Dive into our curated collection of Christmas books for children, featuring a delightful blend of both Jesus-focused and secular titles. Whether you're looking to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas or enjoy the festive spirit through enchanting stories, this selection offers something for everyone. Dive in and discover wonderful ways to make the holiday season memorable for your little ones!
In Humphrey's First Christmas by Carol Heyer, a young camel named Humphrey embarks on an unexpected journey to Bethlehem, where he witnesses the birth of Jesus. Along the way, he learns about friendship and the true spirit of giving as he encounters various characters and faces challenges. This heartwarming story emphasizes the importance of kindness and the joy of sharing during the Christmas season.
Although the wise men visited Jesus when he was a toddler, many nativity scenes and stories depict them as part of the Christmas story.
For late preschool or elementary-aged kiddos, The Tale of Three Trees by Angela Elwell Hunt tells the story of three trees that dream of their future. Each tree has a vision for what it wants to become: one as a mighty ship, another as a beautiful treasure chest, and the last as a tall mountain. However, their dreams take unexpected turns as they fulfill God's purpose in ways they never imagined, ultimately illustrating themes of hope, faith, and the significance of each tree's journey.
In The Sparkle Box by Jill Hardie, Sam discovers a mysterious silver box on the mantel as Christmas approaches. Curious, he learns from his parents that this special box is meant to be filled with notes describing acts of kindness done for others throughout the holiday season. On Christmas morning, the family opens the box together, reading about each act of love as a gift for Jesus. This touching story encourages children to celebrate the season by giving and highlights the true meaning of Christmas through thoughtful generosity.
In God Gave Us Christmas by Lisa Tawn Bergren, Little Cub and her family embark on a journey to discover the true meaning of Christmas. As they explore the beauty of the season, they learn about God's love and the gift of Jesus. This charming story emphasizes the importance of family, joy, and the significance of celebrating Christmas with a focus on faith.
Celebrate the journey to Jesus' birth with the interactive Christmas Advent Workbook! It features a fun tree-building activity and 25 engaging daily guides that explore Jesus' wonderful characteristics through crafts, songs, baking, and games. This delightful resource is perfect for families, churches, and preschools!
In Who is Coming to Our House? by Joseph Slate, a group of animals prepares for a special visitor at Christmas. Each animal contributes to the preparations, excitedly anticipating the arrival of someone important. As they clean and decorate their home, the story builds for the joyful arrival of baby Jesus.
In Mortimer's Christmas Manger by Karma Wilson, a curious mouse named Mortimer discovers an empty manger and decides to make it his new home. However, when he encounters the figurines of Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus, Mortimer learns the true meaning of Christmas and the importance of family. This delightful story highlights themes of love, respect, and the joy of sharing the Christmas spirit.
In Santa, Are You for Real? by children discover the true story of Saint Nicholas through illustrations and a heartfelt narrative. The book explains who Saint Nick was, when he lived, and why he gave gifts. Most importantly, it highlights how the original Saint Nick encourages us to keep Christ at the center of Christmas.
This Is the Stable by Cynthia Cotten beautifully recounts the Christmas story from the perspective of a stable that witnesses the events surrounding Jesus' birth. The stable describes the various animals and people who come and go, creating a vivid scene of that holy night. As the story unfolds, readers are invited to feel the warmth and love of the setting, culminating in the arrival of baby Jesus and highlighting the joy and hope of Christmas.
The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado tells the touching story of a little lamb named Joshua, who feels left out because of his disability. Despite his challenges, he learns that God has a special purpose for him when he is chosen to witness the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. This heartwarming tale emphasizes themes of acceptance, love, and the idea that everyone has a unique role in God's plan.
In The Story of Christmas by Patricia A. Pingry, young children are introduced to the events surrounding Jesus’ birth in a simple and engaging way. The book recounts the journey of Mary and Joseph, the birth of Jesus in a humble stable, and the visit from the shepherds and wise men. With concise text and gentle illustrations, this board book provides an accessible retelling of the first Christmas, highlighting its significance and the love at the heart of the holiday.
In Song of the Stars: A Christmas Story author Sally Lloyd-Jones beautifully narrates the joyous anticipation of the birth of Jesus through the eyes of nature. As the stars, animals, and all creation celebrate, the story captures the wonder and excitement leading up to the miraculous event.
In Room for a Little One by Martin Waddell animals arrive at the stable one by one, with a kind ox inviting each to share his shelter. This repetition engages children as they anticipate which animal will come next while highlighting themes of kindness and sharing. When a donkey carrying Mary arrives, the ox welcomes them in just as baby Jesus is born, helping young children understand the simple need for a safe, warm place for Mary and Joseph without complex details about taxes or inns.
