This article is centered around the finest Christmas books for children in 2025! Assist little ones in embracing the festive cheer with these timeless Christmas tales and fresh favorites for the holiday period.
The chilly seasons have come, making it an ideal time to snuggle under a blanket with an engaging book. Perhaps even a mug of hot chocolate! One of our cherished family customs is reading festive books together.
To start, in the initial segment of this article, I’ll discuss our most-loved Christmas picture books, providing a brief summary for each. These titles are currently part of our bedtime reading lineup this holiday season!
Following that, you will find a segment featuring over 50 Christmas stories for kids if you’re seeking additional choices. I enjoy acquiring a few new titles each year to expand our collection, and these particular ones are on my list.
Lastly, I’ll reveal how I adorned my daughter’s bookshelf for the holiday season with evergreen garlands, plush ribbons, and decorative bottlebrush trees.
Related: Decor Ideas for Little Girls’ Christmas Bedrooms
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Our Top Christmas Books for Kids
Kicking off, here are splendid Christmas books for kids in 2025! Personally, I believe that picture books can be cherished by readers of all ages, but for clarity, these selections are primarily aimed at preschool and elementary school children.
(I am linking the books from Amazon for your convenience, but you can also visit your library, a nearby bookstore, or an online used book retailer like Thrift Books for more possibilities.)
1. 12 Days of Christmas
12 Days of Christmas is a fresh holiday title for us this year! Young readers (like my six-year-old daughter) will relish the refrain in this illustrated adaptation of the beloved Christmas carol. Plus, the visuals are vibrant and imaginative, showcasing the various gifts of creatures and instruments. I adore the page at the book’s conclusion that narrates the history of the carol. Get set for some festive joy, broadcast through singing loud for everyone to hear!
2. The Night Before Christmas
This Christmas tale is inspired by the classic poem authored by Clement C. Moore. The Night Before Christmas includes Santa Claus, reindeer, dreams of sugarplums, and all the wonder of Christmas Eve! There are numerous adaptations of this story in picture book form, others include this one and this one. We received ours as a present and adore the warm, vintage-inspired illustrations.
3. The Lost Christmas
I purchased The Lost Christmas a few years back, and it has turned into a family favorite. Children of all ages will take pleasure in this seek and find book packed with concealed ornaments to spot! We especially enjoy the brightly colored, fantastical images. (Every year, I believe we will recall the locations of the hidden ornaments, but we never do—so you can definitely relish finding the concealed pictures repeatedly.)
For avid fans of seek and find books, you must explore I Spy Christmas. I still possess my copy from childhood, and now my kids enjoy looking through it as well.
4. Red and Lulu
Another new title for us this year, Red and Lulu narrates the journey of two cardinals who reside in a grand pine tree. One day, their home is relocated from the countryside to a new site, and Red must follow the truck transporting the tree—and Lulu inside! This endearing tale captures the enchantment of Christmas in New York City with beautiful visuals.
And if you are concerned that the narrative seems a bit melancholy (as I was), the birds discover a joyful new home in Central Park after the holidays and return each year to visit the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.
5. Cat Family Christmas
This flap-lift advent book has become a new favorite at our home! Cat Family Christmas depicts the cats decorating, baking, and crafting gifts for the festive season as they count down the twelve days to Christmas. Young children will particularly enjoy the 140 flaps to open, unveiling adorable mice and a variety of holiday treats and details!
Moreover, as someone who cherishes interiors, I’m captivated by the antique furnishings and traditional patterns in the illustrations. Plus, cats! I must say that this is my absolute favorite Christmas book for kids on this list.
6. Silent Night
Next, from the same series as 12 Days of Christmas (mentioned above), Silent Night features the lyrics of the classic carol paired with simple images depicting the Christmas narrative. The richly detailed illustrations portray Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem, baby Jesus in the stable, along with the angels, shepherds, and the three wise men. A page at the book’s end shares the hymn’s backstory. If you wish to discuss the Biblical tale underpinning the Christmas season, Silent Night is a delightful choice!
