21 Holiday Books for Kids that Capture the Magic of the Season

The holiday season is full of hustle and bustle! These 21 holiday books for kids are perfect for slowing down and spending quality time reading aloud together. These captivating stories make reading time fun for both parents and kids.

Magical Holiday Books for Kids

Cuddling up on the couch with my kids, a cup of cocoa, and a favorite book is the best way to spend a cold, December day. These amazing holiday books are perfect for a cozy afternoon of reading. They will fill you and your children with holiday spirit!

	Room for a Little One by Martin Waddel: This beautiful book tells the nativity story from the animals’ perspective and reminds us that there is always room for one more.
	Samurai Santa by Rubin Pingk: All Yukio wants for Christmas is an epic snowball fight, but none of the other ninjas will participate because they don’t want to end up on Santa’s naughty list. Luckily, Samurai Santa is happy to oblige.
	How Do Dinosaurs Say Happy Chanukah? and How Do Dinosaurs Say Merry Christmas? by Jane Yolen: Jane Yolen and Mark Teague work their magic again in these delightful dinosaur holiday books. Adults will appreciate the perfect rhythm and rhyme of the text while children will giggle over the colorful illustrations of dinosaurs misbehaving.
	The Most Perfect Snowman by Chris Britt: A lonely snowman believes he would be the most perfect snowman if only he had a hat, scarf, mittens, and carrot nose. In the end, he becomes the perfect snowman not through his possessions, but through his kindness and act of selfless giving.
	The Wish Tree by Kyo Maclear: On their way to discover a Wish Tree, Charles and his friend Boggan help many animals prepare for winter. A touching book about giving, receiving, and believing.
	Bear Stays Up by Karma Wilson: Bear’s friends don’t want him to sleep through Christmas so they keep him busy with preparations. The adorable illustrations of these sweet friends celebrating Christmas together will warm your heart.
	Over the River and Through the Woods: A Holiday Adventure by Linda Ashman: This beautifully illustrated book written in rhyme tells the story of a loving and diverse family coming together for the holidays. I love the modern take on this classic song as families arrive at Grandma and Grandpa’s by plane, train, car, hot air balloon, and finally, a sleigh.
	Duck & Goose It’s Time for Christmas by Tad Hills: Fans of the Duck and Goose board books will want to add this holiday story to their collection. The sparse text and adorable illustrations are perfect for toddlers.
	Bunny Slopes by Claudia Rueda: Kids will love hitting the slopes with this cute bunny who needs the reader’s help in order to ski. First, they shake the book to make some snow, and then they tilt it to create a hill. But don’t tilt it too much, or you might run into problems!
	Little Blue Truck’s Christmas by Alice Shertle: This book has twinkle lights! Need I say more? It also has lively rhyme and a special Christmas tree delivery for each of Little Blue Truck’s friends. This is another great choice for toddlers and preschoolers.
	A Night of Great Joy by Mary Engelbreit: In this delightful book, children are putting on a Christmas pageant that tells the story of Jesus’s birth. The little details in the illustrations, like two shepherds fighting over a stuffed sheep and a wagon turned into a donkey, are what make this book special.
	Latke, the Lucky Dog by Ellen Fischer: Latke is adopted by a family on the first night of Hanukkah and decides “I am one lucky dog!” Unfortunately, he spends the next several days eating the sufganiyot, unwrapping presents, and chewing up a favorite dreidel, causing him to worry he might be taken back to the shelter.
	How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss: This classic holiday tale about the Grinch and his Christmas transformation is a must-own book for every household. I guarantee you will not be able to make it through without your own heart growing three sizes.
	The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg: There is a reason this book is still popular after 30 years. The illustrations are stunning and the story is pure magic. After reading about the young boy’s journey to the North Pole aboard a magical train, both children and adults will find themselves listening for the sweet sound of jingle bells on Christmas Eve.
	Humphrey’s First Christmas by Carol Heyer: This fresh take on the Christmas story tells of Jesus’s birth from the perspective of an indignant camel named Humphrey. When Humphrey loses his most precious blanket on a long, cold journey, he is determined to get a new one. Children will love his silly faces and outrageous behavior and adults will love the message of sacrifice and giving.
	Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree by Robert Barry: Mr. Willowby’s Christmas tree is too big so his butler chops off the top and passes it on to the upstairs maid. This pattern of sharing continues until all sorts of people and animals have a tree just like Mr. Willowby.
	Who is Coming to Our House by Joseph Slate and Ashley Wolff: The animals prepare their cozy stable home for the arrival of a special visitor. The sweet rhyming story captivates children. My kids still repeat “Who is coming to our house? Someone, someone, says Mouse” years after reading this special story about the birth of Jesus.
	Night Tree by Eve Bunting: A boy and his family travel into the moonlit woods to decorate their favorite tree with popcorn, apples, tangerines, and sunflower-seed balls as a gift for the animals. This twist on the tradition of selecting a Christmas tree reminds readers that giving is the best part of Christmas.
	I’ll Be Home for Christmas by Holly Hobbie: Toot and Puddle are pals who teach kids about friendship in a series of beautifully drawn books. In this tale the best friends are separated by a huge snowstorm on Christmas Eve. The friends prepare for Christmas and are reunited just in time for the holiday.
	Shmelf the Hanukkah Elf by Greg Wolfe: Shmelf works in Santa’s List Checking department. He finds some children missing from the good list and learns about Hanukkah. Explore the rich traditions of Hanukkah in this magical story.
	Llama Llama Holiday Drama by Anna Dewdney: Llama Llama and his mama rush around preparing for the holiday, shopping for presents, baking cookies, decorating. Llama Llama wonders if Christmas will ever come! Mama reminds her little Llama that the true gift of the holidays is each other.

These delightful books highlight the true meaning of Christmas and Hanukkah while entertaining children (and adults). I hope they bring some holiday magic to story time at your house!

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