25 Christmas Picture Books to Cuddle Up With

This Christmas why not cuddle up on the couch and enjoy some lovely Christmas picture books with your kids! Revel in the magic of Santa Claus, or rejoice in the story of the birth of Christ. Or both!

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25 Christmas Picture Books to Cuddle Up With

I am so excited about this collection of books! When my kids were little a read to them a ton, all year round. But there is something special about this time of year and the wonder and excitement it creates. I tried steer clear of specific character Christmas books (like Bluey, the Berenstain Bears, Peppa Pig etc.). I may do a list for those next year though!

Wrapping 25 Books for Christmas

One year we wrapped 25 books, one to open for each day of December until Christmas Day. You can do this with books you have purchased or library books. You can check out our Christmas Book List Here, and grab the FREE 25 Books of Christmas List (a decorative sheet to create your own list on) while you are there!

Secular Christmas Picture Books (Santa, Snowmen, etc)

1. The Polar Express – For millions of readers around the world, this mysterious journey to the North Pole has become a beloved Christmas classic. A young boy, lying awake one Christmas Eve, is welcomed aboard a magical train to the North Pole . . . Through dark forests, over tall mountains, and across a barren desert of ice, the Polar Express makes its way to the huge city standing alone at the top of the world, where the boy will make his Christmas wish.
2. Christmas Tapestry – When a leak ruins the sacristy wall in his father’s church, Jonathan Jefferson Weeks thinks Christmas Eve service will be ruined. Luckily he and his father find a beautiful tapestry, perfect for covering the damaged wall and giving the church a festive look! But then, an old Jewish woman recognizes the beautiful cloth. Her discovery leads to a real miracle on Christmas Eve.
3. The Christmas Book Flood – Based on a real Icelandic tradition where people gift books to their family and friends on Christmas Eve.
4. How the Grinch Stole Christmas – The Grinch, whose heart is two sizes too small, hates Who-ville’s holiday celebrations, and plans to steal all the presents to prevent Christmas from coming. To his amazement, Christmas comes anyway, and the Grinch discovers the true meaning of the holiday.
5. The 12 Days of Christmas – Celebrate the magic of Christmas time with this well-loved traditional poem. Take a walk through each beautiful scene brimming with details that will remind you of the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas.
6. The Wild Christmas Reindeer – Rambunctious reindeer have a lot to learn before Santa’s big night!
   Teeka has an important job training the reindeer in time for their Christmas Eve ride. The animals are spirited and mischievous, but kindness wins the day just in time.
7. Snowmen at Christmas – This snappy and entertaining companion to the New York Times bestseller Snowmen at Night depicts all the best parts of the holiday, replete with icy treats and a snowman Kris Kringle. Told in the same bouncy verse as the original, Snowmen at Christmas is perfect for a snowy evening read-aloud.
8. The Night Before Christmas – ‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
   Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The Night Before Christmas is an enchanting Christmas story that has brought Santa Claus to life for generations. Celebrate the holiday season with this #1 New York Times bestselling edition of the classic poem. This is the classic hardcover edition featuring an embossed cover and a four-page foldout. 
9. Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer – All of the other reindeer make fun of Rudolph and won’t let him play in their reindeer games because he’s different. But when Christmas is almost cancelled because of a huge snowstorm, Rudolph comes to the rescue with his wonderful shiny red nose.
10. The Nutcracker – On Christmas Eve, seven-year-old Marie and her eight-year-old brother Fritz anxiously await their Christmas gifts. When their godfather—a clock builder and toymaker—arrives, he unveils an ornate clockwork castle adorned with whirling figurines for the children. While Fritz plays with the clock, Marie is taken aside and given another gift—a nutcracker. After Fritz grabs the nutcracker from Marie and breaks its jaw by cracking too many nuts, their playtime ends and they head off to bed. When the clock strikes twelve, magic makes its way into this enduring tale and an epic battle ensues.
11. The Carpenter’s Gift: A Christmas Tale about the Rockefeller Center Tree – This modern classic Christmas story teaches children the spirit of the season by bringing together two great New York City traditions: the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and the neighbor-helping-neighbor program of Habitat for Humanity.
12. Elf – (picture book of the beloved movie) Buddy the Elf has more Christmas spirit than anyone, but he’s never quite fit in with the other elves at the North Pole. Then Buddy learns that he’s really a human—and his father is on the Naughty List! Determined to bring his dad some holiday cheer, he sets out for New York City. But when Santa encounters disaster on Christmas Eve, can Buddy count on his new family to help him save the day? There is also Home Alone and Home Alone 2
13. Christmas Farm – When Wilma decides her garden needs a new beginning, she gathers string, scissors, shovels, sixty-two dozen balsam seedlings, and Parker, her five-year-old neighbor. Year after year, Wilma and Parker nurture their trees, keeping careful count of how many they plant, how many perish, and how many grow to become fine, full Christmas trees. A cozy, holiday read-aloud and a lyrical way to usher in the month of December.
14. Frosty The Snowman – I love this one because it’s BIG! Have a jolly, happy time reading this beautiful hardcover Big Golden Book picture book based on the timeless holiday classic Frosty the Snowman!
15. A Christmas Carol – Even the youngest readers can enjoy Charles Dickens’s classic Christmas tale in this beautifully illustrated picture-book version of the holiday favorite, simple to read but with all the magic of Dickens’s voice preserved.
16. Pick A Pine Tree – Going and cutting down our tree is a long standing tradition so this book really speaks to us! With style and warmth, debut author Patricia Toht and Jarvis, the author-illustrator of Alan’s Big, Scary Teeth, evoke all the rituals of decorating the tree — digging out boxes jam-packed with ornaments and tree trimmings, stringing tinsel, and, at long last, turning on those twinkling lights. Joyously drawn and rhythmically written, this celebration of family, friends, and the holiday season is as merry as the tradition it depicts.
17. How Kids Celebrate Christmas Around the World – Everyone loves Christmas! But have you ever wondered what Christmas might be like around the world? This book teaches kids about different cultures. In this book you’ll discover: Who brings Christmas presents in Italy? Where can we sunbathe on the beach on Christmas Day? What is the typical Christmas dish in Japan?

