40 Best Christmas Books for Kids to Read This Holiday Season
Updated: Aug. 07, 2024
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Festive Christmas books for kids and families
Christmas is a time for telling and sharing Christmas stories, and what better way to do that than with these magical Christmas books for kids? Children’s Christmas books are cheerful and fun, making them some of the best reads for the whole family. In fact, with their heartwarming tales and jolly characters, many rank among the best children’s books your little ones will ever read.
With that in mind, we put together a collection of these must-read additions to your bookshelf, from cherished classics to modern masterpieces, all arranged by target age. Our list of Christmas books includes bestsellers, critically acclaimed titles and children’s books that have stood the test of time. We even connected with Chicago-based children’s librarian Rachel Strolle, who shared her top picks—look for the Reader’s Digest’s Librarian Pick seal.
Of course, there are plenty of great Christmas books for grown-ups—some of the best books of all time find themselves on that list—but there’s something extra special about the stories we read as kids. So keep scrolling to browse our list of the best Christmas books for kids of all ages. They’ll help your little ones feel even more joy and excitement this holiday season.
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The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clark Moore
Best for: Ages 2 and up
Clement Clark Moore’s 1823 Christmas poem “A Visit from Saint Nicholas” (almost universally known now as “The Night Before Christmas”) has been made into countless beautiful Christmas books. Your little one will love the gorgeous full-page illustrations in this version of The Night Before Christmas just as much as they love the rhyming text that’s begging to be read aloud.
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I Got the Christmas Spirit by Connie Schofield-Morrison
Best for: Ages 3 and up
Wife-and-husband writer-illustrator team Connie Schofield-Morrison and Frank Morrison bring to life a rollicking Christmas journey in 2018’s I Got the Christmas Spirit. In the story, a young girl and her mom explore the town at Christmastime, complete with all the sights and sounds of the season. Packed with joyful onomatopoeia, I Got the Christmas Spirit is impossible to pick up without experiencing a massive helping of, well, Christmas spirit. Plus, it’s one of Strolle’s favorite Christmas books for kids.
“Sometimes picture books have an energy that leaps off the page, and that’s certainly true with this Christmas favorite of mine,” she says. “Perfect for any Christmas story time and beautifully illustrated, it’s a go-to recommendation for the holiday season.”
The Snowman by Raymond Briggs
Best for: Ages 3 and up
A true exemplar of “a picture is worth a thousand words,” The Snowman is a picture book without text. It came out in 1978 and has remained a classic ever since. It’s a beautiful Christmas book about a young boy building a snowman that comes to life. And no, it’s not Frosty!
Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree by Robert Barry
Best for: Ages 3 and up
In this endlessly readable rhyming tale released in 1963, the wealthy Mr. Willowby has a Christmas tree delivered to his home, but it’s a tad too big. What’s a man to do but request that the top be chopped right off. That treetop makes its way through the forest as several nonhuman Christmas celebrants come across it and think it’ll make the perfect addition to their homes. As for where it finally ends up … well, you’ll have to read it and see.
‘Twas Nochebuena by
Best for: Ages 3 and up
A great Latinx book selection and an all-around joy-making read, ‘Twas Nochebuena is a bilingual retelling of The Night Before Christmas. The 2014 book takes readers into the home of a Latin American family during their Christmas Eve feast of Nochebuena.
“With English and Spanish interspersed throughout the story, this is a great Christmas read, especially at my library, where we have a large Spanish-speaking population,” says Strolle. “Loosely pulling from The Night Before Christmas while also feeling like its own thing, it’s a beautiful book for the holidays.”
I Spy Christmas by Walter Wick and Jean Marzollo
Best for: Ages 3 and up
Get ready to get lost in the mesmerizing images of I Spy with a holiday twist. With the 1992 classic I Spy Christmas, kids (and, let’s be honest, adults) can spend hours upon hours uncovering all the delightful little details in images of Santa’s workshop, snowy fields, store windows and more.
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Best for: Ages 3 and up
The first snowfall of the holiday season is magical, especially if you’re a kid. And this picture book captures the simplicity and wonder of waking up to see everything covered in snow, putting readers in the shoes of young Peter. Ezra Jack Keats’s The Snowy Day was originally published in 1962, won the prestigious Caldecott Medal in 1963 and has remained a classic work of children’s literature in the six decades since. It even tops the New York Public Library’s list of the top check-outs of all time. Notably, The Snowy Day was the first full-color picture book to feature a young Black protagonist.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer by Robert L. May
Best for: Ages 3 and up
Ready to be shocked? Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer came out before the animated holiday special. In 1939, Robert L. May wrote a poem about a reindeer with an unusual facial feature that took the world by storm. The original story of Rudolph is chronicled in this beautiful 2001 book—and it’s far from identical to the one you’re familiar with from the Christmas cartoon!
