One of my favorite traditions during the holiday season is our annual Christmas book countdown. It’s really quite easy to do, but it does take some preparation beforehand. I wrap a total of twenty five books before the first of December and we place them in a basket. Every day, the kids get to unwrap one book a night that we read together as a family. On December 24th (I specially mark the wrapping paper so we know that it’s meant for December 24th), we always read The Night Before Christmas. On December 25th, I pick out a new book for the family to share and then we will have to add to our collection the following year. The kids love the tradition & an easy tradition to keep up year after year. Today, we are sharing our list of 25 Days of Christmas Books so you could do this at home as well. Here are some of our favorites, but feel free to swap in whatever books you have or love, to make this tradition fun in your family!
5 Favorite Christmas Books for Babies & Toddlers:
Goodnight Manger: “This book tells the story of Mary and Joseph as they try to lull Jesus to sleep in the noisy stable after his birth. With sweet, rhyming text in the style of Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site, Goodnight, Manger offers a unique twist on the classic manger tale, deftly weaving together the comforting and familiar routines of bedtime with the special magic and wonder of the manger story.”
Ready, Set, Find Christmas: “Mary is expecting the baby Jesus and they need your help to find many things along the way. This holiday board book is perfect for young children who will love finding the 48 objects hidden on the pages while reading the classic story of Christmas.”
Little Blue Truck’s Christmas: “It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Little Blue Truck is spreading cheer by delivering Christmas trees to his animal friends. Can you help count each green tree from one to five and back again? Don’t forget to save one for Blue! Beep! Beep!”
Duck & Goose: It’s Time for Christmas: “Goose wants to make snow angels and go sledding—but Duck knows it’s time for Christmas! Preschoolers won’t be able to resist this board book filled with Christmas cheer.”
The Story of Christmas: “Here is the story of the Nativity told in 200 words that are simple enough for a toddler to understand.”
5 Favorite Christmas Books for Preschoolers:
Llama Llama Holiday Drama: “If there’s one thing Llama Llama doesn’t like, it’s waiting. He and Mama Llama rush around, shopping for presents, baking cookies, decorating the tree . . . but how long is it until Christmas? Will it ever come? Finally, Llama Llama just can’t wait any more! It takes a cuddle from Mama Llama to remind him that “Gifts are nice, but there’s another: The true gift is, we have each other.”
Bear Stays Up for Christmas: “Bear’s friends are determined to keep Bear awake for Christmas! So they wake Bear up and have him help them find a Christmas tree, bake cakes, hang up stockings, and sing Christmas songs. Bear stays up—by discovering that giving is one of the best Christmas presents of all!”
Merry Christmas Mom & Dad: “Mercer Mayer’s very popular character stars in a getting-ready-for-Christmas picture book. Little Critter approaches Christmas with the intention of being a good helper.”
Pete the Cat Saves Christmas: “In this rockin’ spin on the traditional tale The Night Before Christmas, Pete the Cat proves that giving your all in the spirit of Christmas is the totally groovy thing to do.”
A Royal Christmas to Remember: “With the arrival of the most spectacular winter in years and Christmas only a night away, Princesses Joy, Grace, Faith, Charity, and Hope find themselves in the midst of a scene right out of a holiday fairytale in this newest adventure in the Princess Parables series A Royal Christmas to Remember. ”
5 Favorite Christmas Books for School Age:
Christmas Love Letters from God: “Christmas Love Letters from God cleverly combines both prose and poetry as the story of Jesus’ birth unfolds. The book includes seven stories, beginning with Isaiah’s prophecy and ending with the visit of the wise men. Following each story, the child will find his or her own letter from God, folded into a small envelope attached to the page.”
The Berenstain Bears and the Christmas Angel: “It is almost Christmas and there is finally snow in Bear Country. Brother, Sister, and Honey Bear are ready for some winter fun! But when they can’t decide what kind of snowbear to build, Honey Bear’s snow angel gives the older cubs a great idea. Soon the cubs have built a Christmas snow angel. Later, as they warm up with some hot cocoa, Mama and Papa give the cubs a little lesson about some very special angels and the work they do for God.”
The Legend of St. Nicholas: “In The Legend of St. Nicholas, the new artwork, created by Marley and Me illustrator, Richard Cowdrey, captivates audiences and tells the story of a young man named Nicholas, who was moved by the plight of the poor and needy. Nicholas spent his life secretly helping the poor all over the world, giving gifts on Christmas Eve to remind people of the greatest Gift of all, Jesus Christ. This gentle Christmas book introduces the original St. Nicholas and offers inspiration for readers to become cheerful givers themselves.”