Christmas Picture Books to Celebrate the Birth of Christ

1. Christmas Begins with Christ – This rhyming concept book introduces how Jesus is always in our lives. Beautiful illustrations show Christ’s supportive spiritual light around us. When we share God’s light through acts of love and joy, it creates a ripple effect. Children will learn their numbers by counting how happiness grows from the true spirit of Christmas. Both children and adults are reminded through lyrical prose to pause and connect with Jesus.
2. Jesus and the Characters of Christmas: Who’s Who in God’s Great Plan for Redemption – Most children know about Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the wise men, and the shepherds, but there’s more to the Christmas story than we see in the traditional Nativity scene. From Christ’s ancestors to the angels to the innkeeper, God selected some surprising people to bring about His miracle in the manger. As children discover this diverse cast of characters, they will marvel at how God uses people from different backgrounds—including them!—to accomplish amazing things.
3. ABC Nativity Story Book – This ABC book combines the nativity story with the learning pattern ‘A is for.’. for every letter of the alphabet. The rhyming verse makes the story captivating for little ones. As Christmas begins earlier each year, take the opportunity to teach your children as they get excited about the season.
4. The Good News of Christmas – From Old Testament prophecies to the present reality of new life through Christ, this timeless tale is a welcome return to the true reason for the season. This charming and colorful lyrical adaptation of the events surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ as told throughout the Bible will captivate readers of all ages, making it ideal for family reading during Advent. 
5. The Christmas Story – This classic picture book retelling of the Christmas story.
6. The Night Before Jesus – Set to the familiar rhythm of ” ‘Twas the Night before Christmas,” this children’s book features clever rhymes and beautiful illustrations to teach children the important story of Jesus’ birth.
7. The Christmas Blessing: A One-of-a-Kind Nativity Story – On this divine night in Bethlehem, a voice calls down to a group of animals gathered in a stable. It’s time to welcome a special arrival, the Savior who will gift the world with love and grace. Will the different animals be able to set aside all of their differences, come together, and work in harmony to have the manger ready in time? In this one-of-a-kind nativity story about acceptance of others and kindness to our neighbors, the animals discover the love, peace, and family that bring us all together.
8. The First Christmas Story (Lift-a-Flap) – A classic story of The First Christmas travels along with Mary and Joseph to the town of Bethlehem where baby Jesus is born. A simple story engages toddlers with lift-a-flap pages where they can learn and enjoy the traditional telling of Jesus’s birth and the meaning of Christmas.

