Are you ready to get your family in the holiday spirit? Then you’re going to need some classic Christmas books for kids that are perfect to read while snuggling with a cup of hot cocoa on a chilly winter’s night.
One of our favorite family traditions is to curl up in the evening and read some Christmas books together.
Bonus points if you do it under the magical lights of a fully decorated tree.
These special moments and memories are the kind of family bonding experiences that makes kids feel connected and loved.
Reading holiday books for kids also helps usher in the spirit of wonder and giving that makes this time of the year so magical.
So what are you waiting for? Grab some Christmas books for kids, put on your fluffiest pajamas, and get ready to make some holiday memories.
Christmas Books For Kids
1. Secret Santas and the Twelve Days of Christmas Giving
Age: 3 Years and Up
Author: Courtney Petruzzelli
The author of this beautiful book and her family carried out a secret Santa campaign every holiday season. They would pick a special recipient and leave a surprise at that person’s door during the 12 days leading up to Christmas.
This was such a special bonding experience for Courtney and her family, she wanted to pass on the tradition to others. And that’s how the idea for this delightful holiday tale was born!
This book can inspire your children to help others too, which is the true spirit of Christmas.
2. Who’s That Knocking on Christmas Eve?
Age: 4-8 Years Old
Author: Jan Brett
Every year, trolls knock down Kyri’s door and gobble up her Christmas feast. But this year, the trolls are in for a surprise!
A boy and his pet polar bear make their way to Oslo. And once the polar bear is finished with the trolls, you can bet they won’t come knocking next year.
The intricate Scandinavian illustrations help make Who’s That Knocking on Christmas Eve? one of those classic children’s books you can read every holiday season.
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3. The Legend Of The Poinsettia
Age: 4-8 Years Old
Author: Tomie dePaola
In Mexico the poinsettia is called flor de la Nochebuenao, or flower of the Holy Night. The Mexican Legend Of The Poinsettia tells how the bright red holiday flower came to be part of the Christmas tradition through a little girl’s unselfish gift to the Christ Child.
The story’s beautiful illustrations capture not only the brilliant colors of Mexico and its art, but also the excitement children preparing for Christmas.
4. The Christmas Wish
Age: 3-7 Years Old
Author: Lori Evert
The New York Times bestselling Nordic tale, The Christmas Wish is sure to become a holiday classic at your house.
A brave little girl named Anja wants to be one of Santa’s elves. She straps on her skis and heads out into the snow, meeting many winter animals on her way to find Santa.
What’s so cool about this book is that the main character is a real-life girl!
Kids love seeing the magical photographs of her in different wintry landscapes with her animal friends. It makes the magic of Christmas more real for them.
5. Auntie Claus
Age: 4-7 Years Old
Author: Elise Primavera
Auntie Claus is another eccentric New Yorker…or is she something more?
Young Sophie wonders about her unusual great-aunt who lives in a penthouse, serves Christmas cookies all year, and always has the best-decorated tree in the city.
Then there is the secretive annual “business trip” right around the holidays. This year Sophie is determined to get to the bottom of Auntie Claus’ mysterious ways.
Your kids get to come along for the ride and in the process learn an important lesson about giving as well.
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6. The Polar Express
Age: 4-7 Years Old
Author: Chris Van Allsburg
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 desert of ice, the Polar Express makes its way to the city atop the world, where the boy will make his Christmas wish.
For millions of readers, this mysterious journey to the North Pole has become a beloved classic. In this 30th anniversary edition, the artful illustrations make this one of the Christmas books for kids your family will treasure.
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7. The Nutcracker
Age: 4-8 Years Old
Author: Susan Jeffers
New York Times bestselling artist and Caldecott Honor winner Susan Jeffers has created a magical Nutcracker, with lavish illustrations and enchanting holiday scenes on every page. This book makes a lovely keepsake and gift.
With easy-to-read text, the book offers a front-row seat to the enthralling fairy tale and is perfect to share with children before they see a live performance of The Nutcracker ballet.
Kids will appreciate the show so much more when they know the story behind it!
8. An Angel Just Like Me
Age: 5-6 Years Old
Author: Mary Hoffman
While decorating the family Christmas tree, an African-American boy asks why all the angels have gold hair and pink skin. His parents don’t know, and so begins Tyler’s quest to find An Angel Just Like Me.
This is an inspiring and unique Christmas story that celebrates ethnic diversity. Once Tyler finds his angel, he asks for special angels for his Asian, Hispanic, and other friends too. A sweet and touching holiday tale.
9. Dear Santa: I Know It Looks Bad, But It Wasn’t My Fault
Age: 5 – 8 Years Old
Author: Norma Lewis
This is a good Christmas stories for kids who can be a little bit naughty at times.
In a letter to Santa, Scalawag wants to clear up a few misunderstandings about incidents that took place during the year and adds what he would like for Christmas. He begins, Dear Santa, I Know It Looks Bad But…
Then someone he loves ends up in the emergency room and Scalawag writes another letter to Santa asking for a different gift, one that shows he’s learned the true meaning of Christmas.
10. When Santa Fell To Earth
Age: 9-12 Years Old
Author: Cornelia Funke
This is a great holiday book for older kids. Scared by a storm, Twinklestar, the least reliable reindeer, bolts–causing Santa and his sleigh to crash-land.
What happens when Santa fell to earth? Well for starters, the ruthless new leader of the Council of Yuleland tries to turn the holiday season into his own personal money making scheme. Yikes!
But Santa gets some help from two kids, Charlotte and Ben, and the result is one of those quirky, funny, and ultimately heartwarming Christmas books for kids.
11. Mr. Willoby’s Christmas Tree
Age: 3-7 Years Old
Author: Robert Barry
Christmas is here and Mr. Willowby’s Christmas tree has arrived. There’s just one big problem: The tree is too tall for his parlor. He cuts off the top so it will fit, and soon the top of that tree is passed along again and again to bring holiday cheer to all the animals in the forest.
Kids will love watching the tree move from home to home, and families will appreciate the subtle message of conservation and recycling, as the tree top spreads joy to so many.
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