Best Christmas Books of All Time

These old and new tales will get everybody into the holiday spirit! There’s a book on the list for children (and children-at-heart) of any age.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

by Dr. Seuss
Ages: 4-8

The Grinch is probably the most popular of all holiday villains. In Dr. Seuss’s modern classic, the Grinch plots to steal Christmas from the happy Whos of Whoville. He’s in for a change of heart when he discovers the true meaning of the holiday.
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Letters from Father Christmas

by J.R.R. Tolkien
Ages: All

For 20 years, Tolkien sent his children letters from Father Christmas, describing the activities at the North Pole and the lives of all who dwell there. These letters are collected here for children everywhere to enjoy.
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Dream Snow

by Eric Carle
Ages: 2-6

It’s Christmas Eve and a white-bearded farmer falls asleep wondering how Christmas can come if there is no snow. He dreams of a snowstorm that blankets him and his animals. When he wakes up, he discovers that it really has snowed! This colorful lift-the-flap book from the author of The Very Hungry Caterpillar is sure to get everyone in the holiday spirit.
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A Christmas Wish for Corduroy

by Don Freeman
Ages: 3-6

In this prequel to Corduroy and A Pocket for Corduroy, we learn the back story of how the lovable toy bear longs for a child to bring him home for Christmas. He suits up in a special outfit and makes his way to the North Pole to see if Santa himself can help!
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Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree

by Robert Barry
Ages: 3-8

Mr. Willowby’s tree is too large, even for his mansion. So the butler cuts off the top and tosses it out. But it doesn’t end up in the trash…. You’ll have to read the book to find out what happens!
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The Polar Express

by Chris Van Allsburg
Ages: 4-8

The Polar Express won the 1986 Caldecott Medal for best illustrations. It’s the tale of a young boy lying awake on Christmas Eve who gets to take a trip to the North Pole with Santa Claus and some other lucky children. There is a special surprise for him when he gets to the North Pole.
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Nutcracker

by E.T.A. Hoffmann
Ages: 4-12

This is Hoffmann’s original story, written in 1816, newly translated by Ralph Manheim and illustrated by Maurice Sendak, author/illustrator of Where the Wild Things Are.  A nutcracker comes to life, battles with the evil mouse king, then takes Marie, the girl who tended to his wounds, on a tour of Christmas Wood and Candytown. Her love breaks the spell over him, which leads to the happily ever after.
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Bear Stays Up for Christmas

by Karma Wilson
Ages: 2-6

Bear gets very sleepy every winter, when he is preparing to hibernate. Can all his friends in the forest help him stay awake for the magic of Christmas?
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The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

by Barbara Robinson
Ages: 8-12

Craziness ensues when the Herdman kids, the “worst kids in the history of the world,” get cast in the Christmas play. Find out just what happens when the show goes on.
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The Legend of the Poinsettia

by Tomie dePaola
Ages: 5-9

Tomi dePaola’s retelling of a Mexican legend about the first poinsettias (called flores de la Nochebuena, or flowers of the Holy Night, in Mexico) combines rich artwork with a timeless story. A little girl named Lucida worries that she has no gift to offer the Baby Jesus other than an armful of weeds she has gathered. But when something miraculous happens to the weeds, she learns that the best gifts come from the heart.
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