Christmas is just around the corner, trees are going up and being decorated around the globe, and children everywhere are on their best behavior to make sure they’re on the nice list. During the countdown to the festivities, it’s a good time to regale kids with seasonal stories, and there are a lot to choose from.
As a parent to a young child, I love curling up in the dark evenings with the fire on, a lukewarm hot chocolate in her small hands, and a good Christmas-themed tale to tell. There are, of course, the classics that we heard as children ourselves, but there are also some more modern tales that can be told.
Whether you’re looking for something more traditional, or you want something new to read with your little ones, here are 11 of the best Christmas books for kids.
11. The Nutcracker
Based on the 1892 two-part ballet with stunning classical music by Tchaikovsky, The Nutcracker is an absolute classic including everything that it could take to capture the imagination of any child.
It’s like Toy Story, except long before Toy Story was even a concept. With toys that come to life, a battle between gingerbread soldiers and mice, and dancing candy, it’s a wonderful story. If you want a truly magical experience, introduce your kids to the music that goes alongside the scenes in the book, and they’ll remember it for years to come.
10. The Night Before Christmas
We all know how this one goes –
“Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.”
Although you’re more likely to find illustrated books with this title, they’re actually just rebindings of a poem by Clement Clarke Moore called “A Visit from St. Nicholas”. The Night Before Christmas is undeniably a classic, and now it’s our turn to be able to pass these classics on to a whole new generation. Even now, every time I hear this poem, it brings back huge waves of nostalgia.
9. You Choose Christmas
This is one that’s definitely aimed at younger children, as it’s filled with easy questions and brightly colored illustrations. However, unlike other books on this list, this one offers children the choice to create their own story and it can be different every single time, so it never gets boring. What Christmas sweater should you wear? What job do you want to do? Endless possibilities.
One of the best things about You Choose Christmas is that it sparks discussion and laughter between parent and child, and it allows children the opportunity to realize that they can make their own choices, and their own stories.
8. There’s An Elf In Your Book
Tom Fletcher is a member of the pop-punk boy band McFly, and a staple of my teenage years for that reason. However, he’s also become a staple of my adult years through my daughter, as she absolutely loves any book that he’s ever written and this Christmas-themed one is no different.
There’s An Elf In Your Book and he is waiting to see whether your child has been naughty or nice, and is filled with questions to help him figure it out. But it’s not quite that straightforward, and this mischievous little elf is quite the trickster, which always leads to some laughter and happy memories being made while reading.
7. A Christmas Carol
Whether you love the original Dickens version, or you grew up like me with yearly rewatches of Muppet Christmas Carol, we all know the story of A Christmas Carol. Ebenezer Scrooge, rich and utterly miserable, is visited by three ghosts who endeavor to change his miserly ways and he undergoes a heartwarming transformation.
A Christmas Carol can work for all ages, with older children being able to dive into the original tale, and younger ones having their very own simplified and illustrated versions to capture their attention. Of course, if all else fails, you can always rely on the Muppets to bring this story to life.
6. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
I mean come on, if I’m writing a list of Christmas books for kids, I have to include Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Not only is this quintessentially Christmas-sy, but it’s also inspiring and reinforces one of my favorite messages for any child — your differences can be your strengths.
Rudolph might not immediately see the appeal of a bright red and glowing nose, but it definitely comes in handy on a foggy Christmas Eve. Rather than being ashamed of this thing that makes him different, he uses it to his advantage and guides the sleigh around the globe, becoming the star and savior of Christmas when all would otherwise have been lost.
5. Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh
If you’ve ever read any of the other Pigeon books, you’ll know what to expect from Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh. But if not, let me enlighten you and introduce you to this argumentative and adorable little bird.
He’s a pigeon, sure, but he has the mentality of any four-year-old I’ve ever met. He’s bossy, infuriating, and he usually wants something, but all of that makes these books incredibly relatable to a younger audience. In this one, he wants to drive Santa’s sleigh, which isn’t exactly the most logical of things to expect for a small bird, but it’s sure to make you laugh nonetheless.
4. Disney’s 5 Minute Christmas Stories
While I love nothing more than sitting down to read for an hour with my daughter, sometimes something quick and easy is definitely preferable, especially if you’re trying to wrangle a child into bed through the excitement of the impending holidays.
Disney’s 5 Minute Christmas Stories includes 12 quick stories to read during such times and is filled with illustrations of familiar characters both old and new, so there’s something for everyone regardless of what their favorite Disney flick is.
3. You Are a Gift
In a world where families are separated by miles and living far apart from loved ones is becoming more common, there are limited ways for children to feel close to relatives who aren’t physically nearby. With my Fiancé being 3,000 miles away a lot of the time, it’s something my daughter and I have felt the effects of more times than I care to admit.
These books allow for someone to read the story aloud, record themselves doing it, and then give the book to a child. The child can then press the button and hear the voice of their loved one reading to them as they follow the words on the pages before them. While it doesn’t make up for the distance, it definitely helps to maintain the bond, and the Christmas-themed You Are a Gift is filled with an overwhelmingly positive message for young ones.
2. The Snowman
I’m not sure whether The Snowman has fully reached American shores, but if you’ve never heard of it, then you should definitely look into it. It’s about a boy who builds a snowman that comes to life, taking him on an adventure around the globe to see Christmas in all of its glory. There’s also a short film version, which can be found online in various places.
It’s not a UK Christmas without at least one showing or reading of The Snowman in the house, and I introduced my Fiancé to this tradition during his first year spent with us. Just be warned, it gets a little sad, so make sure to have some tissues to hand and be prepared for a discussion post-reading.
1. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
I’m just gonna start off with this one and get it out of the way because no Christmas book list would be complete without it. Dr. Seuss is always a solid choice for reading to kids, thanks to the rhyming, rhythmic style of his writing which always manages to keep the attention of even the most distractible child. How the Grinch Stole Christmas is the perfect Christmas book for all ages, but especially children.
We all know the story of the Grinch, whether from the original book or from the movies that have since been adapted from it. The Grinch is green, grumpy, and really does not like Christmas. He tries to take Christmas away from The Whos of Whoville, but their spirit shows him that there’s more to the day than presents and food.
Published: Dec 3, 2024 11:24 am