7 Must Read Childrens Christmas Books

‘Tis the season for cosy reading. 

As far as we’re concerned, there’s little more magical than curling up as a family and sharing a story. It’s the purest form of quality time, free of distractions and frustrations. 

And that cosiness is only amplified when you factor in the soft twinkling of Christmas lights, the snugness of fresh pyjamas, and the glow of a crackling (digital) fire. 

But children’s Christmas book sales skyrocket every year, with a fresh flurry of titles published each year, making it difficult to know where to start. 

That’s where we come in. To help you curate your ideal festive family to-read pile, we’ve quizzed our experts on their recommendations for the best children’s Christmas books. 

With picks covering everything from all-time classics to must-read modern texts, we’ve got everything you need for a gloriously festive bedtime read. 

Let’s get magical. 

1. The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Father Christmas

Author and Illustrator: Eric Carle

Reading Age: 3 years 

Eric Carle is children’s literature royalty, and with good reason. His must-read classic, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, has been a beloved staple on bookshelves worldwide since its publication in 1969. 

But that wasn’t the only adventure the crunch-happy caterpillar went on. 

In 2021, everyone’s favourite caterpillar ventured to the North Pole to team up with Santa as he prepares for the big night, helping Big Jolly ™ with everything from feeding reindeer to loading the sleigh. 

As you can expect from anything featuring Eric Carle’s beloved caterpillar, the book fizzes with wonder on every page, with satisfyingly simple rhymes, detailed artwork, and an interactive surprise or two along the way. 

Best read aloud, curled up in pyjamas. 

2. The Santa Expert

Author: Elenor Best

Illustrator: Clare Fennel

Reading Age: 3 – 5 years.

A laugh-out-loud twist on festive traditions, The Santa Expert is brimming with wit and inventiveness as a headstrong young boy (Scott) attempts to ‘educate’ his younger sister (Brie) about all-things Santa. 

As you can imagine, Scott is, well… let’s be kind and say misinformed. 

Featuring a stealth-suit wearing Santa, equipped with an array of gadgets and supported by an elite team of elves, The Santa Expert is a delightfully subversive riff on well-trod festive tropes. 

It’s a feast for the eyes, too, with ironic sight gags that your little one will delight in pointing out, likely spotting more with each re-read. 

And, like all the best children’s Christmas books, it carries a message that stretches beyond just Christmas, highlighting both the importance of studying and the dangers of being a tiny know-it-all. 
 

3. Monster Christmas

Author: Giles Andreae 

Illustrator: Nikki Dyson

Reading Age: 3 – 5 years

From the mind of Giles Andreae, responsible for the award-winning Giraffes Can’t Dance, Monster Christmas is a heartwarming tale of friendship and inclusivity, guaranteed to weave some festive joy into your little one’s bedtime reading. 

As is often the case in children’s Christmas books, the premise revolves around a world-weary Santa, seeking a suitable replacement for his gift-delivering duties. 

Enter… Monster Christmas. 

A lovable little monster (literally), he takes to his new role with gusto, only to find himself shunned by the public, who aren’t quite ready for such a change. 

We won’t spoil the ending for you, but let’s just say that your tear ducts will get a workout before you’ve turned the final page, in a book that’ll teach your little one to treat others with kindness—no matter their differences. 

Oh, and if you don’t think a children’s Christmas book can feature monsters eating eyeball spaghetti or grumpy reindeer quitting their jobs… think again. 

4.Dear Santa

Author: Rod Campbell

Reading Age: 1 – 3 years

A festive treat for preschoolers, bristling with wonder on every page. 

If you’re familiar with Campbell’s most popular book (Dear Zoo), you’ll have a good idea of what to expect here—an interactive board book with a simple, engaging story.

The story follows Santa trying to select the perfect gift for a child, cycling through everything from a kite to a trumpet in his quest to deliver festive joy.

But it’s the interactivity that brings the magic. Each page requires your little one to lift a cardboard flap to reveal the gift behind it, with a fluffy sensory surprise at the end. 