How to Catch Santa: “Two sibling narrators give clever tips for “catching” Santa (be crafty! be clever! be gentle!) on Christmas Eve. Filled with humor and holiday warmth, this is a jolly read-aloud for the whole family to enjoy!”
10 Other Favorite Christmas Books:
A Night of Great Joy: “Mary Engelbreit presents A Night of Great Joy, a delightful picture book that celebrates the joyful season of Christmas. This book tells the story of the nativity through the performance of a children’s Christmas pageant. With adorable illustrations and simple storytelling, Engelbreit paints a wonderful picture of the night that Jesus was born.”
The Berenstain Bears Christmas Fun Sticker & Activity Book: “The Berenstain Bears come to life this holiday season with puzzles, activity pages, and more than 50 reusable stickers in The Berenstain Bears’ Christmas Fun Sticker and Activity Book. Featuring Papa, Mama, Brother, Sister, and Honey and the rest of the Bear Country gang, kids are sure to find lots to do helping Honey Bear find the missing piece of the Bear family Nativity scene, doing crosswords and word searches with Brother and Sister, and even helping out at the Christmas Eve service at Chapel in the Woods.”
Snowbear’s Christmas Countdown: “The month of December is full of joyful anticipation for Snowbear―there are just so many things to do before Christmas arrives. For starters, Snowbear must put up decorations, buy gifts for his friends, make hot chocolate and cookies, and―let’s not forget―play in the snow and ride his sleigh! So count along with Snowbear as the days pass and the excitement builds to Christmas Day.”
The Polar Express: “A young boy, lying awake one Christmas Eve, is welcomed aboard a magical trip to the North Pole . . .Through dark forests, over tall mountains, and across a desert of ice, the Polar Express makes its way to the city atop the world, where the boy will make his Christmas wish. For millions of readers worldwide, this mysterious journey to the North Pole has become a beloved classic.”
Santa’s Favorite Story: “Discover the true meaning of the holidays as Santa Claus retells the story of the first Christmas in this sweet picture book from Hisako Aoki and Ivan Gantschev. When Santa Claus tells the forest animals that he is not looking forward to delivering all those heavy packages, they are worried that there won’t be a Christmas anymore. To help everyone understand that Christmas would still come even if he didn’t, Santa tells the story of the first Christmas, and they all learn a good lesson about the meaning of this special holiday.”
The Biggest Christmas Tree Ever: “It’s the day after Thanksgiving, and Clayton and Desmond feel the chill in the air. The cool weather makes them think of Christmas . . . and Christmas makes them think of Christmas trees! Who’ll find the biggest one?”
There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Bell: “A wacky new Christmas version of the classic “There Was an Old Lady” song! This time, the hungry old lady swallows a bell, bows, gifts, a sack, a sleigh, and some reindeer! She’s about to swallow a candy cane for dessert, when she hears a jolly “Ho! Ho! Ho!” Santa Claus is waiting for a ride! Watch what happens when she whistles, with amazing results!”
How the Grinch Stole Christmas: “Every Who down in Who-ville liked Christmas a lot . . . but the Grinch, who lived just north of Who-ville, did NOT!” Not since “’Twas the night before Christmas” has the beginning of a Christmas tale been so instantly recognizable. No holiday season is complete without the Grinch, Max, Cindy-Lou, and all the residents of Who-ville, in this heartwarming story about the effects of the Christmas spirit on even the smallest and coldest of hearts. Like mistletoe, candy canes, and caroling, the Grinch is a mainstay of the holidays, and his story is the perfect gift for young and old.”
Berenstain Bears & The Joy of Giving: “In The Berenstain Bears and The Joy of Giving Brother and Sister Bear can’t wait for Christmas and all the presents they’ll open. But during the Christmas Eve pageant, something special happens! The Bear cubs learn a very valuable lesson about the joy of giving to others.”
The Night Before Christmas: “Readers young and old are invited into the enchanting world of Mary Engelbreit in this resplendent edition of Clement C. Moore’s classic poem. It’s the most magical evening of the year, in a house so cozy, colorful, and dusted with Christmas magic that only this beloved illustrator could have created it. With pages full of fascinating detail, rich color, and lively characters, readers will lose themselves in this wintry wonderland.”
We hope you enjoy this fun Christmas tradition!
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