Froggy’s Best Christmas by Jonathan London
Best for: Ages 3 and up
“Froooooogggggggyyyyyy!” In Froggy’s Best Christmas, first published in 2000, the well-meaning but hapless amphibian experiences Christmas for the first time when his friend Max the beaver wakes him up from hibernation. You’re in for rollicking holiday hijinks!
Mickey’s Christmas Carol by Megan Roth
Best for: Ages 3 and up
Disney does Dickens! The classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge’s ghostly encounters gets a kid-friendly makeover in this darling 2018 adaptation. Parents will appreciate the wonderfully familiar story, while kids will love following along with Mickey, Donald Duck, Goofy and the gang. Follow the story with the animated Christmas movie on Disney+.
Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson
Best for: Ages 3 and up
Fun rhyming text and a sweet story about friendship and giving await in Bear Stays Up for Christmas. In this 2004 Christmas book for kids, the character Bear is normally hibernating during Christmastime, but this year, his animal friends try to keep him awake to celebrate.
“Bear and I have much in common in that we both love to sleep,” says Strolle. “In all seriousness, this is a fun book for kids about a snoozy bear and his friends trying to keep him awake, told in a rhyme scheme that is absolutely spectacular!”
The Tailor of Gloucester by Beatrix Potter
Best for: Ages 3 and up
The celebrated author of Peter Rabbit, Beatrix Potter wrote about a whole host of cute anthropomorphic animals. Published in 1903, The Tailor of Gloucester tells the story of a struggling tailor trying to put together a beautiful outfit for the mayor, who is getting married on Christmas. He’s human, but all the mice in the dresser join together to help him get the job done on time.
Carl’s Christmas by Alexandra Day
Best for: Ages 3 and up
Dog-loving tots will be swept away by the gorgeous watercolor illustrations in this 1990 Christmas book. The star of the show is Carl, a Rottweiler who has an extraordinary day of fun and charitable Christmas activities—all while taking care of a baby.
The Small One by Alex Walsh
Best for: Ages 3 and up
In Bethlehem, a young boy is trying to sell his small donkey, but no one wants him because he can’t carry heavy loads. But then he meets a young couple that’s about to have a baby. They need a ride, and the little donkey is the perfect size. The Small One, published in 1995, provides a sweet new perspective on the Nativity story.
Pete the Cat Saves Christmas by James Dean and Eric Litwin
Best for: Age 4 and up
The coolest cat around gets his own Christmas “tail” in this take on a classic. Experience The Night Before Christmas like you’ve never seen it before! The hardcover edition, first published in 2014, even comes with a sticker sheet to help your kids with their Christmas crafts.
Dasher by Matt Tavares
Best for: ages 4 and up
There are oodles of Christmas books for kids telling the Santa story—but what about the reindeer that do the hard work of pulling his sleigh? This 2019 book tells the touching story of a young doe named Dasher who wished for more than a life in the circus. Dasher follows her journey north, where Christmas as we know it will never be the same.
“I can’t fully explain why I love the reindeer part of the Santa story so much, but for some reason, it’s always been one of my fixations,” Strolle says. “From watching Olive the Other Reindeer and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at Christmastime to reading this book that tells Dasher’s story, it is enchanting.”
The Christmas Coat: Memories of My Sioux Childhood by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve
Best for: Ages 4 and up
Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve recounts a story from her childhood in her 2011 Christmas book, The Christmas Coat. Living on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in modern-day South Dakota, Virginia wants nothing more than a new winter coat. But when a shipment of warm winter clothes arrives from a church drive, Virginia learns that others may have a greater need for them than she does.
Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl S. Buck
Best for: Ages 4 and up
A Pulitzer Prize winner and the first American woman to win a Nobel Prize in Literature, Pearl S. Buck has some impressive credentials to her name. On that long list of accolades: one of the classic Christmas books for kids that modern readers still adore. Originally published in 1955, Christmas Day in the Morning introduces readers to a young boy named Rob who just wants to get the perfect Christmas gift for his dad, but he has hardly any money. You can bet this one comes to a heart-stirring conclusion, and you’ll want to revisit it every year.
The Nutcracker in Harlem by
Best for: Ages 4 and up
The Christmas Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood
Best for: Ages 4 and up
Christmas can be a seriously hectic time! A charming 2012 tale from author Deborah Underwood and illustrator Renata Liwska, The Christmas Quiet Book reminds kids (and grown-ups) to take a quiet moment to appreciate what’s around them and the magic of the holidays.
