Christmas Reading for the Whole Family
From the classics such as ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas to more recent favorites such as Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, thousands of Christmas book choices offer your family reading pleasure. In fact, so many choices abound that you don’t have to settle for mediocrity in Christmas reading material for your family.
When considering good Christmas stories for every age, remember that a high-quality children’s book will not only hold the child’s attention, it will also offer appropriate, timeless themes. When it comes to Christmas literature, themes run the gamut from unselfish giving to happy family life to love in all forms. The illustrations should support the text with visual beauty, humor and nostalgia, and each book should offer a reading experience satisfying to both adult and child.
Children’s literature choices must be age-appropriate. Begin with board and picture books for babies and toddlers. Preschool and early elementary ages have more detailed choices, and primary and upper elementary have their own category of reads, as do middle schoolers and teens. All ages of kids will enjoy books just right for them. Often, when adults are reading aloud to them, children enjoy books at higher reading levels than they can read on their own, but remember to keep the themes and supporting pictures at youngsters’ enjoyment level.
Here are some great Christmas books for each age group. Be sure to check out the more extensive reading lists at the end of the article.
Babies and Toddlers
Babies and very young children enjoy simple stories with just a few words on a page. They like to see clear, uncluttered illustrations and hear repetitions and rhymes.
The Sweet Smell of Christmas by Patricia Scarry. Christmas is coming. Little Bear enjoys the smells of spicy gingerbread cookies, piney-scented trees and minty candy canes.
Christmas in the Manger, a Christmas Pat-and-Peek Book, by Nola Buck. Touch a fuzzy donkey or peek at a wise man’s jewels.
Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman. Written in rhyme, this tale tells how Bear enjoys Christmas with the help of good friends.
The Mitten by Jan Brett. A snowy tale that stretches the imagination.
Where Is Baby’s Christmas Present? By Karen Katz. Babies will love lifting flaps to find pretty Christmas images.
Mortimer’s Christmas Manger by Karma Wilson. Mortimer the mouse finds a new home … in a manger!
Mouse’s First Christmas by Lauren Thompson. Mouse experiences the sights, sounds and tastes of Christmas.
Ages 3-6
Preschoolers and first-graders enjoy simple picture books, often with animal depictions. Their favorite stories have strong characters and are often sprinkled with humor.
Carl’s Christmas by Alexandra Day. The faithful dog Carl and his baby share an adventure-filled Christmas Eve.
Fancy Nancy’s Splendiferous Christmas by Jane O’Connor. Fancy Nancy is especially excited about decorating the Christmas tree this year. She’s invested her own money for the tree-topper.
Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale by Martin Waddell. A sweet Nativity rhyme.
God Gave Us Christmas by Lisa Tawn Bergren. Little Cub learns all about the first Christmas.
The First Christmas Tree by David and Helen Haidle. This is a legend of the first Christmas tree.
Christmas Stories for Bedtime by Renee Brumbaugh. This volume features 31 stories gathered from the Old and New Testaments, all about the Christmas Story.
The Story of Baby Jesus by Alice Joyce Davidson. Part of the Alice in Bibleland series, this story lets readers walk with Alice into the world of Bible times.
Ages 6-9
Books for this age group have more text but still add visual support. Themes often introduce some conflict and then add a satisfying conclusion.
The Jolly Christmas Postman by Allan Ahlberg. Written in rhyme, this book tells the tale of the Jolly Postman who returns with all manner of Christmas letters and packages.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss. That naughty Grinch wants to ruin Christmas.
Christmas Trolls by Jan Brett. Breathtaking illustrations—as usual! Treva teaches two mischievous trolls the meaning of Christmas.
The Trees of the Dancing Goats by Patricia Polacco. Trisha’s family celebrates Hanukkuh but discovers their neighbors, who celebrate Christmas, are all sick with scarlet fever. A story of love.
Christmas in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder. This is Christmas set in simpler times. Laura and Mary and baby Carrie enjoy a holiday in the Big Woods.
The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree: An Appalachian Story by Cynthia Houston. Barbara Cooney’s illustrations enrich this simple tale of Christmas in the mountains.
Christmas in the Country by Cynthia Rylant. Cynthia Rylant remembers her Christmas times in the country with her grandparents.
Ages 9-12
Upper elementary and middle school readers are able to grapple with complex themes and less visual support. This age group may enjoy historical settings.
Angel Pig and the Hidden Christmas by Jan Waldron. It’s a piggy Christmas for sure. The piggies can’t imagine Christmas without lots of money for presents.
a Season of Gifts by Richard Peck. Grandma Dowdel has new neighbors. What is she up to now?
The Christmas Spurs by Bill Wallace. This little cowboy wants something special for Christmas. He wants his brother to get well.
Bartholomew’s Passage: A Family Story for Advent by Arnold Ytreeide. Set in Roman times, Bartholomew’s journey takes him to Bethlehem. Follow the Advent season as you read.
The Angel Doll by Jerry Bledsoe. Two young boys struggle to earn money for a special present for their ailing sister. Set in the 1950s.
The Bells of Christmas by Virginia Hamilton. Set in Ohio in 1890, this story tells how an African American family celebrates Christmas.
Teens and Adults
Both teens and adults enjoy entering a new world and experiencing a story along with the characters. They are able to analyze the themes presented and make personal decisions about lessons to be learned.
The Christmas Story by Gennady Spirin. A beautiful gift book filled with original illustrations of the story of the birth of Christ.
The Christmas Bus by Melody Carlson. The people of Christmas Valley are used to their traditional Christmas, but this year things are different.
Running the Dogs by Thomas Cochran. Set in Louisiana, this story reveals a young boy’s greatest Christmas wish is to run his three beagles in the woods all by himself. But then the storm arrives.
Christmas Jars by Jason Wright. A story to renew the true meaning of Christmas.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Everyone knows the story, its’ a classic and well worth another read.
Silent Night: The Story of the WWI Christmas Truce by Stanley Weintraub. The true story of one night’s truce during Christmastime in WW1. Compelling read.
The Box of Delights by John Masefield. Strange things happen to a young boy on his train ride home for Christmas.
All Ages
Some books have universal appeal—young and old alike enjoy them for a variety of reasons.
Christmas Remembered by Tomie de Paola. Tomie de Paola shares his favorite memories of Christmas throughout his life. Beautiful illustrations to accompany.
The Night Before Christmas by C. Clement Moore. A beautiful family read.
The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie de Paola. The legend of a young Mexican girl’s gift to the Christ child.
The Polar Express by Chris van Allsburg. A young boy takes a trip to the North Pole.
Christmas Prayers by Renee Brumbaugh. Forty prayers for the family at Christmastime.
This article first appeared in The Mother’s Heart Magazine in their Nov./Dec. issue of 2013.
Jan Pierce, M. Ed., is a retired teacher and freelance writer. She is the author of Homegrown Readers: Simple Ways to Help Your Child Learn to Read, available online at Barnes and Noble and Amazon. Find her at JanPierce.net.