Welcome to this joyful collection of Christmas books for kids! Christmas time is a special moment of the year that is filled with joy and celebration. It’s a time for families to come together and create lasting memories for the years to come. With that being said, it’s important to make sure the young ones of your family have books that will engage, educate, and entertain them during this special holiday season. This blog post will outline the top Christmas books for kids for this year that are sure to be a hit with the youngest members of your family.
These books have been carefully selected to ensure that they add value to the holiday season. They feature stories that explore the true spirit of Christmas in a fun and light-hearted way. Many of them also incorporate elements of traditional Christmas stories and characters. As you browse through this collection of books, you’ll discover stories that not only educate and entertain but also inspire and motivate, helping young minds to appreciate.
The Best Christmas Books for Kids
Make your holiday season brighter by reading Christmas books for kids with your little ones!
1. Gifts of the Heart by Patricia Polacco
This book is a sweet story that tells the tale of two siblings preparing for the Christmas holiday. They want to buy Christmas gifts for their family; however, they don’t have enough money to do so. With a new housekeeper, Kay Lamity teaches them that the most valuable gifts come from your heart. The characters are beautifully depicted, and the storyline is both touching and inspirational. It features a unique plot line along with high-quality illustrations that children will love. This book will surely add value to your holiday season by helping young children understand the true spirit of Christmas and what it means to give out of love.
2. The Gingerbread Pirates by Kristin Kladstrup
A book that will sure to bring out the child in any kid. This great book is illustrated in a colorful, fun, and cheerful way. It follows the story of Captain Cookie. He is worried about his crew – where are they now, and will Santa Claus eat them? When Captain Cookie finally meets Santa Claus, he discovers the meaning of the true spirit of Christmas when Santa Claus makes him a real toy and provides him with his ship. The Gingerbread Pirates book is a great addition to any kid’s Christmas collection.
3. Santa in the City by Tiffany D. Jackson
A few weeks before Christmas, Deja worries that Santa will not be able to deliver her presents because her house is too small. Also, her apartment does not have a chimney, and there is not enough street parking for the sleigh. She begins to doubt her belief in Santa Claus, but with the help of her close family and community, she discovers the Christmas spirit is alive and well in this tale about holidays in the city. With gorgeous illustrations that capture the delight of the holidays, this picture book from a well-recognized author Tiffany D. Jackson is not to be missed.
4. Llama Llama Jingle Bells by Anna Dewdney
A simple yet fun board book for kids. With beautiful illustrations that portray the joy of the holidays, Llama Llama Jingle Bells are sure to capture the attention of any child who reads them. In this version of the “Llama Llama” books, a little llama sings praises to the wonderful holidays and daydreams about what llama Santa might bring him. Little ones will enjoy the lovely rhymes, and the durable book pages are excellent for small hands to grip.
5. Little Blue Truck’s Christmas by Alice Schertle
It is another option to read as a Christmas book for kids and a fantastic one. Little Blue Truck is spreading cheerfulness by delivering Christmas trees to his friends. The lovely rhythm and impressive illustration style made Little Blue Truck a household name; Blue’s snowy adventure will make the child feel the holiday spirit.
6. Pick a Pine Tree by Patricia Toht
Part of the Christmas tradition is to have a Christmas tree! But for the young ones, gathering, decorating, and setting up a Christmas tree can seem like a daunting task. Pick a Pine Tree is an innovative picture book that teaches children that all they need to do is pick their favorite, cut it and take it home. It illustrates that it is fun to decorate a Christmas tree and that it is a family tradition in which one should take pride. With simple rhymic words that make it easy for young ones to follow along, this book will be a fun addition to your Christmas collection.
7. The Last Stop on the Reindeer Express by Maudie Powell-tuck
This sweet book is perfect for reading as a bedtime Christmas book for kids. The story follows a girl named Mila, separated from her beloved grandfather. Mila wants to send her grandfather a letter for Christmas, but he lives so far away that the letter will not arrive in time. Luckily, Mila discovers a magical door that leads to the Reindeer Express, where she travels on reindeer to deliver her letter and return home before Christmas. This is a story that any child will love to read and experience during a special Christmas holiday.
8. Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree by Robert Barry
Christmas has come, and Mr. Willowby’s Christmas tree has arrived. However, there is a problem; the tree is too tall for his parlor. He comes up with a solution by cutting off the top so it will fit, and that tree becomes the perfect new tree for other animals in the forest. Your little one will enjoy watching the Christmas tree move from home to home. Also, your children will appreciate the subtle message of recycling and conservation after reading.
9. The 12 Days of Christmas by Greg Pizzoli
This festive book is sure to be a favorite this Christmas. It has the classic song, “The 12 Days of Christmas”, in picture book form. You and your children can sing along with the words on each page as you read together. This is one of those books that you will read year after year during the holiday season.
10. The Smallest Gift of Christmas by Peter H. Reynolds
Roland’s hope for an amazing Christmas morning is ruined when the only gift given is a tiny box containing the tiniest present he has ever seen. Roland wishes to have something bigger and bigger . . . and bigger. But he realizes that bigger is not always best and that the small things in life are often the most important. This lovely story will teach children to be content with the things they have and to enjoy the simpler pleasures of the season. Also, The Smallest Gift of Christmas teaches children that the biggest gift is the family and the love they share.
Final Thoughts
Here at Baby Steps Daycare, we put so much emphasis on books in our curriculum. Book is the source of our knowledge. The more we read, the more we learn. Since it’s the Christmas season, why not use this opportunity to get children to learn about Christmas and the spirit of giving? The list of books above is a great source of material for a Christmas-themed storytime. I hope you enjoy reading this post and if you have any other book suggestions that are perfect for toddlers and preschoolers, please let us know in the comments section below.
Other than reading books, you can also encourage children to engage in Fun Christmas Activities for Preschoolers To Keep Them Busy During The Holidays.
If you want to know more about the NY Baby Steps program, don’t hesitate to contact us.
