Christmas Read Alouds: 30+ Christmas Books Your Family Will Love
Christmas read alouds are one of my favorite ways to slow down during the holiday season. Even as my kids are getting older, there’s just something special about everyone scattered around the living room under cozy blankets, reading a Christmas book together.
Whether you’re looking for Christmas read-aloud books for kids, classic Christmas stories, Christmas picture books, or longer Christmas chapter books for family read aloud, this list has something for every age.
I’ve included some much-loved classics, favorite picture books, funny Christmas stories, wintry tales, and a few books with a faith-filled focus. These are the kinds of books that can become part of your family’s Christmas traditions year after year. Let’s jump into this list of 30+ Christmas read alouds.
Our Favorite Christmas Read Alouds
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1. How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Suess
A Christmas classic that never gets old! The Grinch is grumpy, the Whos are cheerful, and somehow the whole story manages to make you smile every single time. It’s a fun-filled Christmas read-aloud for kids that we pull out every year! (And as a bonus, you can pair this book with the movie!)
2. The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
This is another classic Christmas book that feels extra special during the holiday season. The illustrations are beautiful, and the story captures that childhood feeling of wondering whether Christmas magic might actually be real. (Many kids have also seen the movie, which makes it a neat connection point as well.)
3. The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore
Many of us grew up hearing the poem ‘The Night Before Christmas’ and find ourselves wanting to share it with our kids. It’s perfect for reading on Christmas Eve, and I love how it has become a tradition for many families, including ours.
4. Pick a Pine Tree by Patricia Toht
A sweet, cheerful book about choosing and decorating the perfect Christmas tree. This one is especially fun to read before decorating your own tree. Being a very simple book, I would recommend this Christmas picture book for preschool and early elementary kids.
5. Babushka by Dawn Casey
This is a beautiful story of giving and Christmas! Babushka is visited by three wise men and asked to join them, but she’s too busy. The next day, she takes her basket and tries to find them, but she can’t, so she sets out on her own. On her journey, she encounters a hungry boy, a shivering girl, and others to whom she gives gifts from her basket to help them. (One of our favorite Christmas books for kids.)
6. Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree by Robert Barry
This one is just plain fun! Mr. Willowby’s Christmas tree is too tall, so a little piece gets cut off—and that little piece ends up bringing Christmas cheer to someone else. It’s a sweet reminder that something small can mean a lot.
7. Apple Tree Christmas by Trinka Hakes Noble
This family loses their beloved apple tree in a snowstorm. But much to their surprise, their father made them beautiful gifts from the tree that would be passed down for generations. Such a wonderful Christmas book! I make sure we read this one every year!
8. Cranberry Christmas by Wende Devlin
An oldie but a goodie! If your kids enjoy the Cranberry series, this is a fun one to add to your holiday reading basket. Everyone is unhappy because Old Cyrus Grape claims the skating pond is his and that no one is allowed on it, not even for Christmas. See what Mr. Whiskers can do to help open the pond for Christmas…
9. Christmas in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
The Little House books are cozy and make for wonderful Christmas read-alouds. I love the simplicity of Christmas in the Big Woods and how it gives kids a glimpse into celebrating the holiday without all the stuff we tend to associate with Christmas today.
10. Night Tree by Eve Bunting
This is such a sweet book for families who enjoy nature and simple Christmas traditions. A family heads into the woods to decorate a tree for the animals, and the story has a beautiful, peaceful feeling.
11. Jan Brett’s Christmas Treasury by Jan Brett
As you know, I’m a big fan of Jan Brett’s books! Packed with incredible illustrations, her Christmas Treasury includes some of her best Christmas picture books, including The Night Before Christmas, Trouble with Trolls, Christmas Trolls, The Mitten, The Hat, The Twelve Days of Christmas, and The Wild Christmas Reindeer.
12. The Nutcracker by Susan Jeffers
A beautiful picture-book version of the classic Christmas ballet story. If your kids love magical stories, dancing, or anything involving a little Christmas fantasy, this is a fun one to add to your Christmas book list. (If you could pair it with a visit to the ballet, even better.)
13. The Tomten by Astrid Lindgren
We got this book when we were studying Christmas around the world and found that this Scandinavian Christmas classic has a quiet, almost magical quality to it. The Tomten watches over farms while everyone sleeps, reminding them of the promise of spring. This story has a peaceful winter atmosphere and makes for a perfect cozy nighttime read.
14. Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto
This is such a fun family Christmas story! It centers around tamales, family, and a little Christmas-day panic. I love this one because it brings a different cultural tradition into your holiday read-alouds and gives families plenty to talk about.
15. The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg
For families looking for Christian Christmas books, this is a great addition. With bright, bold illustrations, The Legend of the Candy Cane becomes a way to talk about the story and symbols of Christmas and Jesus.
16. Silver Packages by Cynthia Rylant
This is an Appalachia Christmas story about a boy named Frankie who waits beside the tracks for the Christmas Train, hoping it brings one particular gift…A beautiful story about receiving what we need rather than always getting what we want.
17. Dasher by Matt Tavares
We got the Dasher Series last year, and we all enjoyed it. The Christmasy illustrations are bright and colorful, and the storyline is simple and sweet–a fun addition to our Christmas library.
Longer Christmas Read Alouds for Families
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If your kids are a little older, don’t stop at Christmas picture books! Some of my favorite Christmas read alouds for families are longer stories that you can read a little at a time throughout December.
18. One Wintry Night by Ruth Bell Graham
This is another wonderful choice for families wanting a Christian Christmas read-aloud. This book traces the story of God’s plan from creation to the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus, all through a wintry Christmas-night setting. It’s gentle and reverent with a strong focus on the Nativity and true meaning of Christmas
19. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
The Herdmans are definitely not the kids you’d expect to star in a Christmas pageant, and watching everything unfold is such a fun family reading experience. It’s funny enough to keep kids interested while also giving you plenty to discuss afterward. They also turned this book into a super cute Christmas movie! (Note: the kids are quite crude in this book.)
20. A Christmas Carol (illustrated edition) by Charles Dickens
For an older-child or family Christmas chapter book read aloud, A Christmas Carol is hard to beat. The story of Scrooge, the ghosts, and his transformation is a Christmas classic for a reason. And honestly, reading the original story together can be such a fun December tradition.
21. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis
This isn’t technically a Christmas book, but it makes an excellent winter family read-aloud. With snow, a magical world, talking animals, and a deeper story underneath it all, it’s perfect for long December evenings. Plus, there’s a memorable Christmas scene that makes it especially fitting for the season. (A family favorite!)
22. The Family Under the Bridge by Natalie Savage Carlson
This is a unique Christmas chapter book for family read-aloud. It’s a heartwarming story about family, homelessness, generosity, and ultimately finding home, making it especially meaningful during a season when we’re thinking about belonging.
23. Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Yes, I know—this isn’t exclusively a Christmas book. But if you’re looking for old-fashioned Christmas read-alouds, the Christmas chapter in Little House in the Big Woods is worth the read. I love how this story shows children that Christmas doesn’t have to be about piles of presents, but rather contentment, gratitude, and family.
24. Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Another great choice for families who enjoy the Little House series (chapter book version). The descriptions of food, family life, work, and celebrations make this a cozy winter read-aloud, especially if you’re already working your way through the series.
25. The Story of Holly and Ivy by Rumer Godden
This is a cozy, old-fashioned Christmas tale about a lonely little girl named Ivy and a doll named Holly, both longing for a home and someone to love them. Their paths finally come together in a sweet story of hope, belonging, and the quiet magic of Christmas.
26. The Greatest Gift (Heartwood Hotel, book 2) by Kallie George
My kids are loving the Heartwood Hotel Series! Book two, however, is particularly warm, cozy, and Christmasy! The animal guests and staff at Heartwood Hotel prepare for a special holiday celebration. When an unexpected problem threatens the festivities, the story highlights generosity, friendship, and the joy of giving—making it the perfect choice for a family Christmas read-aloud.
27. Miracles on Maple Hill by Virginia Sorensen
Marly and her family move to Maple Hill, hoping that country life will help her father recover from the effects of war. As the seasons unfold, the family discovers unexpected “miracles” in the beauty of nature, the kindness of neighbors, and the simple joys of home, making this a gentle and cozy read-aloud with a particularly lovely winter and Christmas section. (This book is not exclusively Christmas since it follows her life throughout all the seasons, but the writing is cozy and makes for a wonderful wintry read!)
Classic Christmas Stories to Read Aloud
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Sometimes you just can’t beat the classics. These are wonderful choices for classic Christmas books for kids and families.
28. The Christmas Stories by George MacDonald
George MacDonald is the author who wrote The Princess and the Goblin and inspired the works of many famous authors, including C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. His Christmas Stories is a collection of warm, old-fashioned Christmas tales filled with wonder, compassion, generosity, and faith. With its fairy-tale atmosphere and beautifully simple moral themes, it makes a lovely cozy read-aloud for families who enjoy classic Christmas storytelling.
