This list of the best Christmas picture books for kids will help families enjoy the holiday season even more. Reading together is a wonderful way to build holiday traditions.
I am so excited to share with you my picks for the best Christmas picture books for kids and families! I grew up loving to read, and then I became an elementary school teacher, which solidified my obsession with children’s literature. I am also completely obsessed with holidays. Put those two things together and BAM! You have my collection of children’s Christmas picture books! (Not to mention the chapter books!)
I went through my giant stash of Christmas picture books and chose my 20 favorites, along with some fun activity books that I threw in at the bottom and a couple of seasonal books celebrating Hanukah and Kwanzaa. Some of these books are religious, some of them are classic, and some of them are just plain silly fun. I hope you love these Christmas picture books as much as we do!
*This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission for sharing the item with you, but the price does not change for you. It also contains links to the Usborne Books and More site, where I am an Indpendent Distributor.*
How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
One of the most famous Christmas picture books of all time, How the Grinch Stole Christmas has been made into multiple movies (We ADORE the classic cartoon version!) and toys. LOVE.
This musical nativity book is beautiful and tells the story of the First Christmas mixed with traditional songs. It is actually out of print, but it is one of our FAVORITES, so I did some searching and found it for you on the site Book Depository. I have had great success on that site in the past.
A Merry Little Christmas: Celebrate From A to Z
Celebrate Christmas from A to Z in this Christmas picture books. BEAUTIFUL illustrations from Mary Engelbreit, my mom’s favorite artist. I love this book.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: A Special Edition Pop-Up Book
This book version of the classic film Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is awesome! Really fun and elaborate pop-ups!
This book is SOOOO cute! I love the entire “That’s Not My . . .” series. Every animal and variety in the world, and they are PERFECT for babies and toddlers! Plus, Usborne makes books beautifully, so ours have held up incredibly. This one is so cheery and festive! The perfect gift for any new little one in your life!
Snowmen come to life after the people go to sleep and they have a fabulous Christmas celebration. Magical, beautiful, and fun! (This is a spinoff of the AWESOME picture book Snowmen at Night.)
Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!
This is a darling look and find book using the Charlie Brown characters. Very charming and fun for kids.
A charming telling of the Nativity story from the author of Goodnight Moon and Runaway Bunny.
A gorgeous version of the classic Christmas song, illustrated by one of my all-time favorite children’s book illustrators, Steven Kellogg.
This fun, colorful story is a spinoff of the classic Farmer Brown and Duck series that all started with the hilarious story Click Clack Moo: Cows That Type.
This lovely tale of the Nativity stars the donkey, who dreamed he was carrying a woman filled with heaven . . . which he was. (This one is out of print, but you can still buy it used.)
One of the all-time greatest Christmas books EVER! Take a magical journey to the North Pole on the Polar Express with this fabulous classic.
How Do Dinosaurs Say Merry Christmas?
This clever books cheekily teaches kiddos how to act on Christmas while making them giggle. A version of the clever “How Do Dinosaurs . . . ?” book series.
This cute book is PERFECT for little ones. Simple, well-made, and teaches the tale of the First Christmas. It is actually out of print, but I adore it, so I did some searching and found it for you on the site Book Depository. I have had great success on that site in the past.
Disney Christmas Storybook Collection
A MUST for any Disney-obsessed family! Original Christmas themed stories featureing your favorite Disney and Pixar characters, from Mickey Mouse and Robin Hood to Lightning McQueen and Elsa!
This sweet book tells the story of the Mexican tradition The Night of Las Posadas. A charming and engaging story with a Christmas miracle of its own.
Where Did They Hide My Presents? (Silly Dilly Christmas Songs!)
Hilarious poems set to the tune of Christmas classics. ALWAYS a hit with the kids!
A gorgeous rendition of a classic Christmas song. Did I mention it was GORGEOUS???
If You Take a Mouse to the Movies
This cute spin on the classic If You Give a Mouse a Cookie is fun and full of Christmas cheer!
The 12 Days of Christmas: A Pop-Up Celebration
GORGEOUS pop-up book version of the classic Christmas song. I mean GORGEOUS!
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The Usborne Illustrated Children’s Bible Stories
This isn’t strictly a Christmas book, but it is an illustrated Bible, so it includes the Christmas story. It is BEAUTIFULLY illustrated! A must-have in any home.
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Now here are some Christmas themed activity books for your little one to enjoy as well:
I LOOOOOVE this sticker book! Perfect for little ones, and all about the Nativity.
Doodle and draw holiday scenes. SO cute!
Christmas Fingerprint Activities
Step-by-step instructions to make darling Christmas artwork!
Little Children’s Christmas Activity Book
Designed for kids 4 and up, this mixed-activity book is packed with mazes, word searches, picture puzzles, coloring, dot-to-dot, spot-the-difference, and more. Fun!
Hours of fun will be found in this intricate maze book!
Little Sticker Dolly Dressing Christmas
Your little girl will love dressing up these dolly pictures with sticker outfits. So darling!
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Honorable mentions go to these books. They aren’t Christmas, but they represent the other holidays this time of year, and they are FANTASTIC stories!
Herschel and the Hanukkah Goblins
You do not have to celebrate Hanukkah to LOOOOOVE this story! I loved reading it to my classes as a teacher, and my own children love it as well. Only Herschel can defeat the Hanukkah goblins using his bravery, brain and trickery!
Seven Spools of Thread: A Kwanzaa Story
Seven brothers can’t stop fighting . . . how will the seven spools of thread that their father left to them after his passing help them make gold before sunup comes and leaves them beggars??
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