50 Best Christmas Books To Read Aloud For Kids ‣ Felicia Graves

As the holiday season draws near, what better way to ignite the joyous spirit in young children than by immersing them in the magic of Christmas? In this beautiful book selection, I’ve put together the 50 best Christmas books to read aloud during this magical Christmas season. From heartwarming tales of friendship and love to whimsical adventures and timeless classics, these perfect books are bound to become cherished favorites for both children and parents alike.

Discloser Note:

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

Children’s Christmas Books

The Littlest Christmas Tree

There are only five days until Christmas, and the Littlest Christmas Tree is still waiting for a home. All it wants is for a family to take it home, decorate it, and sing its favorite song, “Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree, how lovely are thy branches…” But as Christmas nears, and one by one the other trees find homes, the Littlest Christmas Tree begins to think that no one will ever take it home. And then, on Christmas Eve, its wish comes true when the man who runs the Christmas tree stand takes it home to his family.

Little Blue Truck’s Christmas

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Little Blue Truck is spreading cheer by delivering Christmas trees to his animal friends. Can you help count each green tree from one to five and back again? Don’t forget to save one for Blue! Beep! Beep!

With the gentle rhythm and signature illustration style that made Little Blue Truck a household name, Blue’s snowy adventure is full of holiday warmth. Sturdy cardstock pages, a compact and child-friendly text, and flashing colored Christmas lights on the final page come together in a novelty gift book that’s sure to be the favorite treat of the season.

How Do Dinosaurs Say Merry Christmas?

From decorating the tree to wrapping presents, little dinosaurs love to celebrate Christmas-and everything about it. With ornaments on the branches and carolers singing at the door, the spirit of Christmas is finally here and filling the hearts of families everywhere. But when the stockings are hung on the chimney, and the cookies are left out for Santa, how can little dinosaurs go to sleep? It’s so exciting! How can they possibly calm down and behave? Children will laugh out loud as dinosaurs secretly lick candy canes, take sneaky peeks at gifts, and disrupt traditional family activities. Already a holiday favorite, this board book from award-winning team Jane Yolen and Mark Teague will be an engaging, fun gift sure to be read again and again, year after year. How do dinosaurs say Merry Christmas? With an abundance of love, joy, memory, and gratitude.

There Was a Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow!

The old lady is swallowing everything from snow to a pipe, some coal, a hat, and more! With rollicking, rhyming text and funny illustrations, this lively version will appeal to young readers with every turn of the page. And this time, there’s a surprise at the end no reader will be able to guess!

Holidays are Better with Friends

Celebrate all your favorite Friends holiday moments in this adorable picture book. From the Holiday Armadillo to Rachel’s beef trifle to the Geller Cup, this book is packed with hilarious and relatable holiday moments featuring all your favorite characters. Rachel, Ross, Joey, Phoebe, Chandler, and Monica make every holiday fun . . . most of the time. After all, could this picture book be any more festive?

The Berenstain Bears, The Very First Christmas

Young readers will enjoy reading about the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary and the visit from the three wise men in this addition to the Living Lights™ series of Berenstain Bears books. Children will learn all about Jesus’ holy birth.

The Christmas Blessing: A One-of-a-Kind Nativity Story for Kids about the Love That Brings Us Together

On this divine night in Bethlehem, a voice calls down to a group of animals gathered in a stable. It’s time to welcome a special arrival, the Savior who will gift the world with love and grace. Will the different animals be able to set aside all of their differences, come together, and work in harmony to have the manger ready in time? In this one-of-a-kind nativity story about acceptance of others and kindness to our neighbors, the animals discover the love, peace, and family that bring us all together―a delightful read aloud for a new holiday tradition year after year!

The Christmas Surprise

This simple and biblically-faithful little book will teach toddlers all about the first Christmas. Fun illustrations will engage young children as they listen to God’s word.

The Berenstain Bears and the Christmas Angel

Young readers will understand the wonderous work angels do in this addition to the Living Lights™ series of Berenstain Bears books. Children will learn about the role angels had in the Christmas story.

