9 October 202119 December 2022 Kirsten

Fun and Festive Christmas Picture Books for Children

Fun and Festive Christmas Picture Books for Children

Christmas in the classroom is often full of over-excited students in your classroom! Have some downtime and enjoy these fun Christmas picture books.

Why Read Christmas Picture Books?

There is an easy answer to this question. First, they can introduce different Christmas traditions. Secondly, Christmas picture books will get your students into the Christmas spirit… though that isn't hard when the end of term is filled with parties, concerts and gift giving!

You may want to give your students some background to global Christmas traditions, Father Christmas and the Nativity. History.com has a history of Christmas and information about the origins of Santa can be found at National Geographic.

Suggested Christmas Picture Books

You can celebrate the festive season with these traditional, modern, funny, magical and poignant Christmas children's books. They cover a wide aspect of different Christmas traditions, including the Nativity, family, Father Christmas, presents and much more!

The Christmas Story by Robert Sabuda

Robert Sabuda’s pop up book celebrates the Nativity. Six 3D scenes show an angel visiting Mary, Mary and Joseph on their journey to Bethlehem, baby Jesus in his bed of straw and his special visitors.

The Day Santa Stopped Believing in Harold by Maureen Fergus

Santa has a problem with Harold. Is Harold actually real? At the same time, Harold is questioning whether Santa is real. They both set out to discover the existence of each other and on Christmas morning their doubts are put to rest.

Father Christmas Heard a Parp by Olaf Falafel

Father Christmas keeps hearing a parp and does not understand where it is coming from. After much searching, he finds the culprit - a mouse hiding in a Christmas tree who has eaten too many Brussel sprouts.

Finding Christmas by Robert Munsch

Julie is excellent at finding her Christmas parents before the special day. It doesn’t matter where her parents hide them. But this year is different. Julie can’t find them anywhere… until she discovers the box of gifts hidden on the roof. Unfortunately, she gets stuck, creating a huge surprise for her family on Christmas morning.

Great Joy by Kate DiCamillo

It is Christmas and Frances can’t stop thinking about the sad-looking organ grinder and his monkey outside her apartment. She wonders where they disappear to at night and if she can help them. She invites the organ grinder to her church where she is performing in a Christmas pageant.

The Little Reindeer by Nicola Killen

A reindeer-obsessed little girl is woken from her sleep when she hears a jingle. She discovers a lost reindeer and they take off on an adventure. On Christmas morning the girl finds a reindeer snow globe to remind her of a magical evening.

The Lump of Coal by Lemony Snicket

A small lump of coal longs to find his place in the world. He is unable to find meaning in his life until a store based Santa picks him up and places him in his naughty step son’s Christmas stocking. The coal and the teenager create a piece of artwork that leads to travel and riches.

A Mustache Baby Christmas by Bridget Heos

When Javier’s beard turns white he becomes Santa Baby. Billy helps make the Christmas toys for the other babies. He lands himself on Santa’s naughty list when he but decides to keep all the toys. It takes a visit from Santa Grownup for him to realise it is more fun to give than receive.

The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore

"'Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro' the house. Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.” New illustrations accompany the classic Christmas poem depicting children waiting for St. Nicholas on Christmas Eve.

The Nutcracker by New York City Ballet

The Nutcracker is a holiday tradition for many families. This retelling by The New York City Ballet uses George Balanchine’s famous production as its inspiration, mimicing the famous ballet choreography and scenery. This is one of many Christmas picture books with the Nutcracker theme.

One Starry Night by Lauren Thompson

In a rhyming retelling of the nativity story, animals in a stable watch over their babies, while Mary and Joseph care for the newly born baby Jesus.

One Wild Christmas by Nicholas Oldland

Bear, Moose and Beaver find the perfect Christmas tree. As Beaver is about the chop the tree down, Bear stops him. The three of them compromise and problem-solve to have a perfect Christmas without this perfect tree.

Pick a Pine Tree by Patricia Toht

Follow a family take part in the magical festive tradition of decorating the Christmas tree. They pick out the perfect tree and dig out boxes full of ornaments, tinsel and twinkling lights.

Presents Through the Window by Taro Gomi

Santa, with a moustache and pink suit, is in a hurry. With so little time he decides tosses a gift through each window. The problem is he makes assumptions about who lives in each home. Interactive cut-outs show the reader the recipients of the mismatched gifts.

The Queen’s Present by Steve Antony

The Queen is struggling to find the perfect present for her grandchildren so Father Christmas takes her on a journey around the world to inspire her.

Red and Lulu by Matt Tavares

Cardinal’s Red and Lulu live in a beautiful evergreen tree in New York City. Every year lights are strung on the tree and people stand and sing ‘O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree’. When the two birds are separated it takes a Christmas miracle to find each other again.

Refuge by Anne Booth

A retelling of the Nativity story from the point of view of the donkey who is carrying Mary and baby Jesus as they flee Herod’s soldiers and travel to Egypt.

Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale by Martin Waddell

The Nativity told from the perspective of the animals in the stable. A kind ox settles in for the night in a stable next to an inn. He finds room for Old Dog, Stray Cat and Small Mouse who all need shelter. When Tired Donkey enters the stable looking for a room for his passengers, Mary and Joseph the Ox says "There is always room for a little one here."

Santa Selfie by Peter Bently

Santa has left the Christmas responsibilities to the elves while he takes a luxury cruise around the world. He soon spotted and wherever he goes the other passengers want a selfie with Santa. Trying to relax when you are famous is not that much fun!

The Christmas Story by Robert Sabuda

Sarah has two grandmothers, Maria and Azar. At Christmas, they both tell her stories of the Nativity, from the Holy Koran and the Bible. The stories are similar but also different, but either way, they are both Sarah's favourite.

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