24 Days of Christmas Books for Kids- We love celebrating the holidays. Sophia and I are usually begging Jeffrey to put up the decorations before Thanksgiving. We just get so excited to watch all the holiday movies, snuggle in our jammies, drink cocoa and read lots of Christmas books. We now have almost enough Christmas books to read one per day in the month of December leading up to Christmas! Whether you’re buying new books and wrapping them as an advent calendar or checking them out from the library, here are 24 awesome Christmas books to read with your kids. We own or have read each of these and think they’re all wonderful.
24 Days of Christmas Books
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December 1
Pete the Cat Saves Christmas
– Spend the holidays with your favorite blue cat! In this rockin’ spin on the traditional tale The Night Before Christmas, Pete the Cat proves that giving your all in the spirit of Christmas is the totally groovy thing to do.
December 2
Bear Stays Up for Christmas
– Bear’s friends are determined to keep Bear awake for Christmas! So they wake Bear up and have him help them find a Christmas tree, bake cakes, hang up stockings, and sing Christmas songs. Bear stays up—by discovering that giving is one of the best Christmas presents of all!
December 3
The Christmas Wish
– Long ago, a brave little girl named Anja wanted to be one of Santa’s elves. So she leaves a note for her family and helps her elderly neighbor prepare for the holiday, then she straps on her skis, and heads out into the snowy landscape. From a red bird to a polar bear to a reindeer, a menagerie of winter animals help Anja make her way to Santa. A generous trim-size, matte cover, extraordinary photographs, and foiled title make this a special book for the holiday season.
December 4
The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving
– In The Berenstain Bears and The Joy of Giving Brother and Sister Bear can’t wait for Christmas and all the presents they’ll open. But during the Christmas Eve pageant, something special happens! The Bear cubs learn a very valuable lesson about the joy of giving to others.
December 5
Pick a Pine Tree
– Part of the magic of the Christmas season stems from the traditions that families and friends take part in every year: hanging up stockings; putting lights in the windows; and, one of the most important of all, picking out and taking home the Christmas tree. With style and warmth, debut author Patricia Toht and Jarvis, the author-illustrator of Alan’s Big, Scary Teeth, evoke all the rituals of decorating the tree — digging out boxes jam-packed with ornaments and tree trimmings, stringing tinsel, and, at long last, turning on those twinkling lights. Joyously drawn and rhythmically written, this celebration of family, friends, and the holiday season is as merry as the tradition it depicts.
December 6
How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
– “Every Who down in Who-ville liked Christmas a lot . . . but the Grinch, who lived just north of Who-ville, did NOT!” 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 young and old.
December 7
Disney Christmas Storybook Collection
– Celebrate the season with favorite Disney and Disney• Pixar characters! This updated edition of the top-selling storybook collection includes new stories with popular characters from films like Frozen, Wreck-It Ralph, and Tangled. This enchanting volume of 18 tales brings the magic of Christmas to life with over 250 beautiful full-page and spot illustrations plus silver-gilded pages!
December 8
A Christmas Carol
– Follow miserly Scrooge as he is whisked through the night by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come in order to face his selfish treatment of Jacob Marley, Bob Cratchit, and Tiny Tim. Families will enjoy reading this shortened version of Dickens’s story together, with its warm illustrations that capture every twist and turn.
December 9
The Nutcracker
– Join Marie, Fritz, and the intriguing Nutcracker himself on a magical Christmas Eve adventure. Behold the frightful Mouse King, the elegant Sugar Plum fairies, and the entire Land of Sweets in this dazzling, gorgeously illustrated holiday classic. With spare text based on the story in the ballet, this book offers a front-row seat to the enthralling tale that is a perennial favorite of adults and children alike.
December 10
Secret Santas and the Twelve Days of Christmas Giving
– Children everywhere are learning how they can become members of the real-life, Secret Santa Team! With every page turned an exciting new adventure awaits, showing your child how he or she can spread kindness and cheer throughout the Christmas season. This tradition of hope, joy, and love paves the way for families to introduce their little ones to the joy that comes from giving to others in a magical and exciting way.
December 11
Christmas Cookie Day!
– Christmas Cookie Day! celebrates the beloved tradition of making Christmas treats and even features a special Christmas cookie recipe for you and your child to create. The bright illustrations by Pauline Siewert and sweet, rhyming text by Tara Knudson are sure to capture the wonder of young readers and parents alike. Perfect for building new memories, this board book has a beautiful, glittery cover.
December 12
Zetta the Poinsettia
– Zetta discovers she is more than just holiday decor in this tale of hope and self exploration.
December 13
Polar Express
– A young boy, lying awake one Christmas Eve, is welcomed aboard a magical trip 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.
