A selection of the best Christmas books for preschoolers
Are you looking for great Christmas books for preschoolers to give as a gift? Or are you looking for books to read with young children in the run-up to the holiday?
My favourite part of Christmas is finding a gift that is perfect for the recipient. Quite often I choose a book! It’s always great to find the perfect book to match their age or interest.
In this list of books about Christmas for preschoolers, you can find some beautiful choices. These books are perfect either to read together before Christmas or as gifts. Our list includes some of the best Christmas books for kids from all around the world.
We feature new release Christmas books for toddlers that will bring joy to the very young at storytime. We have some classic Christmas books for children which will also make adults feel nostalgic! And it’s exciting to see some old favourite characters back for Christmas 2019!
This post may contain compensated links. Read my disclaimer hereA quick overview of the books covered
Nine wonderful Christmas books for preschoolers
Photo by Tookapic
Lucy and Tom at Christmas by Shirley Hughes
My children absolutely love this gorgeous Christmassy book by Shirley Hughes.
It describes the Christmas preparations in Lucy and Tom’s house. From mysterious gifts arriving to making Christmas cards at the kitchen table. The children also enjoy carol singers coming around and decorating the Christmas tree.
The story describes the excitement (and difficulties) of going to sleep on Christmas Eve. Father Christmas may be coming! It then goes on to bring Christmas Day to life. We particularly like the fact that the family have invited Granny’s old friend Mrs Barlow. She lives all by herself but won’t be alone at Christmas.
It’s a charming story that really helps little children understand the excitement of the preparations for Christmas and Christmas Day itself. The book is made all the more special by the wonderfully detailed and evocative illustrations. These leave children and adults alike with a nostalgic glow.
Of all the beautiful illustrations, our favourite is the one of everyone around the Christmas tree on Christmas Day. It really captures that relaxed, full, happy, festive feeling.
I really recommend this book for your children; it’s one of our absolute favourites.
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Stick Man by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
Stick Man, written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler is a delightful children’s fiction story. It takes place in England with a festive winter setting that is realistic. The story features humans, animals, and places that are familiar to children.
Stick Man lives with his love and three stick children in the family tree. The story follows Stick Man through some unexpected adventures. This begins when he goes out for a jog and is abducted by a dog. He ends up far away from his family and home.
A series of events continue as Stick Man tries to make his way home. These include an unexpected meeting with Father Christmas! The rhyming text is humorous with quotes about family throughout that evoke a feeling of togetherness. In the spirit of the holidays, the book is illustrated in a light-hearted, colourful, and detailed way. This is a unique story that we all enjoyed.
Recommended by Rai from a Rai of Light
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Emily and the Big Bad Bunyip by Jackie French
On first glance, you wouldn’t realise this book is also about Christmas, but it definitely is. It’s set in the Australian Outback on Christmas Day. The characters are all native Australian animals. They are very cleverly illustrated to highlight the quirky story in this book.
The animals are trying to make the grumpy bunyip happy on Christmas Day. They show persistence in attempting to cheer up the bunyip. And the animals provide lots of Christmas themed offerings in hope of making him smile.
They succeed in the end and all of the animals enjoy their Christmas Day in their own way. This book shows in a humorous way that we all like different things. This is a charming family picture book that appeals to preschool-age boys and girls.
Recommended by Jaye from Parties Made Personal
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It’s Christmas David! by David Shannon
It’s Christmas David! is a winner for all children who have ever found themselves on the ‘naughty list’. It follows the same style as the other wonderful Oh David books. Children and parents alike ache for David as his failed attempts to be good lead to chaos. And inevitably he is reprimanded by those who love him.
David simply cannot help peeking at gifts and stealing the Christmas cookies. He spends far too long sharing his very long ‘wish list’ with Santa at the mall. Parents and teachers cannot help loving David whilst simultaneously despairing of him!
