Best Christmas books for kids

‘Tis the season! You don’t need us to tell you that children love the holidays. Between the delicious food, time off from school, family bonding, and of course, the presents, there is so much for children to love about this time of year.

There is a lot of opportunity to create fun Christmas crafts and do Christmas activities with your kids, but what about the quieter moments? Since your child is already so excited about Christmas, you might as well capitalize on that joy with some reading time! Christmas books can help your child equate the holiday they love with the act of reading. It’s a win-win.

To help you find the best Christmas books for your kids, we’ve listed some of our favorites for children of all ages. Ho ho happy reading!

Classic Christmas books for kids

If you are looking for a great book for a grandparent or older family member to read with your child, these classics will do the trick. We love the classics because they stand the test of time and we love experiencing the joy we felt as children with our own children when they hear the same stories.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

Why is How the Grinch Stole Christmas a classic Christmas book?

‍The Grinch is one of the most classic Christmas characters. The story of Whoville and the Grinch who steals, and then returns, Christmas is one of the most fun for children to hear year after year. Read the book as a family and then watch the movie to see the story come to life!

Buy How the Grinch Stole Christmas

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

Why is The Polar Express a classic Christmas book?

‍With beautiful illustrations and a story about the magic of Christmas, children love, and connect to, The Polar Express with each read. There is also a film adaptation of this story, which your child might enjoy after hearing the book read aloud or reading it themselves.

Buy The Polar Express

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer by Robert L. May

**Why is Rudolph a classic Christmas book?**

‍Your children probably know the Rudolph song and, depending on their age, they might have even seen the cartoon version as well. But, this is a great opportunity to show them the original story written in 1939, which includes lovely illustrations. Make your reading interactive by asking your child questions and singing the song together!

Buy Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clark Moore

**Why is The Night Before Christmas a classic Christmas book?**

‍Adding illustrations to the classic poem will help your child connect to the story and grow to love it just like you do. Make a family tradition of reading this picture book as family on Christmas Eve each year. Family traditions are a great way to bond with one another and create lasting memories.

Buy The Night Before Christmas

The Twelve Days of Christmas by Leuyen Pham

Why is The Twelve Days of Christmas a classic Christmas book?

‍The gorgeous illustrations that accompany the words to the classic song in this board book delight and inspire children and adults alike. It’s also a great opportunity to practice counting with your little ones and sing the song together as a family. You can also check out our full list of Christmas songs for kids to add more to your repertoire.

Buy The Twelve Days of Christmas

Best Christmas books for toddlers and preschoolers

Young children love everything Christmas: onesie pajamas, decorations, movies, songs, and of course, books. There are so many great Christmas books for toddlers and preschoolers out there, so we’ve listed some of our favorites so you can add them to your library and get reading.

Little Blue Truck’s Christmas by Alice Schertle

**Why do toddlers love Little Blue Truck’s Christmas?**

‍It’s a known fact that toddlers love trucks. They also love Christmas, rhyming books, and fun stories. Little Blue Truck’s Christmas has all of that and more! It even has flashing lights on the last page. Guaranteed Christmas win.

Buy Little Blue Truck’s Christmas

A World of Cookies for Santa by M.E. Furman

**Why do toddlers love A World of Cookies for Santa?**

‍This beautiful book takes children on a journey across the globe to see what families in different countries leave out for Santa. It’s a great way to remind your young children that people might look different than they do, but in the end, we are all human. It’s also a fun book for children who have family across the world.

Buy A World of Cookies for Santa

It’s Christmas, David! by David Shannon

**Why do toddlers love It’s Christmas, David!?**

‍Toddlers get immense joy out of being a little bit naughty (it is Christmas after all!), so they will love reading about the naughtiest boy out there. David goes through the regular Christmas activities, but always with a hint of mischief. Will he end up on the naughty or nice list? You and your toddler will be giggling throughout the story as you wait to find out!

Buy It’s Christmas, David!