29. The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by E. T. A. Hoffmann
If your family knows the familiar Nutcracker ballet, this is a fun way to go deeper into the original story. It’s a little more complex than a typical picture book, making it better suited for older kids.
30. Letters from Father Christmas by J. R. R. Tolkien
This is such a fun book for families who enjoy Tolkien. The collection brings together letters and illustrations Tolkien created for his children as Father Christmas. It’s a wonderful peek into a family’s creative Christmas traditions and imagination.
31. The Lion in the Box by Marguerite de Angeli
With Mama being recently widowed, it’s looking like a meager Christmas for her five small children. However, a memorable Christmas is right around the corner. (I love how the focus is on generosity, love, and selflessness.)
How to Make Christmas Read Alouds a Family Tradition
Do you want to include more books or read-alouds in your daily routine during the Christmas season? Trust me, you don’t need a complicated Christmas reading plan. Here are a few things our family has done or learned over the years that have made books a huge part of our Christmas traditions:
- Create a Christmas book basket. Gather your favorite Christmas picture books and Christmas read-alouds in one basket. Put it somewhere everyone can reach it (ours goes in the living room), and let your kids enjoy your Christmas book picks throughout the season.
- Celebrate Jólabókaflóð (pronounced yo-la-bo-ka-flode) the cozy Icelandic tradition that translates to “Christmas Book Flood” (basically, a book exchange). It’s the tradition of curling up together to read those books, usually with hot chocolate and delicious Christmas treats nearby. (We did it on Christmas Eve last year, and plan to do it again this year! So much fun!)
- Read one Christmas book every night. December can get crazy fast, so try having a simple goal like one Christmas read-aloud a night, giving you something to look forward to without creating another huge holiday checklist.
- Pair books with Christmas activities. Read Pick a Pine Tree before decorating your Christmas tree, read Night Tree before taking a winter walk, or read The Nutcracker before watching the ballet. Connecting your Christmas books for kids with real-life experiences makes the stories even more memorable.
- Don’t forget the older kids. Once kids are past the picture-book stage, keep your read-alouds going! Choose a Christmas chapter book, classic story, or longer family read-aloud and read a few pages every evening. You may be surprised by how much your older kids still enjoy being read to.
- Revisit your favorite books every year. Christmas is all about tradition and family. You don’t need a new stack of Christmas books every December; simply pull out your favorites or get them from the library and enjoy the season together. The kids love revisiting their Christmas favorites. And honestly? So do I.
Final Thoughts on Christmas Read Alouds
The best Christmas Read Alouds don’t have to be the newest books or the fanciest books on your shelf. Sometimes they’re the stories your children ask you to read for the hundredth time.
Whether your family loves fun Christmas stories like How the Grinch Stole Christmas, magical favorites like The Polar Express, traditional stories like A Christmas Carol, or meaningful Christian Christmas books like The Legend of the Candy Cane, there’s something special about gathering together and reading during the holidays.
So grab some hot chocolate, pile everyone onto the couch, turn on the Christmas tree lights, and pick a book.
Because years from now, your kids may not remember every present they opened—but they just might remember those cozy nights when Mom and Dad read Christmas stories aloud.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Read Alouds
What are the best Christmas read alouds for kids?
Some favorite Christmas read alouds for kids include How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Polar Express, Pick a Pine Tree, Night Tree, and Too Many Tamales. Older kids may enjoy The Best Christmas Pageant Ever or the challenge of reading Charles Dickens ‘ A Christmas Carol.
What are good Christmas books to read as a family?
Great Christmas books for family read aloud include The Polar Express, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, A Christmas Carol, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and Letters from Father Christmas (and all the other books on this Christmas read-alouds list!)
Are there Christian Christmas read alouds?
Yes! The Legend of the Candy Cane and One Wintry Night are a couple of good choices for families looking for Christian Christmas books for kids and faith-based holiday reading.
What are good Christmas chapter books?
For older children, try The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, The Family Under the Bridge, The Twenty-Four Days Before Christmas, or A Christmas Carol. Reading a chapter each night makes a fun December tradition.
How can we make Christmas read alouds a tradition?
Keep it simple! Pick a favorite Christmas book each night, read around the Christmas tree, or create a basket of holiday books for your kids to choose from. The goal is simply to slow down and enjoy the stories together.
