Every Christmas of my childhood without fail, my mom would pull out our basket of Christmas books and we would commence our annual re-reads of seasonal favorites. If you have a similar tradition in your home — or if you're looking to start one! — here are 29 book recommendations for readers of all ages to put you in the holiday spirit!
Picture Books
I Love You Through and Through at Christmas, Too! by Bernadette Rossetti-Shustak, illustrated by Caroline Jayne Church
We love our little ones through and through and especially at Christmas, too!
Join our bestselling toddler and bear as we huggle and snuggle and wiggle and giggle during this loving holiday.
"I love you with bells and wreaths, garlands and trees, with ribbons and bows, from your head to your toes!"
I Love the Nutcracker (My First Sound Book): My First Sound Book illustrated by Marion Billet
Introduce your little one to six of the most iconic musical pieces from Tchaikovsky's Christmas classic in I Love The Nutcracker!
Readers of every age will be enchanted by this charming board book with exceptional quality musical sounds that bring every charming picture to life. I Love The Nutcracker has a button on every spread, which triggers one of six captivating sounds that introduces an iconic piece from Tchaikovsky's classical ballet. An incredibly simple but utterly fascinating interactive book with sounds bound to enchant young readers and ignite an early love of classical music and ballet!
Merry Christmas, Little One! by Sandra Magsamen
Wreaths are strung
with twinkling lights.
Friends sing songs
that warm our nights.
Little ones will love this gently refreshed backlist classic Christmas lift-the-flap board book from the bestselling baby and toddler brand creator, Sandra Magsamen. With heartfelt rhymes, adorable illustrations, and engaging lift-the-flaps, children will be merrily reading and playing along all through the season.
Arthur and the Big Snow by Marc Brown
Everone's favorite aardvark, Arthur, is back in this exciting reissue of a favorite winter story!
It's the perfect snow day, and Arthur is excited to spend it with his friends. But because his little sister D.W. is too small, he has to wait for the snow plow to come by. Arthur waits so long, his friends have finished sledding! Will his snow day get any better? With a little help from Dad, Arthur realizes some things are worth waiting for.
Love, Santa by Martha Brockenbrough
The beautiful truth about Santa.
In a series of letters, a young girl writes to Santa to ask about the North Pole, Mrs. Claus, and of course, Christmas goodies. Year after year, Santa writes back, and a heartwarming relationship develops, until one year, the girl writes to her mother instead: Mom, are you Santa? Her mother responds to say that no, she is not Santa. Because Santa is bigger than any one person -- we bring him out through kindness to one another and the power of imagination. This transformative tale spins a universal childhood experience into a story about love, giving, and the spirit of Christmas.
The Littlest Reindeer by Brandi Dougherty
Dot may be the littlest reindeer in the North Pole, but she has a big desire to help Santa pull his sleigh! But Dot just can't seem to fly the right way, no matter how hard she runs, leaps, and kicks. Will Dot learn to fly, or is the littlest reindeer just too little?
You Are My Merry Little Christmas by Joyce Wan
Here comes an irresistible, glittery Christmas-themed story from the Queen of Cute, Joyce Wan!
This holly-jolly board book includes Wan's iconic bold lines, glitter, and embossing on the cover as well as eye-catching spreads featuring an irresistible cast of chubby, happy characters, such as a cheerful reindeer, a sweet sugar cookie, a dancing sugarplum, and more. And at the end of the story you can't help but repeat "Baby, you light up my life!" to your own bundle of joy.
It's a wonderful first introduction to Christmas -- featuring iconic images of the season on every page!
My Snow Globe by Megan Bryant, illustrated by Melissa Iwai
Journey through glittery snowscapes in this magical snow globe story full of beautiful wintertime scenes and surprising animal friends!
A charming snow globe-inspired board book just in time for the holidays! This shaped board book looks just like a snow globe with a clear acetate window and shimmery glitter on every die-cut layered page. Kids won't be able to resist turning the pages, reading the lyrical story by Megan E. Bryant, and watching the colorful illustrations by Melissa Iwai come to life. With adorable forest animals hidden on every spread, here's a glorious gift book to treasure all throughout the snowy season.
Merry Christmas, Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt, illustrated by Cyd Moore
Fans of I Love You, Stinky Face, will love this Christmas story! Stinky Face loves Christmastime...but he still has plenty of questions. What if a big, wintry wind blows his Christmas tree away? What if one of the reindeer gets his antlers stuck in the branches that hang over the roof? Luckily, his imaginative Mama knows how to reassure him that Christmas will be magical!
Stick Man by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
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!
Christmas at Last by Sam Hearn, illustrated by Penny Dann
A special Christmas gift book with glitter and die-cut pages that look just like stockings!
It's Christmas at last,
and outside it's snowing.
The stockings are hanging.
The fire is glowing.
