The 25 Best Christmas Picture Books

I love reading Christmas books (well I love all books), and I had a hard time only checking out 50 books from the library this month.  I really really wish they'd up the limit; I need to start a petition. 

I know some people like to read a book a day leading to Christmas.  I know others like to read a book for the 12 days of Christmas.  However, I am one of the others that like to read several Christmas books throughout the day.  We love reading.  

After reading a lot of books I narrowed down a list for the top 25 picture books.  These books are fantastic, and I hope you love them almost as much as we do.  

   

The 25 Best Christmas Books

The Animals’ Santa by Jan Brett

Jan Brett always has great illustrations and some of the sweetest stories, but this Brett book is one of my favorites.  It isn’t too wordy for young kids, but it has a fun intriguing story nonetheless.

Best for Preschoolers through 3^rd grade.

A Bad Kitty Christmas by Nick Bruel

This book made my previous Christmas book list, but it is such a great read for kids and adults alike.  It’s a little long so unless your child has a long reading attention span you’ll want to wait until they are at least 1^st grade.

Best for 1^st through 3^rd grade.

Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson

The Bear books are great fun with great rhythm and perfect for the younger kids.  Parents, teachers and librarians will enjoy reading this story as well.

Best for Toddlers through 1^st grade.

Christmas Alphabet by Robert Sabuda 

This is a fun book b/c of the fancy pop-ups, but it can break easily if it is loved too much.  

Best for Toddlers through 1st grade..

Click, Clack, Ho! Ho! Ho! by Doreen Cronin

We love the Click Clack books.  The original Click Clack Moo book is fantastic, and the Click Clack Boo book was a favorite.  Now this Christmas version is just as fun. 

Best for Toddlers through 2^nd graders.

Frankenstein’s Fright Before Christmas by Ludworst Bemonster

This Tim Burton like Christmas story is a fun read and definitely not your typical Holiday book.

Best for Preschoolers through 3^rd grade.

Here Comes Santa Cat by Deborah Underwood

A fun read for kids of all ages. 

Best for Toddlers through 3^rd grade.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss

This is such a fun classic story, though a bit wordy and long, that everyone should read during the Holiday’s.  I like to read the story and then watch the story as a family.

Best for 3rd through 6th grade. 

“I’m Not Santa!”  by Jonathan Allen

This simple storyline seems awfully similar to how preschoolers behave. 

Best for Preschool to 2^nd grade.

My Penguin Osbert by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel

This is an absolutely fantastic Christmas story kids and adults will love.  It’s a sweet story with a great message that stays funny and light hearted. 

Best for Preschoolers through 3^rd grade.

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

I love this classic Christmas story, and my kids do as well.   I’ve even choked up the last few times I’ve read it to my kids.

Best for Toddlers through 3^rd grade.

Russell’s Christmas Magic by Rob Scotton

Russell learns about Santa’s Magic and was also able to help Santa out so Christmas was “uncancelled.”.

Best for Kindergarten through 3^rd grade.

Samurai Santa: A Very Ninja Christmas by Rubin Pingk

Santa, Ninjas, and a great snowball fight makes this Christmas story a fun one for boys especially of all ages. 

Best for Toddlers through 2^nd grade.

Santa Claus and the Three Bears by Maria Modugno

This story is just a fun combination of Christmas and the classic fairy tale.  The combination makes it fun to read when comparing stories.  Teachers could use it to teach Ideas of the 6 Writing Traits, and kids will love spotting the similarities.

Best for 1^st through 4^th grade.

Santa Duck by David Milgrim

Santa Duck learns that there are some things more fun than getting things for Christmas.

Best for Toddlers through 2^nd grade.

Santa Duck and his Merry Helpers by David Milgrim

Santa Duck again wants to help Santa, but much to Santa Duck’s desires his little brothers want to help too.

Best for Toddlers through 2^nd grade.

Snowmen at Christmas by Carol Buehner

These Snowmen books are so fun to read, and this Christmas book is as much fun as the others.

Best for Toddlers through 2^nd grade.

