It can be overwhelming, keeping up with all the new children's books published every year. Add in trying to find the ones worth reading, much less buying and it's easy to just pull out How the Grinch Stole Christmas for the umpteenth time.
This list will help you with your quest for magical new Christmas books to read to your children as they cozy up with hot cocoa and visions of sugarplums.
I update this list each year with handful of favorites and hidden gems. So trim the tree, hang up a few paper snowflakes and start your Christmas reading!
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2024
Santa's First Christmas by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Sydney Smith
You can count on Mac Barnett to put a little quirky humor in your family's Christmas read aloud time, and this delightful story does not disappoint. Santa works so hard to make Christmas perfect for the world's children and this year the elves decide to give him his own Christmas celebration after his work is done.
Mr. Santa by Jarvis
Wonderfully soothing illustrations grace each double page spread of this gentle Christmas book. When Santa's visit wakes a child, she takes the opportunity to ask him questions. On each spread, the child asks Santa a simple question as she follows him on his gift-giving route. Patiently, Santa listens to each one before he takes off into the sky with his reindeer and the reader is left wondering, was that all a dream?
Tamales for Christmas by Stephen Briseño, illustrated by Sonia Sánchez
Tamales are a traditional Christmas food for many Latino families. In this heartwarming story, which the author based on his own abuela, Grandma sets to work making tamales to sell and give away during the season. She works ceaselessly, earning money to purchase gifts for her loved ones. The narration tracks Grandma's hard work, eventually exclaiming that she has reached 1000 dozen tamales! Also available in Spanish.
MORE: Christmas picture book featuring diverse traditions
A Stickler Christmas by Lane Smith
In this whimsical tale, a Douglas fir tree, aptly named "Doug-the-Fir", confides in Sticker that he doesn't want to be a Christmas tree. He just hates all the attention. Stickler, meanwhile, is passing out sticks to his woodland friends as holiday gifts. These sticks have specific properties perfectly suited to each recipient. Stickler, wanting to help his friend, Doug, comes up with the perfect stick-y solution to take the pressure off his friend. Delightful!
An Anishinaabe Christmas by Wab Kinew, illustrated by Erin Hill
An Indigenous family is on the road, headed toward the Rez and family for Christmas. Along the way, Baby asks lots of questions. The curious tyke wants to know about Santa, presents, how bears find their family, the North Star, and more. Baby's patient parents explain it all and when they arrive at the Rez the three of them have a joyful reunion with grandparents. This is a lovely story that affirms the cultural pride inherent in Indigenous celebrations.
2023
The Twelve Hours of Christmas by Jenn Bailey, illustrated by Bea Jackson
This refreshing retelling of the classic Christmas song celebrates family. During the first hour of Christmas, Santa leaves a kitten. For the rest of the lively tale (which you won't be able to resist singing!), readers will love to spot the clever feline in the illustrations. Utterly delightful!
Lullaby for the King by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Michelle Carlos
In this gorgeous nativity book, the focus is on a parade of animals, both exotic and ordinary, and their journey to meet the new King. The story begins with the animals learning of the birth. They parade over long distances, bringing gifts of music, perfume and luxury. Grimes is a poet and her text is lyrical, moving and peaceful. Looking for a a nativity picture book? This is the one you need.
How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen
Dynamic duo Barnett and Klassen are back with a hilarious picture book that ponders the eternal Christmas conundrum. How exactly does Santa fit down the chimney? There is much speculation. Some of it hilarious, some outrageous and some impossible. Which answer will your kids choose?
MORE: Timeless Christmas Books
2022
The Christmas Book Flood by Emily Kilgore, illustrated by Kitty Moss.
Find it: Amazon
In recent years, the Icelandic tradition of Jolabokaflod, or Christmas Book Flood has become more widely known. On Christmas Eve in Iceland families give books to each other and then spend the rest of the evening reading. What's not to love about that! Well, now you can add Jolabokaflod to your family's holiday celebration by reading this joyous, rhyming, beautifully illustrated new Christmas book!
MORE: Funniest Christmas Books
2021
The Real Santa by Nancy Redd, illustrated by Charnell Pinkney Barlow.
I adore this sweet and cozy Christmas book, which imparts the magical wonder of believing in Santa. A boy sees so many versions of Santa–on ornaments, figurines, wrapping paper, books, etc. He wonders which version truly reflects what Santa looks like so he comes up with a plan to find out. One of my favorite parts is all the outfits the extended family members don! Christmas sweaters and matching PJs enhance the cozy feeling.
