: An Illustrated Pride and Prejudice

  34. Noreen

    December 3, 2015 at 10:30 am

    You will love the following meaningful Christmas Stories:
    Why Christmas Tree’s Aren’t Perfect – Schneider, The Gift of the Magi-O.Henry
    Christmas in the Trenches-McCutchern, Legend of the Candy Cane-Walburg

  35. Susan P

    December 3, 2015 at 12:49 pm

    Dance in the Desert by Madeline L’Engle! Awesome illustrations too.

  36. Joey

    December 3, 2015 at 3:17 pm

    I would add Song of the Stars to this list! It is the most beautiful story about all of creation getting ready for the coming of the newborn King. And it has amazing illustrations. Even my husband usually tears up when he reads it to the kids!

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