Christmas is here! Read along and help the Bear family open their presents by turning the clever die-cut pages that look just like stockings. But each gift is very mysterious! Why would Santa give a hat, a scarf, shiny buttons, and a carrot to different members of the family? Santa must have something up his sleeve!
Can You See What I See? Christmas by Walter Wick
This delightful Christmas board book uses photographs from The Night Before Christmas in Walter Wick's bestselling Can You See What I See? series.
Toddlers and preschoolers will love to find the hidden trinkets and toys in each spread using the picture clues. The photographs feature a gingerbread house, Christmas cookies, and, of course, Santa Claus. A perfect Christmas stocking stuffer!
Clifford's Christmas by Norman Bridwell
It's Christmas time for Emily Elizabeth and Clifford! While they count down the days to their favorite holiday, Clifford makes a snowman, gets a tree, and finds a surprise in his stocking.
The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clark Moore, illustrated by David Ercolini
Creatures of all shapes and all sizes will be stirring with laughter in this overly decked out, Christmas-splendored illustrated picture book!
Ercolini breathes new life into an unrivaled classic with his vibrant illustrations featuring fun, accessible scenes of holiday mayhem and spirited cheer. It's The Night Before Christmas as you've never seen it before!
How Do Dinosaurs Say Merry Christmas? by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Mark Teague
From decorating the tree to wrapping presents, little dinosaurs love to celebrate Christmas-and everything about it. With ornaments on the branches and carolers singing at the door, the spirit of Christmas is finally here and filling the hearts of families everywhere. But when the stockings are hung on the chimney, and the cookies are left out for Santa, how can little dinosaurs go to sleep? It's so exciting! How can they possibly calm down and behave?
Children will laugh out loud as dinosaurs secretly lick candy canes, take sneaky peeks at gifts, and disrupt the traditional family feast.
With holiday surprises around every corner, the award-winning team of Jane Yolen and Mark Teague create an engaging, fun gift sure to be read again and again, year after year. How do dinosaurs say Merry Christmas? The same way they say Happy Chanukah: With an abundance of love, joy, memory, and gratitude.
The Littlest Elf by Brandi Dougherty
Oliver may be the littlest elf in the North Pole, but he has a big desire to discover his very special job in Santa's workshop! But after getting lost in the toy shop, making a mess at the book shop, and falling in the mixing machine at the bakery, is the littlest elf just too little?
Perhaps he just needs the littlest reindeer to remind him what Christmas is all about!
My Christmas Treasury by Cheryl Ran, Lucile Colandro, Steven Kroll
This merry treasury of stories will warm every heart with holiday tales of sharing, caring, and bearing good tidings of Christmas cheer! Three stories at one low price in a padded, keepsake format!
Includes:
The Biggest Christmas Tree Ever! by Steven Kroll and Jeni Bassett;
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bell by Lucille Colandro and Jared Lee; and
Christmas Morning by Cheryl Ryan Harshman and Jenny Mattheson.
My Santa Claus by Lily Karr, illustrated by Jay Johnson
A shiny, shaped Santa Claus board book with flocking and foil!
With sweet illustrations and a simple Christmas holiday story inside, this novelty board book is made to look exactly like Santa Claus--complete with a shiny suit and fuzzy beard. It's the perfect Christmas gift for active readers getting ready for the season!
Oh, What a Christmas! by Michael Garland
When the harness to Santa's sleigh breaks mid-flight, Dasher, Dancer, and the rest of the reindeer gang fly off into the night...leaving Santa and all of his presents stranded!
Who will guide Santa's sleigh and save Christmas now?
Luckily, Santa lands by a tiny barn filled with sleepy animals. With a twinkle in his eye, Santa sees a solution and wonders how well can cows, sheep, goats, pigs, and an old hound dog fly?
Snow Bunny's Christmas Wish by Rebecca Harry
The only present Snow Bunny truly wants for Christmas is a friend.
Snow Bunny lives all by herself deep in the wintry forest. When she is too late to mail her letter to Santa, she decides to take it to the North Pole herself. Along the way, she meets other animals who need her help. It's only when Santa brings her home in his sleigh that Snow Bunny realizes she has made her wish come true all on her own!
Children will love Rebecca Harry's beautiful illustrations and the dazzling foil details sprinkled throughout. This sweet Christmas story about the power of kindness is sure to be a family favorite.
Middle Grade
Top Elf by Caleb Huett
Ollie and Celia think they know what the life of an elf is supposed to be like: Make toys. Help Santa. Make more toys. Help Santa. Try out a new ice-cream flavor. Help Santa.But then Santa rocks the North Pole with a surprise announcement! He's decided this is going to be his last year in the Big Red Suit--and instead of letting his oldest son, the unfortunately named Klaus Claus, take over, he's opening up the job to any kid who wants to apply--Claus or elf.
The Santa Trials have begun!