December 14
Elfie the Elf
– Granny has a bedtime story that her grandkids will never forget. When a little girl befriends an Elf in the north pole, the two learn about friendship, standing up for each other, and achieving your dreams. With a cast of characters including reindeer, elves, and Santa himself, Granny’s story seems larger than life. But is it?
December 15
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!
December 16
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…”
December 17
Stick Man
– Stick Man lives in the family tree
With his Stick Lady Love and their stick children three.
But one day, Stick Man is carried off by a mischievous dog who wants to play fetch! Things go from bad to worse as Stick Man is carried farther and farther away from home. Lonely and lost, Stick Man wants nothing more than to be home with his family for Christmas. And when he helps Santa Claus out of a bind, he finds the perfect ticket home!
December 18
The Little Reindeer (The Little Animal)
– When a jingling sound wakes her from her sleep, a little girl’s dreams come true when she meets a lost reindeer in the forest. They set off on a magical adventure and it becomes a Christmas never to forget. Nicola Killen’s evocative illustrations are sure to enchant in this beautiful book with die cut pages, foil, and flashes of festive red.
December 19
Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree
– Christmas is here and Mr. Willowby’s tree has arrived! There’s just one big problem . . . the tree is too tall to fit in his parlor. He cuts off the top so it will fit, but little does he know that the top of that tree will travel clear across the countryside, bringing holiday cheer to the homes of bears, rabbits, mice, and more! This heartwarming story is the perfect way to start your yuletide season, and the perfect addition to your family’s festive holiday traditions.
December 20
The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree: An Appalachian Story (Picture Puffin Books)
– This unforgettable tale, illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Barbara Cooney, has become a seasonal classic-a touching and joyful story about courage and the power of family.
December 21
Merry Christmas Mom and Dad
– Mercer Mayer’s Little Critter is getting ready for Christmas in this classic, funny, and heartwarming book. Whether he’s making wreaths, eating gingerbread cookies, or putting the star on the top of the tree, both parents and children alike will relate to this beloved story. A perfect way to celebrate the holiday season!
December 22
The Story of Holly and Ivy
– Ivy, Holly, and Mr. and Mrs. Jones all have one Christmas wish. Ivy, an orphan, wishes for a real home and sets out in search of the grandmother she’s sure she can find. Holly, a doll, wishes for a child to bring her to life. And the Joneses wish more than anything for a son or daughter to share their holiday. Can all three wishes come true? This festive tale is perfectly complemented by beloved Barbara Cooney’s luminous illustrations, filled with the warm glow of the Christmas spirit.
December 23
Red and Lulu
– Red and Lulu make their nest in a particularly beautiful evergreen tree. It shades them in the hot months and keeps them cozy in the cold months, and once a year the people who live nearby string lights on their tree and sing a special song: O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree. But one day, something unthinkable happens, and Red and Lulu are separated. It will take a miracle for them to find each other again. Luckily, it’s just the season for miracles. . . . From Matt Tavares comes a heart-tugging story combining the cheer of Christmas, the magic of New York City, and the real meaning of the holiday season: how important it is to be surrounded by love.
December 24- Christmas Eve!
The Night Before Christmas
– Since it was first published anonymously in 1823, “The Night Before Christmas” has enchanted children with the story of St. Nicholas climbing down the chimney and filling all the stockings before springing back to his sleigh. Many families read the poem every year, and now they have an edition to treasure. The cherished verse, faithfully reproduced here, is accompanied by Charles Santore’s lavish illustrations.
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What a cute idea!! I’d love to do something like this and add a few culturally diverse books to the mix! Thanks for all the cool book selections!
We usually do mix in some books about Kwanzaa and Hanukkah but I don’t remember what we’ve read so I didn’t want to mark them as our favorites.
These look like great books! I always enjoyed reading Christmas books to the kids when the holidays rolled around.
I’ll bet that’s a special memory for them. <3
these are awesome gift ideas for kids!
Right?? You can easily pick them up at consignment stores or check them out from the library.
I absolutely love this post 🙂 I have such wonderful memories of reading Christmas books with my Mum when I was younger. I can’t wait to continue this tradition one day.
That is so special! I’m so happy you have that memory.
I am planning on doing something similar this year. I wasn’t sure if I should get all new books or wrap up some we have already. They would still be a surprise.
We’re doing a mix of those two and getting some from the library. Each year I’ll buy a couple so I won’t have to rely on the library because they’re always out of holiday books!
Love these picks! So cute Thanks for putting this together and sharing!!
What a great idea! I love books and read to my children every night before they went to bed. These are a must have.
They’ll thank you in the future for your dedication to story time.