2018
The Christmas Extravaganza Hotel by Tracey Corderoy, illustrated by Tony Neal
Find it: Amazon
This is a marvelous book to read aloud! So much fun to do the voices! A frog shows up at the home of a bear thinking it is the Christmas Extravaganza Hotel. The bear tells him he is not at the right place but invites him in. He takes a look at the brochure the frog has and tries to make the frog's Christmas experience live up to the crazy activities in the brochure. Both frog and bear have a delightful time and forge a new, lifelong friendship. Super duper fun as well as heartwarming.
This is Christmas by Tom Booth
Find it: Amazon
A cute little chipmunk wants to know what Christmas is. “What is Christmas, Mama?” he asks. His mother then takes him on a tour through the landscape. Little chipmunk sees the activity around him, like geese singing, and badgers decorating and each time he asks him mama, "Is this Christmas?" She answers yes, each thing is a part of Christmas. At the end, on Christmas morning, the chipmunk experience the community celebrating and the joyful understanding of what Christmas is truly all about.
Silent Night by Lara Hawthorne
The illustrations in this book are gorgeous! The text is the classic Christmas song, and you may not be able to resist singing as you go along. The cast of characters is diverse, and Mary and Joseph are depicted with dark skin. I love the boldness of the black sky and the overall serene feeling of the book. Even if your family celebrates a secular Christmas, this is a beautiful book to share and teach the story of the Christ child story.
Construction Site on Christmas Night by Sherri Duskey Rinker
I don't think there is much chance you will miss this latest Christmas installation in the very popular Construction Site picture book series. However, the series has been a good friend to my youngest son and so I include it here, not just for him, but because I am certain your children will also enjoy it.
Coming Home by Michael Morpurgo
Find it: Amazon
This is a beautiful, poetic new Christmas picture book that will put you in a lovely, serene mood just in time for the chaos of Christmas morning. The action is narrated by a migrating robin who wishes to get home. Along the way he encounters difficult weather and choppy seas, but gets help from a kind human. The end note gives information about the migration habits of the Scandinavian robin, which migrates at Christmastime each year.
MORE: Swedish Winter and Christmas Books
Last Stop on the Reindeer Express by Maudie Powell-Tuck, illustrated by Karl James Mountford
A magical, mysterious mailbox sends the bespectacled Mia on an adventure to meet up with her grandpa during the Christmas season. The book is a charming, interactive experience: flaps to lift, doors to open and die cut pages to wonder at. Great fun and very inventive.
MORE: Best Picture Books about Snow!
2017
Waltz of the Snowflakes by Elly MacKay
Find it: Amazon
This beautiful, wordless Christmas picture book is a lovely story that is perfect to read in tandem with your yearly trek to see The Nutcracker. At first, a girl does not want to get dressed up to go out in nasty weather to the ballet. But once she arrives, the magic takes over. She and her mother sit next to a boy and his father and the children's faces light up at the stage action. Gorgeously illustrated double page spreads capture the magic of the show.
MORE: Nutcracker picture books, middle grade and graphic novels
The Little Reindeer by Nicola Killen
This Christmas story is adorable. Ollie loves reindeer! She wears a little reindeer suit and carries around a stuffed toy. On Christmas Eve she hears jingle bells and goes outside to investigate! What does she find? A magical adventure and a reindeer, of course! Sweet and lovely!
2016
Presents Through the Window by Taro Gomi
Find it: Amazon
My son loved the quirky humor in this Christmas book! Santa heads out in his helicopter to deliver presents. He is in a hurry and he peeks through the windows to make sure he delivers gifts to the correct recipients. But he doesn't exactly get things right! Clever die-cut pages add to the fun and giggles. Don't worry! Everything goes right in the end.
2015
Miracle on 133rd Street by Sonia Manzano, illustrated by Marjorie Priceman
On Christmas Eve, José's family is getting ready for a big dinner, but when the roast won't fit in the oven, José and Papi ask for help from the local pizzeria. On their way they notice that their neighbors are not feeling the Christmas spirit. But once the roast is finally ready, the delicious smell brings everyone together to recapture the true spirit of the holidays. A wonderful, diverse celebration of a book!
J. Dietrich says
For the adults out there, try The Christmas Gift.