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The Best Christmas Picture Books for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Sharing stories is a great way to connect with your kids over the festive season, whether you do a Storybook Advent with your little ones or are looking for a few to add to your book basket this selection of board books and pictures books are great to snuggle up on the sofa and share with your little ones. So here you go our pick of the Best Christmas Books for Toddlers and Preschoolers that stand the test of time to give as gifts or buy yourself to add to your collection.

Santa reading a book with two young children infront of the Christmas Tree.

But another idea that I have seen is sharing a book a day together as a family as you countdown to Christmas with your Toddlers and Preschoolers. Finding books that are a great length and fun for your little ones and you to enjoy together can be hard work so I’m taking some of the guesswork out of it for you and sharing our favourite Christmas Books for Toddlers and Preschoolers that you and they can read together in the lead up to Christmas Day.

Looking for new books for this year check out our selection of Brand New Christmas Books for Toddlers and Preschoolers out in 2021.

We have included affiliate links to some of the products and resources as an associate we may earn from qualifying purchases.

Christmas Books for Toddlers and Preschoolers

We’ve put together these favourite Christmas Books for Toddlers and Preschoolers that we have loved over the years. These are firm family favourites and I try and keep the list updated with any new Christmas Books that make it from our current book lists.

Christmas in the Manger

Help teach your child the meaning behind why we celebrate the first Christmas with a simplified version of the Christmas story ideal for sharing with toddlers and preschoolers. I like the Christmas in the Manger version or this Lift the Flap Nativity Story.

Sale
Christmas in the Manger
  • Buck, Nola (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 16 Pages – 10/22/1998 (Publication Date) – HarperFestival (Publisher)

The Nutcracker

Another Favourite Christmas Book for us to share each Christmas is The Nutcracker. We have a couple of version one that is aimed at older children that I have kept aside till mine were slightly older and the other The Story of the Nutcracker Ballet which we have shared since my children were little.

The Story of the Nutcracker Ballet (Pictureback(R))
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Hautzig, Deborah (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 32 Pages – 11/30/2011 (Publication Date) – Random House Books for Young Readers (Publisher)

Polar Express

Another classic The Polar Express is read and watched every Christmas in our house. The book is much loved and we replaced it with the 30th Anniversary edition last year and have our own copy of the movie which we bring out year after year to watch with the children on our Christmas Movie Night.

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Polar Express 30th Anniversary Edition: A Christmas Holiday Book for Kids
  • Hardcover Book
  • Van Allsburg, Chris (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 32 Pages – 09/15/2015 (Publication Date) – Clarion Books (Publisher)
Pinterest image of Santa reading with two preschoolers. Text on the image reads The Best Christmas Books for Toddlers and Preschoolers.

The Night Before Christmas

On Christmas Eve we sit down and open up my husband copy of this Classic Christmas Tale and share it as a family just before leaving out our plate for Santa and his Reindeer to enjoy and go and dream of Sugar Plums and Christmas Day. His copy was a 1970’s pop-up version which you can’t seem to get any longer, however, this version of The Night Before Christmas is beautifully illustrated and stays true to the story.

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The Night Before Christmas Hardcover: The Classic Edition
  • Hardcover Book
  • Moore, Clement (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 48 Pages – 10/11/2011 (Publication Date) – Applesauce Press (Publisher)

The Snowman

Another classic that we read and watch together every Christmas is The Snowman. This was one book that I remember from my childhood and sitting down on Christmas Eve afternoon to watch the movie with my parents and grandparents. This is a tradition that I have continued sharing with my children even with the hustle and bustle of preparing for our Christmas meals ahead of time.

The Snowman: The Book of the Classic Film
  • Briggs, Raymond (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 32 Pages – 10/10/2023 (Publication Date) – Puffin (Publisher)

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer


There are lots of different versions of this classic Christmas tale Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and some are included below, however, I love the illustrations in this version they are less cartoony and will stand the test of time becoming a much-loved addition to your Christmas Book Sharing with your children.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Classic Board Books)
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • May, Robert L. (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 42 Pages – 09/30/2014 (Publication Date) – Little Simon (Publisher)
Free to print Christmas Charades games for families with young kids

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Plus receive this fun Christmas Game to play as a family once you have printed it out.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Another to watch and read together is How the Grinch Stole Christmas. This class Dr Seuss book is one that you can start to read when the children are toddlers and as they get older they can read back to you. The movie is also perfect to sit down together as a family and enjoy in the lead up to Christmas or in that time between Christmas and New Year if you are together as a family.

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How the Grinch Stole Christmas!: Full Color Jacketed Edition (Classic Seuss)
  • Hardcover Book
  • Dr. Seuss (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 64 Pages – 09/21/2021 (Publication Date) – Random House Books for Young Readers (Publisher)

Jolly Christmas Postman

This last of our favourite is probably lesser known in the USA than in the UK but is a wonderful tale to share at Christmas time with your toddlers and preschoolers. The Jolly Postman series is always a good read and the Christmas version – The Jolly Christmas Postman is no different. A classic from my own childhood that I remember sitting and sharing at preschool and playgroups.

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The Jolly Christmas Postman
  • Hardcover Book
  • Ahlberg, Allan (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 32 Pages – 09/01/2001 (Publication Date) – LB Kids (Publisher)

Book Advent Recommendations For 24 Books to Countdown to Christmas

Carefully chosen Christmas Books ideal to share with toddlers and preschoolers at home or in your setting, from classic tales to popular characters.

Above are our favourites, ones that we have focused on for Storybook Advent in the past, however, there are many more that we love and have loaned from the library over the years to share together. The list below is by no means all Christmas books – but those that hold a special place in my heart for the joy that we had sharing them together when my children were toddlers and preschoolers.

If you are looking for board books then check out our Christmas Board Book Ideas for Babies and Young Toddlers these make an ideal First Christmas Present for little ones.

Check out these Simple Christmas Crafts and Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers Too!

Quick and easy toddler craft inspired by How the Grinch Stole Christmas to create baubles for the tree
The Nutcracker inspired clothes peg dolls for Christmas Decorations. Simple and Easy to make Christmas Craft with Kidsa
Carefully chosen Christmas Books ideal to share with toddlers and preschoolers at home or in your setting, from classic tales to popular characters.
Author
Cerys Parker

Cerys is a marine biologist, environmental educator, teacher, mum, and home educator from the UK. She loves getting creative, whether it is with simple and easy crafts and ideas, activities to make learning fun, or delicious recipes that you and your kids can cook together you'll find them all shared here on Rainy Day Mum.

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