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The best Christmas books for kids
These special Christmas books for kids of all ages are perfect for holiday story time with the whole family. Now get reading!
If a day spent browsing the choo-choos at a holiday train show and gazing at a twinkly tree isn't enough to get your youngsters in a festive mood, read our ranked list of fantastic Christmas books for kids before bedtime!
RECOMMENDED: Christmas for kids in NYC
While browsing through all of our favorite picks, you'll find great stuff like The Polar Express, where a little boy finds himself on a very special journey, or How the Grinch Stole Christmas, where you'll learn that even those with hearts three sizes too small can learn to appreciate the holidays. Don't miss Jan Brett's beautifully illustrated The Mitten or The Wild Christmas Reindeer!
Best Christmas books for kids

1. The Polar Express by Chris van Allsburg

2. The Nutcracker by E.T.A. Hoffman
You've likely seen the ballet version of this amazing story, but have you brought it home? Follow a young girl as she helps her wooden nutcracker friend defeat an army of scary mice and explore a land of toys. Ages 4–8.

3. The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore
Illustrated by renowned artist Charles Santore, this oversized heirloom edition of your favorite Christmas poem is the perfect pick for reading in front of a cozy fireplace. Journey through the rooms of a colonial home as you read the rhymes together! Ages 4 and up.

4. How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss

5. A Charlie Brown Christmas by Charles M. Schulz

6. The Mitten by Jan Brett

7. The Snowman by Raymond Briggs

8. Olive, the Other Reindeer by Vivian Walsh

9. Llama Llama Holiday Drama by Anna Dewdney

10. The Toymaker’s Apprentice by Sherri L. Smith (2015)
Smith branches out from her award-winning young adult books to bring us a delightful middle-grade reimagining of the Nutcracker. Readers join Stefan Drosselmeyer on an adventure through Germany (after his toymaker father is kidnapped) and when he’s charged with saving a princess who has been turned into a doll. Throw in some talking mice and magical curses, and you have the ideal recipe for a holiday quest story. Ages 10–14.

11. A Wish for Wings That Work by Berkeley Breathed

12. Dream Snow by Eric Carle

13. A Wish to Be A Christmas Tree by Colleen Monroe

14. The Magical Christmas Horse by Mary Higgins Clark

15. The Wild Christmas Reindeer by Jan Brett

16. Greenglass House by Kate Milford
This much-lauded middle-grade mystery has got it all: a deceptively peaceful snowy setting, an old house concealing secrets, and two teens that must unravel a complex web of stories. Snuggle up around the fire with your loved ones, then join Milo and Meddy at Greenglass House during the inn’s winter season. You’ll gladly get entangled in their detective plot as the two try to discover if any oddball guests are actually harboring wicked plots. Ages 10 to 12.

17. The Book of Kringle by Derek Velez Partridge with Mary Packard, illustrated by David Wenzel
This nontraditional tale shares the story of two magical men (Kris and his brother, the powerful King Kringle) who have a very, very different idea of what Christmas means for all. The story is told by Manusol, an elf who hopes that joy and celebration will return to the North Pole.

18. The Christmas Wish by Lori Evert, illustrated by Per Breiehagen (2013)
If you’re always pushing Jan Brett’s books into your kids’ hands, you will be enamored of this Nordic story and its stunning winter scenes and animals. The simple but powerful story follows little Anja, who leaves her family, straps on her skis and ventures into the snowy landscape to become one of Santa’s elves. Get ready to gawk at the photographic illustrations, ooh and aah over the reindeer and cheer on ambitious Anja. Ages 3 to 7.

19. Maisy's Christmas Day by Lucy Cousins

20. Young Scrooge: A Very Scary Christmas Story by R. L. Stine
Middle-grade kids (and their parents) will appreciate the legendary horrormonger’s twist on the most popular Christmas story of the last few centuries. In this retelling, a Scrooge-like young boy, who particularly dislikes watching A Christmas Carol every year, gets visited by a few ghosts himself. But you’ll have to read it to see if they bring him over to the bright side of the season…or if they’re a different type of ghost entirely. Ages 9 to 12.

21. Carl's Christmas by Alexandra Day

22. The Jolly Christmas Postman by Allan Ahlberg

23. Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson

24. Merry Christmas Mom and Dad by Mercer Mayer

25. Olivia Helps with Christmas by Ian Falconer

26. Babar and Father Christmas by Jean de Brunhoff
