20 New Christmas Books for Kids

This is the true story of Charlotte Nebres, the first Black girl to play Marie in the New York City Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker. What an inspiring story of a 12-year-old ballerina who, through persistence and the support of her family, finds success and plenty of holiday spirit.

For a look into the origins of Saint Nicholas, here’s a delightful picture book written in verse. Kids will learn about the life of this saint and why he is celebrated during Christmas time as one of the greatest gift-givers to emulate.

Follow Deja, a city kid who is afraid that Santa won’t be able to visit her during Christmas. She doesn’t have a place for Santa to park his sled nor she does have a chimney for him to slide down. With a lot of Christmas spirit from her family, community, and Santa himself, she discovers the joy of the holidays.

In a nostalgic style reminiscent of The Little House or The Oxcart Man comes this picture book that tells what happens to the Christmas tree farmer when people stop buying real Christmas trees. Indeed, what happens when everybody buys artificial trees? Just as the Farmer Tuttle is about to go out of business, a request comes for his finest tree.

Discover who the real Santa is in this picture book about identity and family traditions. A Black family celebrates Christmas with a Santa Claus who looks more familiar to them.

On Christmas Eve in 1914, an extraordinary incident happened between enemy lines during World War I. The shooting stopped on the battlefields and war-weary soldiers celebrated Christmas together. Written as a fictional letter, this picture book draws from firsthand accounts of frontline soldiers on that legendary day.

From the Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site series comes this lift the flap picture book perfect for a bedtime read-aloud during the holidays. The rhyming text is especially fun for kids as they hear and discover what each truck is bringing to the Christmas Eve celebration.

This beautifully illustrated picture book tells the legend of the hour all the animals rejoiced at the birth of Jesus. At midnight on Christmas Eve, they spoke and proclaimed his coming.

An inspiring story about a little red sleigh who has been told she is too small, too young, and too unskilled to achieve her big dream. She wants to become Santa’s big red sleigh one day, but is her dream out of her reach? I love the empowering message of this picture book.

Part of a series of Christmas storybooks, this picture book features lovable forest creatures who discover the greatest gift of all: God’s love.

For a multicultural Christmas, explore this picture book with your kids. See what Christmas looks like in 13 different countries around the world, and how kids celebrate the holidays on the other side of the globe.

Written in prose and poetry, here is a great family advent devotional to prepare for Christmas. The illustrations and words tell the story of the birth of Christ.

A great holiday gift for L.M. Montgomery fans, this picture book features Anne celebrating Christmas in Avonlea with kindred spirits.

From the author of Bless Me, Ultima, comes this Christmas tale in the third volume of his Owl in a Straw Hat series. Follow the lovable animals as they decorate a Christmas tree, anticipate posole and chile Colorado, and take part as shepherds in a play about the baby Jesus.

This picture book captures the wonder of snow and the beauty and magic of a snow-covered landscape. Written in rhyming couplets, the book contains beautiful collages of snowflakes that invite readers to pause and enjoy the season.

A heartwarming story of a family traveling to visit their grandmother on the border of California and Mexico during Christmastime. They have not seen her in years and only have a few minutes to exchange gifts and stories. This picture book shows how small moments and little gifts can speak volumes.

Head to Malawi for a sweet potato cookie, or the Philippines for ginger tea left out for Santa. How do children in Russia leave treats for Santa on Christmas Eve? The recipes are fun and invite the kids to a multicultural celebration of the holidays.

In this middle grade story about the world’s most Christmassy family, 9-year-old Holly wishes it could be Christmas every day. When she realizes not everyone shares her enthusiasm for spreading cheer, will she lose her Christmas cheer?

Based on an event from the author’s own Sioux childhood, this picture book tells the story of what Christmas meant to her during the freezing South Dakota winters. She recounts an act of simple kindness and the significance of generosity.

To cultivate a spirit of loving and giving during the holidays, this box set helps to establish a family tradition. The picture book explains the joy of giving while the other items in the box help the kids to participate in a new tradition of giving.