Tacky’s Christmas by Helen Lester

We love Tacky the Penguin, and this Christmas version is a fun one.

Best for Toddlers through 3^rd grade.

Turkey Claus by Wendi Silvano

Turkey Trouble is such a fun Thanksgiving book, and Turkey Claus is a perfect Christmas sequel.  Fun read for boys and girls alike, and this read aloud is fun for parents, teachers, and librarians to read as well.

Best for Toddlers through 2^nd grade.

'Twas the Night before Christmas by Clement Moore 

This is a classic story/poem and so all of the words will be the same so it is important to find an illustrator you really like.   I think Henry Fisher's illustrations of this story are great.

Best for 1st through 5th grade. 

The Twelve Bots of Christmas by Nathan Hale

This creative book is especially fun for gadget loving kids, and parents/teachers/librarians will love how witty it is. 

Best for 1^st grade through 4^th grade.

The 12 Days of Christmas by Robert Sabuda

The above statement goes for all of the Sabuda books.

Best for Preschoolers through 1^st grade.

Where, Oh Where, Is Santa Claus? By Lisa Wheeler

Fun rhythm with onomatopoeia as the animals search, and eventually help, Santa.

Best for Preschool through 3^rd grade. 

Wombat Divine by Mem Fox

Wombat just wants to help in the Nativity Play, but he has a hard time finding the perfect role to play.

Best for Toddlers through 3^rd grade.

Do you have any Christmas Favorites?  

Happy Christmas Holiday Book Reading!

A Book List for the First Time in School Jitters- For Kids Starting School

My two oldest kids started preschool this week.  As I was dropping them off at preschool there was a little girl screaming and crying for her mother.  She wasn't super excited to be going to preschool apparently.

However, my kiddos just walked right in with no hesitation; they didn't even turn around to wave goodbye.  Ouch!  I guess I should be glad that they were ready for this, and I was mostly ready (a little sad of course).  It probably helps that my 3 year old gets to go with his big 4 year old sister, but still they were both pumped.  School was going to be great!  

They were excited for school, and I love that they were.  However, not all kids are excited for school.  Some parents have the "worriers" that worry about anything and everything from friends to forgetting to wear pants.  Other kids just aren't sure what to expect so they are a bit apprehensive.  There are also a few kids that are super sad to leave their parents or siblings. Basically there are a lot of reasons a child wouldn't be super excited and willing to start school.

I have found reading books about going to school really helps my kids and a lot of other kids.  It is a type of bibliotherapy; just another reason books are so fantastic.

If you have a child starting school soon, or your child is still nervous about starting Preschool or Kindergarten check out some of these books.  These are the BEST books in my opinion for starting school.  However, almost every book character series out there has at least one book on "going to school" so  you can grab a favorite character book as well.  

A Book List for the First Time in School Jitters

Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes

For the worry wart in your life, this book will help them have a bit more confidence going into school.  Wemberly is worried about school and every aspect, but as soon as she gets there she realizes there was no need to worry.  

Best for Kindergarten to 2^nd grade.

Froggy Goes to School by Jonathan London

A classic old school picture book character that boys and girls alike can enjoy.  The story is okay, but my favorite part is the bad dream he has about missing the bus and then going to school in his underwear.  I also like his mention of the one word he knows to read, his name. 

Best for toddlers to Kindergarten.

How Do Dinosaurs Go to School? by Jane Yolen

There are a lot of How Do Dinosaur books out there about all sorts of subjects.  If you’re kids are like mine and enjoy watching Dinosaur Train and reading Yolen’s dinosaur books then this school one should definitely be read.  It talks more of behavior during school, which is helpful for some kids.

Best for preschool to Kindergarten.

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

Chester Raccoon is scared to start Kindergarten and his mom teaches him how to always have her love with him.  It’s a long and wordy book you can read with your nervous or apprehensive child.

Best for kids in 1^st or 2^nd grade or a parent or teacher read aloud.

Chu’s First Day of School by Neil Gaiman

Another great book for the worried, apprehensive, or nervous child about starting school.  Chu is a lovable Panda, but he still worries about school and other kids liking him b/c of his sneeze.  This book, by a seasoned author has adorable pictures a good story line you and your kids will enjoy and laugh at. 