Guiding David to make good choices is a challenge. But he is simply so loveable in his misdemeanours that it is impossible to stay cross with him. David’s Grandma is unlikely to appreciate his less than impeccable manners; his mother despairs but loves him unconditionally.
The illustrations in It’s Christmas David are magical and a visual delight. They are both complex and subtle. And they are a superb exploration of children’s behaviour and emotional response to the delight of Christmas.
It’s Christmas, David! is both very funny and full of warmth. It is the ideal text to share with young children when the excitement in the lead up to Christmas needs calming just a little.
Recommended by Sally Flint
Click here to see prices of It’s Christmas, David!
Santa’s Sleigh is on its way to Pennsylvania by Eric James
Christmas Eve is the perfect time to cuddle up on the couch with some hot chocolate and this beloved children’s book. Preschoolers will love to travel along with Santa as he makes his way across the state! Santa and his reindeer make it to Harrisburg and Warren, and then from Meadville to Lancaster.
As Santa reaches different cities, his sleigh starts to break down. “Oh no!” shouts a child as he sees Santa’s sleigh whizzing by. He lands in Shenley Park, but not to worry, he’ll have a fresh start.
He reaches Greensburg and all the way to Lansdale until he lands on one particular house. A young boy is awake, he forgot to leave Santa a snack. As he goes downstairs, he is too tired to see, that Santa is hiding near the tree.
You can find Santa travelling across several different states. Check here to find Santa’s Sleigh is on its way (to your state) to find yours!
Recommended by Ashley from www.NavigatingHomeschool.com
Click here to see prices of Santa’s Sleigh is on its way to…
Mog’s Christmas by Judith Kerr
The author Judith Kerr, who sadly died in 2019, escaped the Nazis in the 1930s. She was well-known for her books The Tiger Who Came to Tea and When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit. Kerr also created the endearing but silly cat, Mog, who featured in a series of books.
In Mog’s Christmas, Mog feels uncertain and disturbed by the strangeness of the Christmas decorations. A Christmas tree that appears to be moving on its own causes great confusion for the cat!
Mog decides to escape to the roof. The story by Judith Kerr is funny and heart-warming.
In 2015 the release of a further Christmas adventure starring Mog brought joy to fans of Mog. Sales from Mog’s Christmas Calamity helped to support the Save the Children charity.
Young children will love to hear Mog’s adventures as bed-time stories in the run-up to Christmas.
Click here to see prices of Mog’s Christmas
Dear Santa by Rod Campbell
The author of Dear Santa is well-known for the classic young children’s favourite, Dear Zoo. Children can lift the flap to discover animals in the firm favourite for nursery and preschool children.
Dear Santa has the same appeal. Toddlers can practice lifting the flaps on each page to find presents from Santa. Eventually, they will find the right gift that Santa thinks is just perfect.
The Twelve Unicorns of Christmas by Timothy Knapman and Ada Grey
This beautiful new Christmas themed picture book is perfect for preschoolers aged 3+. It’s bright and charming illustrations by Ada Grey accompany a fun counting story by Timothy Knapman.
As a little girl prepares for Christmas her unicorn friend is up to all kinds of mischief. Young fans of unicorns will love the cheeky character and charming illustrations.
Click here to see prices of The Twelve Unicorns of Christmas
The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Christmas Eve by Eric Carle
This is a really exciting treat for Christmas 2019! Generations of children have read and loved The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. Now children can lift the flaps on a brand new story for his treasured character, the very hungry caterpillar.
Carle’s distinctive illustrations should have hungry caterpillar fans smiling nostalgically. The book promises to bring joy to both young and older book lovers!
Click here to see prices of The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Christmas Eve
What are your favourite Christmas picture books? Let us know in the comments below.
If you liked these children’s Christmas books, check out more picture books for children from birth to five here. And you can find our list of charming books about magic, witches and wizards here! Also check out a review (and giveaway!) of another beautiful Christmas book here.
– Find lots more exciting books for children here at readinginspiration.com –
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