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.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Book Advent Recommendations For 24 Books to Countdown to Christmas

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.

• Little Blue Trucks Christmas
• Dear Santa
• Llama Llama Jingle Bells
• Elmos Countdown to Christmas Sesame Street Lift-the-Flap
• The Itsy Bitsy Reindeer
• The Sweet Smell of Christmas Scented Storybook
• Merry Christmas, Daniel Tiger!: A Lift-the-Flap Book
• How to Catch an Elf
• The Itsy Bitsy Snowman
• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
• Corduroys Christmas Surprise
• Merry Christmas Bright Baby Touch and Feel
• The Night Before Christmas Little Golden Book
• Mickey Saves Santa Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
• Merry Christmas, Mouse! If You Give…
• Duck & Goose, Its Time for Christmas!
• Bear Stays Up for Christmas
• Frosty the Snowman Little Golden Book
• The Littlest Christmas Tree
• The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving
• The Littlest Elf
• Dream Snow
• Merry Christmas, Stinky Face
• Olivia Helps with Christmas
• The Night Before Christmas – A Mouse Tale

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

• Create a Grinch Decoration with your tot
• Make a set of Nutcracker Peg Dolls
• Make a salt dough footprint keepsake ornament