Every year I get asked to share a list with our top favorite Christmas Picture books and every year I have put it off because it seemed like an impossible task. However, this year I decided I was up to it so here you go. These are 25 of our absolute favorite Christmas picture books that are musts for us to read every single year. We adore each one of these books.
However, keep in mind that there are so many excellent books that we love and just because they aren’t on this list it doesn’t mean they aren’t amazing. In fact, if you asked me tomorrow what my top 25 are there is a chance that one or two on this list would already be swapped out. Thats how tight the competition is! Also, don’t even get me started on the fact that there are hundreds more Christmas books waiting to be published that will eventually end up on our favorites list too…
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Pick a Pine Tre“Pick a Pine Tree” by Patricia Toht and Jarvis- With it’s metallic embossed cover, snowy endpapers and nostalgic illustrations this book is gorgeous! It tells the story of a family that picks out their Christmas tree from the lot all the way through decorating it to Santa visiting Christmas night.
This First Christmas Night by Laura Godwin and William Low- This nativity story retelling is absolutely beautiful! I also love the simple and poetic way that the story is written.
The Night Before Christmas Keepsake Holiday Storybook by Clement C. Moore and Sara Gianassi- There are hundreds of illustrated versions of this classic, and this one is definitely one of my top favorites. It has a vintage and bright feel that is phenomenal. Also, it has sturdy pages (like a board book, but hardcover books size) and is sure to last.
Polar Express 30th anniversary edition by Chris Van Allsburg – This one is a classic for a reason. What young child wouldn’t be enamored by the idea of a magical train ride all the way to the North Pole to visit Santa’s shop?! It has a wonderfully mystical and yet realistic tone that has made it a favorite over here.
Snowmen at Christmas by Caralyn Buehner and Mark Buehner – Who doesn’t love imaging how snowmen would celebrate Christmas if they could magically come to life?! This one is playful and memorable.
Silent Night (The Christmas Choir) Illustrated by Lara Hawthorne- This is an illustrated book for the lyrics of Silent Night. It is gorgeously illustrated and includes the story behind the song at the back of the book.
The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore and Roger Duovoisin- This is one of my most beloved illustrated renditions of this classic poem. I love everything from the vintage illustrations to the tall, skinny format of the book.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (Classic Seuss) by Dr. Seuss- We LOVE the Grinch in our home and reading this beloved book is a must every year.
Christmas Story by Sabuda Robert- This one has the most incredible pop-up scenes that are just breathtaking. A beautiful one to add to any collection.
Santa’s Story by Will Hillenbrand – The cutest story about how Santa reads his reindeer a story every Christmas Eve before they go deliver presents.
Santa Mouse (A Santa Mouse Book) by Michael Brown and Elfrieda De Witt – Santa Mouse is almost as popular as Santa in our home. We even leave out a bit of cheese for him with Santa’s cookies. Read them, you’ll love him!
Last Stop on the Reindeer Express by Maudie Powell-Tuck and Karl James Mountford- I am completely head-over-heels smitten with this one! The story is sentimental and heartwarming, the illustrations are stunning and the cut-out and flap details are special. A new favorite for sure!
Christmas Is Here by Adapted From The King James Bible and Lauren Castillo- The text in this book is a selection from the second chapter of Luke in the Bible and the illustrations show a family visiting a nativity. It is simple, sweet and a favorite for sure.
Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree by Robert Barry-This is one of our most requested read aloud at Christmas time! In the story one Christmas tree ends up being shared with a whole group of individuals as it spreads Christmas cheer.
Santa Claus the World’s Number One Toy Expert by Marla Frazee- This book features the playful and childlike side of Santa as he prepares gifts for Christmas every year. The illustrations are fantastic and it’s such a cute book.
Pig the Elf (Pig the Pug) by Aaron Blabey- Pig is back and this time he has a ginormous list for Santa. His greediness is all-consuming and lands him in a bit of trouble at the end. A cautionary tale full of humor sure to make kids and adults alike smile throughout. I know we do!
If You Take a Mouse to the Movies by Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond- We love every book in this series so of course we are delighted to pull this book out every year. It is a nice way to revisit one of our favorite mice and celebrate Christmas with him.
Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett- I am a big fan of Jan Brett’s and this gingerbread boy story is one of my favorites that she has done. It is the most delightful twist on the nursery rhyme story of the Gingerbread Man and has a surprise ending too!
Everybody’s Tree by Barbara Joosse and Renée Graef- This is the story of a tree that gets chosen to be a town center Christmas Tree at the end of it’s life. It is a beautiful story with classic and cozy illustrations.
Ho Ho Homework by Mylisa Larsen and Taia Morley- How cool would it be if Santa were your substitute teacher?! Super cool, right?! This book features just that and is one that is sure to delight little readers.
Santa Post by Emma Yarlett – I have a soft spot for books with pull-out letters and this one has multiple. It is quirky and fun and we adore it.
Christmas in the Barn by Margaret Wise Brown and Diane Goode- A nativity story from the lovely Margaret Wise Brown done in the most charming way. Love!
Billy and the Balloons by Elizabeth Dale and Patrick Corrigan- In this story a boy named Billy has a fantastic, Christmas adventure when some helium balloons decide to take off with him attached. So much fun!
Mouse’s Night Before Christmas by Tracey Corderoy and Sarah Massini- This is the story of the one little mouse who was stirring on Christmas Eve, his Christmas Wish and how Santa helps it come true.
The Snowflake by Benji Davies- In this sweet and sentimental story a young child gets a small christmas tree and is delighted when a large and special snowflake lands on top to be the “star”.
Extras!
These two board books aren’t picture books, but even though our children our growing it just wouldn’t be Christmas without them every year. Therefore, I included them here at the end of the list.
Christmas Songs: Interactive Children’s Sound Book by Holly Berry-Byrd and Katya Longhi- This board book has the lyrics to a popular Christmas carol on each page and sound buttons that play an entire verse of that song on the side. It is so fun to push the buttons and then sing along with the accompanying music.
Merry Christmas, Big Hungry Bear! (Child’s Play Library) by Don and Audrey Wood- We are HUGE fans of the Big Hungry Bear over here so this sweet little story about him is a must for us every year.
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