Tree of Cranes by Allen Say
Best for: Ages 4 and up
A young boy living in Japan experiences his first Christmas when his mother, who grew up in America, decorates a Christmas tree for him with origami paper cranes. Tree of Cranes, published in 1991, is a great children’s book about diversity and features gorgeous illustrations that one reader says can “teach children how Christmas is celebrated very differently depending on where you are at in the world.”
The Broken Ornament by Tony DiTerlizzi
Best for: Ages 4 and up
In 2018’s The Broken Ornament, young Jack accidentally breaks a Christmas ornament and can’t understand why his mom is so upset about it. When Tony DiTerlizzi, one of the minds behind the whimsical Spiderwick Chronicles book series, is penning this tale, you know there’s going to be more to it than a simple kid-makes-a-mistake-and-learns-a-lesson story! When a real-life fairy comes out of the broken ornament, Jack thinks his problems are over—but that’s far from the case.
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
Best for: Ages 4 and up
Here’s another timeless classic that makes a beautiful Christmas read. A toys-come-to-life story long before the Pixar film, The Velveteen Rabbit tells the tale of the titular shabby Christmas toy that gets the chance to become real. The Christmas book was originally published in 1922—it’s over 100 years old!
Christmas Makes Me Think by Tony Medina
Best for: Ages 4 and up
This 2008 Christmas book reminds readers that they’re never too young to think of others—even during a season that, to them, might seem all about getting stuff. The young boy in the story loves Christmas and its many traditions, but he can’t help but wonder what people who are less fortunate do during the holidays. He learns that he can make a difference and help give back, and your young reader will too.
Everybody’s Tree by
Best for: Ages 5 and up
This beautiful 2020 Christmas book for kids tells the story of a young boy who picks out a tiny sapling at a tree farm and grows alongside the tree. Eighty years later, he’s an old man, and the tree is a towering Christmas centerpiece for the town.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
Best for: Ages 5 and up
Some of the most popular children’s book quotes come from this book! (We can’t help but get the warm-and-fuzzies when reading lines like “What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”) Whether your kids know this tale by heart or are new to the story, they’ll gasp and giggle their way through one of the most loved Christmas books for kids. In How the Grinch Stole Christmas, the grumpy Grinch learns the true meaning of Christmas, a lesson that’s as relevant now as it was when the book was published in 1957.
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
Best for: ages 5 and up
A bona fide classic for kids and grown-ups alike, this stunningly illustrated 1985 book journeys to the North Pole with a young boy on a fantastical train. The children’s Christmas story is simpler than the rollicking version you’ll get in the film adaptation, but it’s no less magical.
“Even just typing the title, I’ve got the Josh Groban song from the film stuck in my head, which is a welcome earworm,” says Strolle. “The Polar Express is a classic, with magical illustrations that sweep you away to the snow.”
Poofin: The Cloud That Cried on Christmas by Richard M. Wainwright
Best for: Ages 6 and up
In 1989’s Poofin, the titular cloud is none too fond of responsibility, so he’s sent to Earth to learn how to help people. Assigned to a human named Bobby, Poofin makes attempt after attempt to help the boy, but all go awry. Finally, Poofin learns that he has the power to bring joy not just to Bobby but to his entire town. Whimsical, detailed illustrations make this Christmas book for kids a winner.
How Winston Delivered Christmas by Alex T. Smith
Best for: Ages 6 and up
In How Winston Delivered Christmas, little mouse Winston finds a letter addressed to Santa and decides to get it to him in this hybrid storybook and Christmas activity book. With 24 (and a half) chapters, this Christmas book for kids encourages your little ones to read a chapter a day in December. Bonus: Each chapter of this 2018 story contains a fun activity to bring the reading experience into your bigger holiday celebration.
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski
Best for: Ages 6 and up
Everyone calls Jonathan Toomey, the village carpenter, Mr. Gloomy because, well, he seems like a sad, grumpy guy. But a young boy and his mother eventually reach out to cheer him up, and a poignant, true-meaning-of-Christmas tale unfolds. The anniversary edition of this beautiful, emotional story from 1995 includes an audiobook download read by James Earl Jones.
Junie B. Jones: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells! (P.S. So Does May) by Barbara Park
Best for: Ages 6 and up
Everyone’s favorite snarky, precocious first grader takes on Christmas in this holiday installment of the beloved Junie B. Jones series. When her first-grade class does a Secret Santa, Junie B. is stuck having to get her nemesis, Tattletale May, a Secret Santa gift. What will she do? If you know Junie B., you know that whatever she does, it’s going to be highly entertaining. Kids will go wild for this one.