Olivia Helps with Christmas by Ian Falconer

**Why do toddlers love Olivia Helps with Christmas?**

‍If your toddler already has the original Olivia book, then they will be thrilled to see their favorite piglet help plan the perfect Christmas with her family. Even if they haven’t read the original, they will enjoy watching Olivia and her family prepare for and enjoy Christmas just like they are doing with their family.

Buy Olivia Helps with Christmas

The ABCs of Christmas by Jill Howarth

**Why do toddlers love The ABCs of Christmas?**

‍Time to make learning fun! Your toddler will love learning the alphabet when it is Christmas themed. This is a perfect opportunity to practice their letters and get them excited about learning. With fun illustrations, toddlers will be alphabet masters in no time.

Buy The ABCs of Christmas

Christmas picture books

Looking for even more Christmas picture books for the little ones? We’ve got you covered!

When Christmas Feels Like Home by Gretchen Griffith | Buy
Don’t Push the Button: A Christmas Adventure by Bill Cotter | Buy
Red and Lulu by Matt Tavares | Buy
Santa Claus the World’s Number One Toy Expert by Marla Frazee | Buy
The Gingerbread Pirates by Kristin Kladstrup | Buy
Santa Rex by Molly Idle | Buy
Finding Christmas by Robert Munsch | Buy
One Wild Christmas by Nicholas Oldland | Buy
Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl S Buck | Buy
Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama by Selina Alko | Buy

Funny Christmas books for kids

The best children’s books are ones that make both the child and the adult laugh. These funny Christmas books will have the whole family giggling and asking for another read aloud.

Olive, the Other Reindeer by J. Otto Seibold

**Why is Olive, the Other Reindeer a funny Christmas book?**

‍When Olive the dog hears her family singing the Rudolph songs, she mishears “all of the other reindeer” and thinks they are saying, “Olive, the other reindeer” so she figures she must be a reindeer and not a dog! She heads to the North Pole to bring her unique reindeer qualities to the team. This fun book will have your whole family giggling! It’s especially a great read for dog-obsessed children.

Buy Olive, the Other Reindeer

The Day Santa Stopped Believing in Harold by Maureen Fergus

**Why is The Day Santa Stopped Believing in Harold a funny Christmas book?**

‍This book is a great read for slightly older children who might think they are too old for Santa. The story follows Santa, who is being told by his friends by the boy who writes him letters and who leaves cookies out for him, might not be real. Children and adults will love the twists and turns as Santa tries to figure out the truth.

Buy The Day Santa Stopped Believing in Harold

The Christmas Extravaganza Hotel by Tracey Corderoy

**Why is The Christmas Extravaganza Hotel a funny Christmas book?**

‍When Frog mistakenly shows up at Bear’s house instead of the Christmas Extravaganza Hotel, he is devastated. To make him feel better, Bear attempts to do all of the wild things promised on the hotel’s brochure. What follows is a series of hilarious situations that will have everyone laughing.

Buy The Christmas Extravaganza Hotel

The Worst Christmas Book in the Whole Entire World by Joey Acker

**Why is The Worst Christmas Book in the Whole Entire World a funny Christmas book?**

‍In a similar vein to Alexander and the Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, The Worst Christmas Book tells the story of Nameless as he travels to the North Pole and attempts to not have the worst Christmas ever. It is silly and sarcastic and your children will love it.

Buy The Worst Christmas Book in the Whole Entire World

The Christmas Truck by J.B. Blankenship

**Why is The Christmas Truck a funny Christmas book?**

‍We love The Christmas Truck because it is one of the only, if not the only, Christmas book that features a family with 2 dads. It also shows the joy that comes with helping others. In the story, Dad, Papa, their child, and one grandmother work together to give the best Christmas to a child they haven’t met, despite many, many mishaps along the way!

Buy The Christmas Truck

We hope our list of Christmas books for kids has inspired you to find some great stories to get your family into the holiday spirit and start some new traditions! A lot of these books talk about Santa, so if your children are starting to ask "Is Santa Claus real?", check out our guide to help you answer. For even more Christmas fun, read our guides with DIY Christmas cards and DIY Christmas tree ideas for the whole family. As you prepare for the holidays and school breaks, check out the exciting winter activities for kids offered on Sawyer so you never hear, “I’m bored!”