With Jesus I Give: An Inspiring Christian Christmas Children Book about the True Meaning of This Holiday Season

Join Noah and his father in this fun and heartwarming story of love and compassion. It’s Christmas morning and Noah is playing with his new toys and notices a little boy through the window who is very sad. He then is inspired to do something very special for that little boy. Come along as Noah spreads the joy of Christmas.

The Christmas Promise

This hardback storybook is a captivating retelling of the Christmas story, showing how God kept his promise to send a new King, a rescuing King, a forever King! Perfect for children aged 3 to 6. Superb illustrations by Catalina Echeverri and faithful, Bible-centred story-telling by Alison Mitchell combine to make this a book that both parents and children will love.

Christmas in the Manger

The gentle beauty of the story of the first Christmas is now available as a board book. With a simple, lyrical text and radiant artwork, this book is perfect for the youngest child to be a part of the wonder of the Nativity. Parents, grandparents, and caregivers have all embraced this telling. Don’t miss this beautiful little book from the acclaimed team of Nola Buck and Felicia Bond.

Home for Christmas

A grumpy little troll runs away from home because he doesn’t want to do his chores. Rollo tries living with various woodland animals, but he finds out that there is no place like home, and returns to his family just in time for “the best Christmas ever.”

This Is Christmas

It is Christmas Eve and Little Chipmunk asks his mother, “What is Christmas, Mama?” His Mama tells him that Christmas is many things and as they walk together through the woods, Little Chipmunk sees badgers decorating their burrow with bright red berries, ducks exchanging holidays greetings on golden leaves, beetles carrying presents on their shiny backs, and geese singing in the winter sky. Each time he asks his mother if this is Christmas, and each time she answers, that yes, this is part of Christmas.

Night falls and Little Chipmunk and his Mama snuggle in to sleep. When he wakes up on Christmas morning, he is surprised by the wonderland that greets him: all the world is blanketed in deep snow. And, then, one by one, Chipmunk and his mother see the geese, the badgers, the ducks, and the beetles, as well as some new forest friends—all gathered to celebrate joy and friendship, beauty and wonder, love and kindness—all of what Christmas truly means.

Welcome Comfort

It’s not easy being Welcome Comfort-a foster child always moving from home to home and getting picked on by the kids at school. Even Christmas, the most wondrous time of the year, isn’t so wondrous for Welcome, since he has no family, no presents, and no Santa Claus. But when Welcome meets Mr. Hamp, the school custodian, he finally finds a friend. And when Christmas comes around, Welcome is taken on an extraordinary adventure that changes his life forever.

Christmas Read-Aloud Time For The Whole Family

During the magical Christmas time, there is no better gift to share with loved ones than the joy of reading. Gathering around with the whole family and a perfect book in hand creates an opportunity for treasured moments that will be etched in our memories for a lifetime. As we delve into our favorite books together, the enchantment of the Christmas season comes alive through the shared experience of Christmas read alouds. Whether it’s a beloved classic or a newly discovered gem, each page transports us to a world filled with wonder and excitement. The act of reading aloud as a family not only strengthens bonds but also fosters a love for literature within young hearts.

It’s a great way to connect with one another and create lasting memories. The anticipation of unwrapping a special Christmas present, knowing it’s a book that holds the promise of a great story, adds an extra layer of excitement to the occasion. On Christmas day, as the festivities wind down and the fire crackles softly in the background, we gather in cozy corners, snuggled together, eager to embark on another adventure. The rhythmic cadence of the storyteller’s voice weaves its magic, drawing us deeper into the realms of our favorite Christmas stories. And as the words reach their crescendo at the end of the story, we are left with hearts full of joy and a shared sense of wonder, grateful for the gift of family and the power of a well-told tale.

Polar Express 30th Anniversary Edition: A Christmas Holiday Book for Kids

A young boy, lying awake one Christmas Eve, is welcomed aboard a magical train to the North Pole . . .

Through dark forests, over tall mountains, and across a barren desert of ice, the Polar Express makes its way to the huge city standing alone at the top of the world, where the boy will make his Christmas wish.

