12 Holiday Books To Read With Your Kiddos This Season
By: Krystal Keagle
One of my favorite things to do during the holiday season is read a book next to the Christmas tree. I get a cup of hot cocoa or coffee, curl up with a cozy blanket and get lost in a novel.
It’s a small tradition I’ve enjoyed sharing with my 2.5-year-old daughter Maya since she was born, though we’ve traded in the cocoa for milk and the novel for children’s holiday books.
Maya especially loves reading holiday books. It’s such a fun way to get into the holiday spirit and learn more about the stories, traditions and characters we enjoy this time of year. We’ve been reading books about each holiday throughout the year, but she’s especially excited for Christmas.
In the spirit of giving, here are some of our favorite holiday books to read, including Maya’s favorites and a couple books I’m looking forward to share with her.
Books For Babies, Toddlers and Beyond
The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Peekaboo Christmas by Eric Carle
Maya loves the Hungry Caterpillar books. Last year, she wanted to read this book over and over again with everyone in our family. It was a great way to help teach her colors (“Where is the red ornament? Where is the blue present?”) while she looked for a beloved character. This year, she still loves it but does a lot more independent exploring with it.
A Day In The Snow with The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Megan Roth
This is not Christmassy and more wintery, but Maya loves finding the caterpillar on each page and seeing the other animals too. I love the Eric Carle illustrations.
Mickey Loves Christmas by Joanna Green
Anything Mickey Mouse is an instant classic in our house. Maya loves Mickey, Minnie and friends, and this fun book is great for babies learning to talk.
I Spy Christmas by Walter Wick
Maya loves the I Spy books and getting to find all of the hidden items, and the Christmas ones are so fun! In addition to this one, there are also I Spy Christmas Treats, I Spy Merry Christmas, I Spy Little Christmas and I Spy Santa Claus.
Baby Kermit’s Christmas by Louise Gikow
This is a book from our personal collection. It was a gift I received for Christmas when I was a little kid, and I managed to keep it in good condition all these years. The story is a little long for Maya’s attention span at this age, but she loves looking at the pictures and I “read” an abridged version right now.
Snowmen at Christmas by Caralyn Buehner
This is such a fun book about snowmen throwing a Christmas party. Maya loves snowmen (she calls herself “Snowman Maya” when she wears her winter hat) so this book is a big hit this year.
Llama Llama Jingle Bells by Anna Dewdney
The Llama Llama books are so fun. I love the rhymes, and Maya loves all of the pictures. We read every holiday Llama Llama book throughout the year, and this is our favorite Christmas one. Llama Llama Holiday Drama is another great choice too!
Snowbear’s Christmas Countdown by Theresa Smythe
Maya loves counting numbers right now, so this book is a major favorite this year. Each page is a day in December, and Snowbear is doing something related to the holiday season — including catching a cold and wrapping presents. It’s so fun, we love it!
We Celebrate The Light by Jane Yolen
This book simply explains many holiday celebrations — Diwali, Solstice, Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, Bodhi Day and Lunar New Year. It has beautiful imagery and the explanations are simple enough for children to get. I’m excited to read it with Maya this year to help her start learning about other cultures and their holiday traditions.
If You Take A Mouse To The Movies by Laura Numeroff
This is another fun series that we love to read in our house. While this doesn’t seem Christmassy from the title, the mouse wants to make ornaments and decorate a Christmas tree. Maya loves the little mouse and laughs at his adventures. We love reading it!
Books I Look Forward To Sharing With Maya In The Future
How Does Santa Go Down The Chimney? by Mac Barnett
So many of our friends have talked about this book because it’s funny and whimsical. It might be a little too soon for her this year since she’s only 2.5, but it’s on my list for the future. It also would be a great book to share with her cousins.
Santa Knows by Cynthia Leitich Smith
This is a great book for older kids who are already in on the Santa secret, but want to keep the magic going for younger siblings, cousins and friends. We are a long way off from this, but Maya has older cousins that will soon learn the Santa secret and this will be a great book to share with them.
This time of year is so busy that I’m not doing a lot of reading for myself — but I am planning my TBR list for next year. I recently signed up for the Elkhart Public Library Advent book newsletter. Every day in December until Christmas, EPL sends a book recommendation to read. Most are adult fiction this year. If you’re planning your 2025 reading list, you can sign up easily online.
What are your favorite holiday books to read with your kiddos? I’d love to know your recommendations! Tell me about it in the comments on the Elkhart Public Library’s Facebook page.