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Reading to kids is important at every age. Reading stimulates kids’ imaginations, helps them learn how language works, and expands their world. Reading Christmas stories can help add magic to the season, especially when families read stories together.
Here are some recommendations for the best Christmas books for kids aged 12 months to 12 years and older.
Young toddlers are very busy. They love to touch everything they can get their hands on, which makes touch-and-feel board books perfect for them! Here are some Christmas books that will entertain your busy toddler.
This fun book introduces kids to five snowmen and lets them touch the snowmen’s soft scarves, fluffy mittens, and squishy noses. This book makes a great Christmas gift for little ones.
This scented storybook will get adults and kids alike into the holiday spirit! Kids will join Little Bear as he helps his family get ready for the holidays. It introduces delicious holiday smells, like hot cocoa, a fresh-cut Christmas tree, and hot apple pie.
This short board book is the perfect introduction to the Llama Llama series for young toddlers. The rhyming text is delightful for kids to listen to and makes this one a holiday favorite for adults and kids.
Young preschoolers are starting to get interested in reading to themselves. While many kids still enjoy the comfort and tradition of a board book, they are ready for slightly more advanced storylines by this age. They also understand what Christmas is and are likely getting impatient waiting for it to get here! These stories can help pass the time.
Kids can relate to little Llama as he impatiently waits for Christmas to arrive. Follow Llama as he helps his mom get ready for the holiday and learns the true meaning of Christmas.
Dot the reindeer wants to help drive Santa’s sleigh, but she keeps getting told that she’s too small! Kids will love reading Dot’s adventures as she learns that she can do anything she puts her mind to, even if she is the littlest reindeer at the North Pole.
5 More Sleeps ‘til Christmas This illustrated book is perfect for getting kids excited for the holiday, starting five nights before Christmas Day. The rhyming text makes this a perfect book to read aloud before bedtime to help little ones fall asleep.
Schoolage children are ready for more advanced stories about Santa and his helpers. These books are fun to read out loud. Kids who can read will also enjoy curling up with these books before bed or when they’re relaxing and waiting for Christmas to arrive.
Kids who have an elf sitting on their shelf will love this story about an elf who tries to evade the children who try to catch him. With sing-song rhymes and beautiful illustrations, this book can quickly become a family tradition.
Dasher: How a Brave Little Dog Saved Christmas Forever
This book tells the story of how Dasher met Santa and became one of his most cherished reindeer. It has everything you could want in a Christmas book—magic, mystery, and a hero (Dasher) who achieves her wildest dreams.
It may not be the elegant book you want to read at the Christmas dinner table, but this book is perfect for kids who love to laugh. It tells the story of Fritz, a reindeer who can’t seem to control his gas. This humorous book gives kids and adults a new take on a classic tale.
Kids who are into chapter books will love these stories about Christmas that help bring their imagination to life and remind them that this season is about more than just getting presents from Santa.
Krampus and the Thief of Christmas
Kids who love the fantasy genre will enjoy this tale about an epic showdown between Krampus and Father Christmas. Part spooky, part heartwarming, this book is one that your tween will have a hard time putting down.
This is the first in a trilogy of Christmas chapter books by Matt Haig. It tells the story of an 11-year-old boy who must travel to the North Pole to find his father and ends up becoming Santa Claus. It’s an excellent book for kids who are on the cusp of not believing in Santa. A word of caution: this book deals with some heavy topics, such as grief and loss, so keep that in mind before presenting it to your child.
Kids who love the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series will fall in love with this funny Christmas story about a girl named Bobbie who ends up on Santa’s naughty list. Bobbie runs into a delightful cast of characters on her quest to get off the naughty list, including a lazy Santa and dysfunctional reindeer. This is a fun book with graphic novel type illustrations that will captivate your tween. We wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season and hope these books will bring some added joy into your home this Christmas. Keep us in mind for all of your childcare and staffing needs this holiday and beyond. Visit our website to learn more about our offerings!