A Tiny Miracle by Richard M. Wainwright
Best for: Ages 6 and up
In A Tiny Miracle, a charming but tiny Christmas tree living in a forest wants nothing more than to be selected to be the centerpiece of a family’s home. But no one wants a Christmas tree that small, his bigger siblings tell him. Of course, he finds out that he’s perfect and can be loved just the way he is.
The Worst Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
Best for: Ages 8 and up
In Barbara Robinson’s 1972 classic, The Worst Best Christmas Pageant Ever, the Herdmans are “bad kids,” and everyone knows it. So when they take over the local Christmas pageant, everyone is prepared for chaos. And chaos they get—but that might be exactly what the town needs. This Christmas book for kids is laugh-worthy and full of touching surprises. If your brood loves it, take them to see the film adaptation, which hits theaters on Nov. 8, 2024.
Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien
Best for: Ages 8 and up
Before he penned the epic fantasy book series The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien was a dad spinning fantastical yarns for his four young children. He wrote multiple illustrated letters and stories from the perspective of either Santa Claus or his secretary, an elf. (Hmm, foreshadowing?) Originally written from 1920 to 1943, Letters from Father Christmas was first published three years after his death, in 1976.
A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig
Best for: Ages 8 and up
Matt Haig may be best known for adult fiction books like The Midnight Library, but his Christmas books for kids are not to be missed. Your family will adore his 2015 title, A Boy Called Christmas. In this rollicking twist on the Santa origin story, young Nikolas is content to have one toy and a loving father. But when that father goes missing, it’s up to Nikolas to save him—even if it means journeying up north to the mystical village of Elfhelm.
The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum
Best for: Ages 8 and up
J.R.R. Tolkien wasn’t the only famous fantasy book author to tackle the story of Santa Claus. L. Frank Baum, the man behind The Wizard of Oz, wrote this lighting-fast page-turning read in 1902. The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus addresses all the mysteries of Santa’s life and work in a whimsical, satisfying fashion.
Flight of the Reindeer: The True Story of Santa Claus and His Christmas Mission by Robert Sullivan
Best for: Ages 8 and up
Elementary school children will light up at this beautiful Christmas book for kids, which dives into the historical context of the legend of Santa Claus. Robert Sullivan’s meticulously researched collection includes input from historians, Arctic experts and—wait for it—Santa-ologists to provide a grounded behind-the-scenes look at the magic of Mr. Claus.
A Newbery Christmas, edited by
Best for: Ages 9 and up
Voracious readers will love spending the holiday season with these 14 Christmastime tales, written by Newbery Medal–winning authors. Hilariously relatable Christmas adventures like those of Beverly Cleary’s Ramona join poignant tales of understanding like Eleanor Estes’s “The Hundred Dresses.” Pick and choose or read them all—you’re in for a moving holiday reading experience.
Greenglass House by Kate Milford
Best for: Ages 10 and up
If your kids would prefer a creepy, creaky inn over the North Pole for their Christmas books, they have to get their hands on Greenglass House. This series-starting mystery novel follows the son of the innkeeper, who’s puzzled when several mysterious, curious characters arrive at the inn for the holidays. He teams up with the daughter of the cook to unravel the guests’ secrets—and perhaps the deeper mystery of the house itself. Published in 2016, Greenglass House won the Edgar Award for Best Juvenile Mystery.
Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle
Best for: Ages 12 and up
Christmas books for kids don’t all have to be for the littlest ones! This trio of blockbuster YA authors collaborated in 2008 on this holiday romance collection set in a town slammed by a snowstorm. In 2019, Let It Snow became a Netflix Christmas movie.
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At Reader’s Digest, we’ve been sharing our favorite books for over 100 years. We’ve worked with bestselling authors including Susan Orlean, Janet Evanovich and Alex Haley, whose Pulitzer Prize–winning Roots grew out of a project funded by and originally published in the magazine. Through Fiction Favorites (formerly Select Editions and Condensed Books), Reader’s Digest has been publishing anthologies of abridged novels for decades. We’ve worked with some of the biggest names in fiction, including James Patterson, Ruth Ware, Kristin Hannah and more. The Reader’s Digest Book Club, helmed by Books Editor Tracey Neithercott, introduces readers to even more of today’s best fiction by upcoming, bestselling and award-winning authors. For this piece on Christmas books for kids, we tapped Rachel Strolle, a children’s librarian and teen services coordinator for a library in the Chicago area, to spotlight must-read holiday books. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Originally Published: December 23, 2021
