Top 10 Children’s Christmas Books

One of my favorite parts of the holiday season is snuggling up on the couch with my children to read Christmas books. Some of our favorite children’s Christmas books are worn with years of memories, and it fills my heart with so much joy when I pull them out each December.

The books I have to share with you today are the 10 recommended books to accompany the 10 topics in my Christmas School Family Unit Study. It probably comes as no surprise that a bunch of these books are also my personal favorites.

I hope you love them as much as we do!

Top 10 Christmas Children’s Books

I suggest taking a trip to your local library to check out these books. Or, if you would like to add them to your personal library, I also included Amazon links for each book.

Now, without further ado, here are my Top 10 Christmas Children’s Books and the 10 topics from Christmas School that they accompany!

Topic 1: Gift Giving

Finding Christmas by Robert Munsch

Every year, Julie finds the Christmas presents her parents hid: in the basement, under the bed, in the garage. But this year it’s Christmas Eve and she has found nothing. NOTHING! She’s worried — will there be no presents at all? Her investigation takes her to a mysterious box on the rooftop, which — lo and behold — houses all of the gifts! But, in classic Munsch style, she becomes trapped inside, creating the biggest surprise of all for her family on Christmas morning.

Topic 2: Santa

The Night Before Christmas by Clement Moore

Carry on a family tradition or start one of your own with this new version of the classic Christmas book for children and families. Initially published anonymously as A Visit from Saint Nicholas, and credited as a work by Clement Clark Moore, this timeless tale has been lovingly preserved in this classic edition. Bring the family together for a read-aloud as children prepare for Santa and his reindeer on Christmas Eve.

Topic 3: Elves

How to Catch an Elf by Adam Wallace

It’s Christmas Eve, and an elf is on the loose… in YOUR house! Do you have what it takes to catch him? Follow along in this fun holiday story as a mischievous elf causes chaos on Christmas Eve! Filled with zany traps, vibrant illustrations, STEAM concepts, and even Santa Claus himself, this Christmas picture book for kids is guaranteed to become a new holiday tradition!

Topic 4: Caroling

The Berenstain Bears Go Christmas Caroling by Mike Berenstain

Young readers will enjoy reading about the Bear family going Christmas caroling on Christmas Eve in Bear Country with their friends in this addition to the Living Lights™ series of Berenstain Bears books. Children will learn about Christmas traditions and the lyrics to special Christmas carols such as “Good King Wenceslas” and “Jingle Bells.” This holiday book also includes four holiday postcards and a holiday door hanger!

Topic 5: Snowmen

Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner

Have you ever built a snowman and discovered the next day that his grin has gotten a little crooked, or his tree-branch arms have moved? And you’ve wondered . . . what do snowmen do at night? This delightful wintertime tale reveals all! Caralyn Buehner’s witty, imaginative verse offers many amusing details about the secret life of snowmen and where they go at night, while Mark Buehner’s roly-poly snowmen are bursting with personality and charm.

Topic 6: Reindeer

Dasher by Matt Tavares

Dasher is an adventurous young reindeer with a wish in her heart. She spends her days with her family under the hot sun in a traveling circus, but she longs for a different life — one where there is snow beneath her hooves and the North Star above her head. One day, when the opportunity arises, Dasher seizes her destiny and takes off in pursuit of the life she wants to live. It’s not long before she meets a nice man in a red suit with a horse-drawn sleigh — a man named Santa. And soon, with the help of a powerful Christmas wish, nothing will be the same.

Topic 7: Baking

A World of Cookies for Santa by M.E. Furman

A World of Cookies for Santa takes readers around the globe to see all the treats awaiting Santa on Christmas Eve. Head to the Philippines, where children leave out puto seko cookies and ginger tea for Santa; jet to Russia for a honey-spice cookie; then set out for Malawi for a sweet potato cookie! When you’ve returned home, the journey’s still not over—M. E. Furman provides recipes for children to bake some of Santa’s cookies for themselves.

Topic 8: Christmas Trees

Pick a Pine Tree by Patricia Toht

Part of the magic of the Christmas season stems from the traditions that families and friends take part in every year: hanging up stockings; putting lights in the windows; and, one of the most important of all, picking out and bringing home the Christmas tree. Joyously drawn and rhythmically written, this celebration of family, friends, and the holiday season is as merry as the tradition it depicts.

Topic 9: Ornaments

How to Decorate a Christmas Tree by Vikki VanSickle

In this charming Christmas tale, readers will follow along with the main character as she shares all the things that go into decorating a tree: lights, ornaments, popcorn, hot chocolate, Taffy the cat, memories, and, most importantly, family!

Topic 10: Snowflakes

The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter’s Wonders by Mark Cassino

How do snow crystals form? What shapes can they take? Are no two snow crystals alike? These questions and more are answered inside this exploration of the science of snow, featuring photos of real snow crystals in all their beautiful diversity. Perfect for reading on winter days, this book by a nature photographer and a snow scientist will inspire wonder and curiosity about the marvels of snow. Snowflake-catching instructions are also included for aspiring young snow scientists!

And there you have 10 magical stories. I hope you found some children’s Christmas books to add to your collection this year—or rediscovered some old favorites!

Ready to make this December extra special? Check out Christmas School for fun hands-on activities and learning!

https://shop.howweelearn.com/products/christmas-school

Thank you for being here with me, sweet reader. Happy Holidays!

xo
Sarah