This is a repost of my favorite Christmas books. The only new edition (featured in my last post) is Mr. Willowby’s Head Over Heels Christmas. Every year these books grow stronger, because children love them. These are the books children and adults want to read over and over again. That’s why they’re the best. Please, go to the library, get some of these books and read them aloud to your children. You will be hooked, too.
Christmas books are often more meaningful to read to a child after the holiday, once a child has experienced the joy of Christmas. Here is my collection:
I want to share with you my favorite Christmas books. I love books, and I love reading to children. After a gazillion years, these are the ‘tried and true’, stories that children love. Me, too!
Grab tissues, laughter, and wonder, and some history. Some books you will recognize. Others might seem new, but they’re not— they’re just better.
The first time I read The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg was in 1985, when the book was published. I was at a huge family Christmas gathering. Someone put the book in my hand and asked me to read it to the crowd. This was a new book for me, and as I read the words I was on that train ride. The ending was hard to read aloud with my heart in my throat. The movie is good, but the book is superior.
Red and Lulu, by Matt Tavares is the story of two cardinals who live in a mighty evergreen tree. They love their home, their tree. Best of all, they love it when winter arrives and Christmas carolers sing close by. Red leaves to get food, and when he returns, the tree is being cut down and hauled away. He tells Lulu to stay, and he desperately follows the truck as it drives the tree away – but he can’t fly fast enough. The tree becomes the tree at Rockefeller Center, and the story behind finding Lulu and what happens is fascinating. It’s Christmas, nature, love, adventure, and never giving up.
On Christmas Eve, by Peter Collington is a captivating wordless book, in the style of The Snowman by Raymond Briggs. It is based in England, with fairies and Santa Claus traditions. It is fascinating to follow the fairies helping Santa!
Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree, by Robert Barry is a delightfully predictable tale of a tree that is too tall. Each time the top is snipped off, it goes to someone else who has the same problem, and so on. The mouse gets the very last tree top. The story is done in rhyme, always a delight to the ears of children.
Morris’s Disappearing Bag, by Rosemary Wells is the story of Morris, the youngest in the family, who is too little to play with his sibling’s gifts. He discovers one last present under the tree, a disappearing bag. I wonder if J.K. Rowling read this book- perhaps it was the inspiration to create Harry Potter’s invisibility cloak.
Carl’s Christmas, by Alexandra Day is one of the Carl book series. It is beautifully done with full color illustrations. Of course Carl is a dog who is often left to look after the baby. That beginning alone is a story grabber. Best of all, it is a wordless book, leaving much to speculate and talk about.
Santa Bruce, by Ryan T. Higgins is the newest book on this list. Bruce is a grumpy old bear, and is again the victim of mistaken identity. He is not the real Santa, yet all the animals are convinced that he is. The book is absolutely hilarious.
If I had to pick only one out of the pile of books, it would be Apple Tree Christmas, by Trinka Hakes Noble. The story takes place in New Hampshire in the 1800’s. A blizzard, a farm, a tree, and a child who loves to draw. It is thrilling from beginning to end… grab the tissues, it’s a true story.
My almost number one book is The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree, by Gloria Houston. The story takes place in rural Appalachia, close to my roots. It is a story of rural traditions, WWI, a train, and what a mother does on Christmas Eve. And, it’s a true story. Recommended for kindergarten and above.
Merry Christmas, Strega Nona, by Tomie dePaola is a favorite. Everyone loves Strega Nona and Big Anthony. This book incorporates the culture of Italy and Christmas, and the lessons of life.
Night Tree, by Eve Bunting is a modern tale that tells the story of a family and their tree in the woods. Every Christmas Eve the family bundles up and heads from their house to the woods. They find “their tree”, the one they have decorated every year for the animals. It is a well written story, weaving adventure and giving, and family being together.
Dr. Seuss has always been one of the best. He outdid himself with How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The message of the true meaning of Christmas shines through in this book. Please skip the movie, it doesn’t hold a candle to the book.