If you’re eager to tease your little one’s brain, you could ask them to try and guess what’s going to be behind each flap, offering little nudges if they get stuck.

A simple yet satisfying Christmas book for younger children, loaded with seasonal surprises, perfect for your festive reading list.  
 

5.Pick a Pine Tree

Author: Patricia Toht

Illustrator: Jarvis

Reading Age: 2 – 5 years

A slice of festive poetry, with an irresistible rhyming scheme and dazzling retro-inspired artwork, Pick a Pine Tree is the perfect book to curl up with once you’ve decorated your own tree. 

Disclaimer: No matter how strong you think your Christmas tree game is, it’ll struggle to measure up to the gorgeous tree depicted in the final pages of Pick a Pine Tree. 

With more cosy vibes than you can shake a bauble at, the book revels in creating the type of comfy, festive atmosphere that’ll give your little one a case of the warm fuzzies. 

The story is pleasingly straightforward, focusing on setting the type of seasonal mood that’s best enjoyed in the cosiest of pyjamas with the biggest of hot chocolates. 

With lush visuals, clever rhymes and an ultra-tranquil vibe, once you’ve read Pick a Pine Tree, it’ll find itself instantly on your go-to list of Christmas books. 

6. The Twelve Days of Christmas (Or Grandma is Overly Generous)

Author and illustrator: Alex T. Smith

Reading Age: 3 - 5

A madcap re-telling of the iconic Christmas carol, packed with gloriously silly additions to the original, including snorkelling squirrels, racing rhinos, and…socks. 

Always zigging when you expect it to zag, The Twelve Days of Christmas (Or Grandma is Overly Generous) brims with energy and is the perfect read-aloud book for bedtime.

The highly detailed, wonderfully cartoonish artwork perfectly captures the steadily increasing sense of mayhem, which is all but guaranteed to have your little one laughing their socks off. 

Brilliantly bonkers and utterly captivating, author-illustrator Alex T. Smith has a knack for tapping into children’s offbeat sense of humour. 

You’ll never hear the original carol the same way again. 

7. The Snowman

Author and illustrator: Raymond Briggs

Reading Age: 2 - 7

Rounding out our list with a stone-cold classic children’s Christmas book.

You’re probably seen the animated adaptation. You’ve definitely heard the song. But there’s something truly magical about snuggling up as a family with the original book. 

A poignant and uplifting story of friendship, The Snowman has remained popular since its 1978 publication for one very simple reason – it’s a slice of cosy, uplifting genius. 

That sounds like an exaggeration, but it isn’t. Few books have captured the innocence and imagination of childhood quite like The Snowman, with its magical visuals and emotionally rich narrative. 

Entirely wordless, The Snowman weaves its wintry magic through stunningly detailed art, depicting idyllic snowy fields, ultra-cosy cottages, and a dream-like flight scene. 

And since it’s wordless, it’s an opportunity to help sharpen your little one’s visual literacy skills as you explore the tale together. 

That said, if you’d prefer a version that’s more text-driven, an updated version was published in 2018 by Michael Morpurgo. But for us, there’s no matching the magic of the original. 

Be prepared to make your own snowman after reading. (Snow allowing.) 

Bonus Book: Mrs Christmas and the Magic Penguins

This year, we have an extra special book to add to our list of Christmas book recommendations. Written especially for the children at our Busy Bees nurseries, ‘Mrs Christmas and the magic penguins’ tells the story of how Mrs Christmas uses her thinking skills (and a bit of magic) to solve a problem at the North Pole. 

We can’t wait for you to share this magical story with your little one, and be the first to know about the wonderful surprise waiting for your child at their Busy Bees nursery this Christmas.

Read the enchanting tale of ‘Mrs Christmas and the Magic Penguins’ here!

And there you have it. Our top picks for the best children’s Christmas books, covering everything from the ultra-cosy to utterly bonkers, and everything between. 

There’s no cosier time to curl up with a book than Christmas, and your little one’s excitement levels will only increase with each book you read.

Need more storytelling inspiration? Check out our blog, where you’re find articles on everything from tips to bring storytelling to life to tips for expanding your child’s vocabulary.