21 Classic Christmas Books for Kids

There is nothing quite like sharing a holiday story with your family, especially if it is a book that you yourself enjoyed as a child, which is why I have collected together this list of wonderful, classic Christmas books for kids.

This list includes twenty one classic Christmas picture books that are guaranteed to become family favorites – whether they are stories you are already familiar with, or titles new to you.

And for those who wish to continue creating shared holiday memories by reading aloud or creating a book advent, be sure to check out these related book collections – 10 Christmas Books for Toddlers, 15 Magical Christmas Books for Preschoolers and 15 Books Celebrating Christmas Around the World.

21 Classic Christmas Books for Kids

Each book included on our list is linked to both an Amazon page – these are affiliate links and I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

The Night Before Christmas by Clement Moore This classic poem has shared the story of the excitement of Christmas eve and an a visit from Santa with families for generations and is beautifully reshared in this version illustrated by Charles Santore. Available: Amazon

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore This stunningly illustrated version of the classic Christmas eve poem presents the prose with a more modern illustration style and diverse representation. Available: Amazon

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg A young boy is welcomed aboard a magical train to the North Pole. The Polar Express makes its way to the city atop the world, where the boy will make his Christmas wish. One for all who believe in the spirit of Christmas. Available: Amazon

How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr Seuss In this classic tale, the mean, grumpy Grinch hates everything about Christmas and sneaks into the houses of Whoville and steals all of their Christmas presents, food and trees! But the Christmas spirit manages to shine through, leaving the Grinch with this classic quote, “Maybe Christmas” he thought “doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas… perhaps… means a little bit more!”Available: Amazon

Check out The Grinch on our list of 21 Christmas Movies for Kids. Have younger children? Be sure to check out our list of 15 Toddler Christmas Movies and Holiday Specials.

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The Nutcracker by Susan Jeffers This lavishly illustrated retelling of the classic Nutcracker story takes readers on a magical Christmas Eve adventure alongside Marie, Fritz and the Nutcracker himself and bringing to life the frightful Mouse King, the elegant Sugar Plum fairies, and the entirely magical Land of Sweets. Available: Amazon

The Twelve Days of Christmas by Jan Brett The classic counting Christmas carol comes alive thanks to the illustrations of Jan Brett, where, hidden in the illustrations you will also find a family’s busy Christmas preparations, “Merry Christmas” in eleven languages, and a sweet menagerie of charming creatures. Available: Amazon

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski Jonathan Toomey is the best woodcarver in the valley, but no one knows why he always keeps to himself and never smiles. And no one knows about the mementos of his lost wife and child that he keeps in an unopened drawer. Then one early winter’s day, a widow and her young son approach him with a gentle request that leads to a joyful holiday miracle. Available: Amazon

The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry A beautifully illustrated version of the classic short story in which a young husband and wife each, unbeknownst to the other, gives up a most treasured possession to buy the other a wonderful gift, with the gifts being useless as a result of each person’s sacrifice. Lovely to share with children in middle grades and up. Available: Amazon

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Madeline’s Christmas by Ludwig Bemelmans It’s Christmas Eve and in the old house in Paris everyone is sick in bed. All except brave Madeline. Taking care of eleven little girls and Miss Clavel is hard work but a mysterious caller arrives with the promise of turning this sad Yuletide into an adventure. Madeline buys 12 rugs from the turbaned visitor and tucks them around the chilly invalids until she discovers that the covers are more than comforting. They are magic! They take Madeline and her friends on a wonderful flight, bringing back the joys of the season. Available: Amazon

Paddington and the Christmas Surprise by Michael Bond When the Browns take Paddington to the Christmas Grotto in a London department store his journey through the Winter Wonderland is full of surprises. And the best surprise? It is from Santa! After all, who else could find the perfect present for a bear like Paddington? Available: Amazon

The Miracle of St Nicholas by Gloria Whelan Set in a small Russian village, a babushka tells the story of a past Christmas before the soldiers arrived in a touching story of having faith and hope and a Christmas miracle. Available: Amazon

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Silent Night by Lara Hawthorne Celebrate the miracle of the Christian Christmas story with this wonderfully illustrated adaptation of the world’s best loved Christmas carol. Available: Amazon

A Christmas Story by Brian Wildsmith This gorgeous and unique version of the classic Christmas story of Jesus’ birth by stellar children’s author, Brian Wildsmith has recently been re-published. Available: Amazon

Room for a Little One by Martin Waddell In the stable next to an inn, Kind Ox is just settling in for the night when Old Dog comes into the stable. Kind Ox makes room for Old Dog, who in turn makes room for Stray Cat, who then makes room for Small Mouse, after all, “There’s always room for a little one here.” When Tired Donkey comes by, carrying Joseph and Mary, who asks “Where will my child be born?” Kind Ox replies, “There is always room for a little one here.” And so, Jesus is born in the stable with the animals all around Him. Available: Amazon

The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston It is Christmas, 1918, and Ruthie and her mother await the return of Ruthie’s father who is off fighting in World War I. Without her father, and little money for a costume for Ruthie’s role as the Christmas angel in this year’s pageant, Ruthie and her mother are also tasked with supplying the church Christmas tree as it is their family’s turn, in a touching story of family, love and sacrifice in time of need. A sweet Christmas picture book to share with older children. Available: Amazon

Mog’s Christmas by Judith Kerr It’s Christmas, and Mog’s house is full of strange noises and peculiar smells. Everyone is busy hanging holly and blowing up balloons, and where is that tree going to go? It is all a little much for Mog who seeks refuge on the roof and refuses to come down! Until she does with a rather amusing bump! Available: Amazon

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The Sweet Smell of Christmas by Patricia Scarry Celebrate the wonderful sights and smells of Christmas with Little Bear as she prepares for Christmas in this awesome, interactive book. The scratch-and sniff feature is sure to surprise and delight your toddler. Available: Amazon

An Orange for Frankie by Patricia Polacco Frankie’s family is abuzz with excitement for the approaching holiday but tomorrow is Christmas Eve and Pa hasn’t returned yet from his trip to Lansing. He promised to bring back the oranges for the mantelpiece. Every year there are nine of them nestled among the evergreens, one for each of the children. But this year, heavy snows might mean no oranges, and, worse, no Pa! A sweet and important lesson about giving. Available: Amazon

Joy to the World by Tomie dePaola A collection of three of dePaola’s most beloved Christmas stories – The Night of Las Posadas, The Story of the Three Wise Kings, and The Legend of the Poinsettia – sure enchant the entire family during the holiday season. Available: Amazon

Mr Willowby’s Christmas Tree by Robert Barry With fabulous rhyming prose, we learn the fate of a Christmas tree too tall for Mr Willowby’s parlor. The butler chops off the top and gives it to the maid, who finds even the treetop too tall for her small table. So she chops off the top for the gardener, and so on until one tall tree provides Christmas trees for seven homes, from Mr. Willowby’s parlor to the cozy mouse hole behind his chair, where three tiny mice dance around their little tree. Available: Amazon

Last Stop on the Reindeer Express by Maudie Powell-Tuck An engaging, interactive book with a magical story. Mia has no time to send the card she made to Grandpa who lives far away. When she stumbles across a magical mailbox, Mia finds herself inside the Reindeer Express and she is whisked away on an exciting voyage over many exotic lands. Will Mia reach Grandpa just in time< Available: Amazon