For millions of readers around the world, this mysterious journey to the North Pole has become a beloved Christmas classic. In this thirtieth-anniversary edition, the inimitable artistry of Chris Van Allsburg is showcased with a bold new jacket design and expanded interior layout.

Construction Site on Christmas Night

Created for lovers of Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site, as well as fans of Sherri Duskey Rinker’s storytelling and AG Ford’s art, this beautiful holiday picture book shows Excavator, Bulldozer, Crane, Dump Truck and Cement Mixer building a new home for fire engines. As they finish their big, important job, they get their own Christmas surprises. Your kids will have fun discovering the special surprise awaiting each vehicle as much as they will love rhyming along with the story. This cute book is sure to be a classic!

How to Catch a Gingerbread Man

Do you have what it takes to catch the Gingerbread Man? The famous storybook character has magically come to life and leapt from the pages during story time! Follow along as the Gingerbread Man runs loose in a bookstore with the help of Robin Hood, Sherlock Holmes, Peter Rabbit, nursery rhyme characters, and more! If you set the right traps, you might…just might be able to catch this wily cookie and finish the fairy tale!

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: A Christmas Holiday Book for Kids

Laughs abound in this bestselling Christmas classic by Barbara Robinson! The Best Christmas Pageant Ever follows the outrageous shenanigans of the Herdman siblings, or “the worst kids in the history of the world.”

The siblings take over the annual Christmas pageant in a hilarious yet heartwarming tale involving the Three Wise Men, a ham, scared shepherds, and six rowdy kids. You and your family will laugh along with this funny story, perfect for independent reading or read-aloud sharing.

Ralph, Imogene, Leroy, Claude, Ollie, and Gladys Herdman are an awful bunch. They set fire to Fred Shoemaker’s toolshed, blackmailed Wanda Pierce to get her charm bracelet, and smacked Alice Wendelken across the head. And that’s just the start! When the Herdmans show up at church for the free snacks and suddenly take over the Christmas pageant, the other kids are shocked.

It’s obvious that they’re up to no good. But Christmas magic is all around and the Herdmans, who have never heard the Christmas story before, start to reimagine it in their own way.

The Magic of Friendship Snow

Jojo looks around and everyone seems to have friends but her. She feels sad and lonely. Then, Jojo meets Puddles, the snowman made with magic friendship snow.

For every child who struggles to make friends and parents who try to show them how, this children’s book celebrates the special bond between friends.

The Giving Snowman: A Children’s Bedtime Story about Gratitude

On a snowy night, Snowman lends a helping hand to Bird, Rabbit, Farmer, and Traveler when they are in need. The next day when the sun comes out and melts Snowman, Bird, Rabbit, Farmer, and Traveler work together as a team to rebuild Snowman.
The Giving Snowman is a book about kindness and gratitude. Children can learn through the story that giving to others is a virtue that connects all of us and makes our lives more beautiful.

The Littlest Reindeer

Dot may be the littlest reindeer in the North Pole, but she has a big desire to help Santa pull his sleigh! But Dot just can’t seem to fly the right way, no matter how hard she runs, leaps, and kicks. Will Dot learn to fly, or is the littlest reindeer just too little?

The Nutcracker Larger Hardcover Classic Christmas Picture Book

This beautifully illustrated retelling of the Christmas classic will be a family favorite for generations. The Nutcracker Prince saves young Clara from danger and takes her to the land of the Sugar Plum Fairy. The story is just right for young listeners and older readers.

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year—for driving a sleigh! ’Tis also the season—for driving a sleigh! Oh, and joy to the—driving a sleigh! The Pigeon has made a list and checked it once. Can his holiday dream come true? Or will The Pigeon be left out in the cold?

How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

Not since “‘Twas the night before Christmas” has the beginning of a Christmas tale been so instantly recognizable. This heartwarming story about the effects of the Christmas spirit will grow even the coldest and smallest of hearts. Like mistletoe, candy canes, and caroling, the Grinch is a mainstay of the holidays, and his story is the perfect gift for readers young and old.

