This time of year is filled with excitement and wonder especially for children. As caregivers, there’s nothing more heartwarming than experiencing the season’s magic through their eyes. It’s also a perfect time to cherish togetherness and remind our little ones that, while presents and decorations are fun, the greatest gift of all is being surrounded by the people who love them most and remembering the reason for the season.
We hope these thoughtfully chosen books for children of all ages, inspire cozy family moments and create lasting memories during your holiday storytimes. Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful and beautiful holiday season!
Together
This heartwarming book is destined to become a cherished family favorite for years to come. Through the voice of a little boy, it delivers a timeless Christmas message: instead of toys or gadgets, all he wants is time with his loved ones. The story beautifully captures the true magic of the holiday season—it’s not about the presents under the tree, but the moments spent laughing, sharing, and creating lasting memories together. With its sweet rhymes and whimsical illustrations, this book serves as a touching reminder of what really matters. It’s a holiday gem that will leave readers of all ages feeling inspired to savor the joy of togetherness.
Tomie dePaola’s Book of Christmas Carols
If singing Christmas carols is part of your family’s holiday traditions, this book is a must-have! Featuring classic illustrations and sheet music (perfect for anyone in the family who plays an instrument), it’s sure to elevate your holiday celebrations. Whether you’re singing together as a large group or sharing a quiet moment with your little one before bed, this book adds an extra touch of magic to the season. And who doesn’t love a Tomie dePaola illustration?! Just classic!
The Day Santa Stopped Believing in Harold
This clever story flips the script on the classic “Is Santa real?” question in a very entertaining way. Instead of a child doubting Santa’s existence, Santa himself begins to doubt the existence of a boy named Harold, who has been on his gift list for years. Santa shares his suspicions with his North Pole crew, while Harold, at the same time, starts wondering if Santa is just a myth. Determined to settle the matter once and for all, both Harold and Santa hatch plans on Christmas Eve to prove the other isn’t real—only to end up in a hilarious and unexpected encounter that leaves no doubt for either of them. Our favorite part is when the dad is so surprised he spits out his coffee everywhere!!! This book is a laugh-out-loud reminder that believing is a two-way street—and sometimes, the best magic happens when you least expect it!
Santa Claus the World’s Number One Toy Expert
How does Santa manage to deliver the perfect gifts every Christmas? This book takes readers behind the scenes, revealing all the effort Santa puts into making sure every child wakes up happy on Christmas morning, or at least 99.9% of them. From researching and testing toys to thoughtfully matching each one to the perfect child, Santa’s dedication is evident and as a fun twist, he even treats himself to a special gift each year! With adorable illustrations and charming answers to all the curious questions about what it takes to be Santa, this book is a must-read for every young believer who still finds magic in the season. If you aren’t familiar with Marla Frazee, the author and illustrator of this sweet book, check her out too!
How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney?
This timeless question is tackled with humor by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen in this silly book. In their true fashion, they offer a variety of clever and funny answers that will leave readers laughing for sure. What does Santa do when there isn’t a chimney and what happens when he gets stuck? And how does he keep pets quiet during his visit? It’s the perfect book to spark imaginative and entertaining conversations between you and your young believer!
The Tree That’s Meant To Be
This sweet story is told from the perspective of a small, imperfect tree growing in a forest of tall, perfect evergreens. When winter comes, the slanted and small tree is overlooked by families choosing the more beautiful trees surrounding it to bring to their homes for Christmas. This leaves the tree sad and alone, until its forest animal friends come together to surround it with love and joy, making it feel special and loved. This touching tale celebrates kindness, friendship, and the beauty of embracing what makes us unique.
Little Blue Truck’s Christmas
Join Little Blue Truck on a heartwarming holiday adventure as he spreads cheer to his animal friends by delivering Christmas trees. Your child will delight in counting down with each delivery, building excitement with every turn of the page. The grand finale—a tree that actually lights up on the last page—is guaranteed to bring smiles and joy! Whether your family is a longtime fan of the Little Blue Truck series or discovering it for the first time, this charming holiday tale will add a sprinkle of magic and fun to your holiday storytimes.
Mr. Boddington’s Studio: ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
The classic rhyme and tale that we all know and love, but with the most beautiful illustrations. If you are looking to add this classic to your family’s holiday library, this modern and colorful version will be loved and remembered for years to come. This would also make a lovely gift for a new family looking to start their holiday library. We especially love the little Christmas log in the back to write down what your child wished for each year. Perfect for a treasured keepsake.
The Story Orchestra: The Nutcracker
Every Christmas is sprinkled with references to The Nutcracker. The story, if your child isn’t familiar, can be a little hard to understand, especially if you just go to the play. Not only does this book tell the story in a child-centered way, but it adds the actual music into the story. We are huge fans of all the books in The Story Orchestra series and especially this one at the holidays.
Santa Calls
If you have siblings, especially a brother and sister, this book is a must. Full of imagination and intricate detail, this book is about a brother, sister, and their cousin. They get a mysterious letter to fly north and they are trying to figure out why. They meet Santa and Mrs. Claus and are taken on a wild adventure. In the end, you find out the magical reason they were called. I cannot read this book without crying. It is just such a special story.
Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree
This is an absolute long time favorite Christmas book for so many. Mr. Willowby has a large Christmas tree delivered. It is too tall, so his butler chops off the top and tosses it. It is found by the maid who makes it into a smaller tree. When she trims it, she tosses the trimming which is found by the gardener. This story goes on and on as each new character trims the tree. Read this one to find out who ends up with the very last trimming. You cannot help but smile at the end!
On Angel Wings
For me at least, I like to keep the religious spirit of the season alive. I have never found a book quite like this one. It is written through the eyes of a young shepherd boy who flies on the wings of Angel Gabriel to see Jesus the night he was born. It transports to that night like no other book I have ever read. And the most amazing part? It is written in a way that speaks to children. I make sure to read this book each and every year.
Have the merriest Christmas!
By Becca Thiemann & Kathleen Koester
