One of the my kids’ favorite parts of Christmas is the beautiful Christmas picture books. So, I decided to collect 25 of the best ones I could find for 25 nights of bedtime Christmas stories.
This post is all about beautiful Christmas picture books to make the Christmas season so much sweeter.
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Christmas Pictures Books
1. A Wish to Be a Christmas Tree
This is such a sweet story of a Christmas tree who has been left behind at the Christmas tree farm year after year. He has grown big and round and won’t fit in anyone’s house. He is crying alone as he sees all the other Christmas trees get taken because he just wants to be decorated like a Christmas tree.
But, then the birds come along and remind him that he is special because he gives them the perfect place to land. Then the deer reminds him that she wouldn’t have a good place to bed down without him. Then when the tree falls asleep that night, all the animals decorate him together. The next morning, they all tell the tree why he is so special to them. It’s a sweet story of friendship and an adorable Christmas story. It’s one of our new favorite Christmas picture books.
2. All I Want for Christmas is Ewe
This book puts a fun play on words to all the traditional Christmas sayings. Each page has an adorable illustration of a new animal and a new Christmas saying such as Fa la la la la llamas, meowy and bright, and season tweetings. The pages and thick for younger toddlers and the illustrations are absolutely mesmerizing. This is definitely one of my personal favorites when it comes to Christmas picture books.
3. Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh
As always, Mo Willems wrote another amazing pigeon book. This time, we got a Christmas version with the usual incredible illustrations we get from Mo Willems.
It starts off with Santa leaving his sleigh behind to go wrap a few presents and asking you (the reader) to not let the pigeon drive the sleigh. Then throughout the book, the pigeon begs, pleads, and tries to do all the things that Santa does.
In the end, the pigeon realizes that the sleigh doesn’t have a steering wheel and he has no idea how to be like Santa. So, in a funny twist at the end he puts on bunny ears and starts doing egg deliveries. The illustrations throughout are hilarious and will get your kids laughing for sure.
4. The Cheerios Christmas Play Book
Since we already had the Cheerios Animal Play Book, we had to search out the Christmas version! This book is such a fun little activity for kids to do in the winter season. They will use Cheerios to put noses on the reindeer, give the elves pom poms for their shoes, and decorate the Christmas tree.
5. Arthur's Christmas
I’ve been a huge Arthur fan since I was a kid and as a parent I love the lessons that the Arthur books teach. In this Christmas story Arthur is searching for the perfect Christmas gift to give Santa Claus. Meanwhile, his sister D.W is only worried about making the longest Christmas list you’ve ever seen.
When Arthur sees Santa out at the mall, in restaurants, and on TV, he tries to replicate all Santas favorite foods. He leaves all the “food” he has made on the kitchen table and goes to bed. But D.W. thinks that Arthur’s attempts at the food might scare santa away. So, she sneaks downstairs, gets rid of all the food, and writes Arthur a note from Santa that says thank you for being so thoughtful.
So, in the end D.W. comes around and wants to help her brother rather than wanting it all to be about her Christmas list.
6. Frosty the Snowman
In our house, it doesn’t really matter what time of year it is for this book. This is one of my kids favorite Christmas picture books and they literally want to read this book year round. The tune is super easy to pick up on and it also has the super thick pages so my littles doesn’t destroy it.
7. Usborne Touchy Feely the Nativity
We own just about every single one of the Usborne touchy-feely books. So, of course we had to add T Nativity to our collection. The illustrations are vivid and eye catching and the addition of different textures throughout keeps my one year old far more engaged than in any normal nativity book.
Throughout the book, the donkey’s ears are fuzzy, the wise men’s robes are different textures, the sheep are fluffy, and so on.
As far as biblical accuracy goes, I found the story to be accurate outside of one extra detail. They mention that the shepherds brought Jesus a sheep, which is never mentioned in the real nativity story. But, that is the only thing I found and it’s easy enough to skip over as well.
8. Little Blue Truck's Christmas
My kids are both obsessed with Little Blue Truck and I love the story line of the not so strong, not so big truck that helps everyone in need. I think it shows kids that absolutely anyone can be kind.
For this story, Little blue truck delivers Christmas trees to all his friends. Then when he finally gets one for himself at the very end, the book has twinkle lights inside to make his tree light up! It’s a super fun way to end the book and a cute story as always.
9. Christmas Eve with Veranda Santa
Bluey, Bingo, and their cousins decide that if you don’t have a chimney, Santa must have to come in through the veranda! So, they then decide to play a game of veranda Santa. One of them plays Santa and puts presents under their pillows while the others practice not peeking.
As the game goes on something happens and Socks bites Bluey when she gets scared. Bluey gets upset and when it’s her turn to be Santa, she doesn’t leave Socks a present. But when Bluey sees socks upset by herself, she finally starts to realize that Christmas is not about being nice to people just so you can get presents. Christmas is just about showing people you care.
10. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
As always, the illustrations in this Dr. Seuss story are stellar and this sweet story is a Christmas classic. I can’t go through Christmas without both reading and watching this story.
The grumpy old Grinch comes down from the hill to try to steal everyone’s presents and decorations and ruin Christmas. But in the process, he meets Cindy Lou who totally changes his mind on Christmas.
11. Llama Llama Jingle Bells
This board book is a quick read so it’s perfect for little ones who are still working on sitting still for story time. This book quickly talks about all the different traditions of Christmas such as baking cookies, singing carols, and decorating. The rhyming and the adorable illustrations will hold young kids attention too!
