36 of the Best Christmas Books for Kids: Jubilant Stories

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh! by Mo Willems

Mo Willems is back with a new Pigeon book and this time it’s set at Christmas! Pigeon is back and trying to drive Santa’s sleigh in this charming kids’ Christmas book.

As Cool As It Gets by Jory John and Pete Oswald

One little bean is worried he can’t give a cool, expensive gift for the holiday gift exchange party. When Cool Bean finds out he’s supposed to give a gift to the coolest bean in town, he panics.

He can only afford to make her something. But she loves the picture and all the other guests do too! There is a great lesson in creative gift-giving in this Christmas book for kids.

A Simple Christmas on the Farm by Phyllis Alsdurf

I fell in love with this story of Christmas on a farm. A little girl’s parents decide this year they want to keep Christmas simple by slowing down, enjoying the season, making their presents, and giving back.

As they make decorations for their barn, the little girl learns that Christmas is best this way. The illustrations are a knock-out and the bi-racial family is inclusive in ways we need to see more of in literature. This is our favorite new children’s Christmas book of 2021.

Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Lost Christmas! by Alastair Heim

There is no more iconic Christmas book for kids than Dr. Suess’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas. That’s why we are so excited for this sequel! While not written by Dr. Seuss, this story is written in his style as the Grinch tries to prove to the residents of Whoville that he has changed.

The Christmas Pig by JK Rowling

This is the story of Jack, his lost toy, and the new toy he got as a replacement is wonderfully magical. The Christmas Pig decides to help his new owner, Jack, find his old pig by taking him to the land of the lost.

This chapter book also covers hard-hitting topics like divorce and remarriage, which Jack is experiencing in his home when he loses his beloved pig. The illustrations are magical and add a great element to this Christmas tale.

Once Upon a Christmas by Dawn Young

Goldilock’s three bears decide they want to throw a Christmas party to wish their friends a Happy Holiday. They decided to invite all of their fairytale friends to the party for caroling, cookie decorating, and more holiday fun.

But soon the holiday party causes some catastrophic events that lead to Santa falling into a lake! Can these mythical creatures save Christmas? This is on of the best children’s Christmas books.

The Magical Christmas Store by Maudie Powell-Tuck

Benji is struggling with the Holiday season because his family doesn’t have much. He wants to give his family a special holiday but he isn’t sure how.

As he wanders the streets on Christmas Eve, a polar bear invites him into the most magical Christmas store Benji has ever seen. Maybe he will be able to find something for his family within its special rooms after all.

Dasher by Matt Tavares

This gorgeously illustrated kids’ Christmas book tells the tale of the Christmas reindeer. Dasher finds Santa by following the North store one Christmas Eve night.

Soon, Dasher is offering to help tow Santa’s sled, flying through the air, and moving to the North Pole to live with Santa and help with Christmas forever more.

I Got the Christmas Spirit by Connie Schofield-Morrison

I love this kids’ Christmas book about the Christmas Spirit and what it means for the holiday season. The onomatopoeias throughout the story are great for newer readers.

The gorgeous illustrations bring the joyous story to life. You’ll feel the Merry Christmas vibes with this story.

For more books for beginning readers, check out this post.

Reindolphins by Kevin Brougher

With only 3 days until Christmas, the reindeer are sick and Santa is in a pickle! Who will pull the sleigh on Christmas?

All kinds of animals come back to help like skunks, elephants, bunnies, cats, hippos, gorillas, and more. Just when Christmas looks like it might be cancelled, the dolphins step in to pull the sleigh! If your child is an animal lover, this is one of the best children’s chrimstas books for them!

The Christmas Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood

I love the books in this series for bedtime because of the gentle pace, soothing illustrations, and repeat of the world quiet throughout.

This particular children’s Christmas book highlights all the quiet and calm moments of the Christmas season. From letters to Santa, watching snow fall, ice skating, and sipping hot cocoa, these moments are given their own special moments of recognition.

How Winston Delivered Christmas by Alex T. Smith

This charming children’s Christmas book is an advent calendar too! It’s designed to be read one chapter at a time on the 24 days leading up to Christmas.

Winston finds a letter addressed to Santa that he needs to get up to the North Pole before Christmas. The story is adorable and there are activities to do between chapters.

The Biggest Little Boy: A Christmas Story by Poppy Harlow

Cnn anchor Poppy Harlow has written a Christmas Story! Luca loves BIG things and this year for Christmas he wants the BIGGEST Christmas tree in the whole city.

Can Luca get what he wants or does he learn a BIG lesson about what Christmas is really all about?

The Christmas Owl by Gideon Sterer

Rockefeller, the little owl who captivated the country, is the star of this 2021 Christmas Book!

Based on the real story of the owl rescued from the Rockefeller Christmas Tree, this non-traditional Christmas tale is heartwarming and sweet.

Red and Lulu by Matt Tavares

The story of Red and Lulu, 2 cardinals who love their home inside a pine tree. They love it all year, but especially during the winter season.

But then one day their tree is taken down to be the Rockefeller Christmas tree. Will they like their new life in New York?

Pick a Pine Tree by Patricia Toht

We featured Pick a Pumpkin in our Halloween Kids books round-up and we knew we needed to highlight Pick A Pine Tree as well.