Carols and Crushes by Natalie Blitt
Charlie's moment to shine has arrived: She's determined to land a solo in this year's holiday concert. With her best friend, Renee, and smart, cute Eric in chorus with her, this winter promises to be pitch-perfect.
Until disaster strikes. The concert is suddenly in danger of being canceled. And Charlie has to partner up with annoying, oh-so-perfect Matthew. If they can't work in harmony, Charlie's favorite time of year will be ruined. Will she be able to save the show from a blizzard of problems — and figure out who makes her heart sing?
On Christmas Eve by Ann M. Martin
Eight-year-old Tess is convinced this is the year she will finally meet Santa and experience the "Christmas magic." She also wishes with all her heart that her best friend's ill father will recover. Tess's faith in the season results in a Christmas Eve so wondrous, so sparkling, readers won't be able to help but feel transformed.
Rainbow Magic: Cheryl the Christmas Tree Fairy by Daisy Meadows
Christmas cheer has disappeared! Rachel and Kirsty are staying at a cozy cabin in the woods for Christmas! But everything is going wrong. Even their Christmas tree is missing! The girls think they know who's causing all the holiday trouble . . . . . . and they're right! Jack Frost and his goblins have stolen Cheryl the Christmas Tree Fairy's magic tree, star, and gift. Without them, Christmas won't be festive or fun. Can Rachel and Kirsty help Cheryl, or will Jack Frost make this Christmas a catastrophe? Find the magic items in all three stories inside this Rainbow Magic Special Edition and help save the Christmas spirit!
Clementine for Christmas by Daphne Benedis-Grab
Josie usually keeps to herself, but the holidays are her favorite time of year. She comes out of her shell when she and her dog, Clementine, volunteer at the local hospital. Josie loves dressing up in silly costumes, singing carols, and helping to prepare for the big Christmas Festival. That is, until she learns that this year's Festival has been canceled.
Meanwhile, Oscar's parents are fighting more and more -- and so is he. He gets into trouble at school, and his punishment? Volunteer hours at the local hospital.
Gabby's life seems perfect. She's stylish, smart, and everyone looks up to her. But Gabby has a secret, one that could ruin everything.
Then, Clementine disappears, Oscar's parents separate, and Gabby's secret is uncovered. Together, can Josie, Oscar, and Gabby find a way to save the holiday, or will this be the worst Christmas ever?
Revenge of the Angels by Jennifer Ziegler
The Brewster triplets, Dawn, Darby, and Delaney, usually love Christmas. Decorations, singing carols, seeing Aunt Jane and their favorite neighbors, hot cocoa, and presents—what could be better? But this year nothing is going right, starting with their local Christmas pageant. They practiced looking wise and stroking fake beards so they could play the three Wise People, but what did they get cast as? Angels - and just because they're girls! Totally not fair.
And things are going from bad to worse. No Aunt Jane, no megaphone, no Mom or Lily because of the snow—and someone is stealing decorations (and baked goods!) from their neighbors' houses. The girls don't want this to be the worst Christmas ever, but can they fix the pageant, solve the mystery, find their dad a new couch (it's a long story), and recover their holiday cheer?
The Angel Tree by Daphane Benedis-Grab
Every Christmas in the small town of Pine River, a tree appears in the town square--the Angel Tree. Some people tie wishes to the tree, while others make those wishes come true. Nobody's ever known where the tree comes from, but the mystery has always been part of the tradition's charm.
This year, however, four kids who have been helped--Lucy, Joe, Max, and Cami--are determined to solve the mystery and find out the true identity of the town's guardian angel, so that Pine River can finally thank the person who brought the Angel Tree to their town.
Goosebumps Most Wanted: The 12 Screams of Christmas by R. L. Stine
Kate Welles doesn't want to be special. She just wants to play the lead in her school's Christmas play. Her annoying "friend" Courtney is constantly getting in the way of that. Can you even call someone a "friend" if all they do is make fun of you and ruin everything all of the time? But Kate has to get along with Courtney or else neither of them will be allowed to take part in The 12 Screams of Christmas.
Kate and Courtney's teacher decides they need to find a special place to rehearse. A certain house with a special history. The kind of place that Kate would normally be pretty frightened to go into. The kind of place that gives new meaning to the term: Christmas Spirit.
YA
Snow In Love by Aimee Friedman, Melissa de la Cruz, Nic Stone, Kasie West
What's better than one deliciously cozy, swoon-worthy holiday story?
Four of them, from some of today's bestselling authors.
From KASIE WEST, a snowy road trip takes an unexpected detour when secrets and crushes are revealed.
From AIMEE FRIEDMAN, a Hanukkah miracle may just happen when a Jewish girl working as a department store elf finds love.
From MELISSA DE LA CRUZ, Christmas Eve gets a plot twist when a high school couple exchange surprising presents.
From NIC STONE, a scavenger hunt amid the holiday crowds at an airport turns totally romantic.
So grab a mug of hot cocoa, snuggle up, and get ready to fall in love...