Every adult should read these books. Period. They are that good. Then, spread the joy and learning by reading aloud these books to children, young and old. They will love the stories. You will, too.
Merry Christmas!
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
Such wonderful books that can be read over and over. Thanks for the reminder.
Thank you. Darlene!
Merry Christmas to you and those who mean the most to you!
Thank you, Annette!
What a great list!
Thank you!
We took our kids to meet Chris Van Allsburg at a bookstore signing when The Polar Express first came out. I told him I thought Jumanji would make a great film. We had no idea both would eventually become well-loved movies. Merry Christmas, Jennie!
What a great story, Mitch! How lucky you were to meet him and pass along your thoughts. I’m sure he was impressed you knew Jumanji. It was the first picture book I bought. Great movies, but even better books. Merry Christmas, Mitch!
The gift of reading is the best one of all!
Hear, hear!
What a collection. All winners, but like you, The Polar Express stole my heart.
Thanks, Jacqui! Yes, it stole my heart!
Thank you for this, I look forward to your holiday book post each year!
I’m so glad! Thank you, Beth.
Jennie! Thank you! I’ll be sharing your post with a dear friend who is completely flummoxed about which books to gift for some sweet children in her neighborhood. So good…so timely. Sending holiday hugs to you! ❤️🌲❤️
I’m so glad this can help your friend! Thank you, Vicki!
Thank you, dear one! ❤️🎄❤️
You are welcome! 😍
A beautiful list of books, Jennie. What a joy. I loved reading Christmas books to my daughter when she was little. I’d often get choked up. ❤ I’ve read very few of these, but they sound wonderful. Merry Christmas!
That’s so nice, Diana. Thank you! Oh, I get choked up, too. There’s something very special about Christmas books, especially reading them to children. I’m glad you had that experience with your daughter.
I love Apple Tree Christmas. ♥️
I’m so glad! It’s one of the best, and knowing it’s a true story gives me a lump in my throat.
Great choices for Christmas books, and there are so many more that I love!
There really are many more that I love, too. I’m glad you enjoyed the list, Cathy. Many thanks!
Always worth reading, Jennie. Thanks
Thank you, John!
😊
That is a great list. Some of them I knew about and some are new to me.
Thank you!
I’m always glad to see a roundup of good children’s books, regardless of the season or occasion. You might be interested in this article about a Vermont farmer who wrote a children’s Christmas book. He read the beginning at an open mic, and the audience (myself included) made him keep reading until he’d finished the book. https://www.agproud.com/articles/60559-retired-vermont-dairy-farmer-writes-childrens-christmas-book
What a wonderful story! Thanks so much, Liz!
You’re welcome, Jennie! It was one of the best open mics I’ve been to.
I bet it was! 😀
I read several of these to my Pre-K class last week.
I’m so glad!
I remember this post from before and have had the pleasure of reading several of these books.
I’m glad! Thanks, Pete.
These are all beautiful books, Jennie
Thank you, Robbie.
A truly wonderful collection, Jennie and great advice for adults to read them and read them aloud.
Well said, Dan. Thank you.
It’s a great list, Jennie. I have a few of these books in my collection. I bought Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree to give to Littlest Grandson this year for Christmas. I hope he likes it as much as we do.
Thanks so much, Deborah! I have no doubt that Littlest Grandson will like the book as much as you do. Keep me posted!
Jennie! These are such classic books and I have not heard the Eve Bunting name in a while – oh – I u sed to love her books and have not read the Night Tree – yet!
You will love, love Night Tree! Thank you, Yvette.
🎄🌞🎄
Thanks for this wonderful list of books Jennie xx
You’re welcome, Debby!
Jennie, a wonderful list. And, if every adult read or re-read just one of these each holiday season, I think the world would be a much better place. We “grown-ups” can use reminders now and then about the child which still resides within all of us.
Beautifully said, Bruce! Thank you!
The only one I’ve heard of is the last one. My sons used to love this story.
It’s a great book! I’m glad your sons loved the story.
I’ve only read some of the books on your list. You’ve given me some new books to enjoy!
I’m so glad!