In Christmas Cookies: Bite-Size Holiday Lessons by Amy Krouse Rosenthal is a delightful adventure to bake cookies for the holiday season. Each activity defines holiday words as they relate to cookies and cookie making
In The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving: The True Meaning of Christmas by Jan and Mike Berenstain, Brother and Sister Bear learn an important lesson about the true spirit of Christmas. As they get excited about the gifts they might receive, they also participate in their church’s Christmas Eve pageant, where they’re reminded that Christmas is about giving rather than getting.
In Max Lucado's Itsy Bitsy Christmas: A Reimagined Nativity Story for Advent and Christmas, two small mice, Itsy and Bitsy, hear that a King is coming to Bethlehem and set out to find Him. Though they feel small and overlooked, they embark on a journey to witness the King’s arrival. Along the way, they discover that Jesus was born not only for the rich and powerful but for everyone—even the tiniest creatures. This charming retelling of the nativity story highlights the inclusivity of Jesus’ birth, reminding young readers that they are never too small to be loved by God.
The Candymaker's Gift by David and Helen Haidle shares the story of a grandpa, humble candymaker, desires to create the perfect Christmas gift for his grandchildren to help them understand the true meaning of Christmas. Through this tale, children learn how the candy’s shape, colors, and stripes represent aspects of Jesus' birth and teachings.
Discover Candy Cane Christmas activities.
In What Is Christmas? by Michelle Medlock Adams, little ones learn about the true meaning of Christmas as they explore holiday traditions like decorating trees, giving gifts, and hanging stockings. With playful rhymes and bright illustrations, the book explains that Christmas is not just about festive activities but ultimately celebrates the birth of Jesus. This engaging board book offers a simple and joyful way to introduce young children to the heart of the holiday season.
In A Birthday Party for Jesus by Susan Jones, Little Bunny receives an invitation to a birthday party and feels uncertain about what gift to give Jesus. After watching his friends and their thoughtful gestures, Little Bunny ultimately decides that the best gift he can offer is "love."
Use this precious book alongside the Happy Birthday Jesus Workbook.
In A Christmas Tree for Jesus by Susan Jones, the forest friends eagerly prepare to decorate their community tree in a special way. Each animal adds a handmade ornament that reflects something amazing they know about Jesus, but Little Mouse panics when she feels all the answers are taken. Ultimately, she discovers the greatest miracle of all: that Jesus came for her and everyone. This heartwarming story emphasizes friendship, community, and the idea that the greatest gifts can't be wrapped.
Enjoy this delightful book in conjunction with the Happy Birthday Jesus Workbook.
Is ABCJesusLovesMe the right fit for your preschool, daycare, or church? All your questions can be answered during a private remote meeting.
Please note that remote sessions are exclusively for institutions and are not available to individual families.
The Visit of the Wise Men by Martha Jander beautifully retells the journey of the Wise Men to find Jesus. Following a bright star, the Wise Men travel far to present their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the newborn King. Unlike most stories of the Wise Men, this one accurately depicts Jesus as a toddler, instead of a baby. Use at Christmas or for Epiphany (January 6th).
Christmas Time: It's All About Jesus by Sue M. Barksdale focuses on the true meaning of Christmas and the importance of celebrating Jesus's birth. Also included are devotionals to enrich the Christmas learning. These resources include the attributes and names of Jesus, discussion questions, and activities for families to engage in together, helping them share Christ with those around them.
The night Jesus was born is often called a silent night, but it’s hard to imagine how that could be true with so many animals present in the manger—cows, sheep, donkeys, and perhaps even chickens, mice, and birds—all celebrating His arrival. The Silent Noisy Night offers a fresh perspective on the Christmas story by imagining how the creatures and people might have rejoiced in their own unique ways. With cows mooing and donkeys braying, it’s likely that the night was far from quiet!
For elementary-aged children, The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski is a touching story about a woodcarver, Jonathan Toomey, who is known for his gruff demeanor after suffering personal loss. When a widow and her son ask him to carve a new nativity set for Christmas, their kindness begins to soften his heart. Through their interactions, Jonathan experiences healing and rediscovery of joy, making this story a beautiful reminder of hope, redemption, and the true spirit of Christmas. This is a longer book and may need to be read in smaller sections.
In The Christmas Promise: A True Story from the Bible about God's Forever King, readers are introduced to the biblical prophecy of the coming Messiah. The story unfolds the promise made by God to send a Savior, detailing the miraculous birth of Jesus and the hope He brings to the world. Through beautiful illustrations and engaging storytelling, this book conveys the message of God's unwavering love and the significance of Jesus as the forever King, making it a perfect read for children during the Christmas season.