The Mitten

When Nicki drops his white mitten in the snow, he goes on without realizing that it is missing. One by one, woodland animals find it and crawl in; first, a curious mole, then a rabbit, a badger and others, each one larger than the last. Finally, a big brown bear is followed in by a tiny brown mouse and what happens next makes for a wonderfully funny climax.

God Gave Us Christmas

As Little Cub and her family prepare to celebrate the most special day of the year, the curious young polar bear begins to wonder…”Who invented Christmas?” Mama’s answer only leads to more questions like “Is God more important than Santa?” So she and Little Cub head off on a polar expedition to find God and to see how he gave them Christmas. Along the way, they find signs that God is at work all around them. Through Mama’s gentle guidance, Little Cub learns about the very first Christmas and discovers that…Jesus is the best present of all.

How to Catch an Elf

It’s Christmas Eve and an elf is on the loose… in YOUR house! Do you have what it takes to catch him? Follow along in this fun holiday story as a mischievous elf causes chaos Christmas Eve! Filled with zany traps, vibrant illustrations, STEAM concepts, and even Santa Claus himself, this Christmas picture book for kids is guaranteed to become a new holiday tradition!

The Christmas Pickle

A lonely pickle embarks on a perilous journey and risks it all to prove that even the smallest Christmas traditions will always be remembered.

The Family Under the Bridge

Armand, an old man living on the streets of Paris, relishes his solitary life in the beautiful city. He is happy with his carefree existence, begging and doing odd jobs to keep himself warm and fed. With simple pleasures and no cares, what more could he need?

Then one day just before Christmas, Armand returns to his favorite spot beneath the bridge to find three cold and hungry children. Although he has no interest in children, Armand soon finds himself caring for the small family. It does not take Armand very long to realize that he must do whatever it takes to get them a real home.

Christmas Chapter Books

Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Christmas chapter books that capture the essence of the holiday spirit. Whether it’s your first time diving into these captivating narratives or you’re a seasoned reader, the allure of holiday books will transport you to magical realms filled with warmth and wonder. These chapter books are perfect companions during the festive season

Merry Christmas, Amelia Bedelia: A Christmas Holiday Book for Kids

It’s Christmas Eve, and Amelia Bedelia has to get the Rogers house ready for a visit from Aunt Myra. But with Amelia Bedelia in charge, this Christmas will be one of the funniest ever! This Level 2 I Can Read is perfect for kids who read on their own but still need a little help.

A Return to Christmas

This heartwarming Christmas story follows the lives of two eleven-year-old heroes–the weary and cynical Artemus and an outcast named Chess, a homeless con-artist with a heart of gold. Through a simple twist of fate, these boys will find themselves swept into the adventure of a lifetime–one that takes them beyond their wildest imaginings.

A Little House Christmas: Holiday Stories from the Little House Books

A collection of stories which describe the experiences of a pioneer girl and her family as they celebrate various Christmases In the Big Woods in Wisconsin, on the prairie in Indian Territory, and On the banks of Plum Creek.

The Christmas Pig

Jack loves his childhood toy, Dur Pig. DP has always been there for him, through good and bad. Until one Christmas Eve something terrible happens — DP is lost. But Christmas Eve is a night for miracles and lost causes, a night when all things can come to life… even toys. And Jack’s newest toy — the Christmas Pig (DP’s replacement) — has a daring plan: Together they’ll embark on a magical journey to seek something lost, and to save the best friend Jack has ever known…

The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street

The Vanderbeekers have always lived in the brownstone on 141st Street. It’s practically another member of the family. So when their reclusive, curmudgeonly landlord decides not to renew their lease, the five siblings have eleven days to do whatever it takes to stay in their beloved home and convince the dreaded Beiderman just how wonderful they are.