7. The Christmas Promise
Additionally, if you’re in search of a children’s Christmas book that delves deeper into the Biblical narrative of Jesus, you might appreciate The Christmas Promise. This retelling of the Scripture story centers on how God upheld His promise to send a…
new monarch, a savior monarch, an eternal monarch!
Another alternative is The Monarch of Christmas, a publication inspired by the tale of the magi and Mary’s Magnificat that encourages children to share the delight of seeking Jesus.
8. The Tiny Reindeer
The Tiny Reindeer (from the My Little Animal Friendship series) follows a young girl named Ollie on a creative expedition. It’s the eve of Christmas, and Ollie hears the sound of jingle bells! Could it be one of Santa’s reindeer? Featuring die-cut pages and foil highlights, this book provides numerous details to appreciate. Perfect for enthusiasts of simple tales and woodland creatures. I shared another volume from this collection in 50+ Halloween Books for Kids!
9. How the Grinch Took Christmas
When it pertains to Christmas classics, one of the finest books available is How the Grinch Took Christmas. We possess the original edition with only black, white, and red illustrations, but I have observed that there is now a full-color edition as well.
Follow the Grinch as he attempts to ruin Christmas day for the Whos in Who-ville! He absconds with their trees, presents, Who pudding, and roast beast–but can the Grinch really take the essence of Christmas? Max the dog and courageous Cindy Lou Who are additional classic figures that children will adore. Ever since we viewed the Grinch movie a few years ago, my kids have cherished this timeless tale!
10. The Story Orchestra: The Nutcracker
Our entire family appreciates The Story Orchestra series, and The Nutcracker is a favorite. This gorgeous book is filled with vibrant illustrations, as well as buttons to press that play the finest Christmas melodies from the ballet. My daughter’s preferred page is the sugar plum fairy!
Older children will relish learning more about the composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and the musical pieces at the back of the book.
11. The Delightful Aroma of Christmas
The Delightful Aroma of Christmas has been among our cherished holiday books for many years. The classic storybook images and scratch-and-sniff pages are simply enchanting! Follow Little Bear as he explores the fragrances of the holiday season, including fresh pine, candy canes, and hot cocoa.
The Bear family diligently prepares for Christmas by decorating the tree, baking gingerbread cookies, and enjoying carols. This book serves as a perfect gift for young children who are still discovering new traditions during this season.
12. Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree
A contemporary classic, Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree has been part of our holiday book collection for several years now. Mr. Willowby’s stunning Christmas tree is so lofty that he must trim the top for it to fit in the parlor! Thus begins the journey of the tree, as pieces find their way to the homes of Mr. Willowby’s neighbors–both humans and creatures! The rhyming text and intricate illustrations truly immerse us in the Christmas spirit.
Honorable suggestions:If you seek Christmas board books for baby’s initial Christmas, we loved Little Blue Truck’s Christmas when my children were small. Other well-liked selections include Moo, Baa, Fa La La La La! and You’re My Little Christmas Cookie.
50+ Best Christmas Books for Kids
Whether you favor traditional Christmas books like The Polar Express, or whimsical holiday tales like How to Catch an Elf, here are even more selections to consider!
How to Arrange Christmas Books for Kids
Keep scrolling for children’s Christmas bookshelf decor inspiration!
Bunting and Garland for Christmas Book Presentation
To start, bunting and garland. I utilized two strands of this arborvitae garland to embellish our book shelves, completing the look with red velvet ribbon. Fabric bunting or felt ball garland are also ideal for the Christmas season. Here are some additional discoveries.
Children’s Christmas Book Accents for Shelves
Next, here are additional decor items you can employ for Christmas bookshelves. Small bottle brush trees, wooden houses, and twinkling lights are my favorite choices!
Wall Banners for Christmas Book Styling
Lastly, here are some adorable Christmas banners for a children’s room! We have the mini version of the It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year banner from Hunny Prints.
Top Christmas Books for Kids Conclusion
I hope this post motivates you if you are searching for Christmas literature for children! If this is your first time exploring one of my seasonal book compilations, you might also enjoy:
Merry Christmas and joyful reading!
