24 Festive New Picture Books for Kids to Read for Christmas 2023

A Creature Was Stirring by Heather S Piercyznski

If you’re a fan of classic Christmas stories, then you don’t want to miss this new release! A Creature Was Stirring is inspired by The Night Before Christmas and follows a little mouse who can’t sleep. Since he can’t sleep, he gets up to a lot of crazy antics throughout the night. With humourous writing and gorgeous illustrations, you don’t want to miss this one!

Christmas Ahoy! by Erin Dealey

This is such a cute and unique Christmas story that you need to add to your shelves this holiday season! Christmas Ahoy follows a Christmas boat parade. But where is Santa? Inspired by real Christmas boat parades, you’ll also love the boat descriptions included in the back of the book!

Dasher Can’t Wait for Christmas by Matt Tavares

Dasher is one of my all time favourite Christmas books. It’s such a heartwarming story and this new sequel is just as perfect as the first book. It follows Dasher, a reindeer who happens to get lost and needs to make it home in time to help Santa for Christmas.

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh! by Mo Willems

If you’re anything like me, you love books by Mo Willems. They’re the perfect addition to every bookshelf and this new Christmas release also happens to make a great gift. It follows Pigeon who really wants to drive Santa’s sleigh. It’s full of funny moments that will keep you smiling all season long!

Elves are the Worst by Alex Willan

Elves are the Worst is the newest addition to The Worst series. It follows Gilbert the Goblin who thinks that he can work harder than elves. To help prove he’s right, he decides to dress up as an elf in disguise. It’s a hilarious story that is guaranteed to be a new favourite for your family.

Esperanza Caramelo, the Star of Nochebuena by Karla Arenas Valenti

If you’re looking for something and unique this Christmas, then you don’t want to miss this new release! Esperanza is a sugar-spun ornament who is meant to be on top of the Nochebuena cake. When she decides to spend the night with all the other ornaments, disaster strikes and they must work together to fix the cake before Christmas!

How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? by Mac Barnett

When I’m in the classroom, I always hear students asking how Santa goes down the chimney. If your kids are anything like my students, you hear this question a lot. This adorable picture book helps to answer that question in a heartwarming and festive way.

How to Catch Santa Claus by Alice Walstead

I’m a huge fan of the How to Catch series. Each book in the series is humourous and so much fun. On Christmas Eve, Santa is busy delivering the presents while the Catch Kids Club try their best to trap him. This STEM based book is a must read this season and also makes a fantastic gift.

How to Decorate a Christmas Tree by Vikki VanSickle

I adore Vikki VanSickle’s picture books — I don’t even think I can choose a favourite. I’m so excited that she has a Christmas book release this year. How to Decorate a Christmas Tree follows a young girl who shares all her special tricks to decorate the tree. It’s the perfect book to add to your collection so your kids can learn how to decorate the tree alongside you!

It’s Navidad, El Cucuy! by Donna Barba Higuera

This story follows Ramón, a little boy who can’t wait for Navidad. El Cucuy is a sweet little monster who lives in Ramón’s room and is nervous for Christmas. So Ramón decides to bring out the Navidad spirit in El Cucuy — which highlights friendship and the magic of the holidays. It also features information on Las Posadas, which makes it a great option when learning about other holiday traditions.

It’s Not Easy Being Santa Claus by Marilyn Sadler

It’s Not Easy Being Santa Claus is a hilarious addition to your Christmas picture books this year. Sometimes we all need a little reminder that life isn’t always easy, and this book is perfect for that reminder! When Santa becomes a little grumpy, he decides it’s time to try something new. But, he quickly discovers that maybe it’s better to be true to who you are.

Jingle Bell Joy by Rose Rossner

Cozy up with this sweet and cheerful bedtime Christmas story. Inspired by festive holiday carols and paired with heartwarming animals, this book helps highlight the love and joy we feel during Christmas.

Kid Christmas of the Claus Brothers Toystore by David Litchfield

This new release is guaranteed to become a new Christmas favourite for so many of you! It follows Nicky Claus, who works in a toyshop with his three uncles. When a young child can’t afford a new toy, he decides to fix it — with the help of his uncles and some flying reindeer. It’s a sweet new story that shares the story of Santa’s first flight!

Merry and Hark: A Christmas Story by April Genevieve Tucholke

The cover on this book is so pretty — and the story inside is just as good! Merry and Hark follows Merry, an owl who dreams of an adventure. When she falls asleep, she happens to wake up in a noisy, bustling city! It’s a sweet story that’s based on the owl found in the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree!

One Stormy Christmas by M Christina Butler

One Stormy Christmas follows Little Hedgehog and his friends as they work together to have a wonderful Christmas together. When a big winter storm arrives on Christmas Eve, Little Hedgehog has his friends stay home. After the weather clears, they decide to have a party, but they’re missing the beavers. Some teamwork helps these animal friends spend Christmas together.

Otto the Ornament by Troy Cummings

How adorable is this cover? It’s so cute it brings such a smile to my face! This story follows Otto, a beautiful and shiny ornament who knows he deserves to be at the top of the tree. It’s a sweet and endearing story that everyone will enjoy.

Our Italian Christmas Eve by Danielle Sedita and Granscesco Sedita

If your family loves Christmas traditions then you have to give this one a try! Our Italian Christmas Eve follows Danielle and Francesco, two siblings who are excited to spend Christmas at their Aunt’s house. When they realize that someone forgot the dessert, they must work together to remember their family cheesecake recipe. It’s just such a sweet and adorable story!

Santa’s Gotta Go! by Derrick Barnes

Santa’s Gotta Go is a great twist on classic Santa stories. It follows Santa, who is clearly the most amazing person ever. But what is he like as a houseguest? When Monte and Mabel ask to hang out with Santa on their Christmas wishlist, they get more then they bargained for. It’s hilarious and will teach everyone to be careful with their wishes!

Santarella by Suzy Senior

Santarella is such a unique and fun retelling with a festive twist! When Santa arrives at Cinderella’s house, he reveals that he’s hurt his back and needs help to deliver the rest of the toys. When Cinderella offers to help him, she becomes Santarella — even if it’s just for a night.

Snowmen’s Twelve Nights of Christmas by Caralyn Buehner

The Snowmen series is great and this new Christmas release is a perfect book to read this season. It shares the twelve nights of Christmas with hilarious and chaotic situations. Paired with the classic illustrations, this is a book you don’t want to miss!

The Christmassy Cactus by Beth Ferry

How adorable is this cover? The Christmassy Cactus follows Tiny Cactus, who absolutely loves Christmas. But, she doesn’t love that her little girl is spending more time with the tree then with her. When she makes a wish to be special for Christmas, she learns that wishes do come true.

The Sugar Plum Bakers and the 12 Holiday Treats by Pat Tanumihardja

One of my favourite Christmas traditions is baking with my family — there’s so many sweet treats to enjoy! The Sugar Plum Bakers and the 12 Holiday Treats follows the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Gingerbread Man and their bakerinas as they prepare delicious treats from around the world. This one is so cute and is guaranteed to inspire some family baking!

The Twelve Hours of Christmas by Jenn Bailey

The Twelve Hours of Christmas is another twist on the Twelve Days of Christmas. This time, the days are changed to hours and takes place all on Christmas Day. If you love spending time as a family on Christmas Day, then this is the book for you.

We Disagree About this Tree by Ross Collins

If you love picture books with rhyming, then this is the book for you! It follows a bear and a mouse who are getting along — until it’s time to decorate the tree. It’s a great book to highlight that we can have different opinions, but it’s important to work together.