There are so many amazing books to read during the holiday season. From Santa Claus to snowmen and dreidels to trees, there are so many wonderful stories to share with children and get them excited for the season! I could not possibly list all of the amazing books out there, but I have managed to compile a list of books that are personal favorites of mine that I am excited to share with my daughter for many years to come. (If your favorite is not here, don’t worry! Other holidays and traditions will definitely be recognized in posts to come).

My husband and I started a tradition on our daughter’s first Christmas last year, to buy her a new holiday book every year which we will write in and mark with the date. I hope to provide her with a beloved collection of books that she will have fond memories of reading with us at the holidays! For more ideas on Christmas traditions to start with your family, check out the great post on the blog A Mom Capturing Life’s Moments.

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The Polar Express

Written by Chris Van Allsburg

This classic is a Caldecott winner and a classic Christmas tale. I am already a fan of Chris Van Allsburg’s work, but this one holds a special place in my heart. The story follows a young boy who is deciding if he still believes in Santa Claus. On Christmas Eve, a mysterious train pulls up in front of his house to take him to the North Pole! His adventure on the train and his meeting with Santa encourage him to never stop believing.

The beautiful illustrations and the message of believing in the spirit of Christmas hold strong memories for me. What if we all just continued to believe? Whether you are religious or not, the kindness and generosity of the holiday season is something we should try to keep all through our lives! Forget the cynicism of adulthood; believe in the magic! The Tom Hanks’ movie version did a great job of translating this story to film. I also recommend checking that out!

Related Post: Ride into the Holidays with the Polar Express

The Legend of the Poinsettia

Written by Tomie dePaola

This book shares a retelling of a Mexican legend which tells the story of Lucida, a young girl who wants to give the Baby Jesus a special gift. When her mother falls ill, and their plans to weave a beautiful blanket are put aside, she is worried that she has ruined Christmas. However, she comes to discover that the thought behind the gift is the most important part, and her simple gift makes the whole town more beautiful. The brightly colored and lovely illustrations are sure to delight readers both young and old.

Click here to see the poinsettia inspired activities that we paired with this book!

How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

Written by Dr. Seuss

This is another classic which has been shared by families for many years. The Grinch doesn’t like Christmas, so he makes a plan to steal it from the Who’s in Who-ville. After stealing all of the presents, decorations and food, he finds that the Who’s continue their Christmas celebrations anyway. This is a great story to remind children that Christmas isn’t about the gifts or the lights, but about something more than that.

Related Post: Holiday Giggles with the Grinch

Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins

Written by Eric Kimmel

This Caldecott Honor Book tells the story of Hershel of Ostropol, a tired and hungry traveler who comes across a village that is being bullied by a group of goblins who hate Hanukkah. He bravely offers to get rid of the goblins and goes to the old synagogue to defeat them. Night after night, he faces a new goblin in an attempt to save Hanukkah. This dark and comical tale shows the hero using his brains and creativity to defeat the goblins. It also reminds us of the importance of keeping hope in the worst of circumstances. The illustrations are incredibly detailed, and the goblins are scary but comical.

Snowmen at Christmas

Written by Caralyn Buehner

This book follows a group of jolly snowmen as they celebrate Christmas. They enjoy frozen snacks and have a festive party while humans are sleeping. They make their way back to their homes in people’s front yards before Christmas morning. This story has an easy flow and rhyming pattern, and is accompanied by beautiful illustrations. Kids will enjoy all of the antics of the snowmen and recognize some of their own Christmas traditions as well!

The Night Before Christmas

Written by Clement Clarke Moore

This classic poem has been read around numerous fireplaces and retold to countless children snug in their beds. Easily one of the most familiar Christmas stories, a list of great Christmas books would not be complete without it! A lovely rhyming scheme makes this an easy poem to read aloud. Kids will surely love the tale of Santa coming down the chimney and leaving presents! There are many versions available to suit all tastes in illustration styles.

A Wish to Be a Christmas Tree

Written by Colleen Monroe

This heartwarming book tells the story of a sad pine tree who has always wished of being someone’s special Christmas tree. Despite the kind words of his woodland friends, he fears that he will never get to be a Christmas tree. While he sleeps, the animals of the woods bring decorations to surprise him. This is a lovely tale of friendship which kids will be able to understand and appreciate. The illustrations are beautiful and add to the harmonious rhyming of the story.

There are so many wonderful holiday books to get kids into the holiday spirit and introduce them to new traditions and holidays. Why not make it part of your family’s traditions to add some new books to your collection? What are some of your family’s favorites holiday stories? Don’t forget to check out the post by A Mom Capturing Life’s Moments, to get some additional ideas on new holiday traditions!

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