Christmas Picture Books – Jody’s List of Holiday Favourites
Christmas picture books are in a class of their own.
At home, we always keep our Christmas picture books separate from the rest of the piles. We pull them out in late November and tuck them away at the end of the season with all of the other decorations. Just like when we unwrap each ornament that has been packed away for a year, pulling out each story is equally exciting. We forget which ones we have over the year or which new ones we may have purchased at the end of the season and stored away. Over the years, we’ve read many different Christmas tales, but some stay with you throughout the season and beyond.
The Night Before Christmas illustration by Christian Birmingham
Storytime Standouts has many free Christmas printables – You will find all of our Christmas and Winter-themed printables grouped together here .
Here are some of my favourite Christmas picture books…
The Night Before Christmas written by Clement C. Moore, illustrated by Christian Birmingham
Christmas picture book published by Running Press Kids
The classic tale that we all know; I love reading this every Christmas Eve. It makes me think of my mom, who recites the words along with me as I read because she knows it by heart. I love that the wonderment of Christmas is displayed through an adult’s eyes.
The Night Before Christmas illustrated by Christian Birmingham at Amazon.com
The Night Before Christmas illustrated by Christian Birmingham at Amazon.ca
Are you Grumpy Santa? by Gregg & Evan Spiridellis
Christmas Picture Book published by Disney-Hyperion
This is, hands down, one of the cutest Christmas books I’ve had the pleasure of reading. Just like anyone else, Santa can only take so much and finally becomes grumpy when nothing goes his way. The rhyme and the pictures are great. It never fails to amuse me, regardless of how many times I read it.
Are You Grumpy Santa? at Amazon.com
Are Your Grumpy Santa? At Amazon.ca
Queen of Christmas by Mary Engelbreit
Christmas picture book published by HarperCollins
I have always enjoyed Mary Engelbreit’s illustrations. I often buy calendars with her pictures because they are sweet and have nice phrases on them. I purchased this book a few years ago and the illustrations are beautiful. It’s the story of a young girl who is working hard to finish her incredibly long Christmas list before Christmas Eve. Of course, in the end, she learns it’s not what’s on the list that counts. When I purchased this book, it came with a paper doll and clothes, which my children love as much as the book.
Queen of Christmas at Amazon.com
Queen of Christmas at Amazon.ca
Christmas Around the World by Chuck Fischer
Christmas Pop Up Book published by Little, Brown and Company
My mom gave me this book a couple years ago. You are never too old for a good pop up book. Just this morning, my youngest opened one of the pages and said, “Wow! Mommy, look at this Christmassy page!” Featuring a number of different countries, it includes pull outs, interesting facts, and beautiful images.
Christmas Around the World: A Pop Up Book at Amazon.com
Christmas Around the World: A Pop Up Book at Amazon.ca
Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner
Snowman Picture Book published by Harcourt
The illustrations in this story are very fun. It’s a favourite with my classroom kids, who like to imagine what a snowman could possibly do when no one is looking!
Snowmen at Night at Amazon.com
Olivia Helps with Christmas by Ian Falconer
Christmas Picture Book published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
I can’t help but love every Olivia book and pairing her with my favourite holiday is just a bonus. As they wait for Santa to finally arrive, Olivia finds many ways to help her mom. My favourite part is when she makes a special mini Christmas tree “centre piece”.
Olivia Helps with Christmas at Amazon.com
Olivia Helps with Christmas at Amazon.ca
How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
Christmas Picture Book published by Random House Books for Young Readers
I love the rhyme, the characters, and I absolutely love when the Grinch’s heart grows! It’s such a cute and fun story. I’m very glad that my kids are no longer scared of it!
Grinch Printables from Seussville.com
How the Grinch Stole Christmas at Amazon.com
How the Grinch Stole Christmas at Amazon.ca
Aside from reading to my own children, I love the joy my students get from these picture books. Though we teach differently in the intermediate grades, there is no age, or grade, limit for enjoying these stories.
Jody,
This is a great list – I am definitely going to have a look for Are You Grumpy Santa?
By the way, we tuck our Christmas books away every year (just as you do) and… we have the same version of A Night Before Christmas at our house. My husband reads it aloud every Christmas Eve.
Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas!
Carolyn