The twinkle lights are on, the cozy blankets are piled high, and your kids are cuddled close against you listening to you read to them. Is there anything better? I think not! The hustle and bustle of the season is exciting to some, but for others, it can be pretty draining. I fall somewhere in the middle. But when I slow down and soak up moments like this with my kids… sipping hot cocoa or reading together… that’s where the memories are made.
I wanted to share a list of our favorite holiday books, picture books and chapter books. Add a bunch to your library holds, stick them in a basket near the tree, and enjoy the magic with your children.
Our Top 10 Favorites
1. Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree by Robert E. Barry
The Christmas tree that keeps on giving! What a clever book!
2. How Winston Delivered Christmas by Alex T. Smith
This 24-chapter book is meant to be read from Dec 1-24th and includes fun activities to go along the way. It’s super cute!
3. When Santa Was a Baby by Linda Bailey
My kids get a real kick out of seeing Santa as a baby and learning how he came to grow into his role. Beautiful vintage-inspired illustrations make it an instant classic for us.
4. Gingerbread Mouse by Katy Bratun
This is such a nostalgic Scholastics book. I found it at the thrift store and we have loved it year after year since my oldest was only a toddler.
5. Dasher by Matt Tavares
What an instant classic. This is such a heartwarming story of how Santa gets his reindeer. I shed a tear or two every time we read it.
6. The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
This is a classic for a reason and I simply can’t keep the tears in my eyes by the end.
7. How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
Another classic that we read year after year, as well as watch the television special.
8. Last Stop on the Reindeer Express by Maudie Powell-Tuck
My oldest daughter gravitates towards this one every year. It is magical and whimsical. Beautiful illustrations, too.
9. The 12 Cats of Christmas by Feather Flores
My youngest daughter is a big fan of cats and this one makes her laugh year after year. The best part is the cat profiles at the end!
10. The Night Before Christmas by Holly Hobbie
There are so many versions of this classic (Jan Brett is up there for us) but I love the illustrations in Holly Hobbie’s version. They feel nostalgic and are so charming.
40 More Stories
- Christmas Farm by Mary Lyn Ray
- Little Red Sleigh by Erin Guendelsberger
- The Little Reindeer by Nicola Killen
- Night Tree by Eve Bunting
- Merry Christmas, Strega Nona by Tomie DePaola
- Little Robin’s Christmas by Jan Fearnley
- Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson
- This Is Christmas by Tom Booth
- The Tree That’s Meant to Be by Yuvall Zommer
- Pick a Pine Tree by Patricia Toht
- How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? by Mac Barnett
- The Nutcracker by Jan Brett
- The Animal’s Santa by Jan Brett
- Merry Christmas, Big Hungry Bear by Don Wood
- The Christmas Owl by Gideon Sterer
- Why Evergreens Keep Their Leaves by Annemarie Riley Guertin
- Angelina’s Christmas by Katharine Holabird
- Bright Winter Night by Alli Brydon
- Winter Is the Warmest Season by Lauren Stringer
- Fletcher and the Snowflake Christmas by Julia Rawlinson
- A Christmas Sweater for Nina by Cecilia Heikkilä
- Old Befana by Tomie DePaola
- The Little Fir Tree by Margaret Wise Brown
- Red and Lulu by Mat Tavares
- The Twinkly Twinkly Christmas Tree by Sam Taplin
- The 12 Days of Christmas by Greg Pizzoli
- Dasher Can’t Wait for Christmas by Matt Tavares
- Through the North Pole by Polly Faber
- The Sugar Plum Bakers by Pat Tanumihardja
- The Most Beautiful Winter by Cristina Sitja Rubio
- The Perfect Tree by Corrine Demas
- The Snow Thief by Alice Hemming
- The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
- A Donkey Named Mistletoe by Helen Peters (chapter book)
- A Kitten Named Holly by Helen Peters (chapter book)
- Magic Treehouse (Merlin Missions): Christmas in Camelot by Mary Pope Osborne (chapter book)
- Santa Mouse by Michael Brown
- Mistletoe by Tad Hills
- Sophie Mouse: Winter’s No Time to Sleep by Poppy Green (chapter book)
- Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh by Mo Willems
