Do your kids love to listen to you read Christmas stories? It seems like there are so many children’s Christmas books to choose from these days! I hope this Christmas book list for kids will help you narrow down your choices when it comes to selecting the best Christmas books to read aloud.
If you aren’t allowed to read Christmas stories in your classroom be sure to check out my list of favorite Gingerbread books!
The Best Children’s Christmas Books
I have more children’s Christmas books than I can possibly ever read aloud, but there are some that are always a sure hit or others that are new and deserve to be added to my holiday “must-read” list. Here they are in no particular order below.
Don’t be offended if I left any of your favorites off the list, we all have our own favorites and I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you about the glories of The Grinch. Keep reading, maybe you’ll find some new favorites here!
Books About Santa Claus
Animal’s Santa, by Jan Brett
Another beautifully illustrated book by beloved children’s author Jan Brett that is sure to become a Christmas favorite. In keeping with her usual style, the illustrations in The Animals’Santa are superbly detailed, bringing the story to life for the reader. An engaging and captivating story that reveals who the animals’ Santa really is!
Santa Claus and the Three Bears, by Maria Modugno
I love reading different versions of fairy tales to my kids. They are comfortable and familiar with the classic tale of Goldilocks, but really enjoy the new twists in Santa Claus and the Three Bears. The illustrations are adorable and the story is every bit as good as the original!
Santa’s Underwear, by Marty Rhodes Figley
Capturing and holding the attention of your little learners has never been easier with this hilarious book! Your little readers will giggle and squeal all the way through this super silly story about Santa and his missing Christmas underwear.
Children’s Christmas Books for Little Learners
Llama, Llama Holiday Drama, by Anna Dewdney
Nobody can relate more to all the waiting that must be done during the holiday season than young children. In Llama, Llama Holiday Drama, little llama is tired of all the endless waiting, something that will resonate with your little learners.
Check out this research-based, playful learning unit in our curriculum shop!
The Ultimate Pre-K Christmas Lesson Plans Bundle
16 of our most popular Christmas theme resources, including math, literacy, and dramatic play! Make learning fun with these hands-on resources!
Snowmen at Christmas, by Caralyn Buehner
Have you ever wondered what snowmen do at Christmas? Snowmen at Christmas gives us a sneak peek into the secret lives of snowmen. A charming and humorous look at how snowmen celebrate the holiday, sure to be a hit with young and old alike. I can’t help but smile whenever I read this book.
Holiday Books for Preschoolers
Pete the Cat Saves Christmas, by Eric Litwin
Everybody’s favorite blue cat is at it again in Pete the Cat Saves Christmas. In this totally groovy version of The Night Before Christmas, Pete saves the day for an ailing Santa and helps spread the spirit of giving.
It’s Christmas, David! by David Shannon
David is up to his old tricks – it’s just so hard to be good with tempting presents and pretty trees everywhere! All young children can relate to the many temptations Christmas has to offer.
Bear Stays Up for Christmas, by Karma Wilson
Who could resist the rhyming text and sweet message of friendship in this story from acclaimed and beloved children’s author Karma Wilson? Friends wake hibernating bear so he can experience his first Christmas and discover the meaning of true friendship at the same time.
Children’s Books About Reindeer
Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer, by by Thea Feldman
It’s difficult to find a good version of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer that’s been paraphrased to make it just right for reading aloud to young children. I think they did a nice job turning this classic movie into a kid-friendly book. There isn’t too much text on each page and the illustrations are straight from the TV special. If you’re a Rudolph fan, this Deluxe 50th Anniversary edition is a must have (it’s on my list!)
Olive, the Other Reindeer, by Vivian Walsh
With a truly unique and lovable main character this book is sure to become a permanent fixture on your holiday read-aloud list. Olive is a dog who is convinced she is one of Santa’s reindeer and heads off to the North Pole to join Santa’s team. This humorous book had me giggling from beginning to end every time!
The Littlest Reindeer, by Brandi Dougherty
A sweet little holiday tale with a big message about persistence that will resonate with your preschoolers.
How to Catch a Reindeer, by Alice Walstead
Kids love the “How to Catch a…” series! They’ll giggle their way through this silly story about a group of children who set out to catch Comet the Reindeer so they can prove Santa is real.
Reindeer (A Day in the Life: Polar Animals), by Katie Marsico
Vibrant, close-up photographs help children see what life is like for reindeer in this non-fiction book about polar animals.
Children’s Books About Elves
How to Catch an Elf, by Adam Wallace
Run along with the children in this book as they set out to trap an elf who’s running loose in their house on Christmas Eve, causing all sorts of mischief.
The Christmas Wish, by Lori Evert
Holiday spirit abounds in this story of a young girl who years to be one of Santa’s elves. Young and old alike will adore this heartwarming classic!
If You Take a Mouse to the Movies, by Laura Numeroff
Mouse is back and demanding more than ever in this hilarious Christmas tale – going to the movies will never be the same again!
Little Red Sleigh, by Erin Guendelsberger
A New York Times bestseller about believing in the magic of Christmas. An inspirational tale about determination and persistence that your little ones will beg you to read over and over again this holiday season.
Classic Christmas Books for Kids
The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg
Join millions of readers worldwide who have enjoyed this Caldecott medal winning story about a young boy who makes his way to the North Pole to make his Christmas wish with Santa.
The Night Before Christmas, by Clement Moore
I know you’re probably already familiar with this classic children’s Christmas book, but this version is a real keeper. Some versions of The Night Before Christmas have too many words on the page for young children, or the illustrations are awful – I promise you will have none of those problems with this one. A must-read on Christmas Eve!
The Sweet Smell of Christmas, by Patricia M. Scarry
What’s not to love about a scratch and sniff book? Children everywhere will enjoy scratching and sniffing their way to Christmas morning with this wonderful children’s classic. This is one of my own personal favorites from my childhood.
Favorite Christmas Books for Preschool
Construction Site on Christmas Night, by Sherri Duskey Rinker
Your little construction vehicle lovers will love this book all about what presents await at the construction site on Christmas night.
Gingerbread Christmas, by Jan Brett
The gingerbread Baby runs away and leads hungry children on a merry chase that ends up in a Christmas tree.
Merry Christmas, Splat, by Rob Scotton
Hoping for a really big present, Splat does a good deed that backfires – big time!
Little Blue Truck’s Christmas, by Alice Schertle
Beep! Beep! Beep! Join Little Blue Truck as he brings Christmas cheer to all of his friends – perfect for little blue truck fans!
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bell, by Lucille Colandro
The beloved Old Lady is back! The rhythmic text makes it easy to follow as you read and explore what the quirky Old Lady swallows this time.
More Christmas Ideas
Christmas Tree Sensory Bin Printable– Sensory bins are great ways to engage preschoolers in exploring and to build conceptual knowledge. This Christmas sensory bin builds pre-literacy skills. Children can find and match alphabet letters. They build visual discrimination skills, identifying the differences among letters. And they have so much fun digging in the bin to find the letters.
Five Senses Activities for Christmas – The five senses are key tools for preschoolers to explore and understand the world around them. When teachers can engage one or more of the senses, the learning experience becomes more concrete and more memorable. Here are over 20 activity ideas that will engage the senses as you invite preschoolers to learn more about Christmas.
Salt Dough Christmas Ornaments Kids Can Make- Salt dough ornaments are a classic Christmas craft, but they’re also tons of fun for kids and super easy to make. The best part? You probably already have the ingredients you need sitting in your pantry at home!
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