Christmas Books for Kids

Christmas and books…. two of our favorite things! I wanted to share with you some of our favorite Christmas stories. Each year we pack them away after Christmas. And each year they’re like new treasures when we get the box out! Many of these titles will also help us focus on Jesus. Others will give us a Christmas giggle. Happy reading!

 1. Truth in the Tinsel

Want to slow your December down a bit and truly focus on the reason for the season?  Spend December impressing God’s Word on your kids’ heart with Truth in the Tinsel! You’ll get 24 days of Scripture reading, ornament crafts, talking points and extension activities. Plus fun printables and templates!  I can think of no better gift for the whole family than to savor the Advent season.

2. The Perfect Christmas Gift (Gigi, God’s Little Princess)

As Christmas nears, Gigi is bursting with anticipation. Her parents’ hint about her big gift has Gigi in a tizzy. She ends up with a gift that’s even better than she expected. This is a perfect book for little ones who love princesses.

3. Nate The Great And The Crunchy Christmas

If you have a Nate the Great fan (or a fan of detective stories), this will be a hit. Nate is on the case to figure out what happened to Fang’s missing Christmas mail. But  Nate & Sludge are up to the task.

4. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

“Hey! Hey! Unto you a child is born!” I laugh and cry every time I read this book. I shared it with Emma as part of our homeschool reading last year, and she was an instant fan. This isn’t your typical Christmas pageant story… not with the Herdmans involved. The Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world. But it’s funny how an outlaw family can help create a pageant that’s unforgettable. As soon as the box of books and movies came out, Emma immediately wanted to watch the The Best Christmas Pageant Ever movie.

5. One Wintry Night

This book is just all sorts of cozy.  It’s a longer one, and is best read over the course of several nights for younger children.  “Aw, come on, Mom.  One more chapter?”  One Wintry Night tells the story of a mountain boy who is injured in a snowstorm and seeks refuge in a cabin. While he waits out the storm, the woman who lives there tells him the Christmas story.

6. Christmas in the Big Woods (Little House)

We love these Little House story books. They’re just little snippets of life from the Little House series. This one shares Laura’s family’s Christmas preparation and celebration. Emma enjoyed the glimpse of history while enjoying the holiday.

7. God Gave Us Christmas

We’ve loved all of the God Gave Us books, and this is no exception. Little Bear asks questions like “Who gave us Christmas?” and “Is God more important than Santa?” This book is a sweet reminder of how much God loves us… so much that he gave us Christmas.

8. Humphrey’s First Christmas

This isn’t one we’ve read, but oh it’s on our list! The cover made me giggle, and the story line is just as fun. Humphrey is one of the camels who carried the wise men to see Jesus. I love the quirky pictures of Humphrey, and I think kids will too.

9. The Legend of the Candy Cane

You know the story behind the candy cane, right?  There are many ways to tell the tale, and this is a beautiful one.  A young girl named Lucy befriends the newcomer to town. When he reveals his identity and shares with her the legend of the candy cane, she discovers fulfillment of her wishes and the answer to her town’s dreams. Now will she share what she has learned?

10. Olivia Helps with Christmas

Presents! Stockings! Snow! This is a classic Olivia book with a Christmas twist. Emma laughs when Olivia ‘borrows’ the top of the tree and when Perry eats Santa’s cookies. This is a lighthearted read for the Christmas season.

11. That’s Not My Reindeer

This would be a fun addition to any “That’s Not My…” collection.  This delightful series of board books is aimed at very young children. The bright pictures, with their patches of different textures, are designed to develop sensory and language awareness. Babies and toddlers will love turning the pages and touching the patches.

12. The King’s Christmas List

I confess… I cried the first time we read this story together. Little Emma and her dog are invited to the King’s birthday party. They have no gift, but they bring the cake they made and head out in the King’s carriage. Emma ends up giving away her cake, her cape, and her bear to others along the way. They arrive rumpled and empty-handed to the party. But they discover that giving to others was exactly the gift the King wanted.

13. The Sparkle Box: A Gift with the Power to Change Christmas

When I put together our sparkle box (which is included in the book), Emma wanted to know if it was for her and what was in it. She’s much like Sam in the story. Sam’s saw the mystery box on the mantel. Then he and his family participated in various acts of service to others. On Christmas morning, Sam opens to box to reveal slips of paper recording the family’s good deeds. These are their gifts to Jesus on His birthday. Participating with your own sparkle box will change your Christmas.