In Happy Birthday, Jesus a board book by Michelle Medlock Adams, young readers are invited to celebrate the birth of Jesus in a joyful and engaging way. The story follows children as they prepare for a birthday party, complete with decorations, cake, and heartfelt gifts for Jesus. With vibrant illustrations and simple text, this delightful book helps children understand the true meaning of Christmas while encouraging them to express their love and gratitude for the Savior.
A perfect board book to use along with the Happy Birthday Jesus Workbook.
Click to see more Christmas Books on the Parenting to Impress blog.
In The Biggest Snowman Ever by Steven Kroll, two mice named Clayton and Desmond compete to build the largest snowman in their town's contest. As they struggle to make their snowmen bigger and better, they realize they can accomplish more by working together. By combining their efforts, they build the biggest snowman the town has ever seen, and both emerge as winners. This heartwarming tale emphasizes the value of teamwork and friendship, making it a delightful winter read for young children.
In A Wish to Be a Christmas Tree by Colleen Monroe, a tall, unchosen pine tree in a tree farm yearns to be picked as someone’s Christmas tree. As he laments his fate, the forest animals, who love and depend on him, rally together to show their appreciation by adorning him with decorations. This heartwarming story emphasizes the importance of friendship, gratitude, and finding joy in being valued just as you are.
In the classic The Gingerbread Man by Jim Aylesworth, a lively gingerbread cookie comes to life and embarks on an adventurous escape from the oven. As he runs away from various pursuers, including a hungry old woman, a cow, and a pig, he repeatedly taunts them with his catchy phrase, "Run, run, as fast as you can! You can't catch me; I'm the Gingerbread Man!" This tale is filled with humor and excitement, culminating in an unexpected twist that teaches a valuable lesson about the consequences of pride and cleverness.
Celebrate Jesus' birthday with fun activities, meaningful conversation, and yummy cake to help children ages 3-12 understand the significance of Jesus' birth.
In Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree by Robert Barry, Mr. Willowby receives a Christmas tree that turns out to be too tall of him. After trimming the top, he discards the cut portion, which is found by various people and animals who use the leftover pieces for their own Christmas celebration. This charming story highlights the spirit of giving and the joy of Christmas, showing how one tree can bring happiness to many in unexpected ways.
Bear Stays Up for Christmas (The Bear Books) by Karma Wilson is a heartwarming story about friendship and the joy of giving. In this festive tale, Bear's friends help him stay awake during Christmas instead of hibernating, and together they prepare for the holiday. Through fun adventures and teamwork, Bear discovers the true meaning of Christmas is not about receiving but about spending time with loved ones.
In Snowmen at Night by Carolyn Buehner, readers are taken on a whimsical journey into the nighttime activities of snowmen as they come to life when the sun goes down. As children sleep, the snowmen embark on various adventures, from building their own creations to exploring the winter landscape. One of our favorite picture books, the story is filled with playful illustrations that capture the magic of snowmen enjoying the night, ultimately culminating in the delightful mystery of what happens when morning arrives.
In The Hat by Jan Brett, a mischievous little hedgehog accidentally gets stuck in a cozy knitted hat after trying it on. As he waddles around in the hat, various animals—such as a curious owl, a clever rabbit, and a gentle deer—spot him and mistake him for a new kind of creature. Each animal reacts with surprise and curiosity, creating a humorous situation as they try to figure out what this new "animal" could be. The story showcases themes of friendship and imagination, complemented by Brett's intricate and beautiful illustrations, making it a delightful read for children.
In The Littlest Christmas Tree: A Tale of Growing and Becoming by Janie Jasin, a reader follows the story of a tiny pine tree who eagerly waits to tall enough to be chosen as a Christmas tree. One day, she worries about not being picked and starts to think about other possibilities. Her branches could provide shelter for rabbits and squirrels or become a cozy nest for birds. She might even be used as a window frame in a family's home. With a renewed sense of hope, the little pine tree learns to appreciate the many possibilities life can bring. This charming story is brought to life with simple prose and beautiful illustrations.
In Poppleton in Winter by Cynthia Rylant, the beloved pig Poppleton enjoys the joys and wonders of winter. From building a snowman with his friends to hosting a cozy gathering, Poppleton embraces the season with warmth and cheer. Our family has deeply loved all of the books in the Poppleton series.
A delightful book by Rosemary Wells, Morris' Disappearing Bag tells the humorous story of a bunny who feels left out. Soon he discovers a mysterious disappearing bag under the Christmas tree. Hiding in the bag, Morris enjoys making himself invisible, creating fun for the whole family.