12. Merry Christmas Mouse
This Christmas book incorporates counting numbers one through ten as Mouse is putting ornaments on his Christmas tree. He starts with one star at the top. He then needs two angels, and it keeps going up the ten. Then at the very end, mouse adds a hundred ornaments and knocks his tree over. It’s a very cute book for little ones who are still learning their numbers.
13. The Christmas Story
This book does a great job of accurately telling the Christmas story in a way that young kids can understand. It’s simplified without being inaccurate. I also love the illustrations in this one.
14. Jingle Jingle Little Reindeer
Our finger puppet books by Cottage Door Press are our one year olds absolute favorite. They keep her attention so well while also keeping our toddler entertained too! I also love how little they are because they make the perfect book for the car.
15. God Gave Us Christmas
The God Gave Us Series is one of my absolute favorites. This story is super sweet as Mama Bear takes Little Cub on an adventure to find out how God gave us Christmas. They quickly discover that God is present in so many aspects of Christmas and Creation. And while this story does remind kids that God is way more important to Christmas than Santa, this story also doesn’t make a stance on Santa one way or the other.
16. Best Christmas Ever
This story was written in 2019, illustrated by second lady Karen Pence and written by her daughter. They tell the story of the vice president’s house getting decorated for Christmas through the eyes of their adorable bunny Marlon. The best part is that they actually do have that bunny named Marlon and your kids will get to see a picture of the real Marlon and their family on the back.
17. The Nutcracker (Young Readers Edition)
This is a longer story that you may need to break up for younger ones. But the illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and the huge pages give them a lot to look at while you are reading. The only thing that disappointed me with this version was that they changed the name of the little girl from Clara to Maria for some reason. But, if you are reading this to your kids before going to the nutcracker, it’s easy enough to switch out the names while you are reading.
18. The Night Before Christmas
This is an absolute classic and a must read for every Christmas. I love this version of The Night Before Christmas because the words are nice and big for kids learning to read and the illustrations are eye-catching without being overly bright or stimulating!
19. Madeline's Christmas
I’ll definitely admit that “Madeline’s Christmas” is very much not one of your run of the mill Christmas picture books. It starts off with everyone in the house sick except Madeline. She is cleaning and cooking soup for everyone, when a rug merchant comes to sell her rugs to keep everyone’s feet warm. But when the rug merchant leaves, he freezes in the cold without his rugs and shows back up at Madeline’s door.
She gives him soup and helps him thaw out. But when he starts helping with dishes the dishes are washing themselves and putting themselves away. She realizes he is a magician and he goes into the girls’ room and turns all the rugs into magic carpets and flies the girls home to be with their families for Christmas morning. He then brings all the rugs back and they are all together again in the boarding school.
20. The Crayon's Christmas
As a former teacher, I absolutely loved using the book, “The Day the Crayons Quit,” as a fun way to teach my kids colors. So I had to get, “The Crayon Christmas,” and did not disapoint. It’s an adorable set up with actual envelopes on each page to pull out postcards, letters, and gifts from each color crayon. So not only is this a great addition to your kids Christmas picture books, but they will also get fun activities to do too!
21. Moo, Baa, Fa La La La La La
My kids are OBSESSED with the Sandra Boyton books (I am too!) and we’ve slowly collected them. This book is a fun twist on Sandra Boynton’s original, “Moo, Baa, La La La.” Your kids are going to be laughing the whole time as she deck the halls with “cows and holly.” It’s yet another fun Sandra Boyton book that you both love.
22. The Magic Christmas Key
When a little boy named Andy is given the gift of “the Christmas key” by his grandfather, he is told to keep it safe. But, he lets other kids in the house get ahold of the key and make crazy Christmas wishes. When the wishes come true, Christmas becomes chaotic! Andy then has to admit he messed up and be brave to help fix things for Christmas!
This book also comes with a beautiful Christmas key made by Wendell August Forge. Your kids can hang it on the tree for the Christmas season and maybe even make their own Christmas wishes!
23. Bear Stays Up for Christmas
Usually bears are hibernating during the Christmas season and don’t get the chance to celebrate Christmas. But this time, Bear’s friends help him stay up to get a Christmas tree, sing songs, and hang stockings. But even once his friends fall asleep, Bear stays awake to make his friends special gifts for Christmas.
24. The Polar Express
Since the movie is a must watch during the Christmas season, I think the book is a must read! When a little boy can’t fall asleep on Christmas Eve, he is welcomed by a train to the North Pole. And while he didn’t used to believe in the magic of Christmas, his journey on the Polar Express and the granting of his Christmas wish makes him realize the true magic of Christmas.
25. Little Red Sleigh
This book is very similar to the concept of the Little Engine that Could and a great reminder to kids to dream big! The Little Red Sleigh dreams of being Santa’s sleigh but everyone tells her she won’t be able to for one reason or another. She’s too small, too slow, can’t fly, etc. But, she is determined to make it to the North Pole and convince Santa she can learn to be his sleigh. She gets help along the way and never gives up on her dream!
This post was all about Christmas picture books that will get your whole family in the Christmas spirit!
-Beautifully Busy Mom
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Meet the Author
This post was written by Monica, a mom of two and former teacher who is passionate about reading with her kids. Reading is powerful for the brain, for learning, for social skills, and for our kids attention spans too.