The Christmas Genie

It’s the last day of school before Christmas vacation and Alex, Chase, and the rest of Mrs. Walter’s fifth-grade class couldn’t wish more for the final bell to ring. But the day takes a crazy turn when a mysterious meteorite crashes through the classroom window—and a genie pops out! Bob, as he’s called, is willing to grant only one wish for the class to share, and if they can’t agree on something before the bell rings in an hour, they’ll get nothing at all. What follows is a debate that is at turns thought-provoking and hilarious—and at all times irresistible.

The Christmas Mix Up

One day, in the middle of a snowy Lincoln Street, Penelope Ann Dingman gets a letter that every kid dreads.It seems she’s been put on the naughty list. But she doesn’t know why.With less than a week until Christmas, it’s a race against the clock for her as she travels to the North Pole in hopes of having a private meeting with ‘The Big Man’ to set things straight.

The Illustrated Christmas Carol: 200th Anniversary Edition

A nicely illustrated edition of the classic A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens with 30 original illustrations. A Christmas Carol was first published in London by Chapman & Hall in 1843. It has become a Christmas classic and has been continuously in print since its first release, as well as being made into numerous plays and movies. It tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, an elderly miser who is visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley and the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come. After their visits, Scrooge is transformed into a kinder, gentler man. It explores themes about the treatment of the poor and the ability of people to reform themselves. It is worth reading every Christmas.

Nancy and Plum

So begins the story of two orphaned sisters at Mrs. Monday’s Boarding School. But nothing is heavenly for Nancy and Pamela (aka Plum): their parents died in a tragic accident years ago, they’re constantly punished by the cruel Mrs. Monday, and they’re all alone for the holidays.

Luckily, Nancy and Plum have each other, and though their prospects may be bleak, they’re determined to change their lot for the better. If their plan works, the spirited sisters will never spend Christmas at the cold, dark boarding school again. But what will they find on the other side of Mrs. Monday’s gate?

The Last Holiday Concert

For Hart Evans, being the most popular kid in sixth grade has its advantages. Kids look up to him, and all the teachers let him get away with anything — all the teachers except the chorus director, Mr. Meinert. When Hart’s errant rubber band hits Mr. Meinert on the neck during chorus practice, it’s the last straw for the chorus director, who’s just learned he’s about to lose his job due to budget cuts. So he tells the class they can produce the big holiday concert on their own. Or not. It’s all up to them. And who gets elected to run the show? The popular Mr. Hart Evans.

Hart soon discovers there’s a big difference between popularity and leadership, and to his surprise, discovers something else as well — it’s really important to him that this be the best holiday concert ever, and even more important, that it not be the last.

How Winston Delivered Christmas

When a mouse named Winston finds a lost letter addressed to Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, he sets off on an unforgettable journey to personally deliver the letter to Santa! How Winston Delivered Christmas is a heartwarming story, organized in twenty-four-and-a-half chapters, to share during the countdown to Christmas. Starting on December 1, children can read a chapter a day, and each chapter is followed by a fun and festive holiday activity to complete. This illustrated advent story tells of the adventures of an adorable mouse and how a good deed can lead to a very happy ending.

Christmas Classic: The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus

The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus is a 1902 children’s book, written by L. Frank Baum and illustrated by Mary Cowles Clark. Santa Claus, as a baby, is found in the Forest of Burzee by Ak, the Master Woodsman of the World (a supreme immortal). His life includes the first toys, stockings, Christmas trees and other Christmas traditions.

The Girl Who Saved Christmas

Amelia Wishart was the first child ever to receive a Christmas present. It was her Christmas spirit that gave Santa the extra boost of magic he needed to make his first trip around the world. But now Amelia is in trouble.

When her mother falls ill, she is sent to the workhouse to toil under cruel Mr. Creeper. For a whole year, Amelia scrubs the floors and eats watery gruel, without a whiff of kindness to keep her going. It’s not long before her hope begins to drain away.

Meanwhile, up at the North Pole, magic levels dip dangerously low as Christmas approaches, and Santa knows that something is gravely wrong. With the help of his trusty reindeer, a curious cat, and Charles Dickens, he sets out to find Amelia, the only girl who might be able to save Christmas. But first Amelia must learn to believe again. . . .