Check Out Our Large Themed Book Lists Collection!!

Themed Book Lists for Your Homeschool is a huge collection of themed books to make your search for books on a specific topic easier. We have science topics, holidays, art and music, and more! Plus we are continually adding to it!

More Christmas Inspiration

The Christmas Homeschool – Whether you’re game for ditching all or some of your usual homeschool routine in favor of a full December Christmas schedule, or you’re looking to add a supplemental activity here and there, we’ve got you covered!

• Christmas Light Scavenger Hunt – This is a FREE Printable Pack I created that includes two variations of scavenger hunt pages (one for little kids with pictures, and one for older kids with words and more things to find), as well as BONUS Bingo cards for both older and younger kids. These can be used when driving or walking around looking at lights, while watching Christmas Movies or even while reading Christmas Books!
• SQUILT Christmas Carols – for ages pre-K to middle school these lessons are designed to introduce children to great musical classics with lessons that are short, meaningful, and enjoyable. Each volume includes 5 Christmas Carol lessons, links to recordings, supplemental activities, and more!
• 5 Days of DIY Christmas Ornaments for Kids – 5 different DIY Ornaments that kids can do! They make wonderful decorations for your own home, or special gifts to give friends and relatives. Work with popsicle sticks, yarn, felt, scrabble tiles and more!
• December Homeschool Celebrations – Make an extra effort to spend the remaining days of the year in intentional fun and merriment with the family using these December themed homeschool activities. Make memories to treasure that end the year in great fanfare and welcome in the new year with joyous thanksgiving for the ones you love.
• Festive Homeschool Nature Study Challenge Perfect for Christmas Time – Our winter series of curriculum ebooks and courses have so many wonderful winter challenges to inspire your homeschool nature studies and because we are known for our challenges only taking about an hour (or longer if you prefer). It does not have to be an onerous task during this busy season. A festive homeschool nature study can be as simple as wrapping up warmly and going on a lovely winter walk to find some winter colors.
• 5 Days of Christmas Books with Activities – 5 days. 5 Christmas Books. Loads of activities! The Polar Express, Frosty the Snowman, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and more!
• The Ultimate Guide to Lovely Christmas Activities for Your Homeschool – This guide to lovely Christmas activities for your homeschool is designed to be filled with ideas to simplify and enjoy the season. 
• 5 December Homeschool Family Fun Ideas – This year welcome the true spirit of Christmas into your heart with much family time (these 5 December Homeschool Family Fun Ideas will help!) and extra kindness for all those around. International Mountain Day, Pear Month, Winter Solstice, and Visit the Zoo.
• Joyful Art, Nature and Music for Your Christmas Homeschool – Enjoy a simple, joyful and stress-free Christmas event for the whole family. With art, nature and music plus a nature craft for your Christmas homeschool, you can make memories and have fun together. 
• Draw Your Way Through The Story of Christmas – Add these Advent art activities to your Christmas Homeschool plans! You can draw your way through the story of Christmas from the angels announcing Messiah’s birth to the manger scene.
• A Holiday Unit Study: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever for all Ages – The story is a sweet reminder that not everyone knows about Jesus, and it is also a tender reminder that God loves everyone. I enjoy reading it to my kids and discussing it with them after each chapter.