25 Christmas Books for 2024

Silver Packages: An Appalachian Christmas Story by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Chris K. Soentpiet — First published in 1987, we received this as a gift in 2020, and it quickly became a family favorite. Based on the real Christmas Trains that used to deliver packages to rural Appalachian communities, the focus on kindness and giving will touch hearts of all ages and remind us all of what truly matters during the holiday season… It’s not what we get, but what we give.

Tamales for Christmas by Stephen Briseño, illustrated by Sonia Sánchez — This epitomizes the generosity of the Christmas season. Based on the true life and story of the author’s grandma, you’ll be inspired to spread as much joy to others all around you, too, even if it doesn’t seem like you’ve got the means to give much. Be sure to check out the Author’s Note for a photo of grandma, as well as her tamale recipe!

Sounding Joy by Ellie Holcomb, illustrated by Laura Ramos — I added this one to our home collection this year and am so glad we own it. It’s a sturdy board book, but one that will be adored by older children also. Beautifully illustrated and with easy-to-read rhyme, Holcomb reminds us of the many things that bring us joy in our lives today, but also takes us back to that first Christmas in Bethlehem, when the angels and Jesus arrived to bring us joy forever!

The Littlest Evergreen by Henry Cole — I adore Henry Cole, so knew I’d love this gem written almost 15 years ago. Told from the perspective of an evergreen tree, we get to watch the tree grow from the tiniest of seedlings to a lovely live tree picked by a family one Christmas and then planted in their yard, ready to grow and spread joy to generations to come.

Can You See What I See? The Night Before Christmas by Walter Wick — I love including some sort of “seek and find” book on this booklist, and Wick’s is so much fun! With 12 search and solve puzzles, this one is bound to occupy whole families for hours this Christmas season. I am amazed that Wick not only hides so many things in his photos, but that he also writes the clues with impeccable rhyme!

Merry Christmas, Gus by Chris Chatterton — Ooh, my dog-loving girls are going to read this one over and over (and over) again this season, I can just tell. Gus is a grumpy dog. He doesn’t like Christmas and wants nothing to do with anything to do with Christmas. Can his puppy friend change Gus’s mind by opening his heart to one of the most important parts of the season — spending time together?

The Biggest Little Boy: A Christmas Story by Poppy Harlow, illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki — How can you have the best Christmas ever if you’re a tiny boy in a very big city? By finding the biggest and most perfect Christmas tree, of course! But what if while you’re looking for the biggest and most perfect, you almost overlook the tree that is most perfect for you? This one is heartwarming AND richly illustrated!

My Big Wimmelbook: Christmas Village by Monika Parciak — A friend introduced me to Wimmelbooks about 5 years ago, but I hadn’t seen the Christmas one until I was making this list. Part seek-and-find, part choose-your-own-adventure, part wordless wonder, this one is a great seasonal read for all ages. And with so much going on on each page, you’re bound to follow a different storyline every single time you open it up.

The Christmas Book Flood by Emily Kilgore, illustrated by Kitty Moss — I will admit that when I first read this book last year, I didn’t think it was terribly special. But as soon as I read the Author’s Note and realized that the Christmas Book Flood is actually a true Christmas Eve event in Iceland, I realized just how beautiful this book and the Book Flood tradition are. Wouldn’t it just be lovely if we all gifted each other new books on Christmas Eve and then cozied up together with hot cocoa and warm blankets to read until Christmas morning?

The Christmas Pine by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Victoria Sandøy — Over the years, I’ve included a few stories about the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center in NYC… But this year, I’ve got a wonderful picture book from Julia Donaldson (you likely know her from The Gruffalo, if you’re wondering why her name is familiar) about the Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square in London. Be sure to take some time with the backmatter here, as the tradition behind this tree is fascinating.

Super Santa: The Science of Christmas by Bruce Hale, illustrated by Guy Francis — Santa-focused books usually aren’t my favorite, but I found Hale’s take on a Santa story absolutely fascinating! He breaks down the science that it would take to make a voyage around the world, to every single child, with a sleigh full of toys, happen, and I was blown away by some of the statistics. Hopefully you are, too!

A Simple Christmas on the Farm by Phyllis Alsdurf, illustrated by Lisa Hunt — When I first read this one, I thought, “Ooh, this one reminds me of Thanksgiving in the Woods!” whch is one of my favorite Thanksgiving picture books. Well, of course it does, because it’s written by the same person and part of the same series! The main character’s family is “keeping things simple this year” for Christmas, and she’s not so sure how she feels about that. Of course, she realizes the beauty of giving from her heart and spending the holiday with friends and loved ones! Be sure to check out the DIY Christmas gift directions at the back!