Best for kids Preschool to 1^st grade.

I Am Too Absolutely Small for School by Lauren Child

Lola and Charlie are characters children, boys and girls alike, love to read about, and there are plenty of books to read about them.  The pictures are cartoonish and fun, and the story is engaging with the message clearly getting across.  the message Child is trying to get across definitely does.  Lola is nervous to start school and stubbornly declares she is not big enough even though her parents think she is.  Charlie is a nice big brother trying to calm her concerns.  The young toddlers will enjoy this book.  

Best for preschool to 1^st grade.

Splat the Cat by Rob Scotton

Splat is a fun loving cat that kids are sure to love.  Splat is worried for the first day of school.  He brings Seymour, his pet mouse, for some extra comfort.  Having a mouse at cat school is problematic, and an adventure ensues.  It’s a fun read and series, with a fun character your child is sure to love.  

Best for toddlers to 2^nd grade.

Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate

This books is not only perfect for soon to be Kindergartners, but it is also an ABC concept book.  A fun read aloud for teachers and parents with great pictures kids will love to "read" themselves. 

Best for preschool and kindergartners. 

Reading the right books can help kids, and parents, have less worries, fears, and stress about the first day of school. 

Happy First Day in School and Happy First Time in School Jitters Bibliotherapy reading!

Revenge of the Dinotrux gets 4 Stars

Two of my kids have birthdays next week.  It's a week full of cake, kid dinner requests, presents, and celebrating.  It's a fun and sugar filled week!

We have a birthday book tradition in my family.  On the child's birthday he/she gets to pick out a book for their own personal library.  On the inside front cover of that special birthday book my husband and I write a letter to the birthday child.  We tell the child things we love about he/she and the amazing traits he/she possess. 

It's a lot of fun to see what book the child chooses b/c it very much speaks to their personality at that point in their life.  It is also fun for the kids to look back at their bday books and read the notes written to them  Basically, it a fun family tradition for everyone.

This year, my soon to be 3 year old son picked Revenge of the Dinotrux by Chris Gall for his birthday book, and he honestly picked an absolutely perfect book.  My son, like many young kids, especially boys, loves trucks and dinosaurs.  This book has both of them; that automatically makes it a 5 star book according to my son.  

However, I critique books a bit more.  I give Revenge of the Dinotrux 4 out of 5 stars.

I personally think this story is quite cute, and I like it better than Dinotrux the first book.  Velocitractors, Tyrannosaurus Trux, and Cementosaurus are some of my favorite dinotrux names that I find to be quite original and cute.  The story in general has some funny jokes (a few gross ones as well including the present Cementosaurus leaves in the town square), and a good story with the theme about friendship and that education can change people.  

I took a star away from this book b/c though the names are creative the story does not have the best writing.  However, only a librarian and critical reader like myself would care about that.  My 2 year old son and 3 year old daughter just enjoy the story and pictures.  They love this book, and it would make a great read aloud for preschool, kindergarten, and first graders. 

I love that my son picked this book for his birthday book; we've already read it a dozen times and I don't see it slowing down.  This book will definitely be in your rotation.  

Amazon had the following book description: 

"THE DINOTRUX ARE BACK... AND LOOKING FOR A SNACK!

Millions of years ago, DINOTRUX ruled the earth. But in the present day, people rule them! Their rusty fossils have spent decades stuck in a drafty museum surrounded by screaming kids, and now they're ready to break out and let off some really old steam.

HONNNK!!! DINOTRUX ARE ON THE LOOSE!

Garbageadon eats cars, Craneosaurus peeks in windows, and Tyrannosaurus Trux climbs a skyscraper... Who will win the mighty standoff between man and prehistoric beast? Find out in this rip-roaring sequel to Chris Gall's highly praised Dinotrux, featuring all your favorite trux and some never-before-seen ones!"

If you have a child that loves dinosaurs then he/she will love this book.  Go check it out!

Happy Dinotrux reading!