One tradition I’m so very glad we started when our kids were toddlers was buying a special Christmas book every year during Advent. Now, as I look through the big stack of books, I cherish the many fond memories reading those Christmas stories as we anxiously awaited the coming of a newborn King! (Why didn’t I take pictures?!) Want a sneak peak into our list of best Christmas books to read with kids? List and links below.
A favorite family Advent tradition – story time.
When I started this book tradition in the early ‘80s, I tried to find the new, superbly-illustrated or most unique book of the season. Some of the books were new award winners and others were retold tales. Some new finds were destined to become classics (like The Polar Express) while others already were (The Other Wise Man). I was drawn to many editions because of outstanding illustrations (The Littlest Angel by a local artist) or if I got the author’s autograph (Arthur’s Christmas). Some were just fun, especially for the toddlers (Jingle Bugs). The majority were focused on the importance of the Christmas season and the nativity.
At any rate, it became a memorable tradition the kids really looked forward to during Advent – most of the books were well read throughout the season and beyond. While my own kids are grown now, I still love to add new books to our collection of “best Christmas books to read kids” – but now, the books go to my grandkids!
Are you looking for new children’s books for Advent?
If you’re looking for a good Christmas book (or a couple) to give your kids or thinking of starting this tradition (highly recommended!), see our list…and check it twice. And, thanks to the convenience of Amazon (how great is Prime?), we’ve included a link for easy shopping – see below. There are so many great children’s books about Christmas today – have fun choosing – and reading them!
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Our top 25 list of best Christmas books to read with kids
By no means does our list include all the great Christmas stories (and some of these may be hard to find today).
- 2006 – The Quiltmaker’s Gift by Jeff Brumbeau, signed by author and illustrator
- 2005 – The Littlest Christmas Tree by Janie Jasin
- 2004 – The Flight of the Reindeer by Robert Sullivan
- 2003 – Where’s the Baby King? By Karen King
- 2002 – The Legend of the Poinsettia retold by Tomie dePaola
- 2001 – Can We Help You, Saint Nicholas? By Jean-Pierre Corderoc’h
- 2000 – Jingle Bugs, A Merry Popup Book by David A. Carter
- 1999 – Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree by Robert Barry
- 1998 – Caspar and the Star by Francesca Bosca, translated by Philip Hawthorn
- 1997 – Mrs. Santa Claus by Penny Ives
- 1996 – The Littlest Angel by Charles Tazewell, signed by illustrator Paul Micich
- 1995 – Christmas Trees by Robert Frost, based on his 1916 poem, illustrated by Ted Rand
- 1994 – Julie’s Angel by JaMar Wolfgang Hamilton, based on a true story
- 1994 – The First Christmas illustrated by Joyce Patti, paper engineering by David A. Carter
- 1993 – The Nativity, excerpts from the King James Bible, illustrated by Juan Wijngaard
- 1992 – The Other Wise Man by Henry van Dyke, retold by Pamela Kennedy (and my very favorite Christmas story)
- 1991 – The Legend of the Golden Straw by Gregory F. Aloia
- 1990 –The Glorious Impossible by Madeleine L’Engle
- 1989 –The Cobweb Curtain, A Christmas Story by Jenny Koralek
- 1988 – Daniel’s Gift by M.C. Helldorfer
- 1987 – Madeline’s Christmas by Ludwig Bemelmans
- 1986 – The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
- 1985 – Arthur’s Christmas by Marc Brown, signed by author
- 1984 – How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
- 1983 – ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore
- 1982 – Santa’s Beard Is Soft and Warm, touch ‘n feel book by Bob Ottum
Our list of Best Christmas Books for Grandkids
And here are some of our current favorites from recent years – our grandkids love these!
- The Spirit of Christmas by Nancy Tillman ©2009
- The Star of Christmas by Maria T. DiVencenzo ©2009, signed by author
- The Third Gift by Linda Sue Park ©2011
- Manger by Lee Bennett Hopkins ©2014
- Little Lamb Finds Christmas by Cathy Gilmore ©2014
- You Are My Merry by Marianne Richmond ©2017
- The Spider Who Saved Christmas by Raymond Arroyo © 2020
- Joseph’s Donkey by Anthony DeStefano © 2021
- The Christmas Light by Claudia Cangilla McAdam © 2021
- The Grumpy Old Ox by Anthony DeStefano © 2021