Dasher Can’t Wait for Christmas by Matt Tavares — The original Dasher made my list a few years ago, and this one is just as delightful! There is just one night left until Christmas Eve, but Dasher can’t wait — so she sneaks off to a nearby city to enjoy their Christmas lights and festivities. On the way home, though, she gets lost! Will she make it back to the North Pole in time to help Santa deliver the gifts? Maybe with the help of a new friend!

Leah’s Star: A Nativity Story by Margaret Bateson-Hill, illustrated by Karin Littlewood — If you’re looking for a fresh take on a nativity story, give Leah’s Star a try! Told from the perspective of the innkeeper’s daughter, this one is bound to remind you of the magic and wonder that the people of Bethlehem must have felt that first Christmas night.

Through the North Pole Snow by Polly Faber, illustrated by Richard Jones — When a little fox, hungry for food and yearning for shelter, stumbles (or falls…) into Santa’s house, you know Santa is going to react with the utmost kindness. Fox spends the year with Santa, watching him recover from one Christmas and prepare for the next, until finally, Christmas Eve arrives and Fox is invited along on the journey.

The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore, illustrated by Loren Long — Pair this with The Mouse Before Christmas (below) for a delightful twist! I think that Christian Birmingham’s version will always be my favorite, but Long’s comes in a close second. I love that he depicts four families around the world celebrating Christmas.

The Mouse Before Christmas by Tracey Turner, illustrated by Jenny Lovlie — I love twists on “The Night Before Christmas,” so I was excited to spot this one on the shelf of our local library. Take the mouse from the opening lines of the original poem and make him Santa Claus, and you know you’ll have a fun story! I mean, a sleigh pulled by 8 beetles? Adorable!

The Best Gift for Bear by Jennifer A. Bell — This one reminds me of Mistletoe, one of my favorite books from my 2020 list. Hedgehog struggles to find the perfect gift for her friend Bear, and when she finally does, disaster strikes! I love the emphasis on both giving and understanding — and if you want, you can follow Hedgehog’s recipe to make your own gingerbread cookies (or house!), icing and all.

Finding Christmas by Lezlie Evans, illustrated by Yee Von Chan — Another sweet story in which the animals work hard to find the perfect Christmas gifts for each other, except that Mouse has yet to find the perfect gift for Hare. Instead, she finds an injured Swallow on Christmas Eve. The friends realize that the gifts they thoughtfully picked out for each other might be better for Swallow instead. As they nurture her back to health, Mouse realizes she may have found the perfect gift for Hare after all.

The Christmassy Cactus by Beth Ferry, illustrated by A. N. Kang — Ooh, this little cactus is so cute! She’s the center of the family’s attention in their main room, until one day… a Christmas tree arrives. Dealing with her feelings of jealousy and being left out, the cactus makes a Christmas wish. Will it come true or not?

Santa’s Favorite Story: Santa Tells the Story of the First Christmas by Hisako Aoki, illustrated by Ivan Gantschev — One day in December, a fox stumbles upon Santa… taking a nap in the forest! The animals all fret that Santa will be too tired to deliver all the gifts this year, but as a way to rejuvenate himself and remind the animals of the most important part of Christmas, Santa shares with them the Christmas story. I love the gentle reminder that presents are indeed fun, but that Christmas is about so much more.

Kids in the Holiday Kitchen: Making, Baking, Giving by Jessica Strand and Tammy Massman-Johnson, with photos by James Baigrie — My girls are old enough this year that they want to do some Christmas baking, so I checked out a few kids’ Christmas cookbooks. This one was the winner because not only do the recipes look good (and decently easy for kids), but it also includes directions for some holiday decorations and crafts (I’m hoping my girls will attempt to make candles!).

The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston, illustrated by Barbara Cooney — I actually couldn’t belive I hadn’t put this on a Christmas booklist yet, because it’s one we’ve owned for years! Set in 1918, Ruthie and her family have the honor of choosing the Christmas tree for their community. But with Papa away, fighting in the war, how on earth will they get the Christmas tree from the top of the mountain and into the church? Warning — adults may need tissues for this one!

Santa Post by Emma Yarlett — What kid doesn’t love an interactive, lift-the-flap book? And one that’s written for Christmas??? When Amy’s present arrives in Santa’s chimney just five days before Christmas, important parts of it have been burned through, so Santa has no idea just what it is that Amy wants! He enlists the help of very important Christmas characters who, in the end, do just happen to get it right.

My Christmas Wish for You by Lisa Swerling and Ralph Lazar — Ooh, this one is a must-read for the Christmas season! In fact, it just might be the book I add to our family collection next year. Written as a collections of wishes for the child, both the wishes and the illustrations alike are sure to bring joy to families as they read it together (and quite possibly some tears to the parents’ eyes…).