A charmingly illustrated story about a family on the hunt for the perfect Christmas tree, which they then take to decorate at home.

Everybody’s Tree by Barbara Joosse

The story of a little Pine tree that grows with a little boy, watching him grow, his family form, and then when the tree gets old, he gets a new life.

The old pine is driven to town to become the star of the Christmas Tree Show. What a special way to celebrate the life of the cherished Christmas tree.

Pinkalicious: Merry Pinkmas! by Victoria Kahn

Pinkalicious is back for a kids’ Christmas book featuring a very pink holiday. She begs and pleads for a pink Christmas tree but her parents refuse.

Every other member of the family wants a real tree, can pinkalicious convince them that pink is better?

Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree by Robert Barry

When Mr. Willowby orders a giant Christmas tree this year, it’s just too big! So he cuts the top off and passes it onto the next person, who also trims it, and the next person gets it and trims it down too.

Soon there is a whole community of people and animals that have a piece of the Christmas tree in it. This story of one man’s trash becoming someone else’s treasure is wonderful for the holiday season.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Suess

A Christmas classic that is a must-own! There is a reason this book has been adapted for the screen multiple times.

It’s a wonderful tale of materialism and the true Christmas spirit. The Grinch despises the Who’s and their yearly Christmas celebration so he does everything in his power to destroy their Christmas spirit….but he doesn’t realize that Christmas isn’t about presents and decorations.

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

Kirsten’s favorite children’s Christmas book! The illustrations are jaw-droppingly beautiful. The train is both whimsical and serious.

The Polar Express stops to pick up children on Christmas Eve to bring them to the North Pole. Once they get there, they get to see Santa give out the first gift of Christmas.

The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore

This classic story is THE quintessential Christmas book for kids and adults.

If you don’t yet own a copy of The Night Before Christmas in your home library, consider this gorgeously illustrated version.

Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer by Robert May

Over 75 years old, this classic Christmas book for kids is a masterpiece. It’s the story of the most famous reindeer, his shiny nose, and how being different is wonderful in its own way.

If your child loves the Rudolph song, they will love this book.

A Charlie Brown Christmas by Charles Schultz 

The Peanuts gang is back at it and its time for Christmas with Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and their friends!

This beloved cartoon inspired a TV movie short that children around the world still watch each Christmas season.

The Berenstain Bear’s Merry Christmas by Stan Berenstain

A delightful collection of books about the Berenstain Bear’s Christmas celebrations. This duo of stories highlights the problem with commercialism and teaches kids the true meaning of Christmas.

Llama Llama Holiday Drama by Anna Dewdney

Our favorite llama is back and struggling with the hustle and bustle leading up to Christmas. He wants his gifts, but Mama has a very different gift in mind – time together!

This is a particularly good Christmas book for kids who misunderstand the holiday spirit and are consumed with “things.”

How to Catch an Elf by Adam Wallace

This story starts on Christmas Eve where Santa’s elf is trying to be captured by children! From tinsel nets to double-sided sticky tape, laser rooms to mazes, these kids stop at nothing to try to capture their prey.

This Christmas tale is adorable. The dinner cannon is my favorite trap of all.

Elf on a Shelf by Carol V. Aebersold and Chanda A. Bell

Elf on a shelf is a newer classic Christmas book with an interactive element your kids will love. The Elf is placed around the house as he watches over the family and reports back to Santa.

Most families find the Elf in new locations every day (and sometimes he gets into trouble.) This book that explains about the Elf is a wonderful keepsake to cherish each year.

5 More Sleeps ’til Christmas by Jimmy Fallon

As a child counts down the sleeps until Christmas, he talks about how hard it is to fall asleep when he’s excited.

This is a cute one for counting or for reading in a book advent calendar for the Holiday season.

The Crayon’s Christmas by Drew Daywalt

Do your little ones love The Day the Crayons Quit? Then they will love this Christmas book for kids featuring the same characters.

Told in the same letter-writing format as the previous book, the twist on this story is that the crayons are the ones getting the letters this time!

Construction Site on Christmas Night by Sheri Duskey Rinker

A holiday version from the Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site series features Excavator, Bulldozer, Crane, and more vehicles building a home for their fire engine friends.

When they finish the job, they get a special Christmas present too! A must if your kids love trucks!

Santa Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins

Everyone’s favorite grumpy bear stars in this Christmas book for kids. As can be expected, Bruce is not a fan of the Holiday season.

Then when he gets dressed to stay warm, he’s mistaken for Santa. All the forest creatures come to tell Bruce what they want for the holidays, and the next thing he knows, he’s delivering Christmas presents!

Bear Stays Up by Karma Wilson

Bear stories are the best. They are colorful, short tales about relatable issues. This Christmas version is a perfect addition to the series!

In this version, all of Bear’s friends wake him up from his hibernation to get him to experience Christmas. Soon, he is the only one awake as he wraps presents for his friends and sees a special visitor!

How Do Dinosaurs Say Merry Christmas by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague

Those wacky dinosaurs need to be taught how to behave during the Christmas season. This is a particularly good story for kids who need a little reminding about the rules of behavior around all those decorations.