It’s officially December! And I for one, cannot wait for the holiday season to officially ramp up! So today, I’m sharing a list of 24 festive Christmas picture books to read throughout the season!
Whether you’re looking for a classic read or a new, modern book, you’ll find something on this list! Also, it’s perfect for parents, teachers or for gift-giving as well!
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Christmas Picture Books
1. A Charlie Brown Christmas by Charles M. Schulz: This one is obviously a must-read at Christmas! It’s a classic story that the whole family will love. Also, if you’re like me, you’ll definitely want this special edition. The end papers include gorgeous sheet music!
2. A Cookie for Santa by Stephanie Shaw, illustrated by Bruno Robert: I adore this sweet Christmas book! Loosely based on The Night Before Christmas, it follows a gingerbread cookie who hopes to fulfill his Christmas duty!
3. A Mustache Baby Christmas by Bridget Heos, illustrated by Joy Ang: A lot of classrooms I’ve worked in love The Mustache Baby series! In this book, Billy’s bearded friend Javier becomes Santa Baby, when his beard turns white! Trust me, this one will make you laugh throughout the holiday season.
4. Dasher by Matt Tavares: I love finding great new reads, and Dasher does not disappoint. It follows a beautiful doe, Dasher, who meets Santa and changes Christmas. Also, the illustrations in this book are to die for!
5. Elf in the House by Ammi-Joan Pacquette, illustrated by Adam Record: Everyone loves the Elf on the Shelf, so why not read about an Elf trapped in a house? This book is absolutely adorable and is sure to keep kids interested the whole way through!
6. Frosty the Snowman by Diane Muldrow: Is it really Christmas if I don’t recommend Frosty? I still love this story and I’ve owned the exact same copy since I was two years old! I love introducing younger children to this wonderful, classic story!
7. Ho Ho Homework by Mylisa Larsen, illustrated by Taia Morley: Another brand new Christmas book! This one follows a substitute teacher who looks an awful lot like Santa. It’s sure to be a hit in the classroom because kids love reading about Santa!
8. Home Alone: The Classic Illustrated Storybook by Jason Rekulak, illustrated by Kim Smith: Home Alone is one of my favourite Christmas movies to watch. This edition is absolutely beautiful because it’s the perfect way to introduce early readers to the story. And seriously, you’ll love these illustrations!
9. How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Suess: Another classic Christmas story I need to recommend! I lov this story so much and it’s a hit in every classroom I’ve worked in. It’s a definite must-read at Christmas, especially if you pair it with the movie!
10. How to Catch an Elf by Adam Wallace, illustrated by Andy Elkerton: This series is absolutely fantastic — all of the books are great. But this one is super adorable. Kids are going to love the adventure of trying to catch an elf!
11. How to Catch Santa by Jean Reagan, illustrated by Lee Wildish: This is the perfect book if you’re looking to gift a Christmas book this season. If your students or children love this series, they’ll love this one. But be careful, they may try to catch Santa in real life, too!
12. Olive the Other Reindeer by J. Otto Seibold and Vivian Walsh: This book is a new favourite of mine because it’s just so cute! Olive is a dog who mistakes the lyrics to a Christmas song and believes she’s actually a reindeer! My heart explodes with how cute this book is!
13. Pick a Pine Tree by Patricia Toht, illustrated by Jarvis: Getting a real Christmas tree is a family tradition for me. This book shows the special magic that comes along with picking a tree as well as decorating it. It’s sure to be a new Christmas favourite!
14. Santa Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins: The Bruce series is one of my all-time favourites because each book gets better and better. But this Christmas version is one of the best. I highly recommend it for your homes, or as a read-aloud in the classroom!
15. Santa Claus the World’s Number One Toy Expert by Marla Frazee: This lovely story follows Santa, who is clearly the best toy expert in the world. It’s a perfect holiday read that explores how Santa makes toys and has fun doing it!
16. Silent Night by Lara Hawthorne: If you’re looking for something more traditional and religious, I highly recommend this beautiful book. It takes the lyrics of Silent Night and matches it with the Nativity Story. It’s also an inclusive story that represents diversity all throughout the illustrations. It’s sure to become a new family favourite!
17. Sounds Like Christmas by Robert Munsch, illustrated by Michael Martchenko: I will never pass up the opportunity to read a Robert Munsch book. This is a brand new Christmas story this year and it’s adorable. Whether your family loves Robert Munsch or he’s new to you, you’ll love this story!
18. The Last Stop on the Reindeer Express by Maudie Powell-Tuck, illustrated by Karl James Mountford: This one is a bit more serious in it’s tone as it follows a young girl who misses her Grandfather. A magical adventure happens and it’s truly adorable. It’s got lifts and flaps so young hands are going to love playing around while reading this story!
19. The Little Reindeer by Nicola Killen: I love this book! It follows a little girl and a reindeer who become friends. It’s a magical story about love and friendship. Also, the gorgeous illustrations are a total bonus!
20. The Littlest Elf by Brandi Dougherty, illustrated by Kirsten Richards: Here’s another elf story to add to your collection! This is a cute story about a little elf who has an important job to do! I’m sure you’ll love this Christmas story.
21. The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore: Another classic story I can’t help but include. This one is a must read at Christmas. Also, with so many gorgeous editions to choose from, it makes for a perfect Christmas gift.
22. The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg: I love The Polar Express. It’s a classic story that I love to read, or watch the movie, during the holiday season. I highly recommend this one for read-alouds and gifts. It’s the perfect book to make into a Christmas reading tradition.
23. The Story of Holly and Ivy by Rumer Godden and Barbara Cooney: This story is a sweet, loving story about a young orphan girl who wants a home for Christmas. She finds a doll named Holly, who wishes for a child to bring her to life. It’s an adorable story for the holiday season.
24. When Santa Was a Baby by Linda Bailey, illustrated by Genevieve Godbout: Genevieve Godbout is my all time favourite illustrator. I’ll read any book she illustrates! This one is the cutest story about Santa as a baby, and everyone is going to love this sweet and funny story.
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