When Santa Fell To Earth

What would happen if Santa fell to Earth? Christmas through the eyes of Cornelia Funke: quirky, funny, ultimately heartwarming, and packaged in a collectible format. A new holiday classic!

Scared by a storm, Twinklestar, the least reliable reindeer, bolts–causing Santa and his sleigh to crash-land. And though Santa has dropped into a friendly neighborhood, he’s not safe: Jeremiah Goblynch, the ruthless new leader of the Council of Yuleland, is determind to put an end to children’s wishes and turn the holiday season into his own personal moneymaking scheme. As the last REAL St. Nick around, only Santa stands between Goblynch and his grinchlike plan. With the help and hope of kids Charlotte and Ben, Santa must face Goblynch and his Nutcracker goons to save Christmas!

The Lights In The Church

In The Lights In The Church, a brother and sister get lost in the forest. They stumble upon a church in the middle of the forest. As they walk closer, the doors won’t open, but as hymns are heard they approach the windows and something amazing happens…the stained-glass windows come to life, and they witness miraculous bible stories.

Christmas Classic: Old Christmas

Old Christmas was published in book form in 1876. It contains the five Christmas stories in Irving’s Sketch Book, where he portrayed an idealized celebration of old-fashioned Christmas customs at a quaint English manor. These depicted English Christmas festivities that he experienced while staying in England, which had largely been abandoned. Irving is credited with helping shape the Christmas holiday in America much the way Dickens did in England with his Christmas Carol book.

Kringle

Unlike the traditional Santa Claus myth, KRINGLE is a coming-of-age story about an orphan who becomes a force for good in a dark and violent time. It is a tale of fantasy, of goblins, elves, and flying reindeer — and of a boy from the humblest beginnings who fulfills his destiny.

Our tale begins in 500 A.D., when goblins kidnapped human children and set them to work in underground mines. Kringle is one such child…. until he discovers his mission – to free children from enslavement. His legend lives on today, as he travels the earth every Christmas Eve to quell the goblins once more.

A Boy Called Christmas

Eleven-year-old Nikolas–nicknamed “Christmas”–has received only one toy in his life: a doll carved out of a turnip. But he’s happy with his turnip doll, because it came from his parents, who love him. Then one day his father goes missing, and Nikolas must travel to the North Pole to save him.

Along the way, Nikolas befriends a surly reindeer, bests a troublesome troll, and discovers a hidden world of enchantment in the frozen village of Elfhelm. But the elves of Elfhelm have troubles of their own: Christmas spirit and goodwill are at an all-time low, and Nikolas may be the only person who can fix things-if only he can reach his father before it’s too late. . . .

Top Elf

These elves are off the shelves.Ollie and Celia think they know what the life of an elf is supposed to be like: Make toys. Help Santa. Make more toys. Help Santa. Try out a new ice-cream flavor. Help Santa. But then Santa rocks the North Pole with a surprise announcement! He’s decided this is going to be his last year in the Big Red Suit–and instead of letting his oldest son, the unfortunately named Klaus Claus, take over, he’s opening up the job to an kid who wants to apply–Claus or elf.The Santa Trials have begun!Ollie and Celia enter the contest, having no idea whatsoever that they’ll soon have to squeeze through impossible chimneys, race runaway sleighs, sweet-talk a squad of rowdy reindeer, and consume cruel amounts of cookies and milk. It’s both an adventure and a survival test, far beyond what any elf or Claus has been asked to do before. But whoever rises to the top will get a reward even bigger than Christmas.

Amelia Bedelia Wraps It Up: A Christmas Holiday Book for Kids

It’s the holiday season, and Amelia Bedelia doesn’t have enough money to buy presents for anyone. But that won’t stop Amelia Bedelia! Along with her friends, she decides to launch a gift-wrapping business in order to make some extra cash. But wrapping presents with Amelia Bedelia is far from ordinary! And when the business expands to include tree decorating, popcorn popping, snow shoveling, and carol singing, you can bet that the misunderstandings are many!