Yay Halloween is over and the Christmas season is around the corner. I love decorating my home for a cozy holiday season and my favourite part is setting up our advent Christmas book bags.
One box in our attic is filled with Christmas books that my kids only see for one month a year. I put one per day in a reusable fabric bag and each morning of December in the lead up to Christmas, my kids open one bag and we read an old favourite that we haven’t seen in a year. It is like seeing an old friend!
Advent Book Bags
I have been collecting excellent Christmas books for kids for several years now, and finally have enough for one for each day of the advent season, December 1-December 25. I used to wrap them up and the kids would open one book each day in the month leading up to Christmas, but it was a lot of wrapping paper.
When my mom passed away and I cleaned out her house, I found a bunch of Christmas fabric that she chose but never made anything out of – so I decided to sew reusable gift bags that I could put the books in, and also reuse to wrap gifts for Christmas morning. These bags are such a special part of Christmas for me because even though there are no gifts from my mom under my tree anymore, all of the gifts are wrapped in something she lovingly chose.
I was also gifted a bunch of unopened shoelaces from my neighbor and friend who passed away last year at the age of 98. I used Chuck’s shoelaces as the drawstrings for my Christmas bags and they remind me of the community I’ve built for myself here in California.
These Christmas bags I’ve sewed for my kids symbolize family love that continues no matter where we are on this earth or beyond, and also the local community you can build for yourself wherever you find yourself planted. That pretty much summarizes the Christmas spirit for me. These bags are a simple way I have honored grief through the season.
Here is the Youtube tutorial I followed to make most of these gift bags, in case you feel inspired to make some bags for yourself or your children or grandchildren.
Into each bag I put one book to open each day of December leading up to Christmas. I’ve scheduled the books out below, one for each day of December. They aren’t in any particular order. Most of these would be appropriate for ages 4-9, however a couple of these are a longer length. My book collection reflects both my secular upbringing and my desire to bring some Christian tradition into the holiday season for my family. I also try to find books that reflect how the December holiday season is celebrated around the world.
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Christmas Books for Kids
December 1st: Bear Stays Up For Christmas by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman
Bear’s friends take care of him as he almost hibernates through Christmas!
December 2nd: Room for a Little One by Martin Waddell, illustrated by Jason Cockcroft
This is a lovely story that references the birth of baby Jesus in the stable and the inclusion of all.
December 3rd: Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie de Paola
This story tells about the poinsettia and how it came to be a flower associated with Christmas.
December 4th: The Little Drummer Boy by Ezra Jack Keats
Beautiful illustrations for the lyrics of my favourite Christmas carol as a child.
December 5th: Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree by Robert Barry
This is a delightful story of how one man’s trash is another’s treasure.
December 6th: Alfie’s Christmas by Shirley Hughes
I love the Alfie stories. I love how this story depicts a pretty normal family Christmas in Britain, which is similar to my own Christmases growing up in Canada.
December 7th: Apple Tree Christmas by Trinka Hakes Noble
This is my son’s favourite Christmas story. He likes how the dad makes gifts for his kids out of a fallen down apple tree.
December 8th: Jingle Bells by Iza Trapani
I love how this story takes readers on a trip around the world.
December 9th: Rabbit’s Gift by George Shannon, illustrated by Laura Dronzek
This lovely tale tells of the act of paying a kindness forward.
December 10th: The Third Gift by Linda Sue Park, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline
Confession: I didn’t really know what myrrh was or where it came from before reading this book. All I knew is it was something one of the wise men brought to baby Jesus. Find out what myrrh is with this story!
December 11th: The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston, illustrated by Barbara Cooney
This is a story of a family overcoming great challenges together for Christmas in their community.
December 12th: The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
Another one of my train-loving son’s favourite books. If you have a trainiac in your family, this is THE Christmas book for you.
December 13th: Lucia Morning in Sweden by Ewa Rydaker, illustrated by Carina Stahlberg
Our dear friend and neighbour, Chuck, passed away last November at the age of 98. He was very proud of his Swedish heritage and in honor of what he meant to our family and how much we missed stopping in to visit him, we started to celebrate Saint Lucia Day on December 13th. My daughter delivered raisin buns around to the neighbors.
December 14th: The Christmas Tapestry by Patricia Polacco or The Story of Christmas by Patricia Pingri, illustrated by Rebecca Thornburgh
I’ve included two book options here because while the Christmas Tapestry is a wonderful story that made me cry it was so beautiful – it is very long, so if you’re looking for a suggestion for a much younger child – I like the Story of Christmas because it talks about why we give gifts on Christmas as a celebration of Jesus’ birthday.
The Christmas Tapestry weaves together a beautiful story of a family trying to revive an old church, a Jewish stranger they meet whose story intersects with their own, and a heartfelt reunion decades in the making.
December 15th: The Night Tree by Eve Bunting
I think this is my favourite Christmas story in our collection. I love how the family goes out into nature and decorates a tree for the critters of the woods.
December 16th: Carl’s Christmas by Alexandra Day
This is my daughter’s favourite story and she has loved it since she was very little. It has very few words and tells the story of a dog taking care of a baby on Christmas eve.
December 17th: Winter’s Gift by Jane Monroe Donovan
If you love horses, this is the story for you. My best friend Amanda told me about this one and it is one to read with a kleenex!
December 18th: Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto and Ed Martinez
This story introduces some Latino Christmas traditions.
December 19th: Franklin’s Christmas Gift by Paulette Bourgeois, illustrated by Brenda Clark
We love Franklin. In this story, Franklin is trying to choose a gift to give to children who don’t have very much. He must learn to think of others.
December 20th: The Christmas Cat by Efner Tudor Holmes, illustrated by Tasha Tudor
My son loves cats and this story of a little kitten saved from the cold on Christmas is a cozy favourite in our home!
December 21st: Great Joy by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline
Great Joy is another of my favourite Christmas stories. I love how the little girl invites someone who is on the outside into the community’s Christmas celebrations.
December 22nd: How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
This is a classic! We love the movies too.
December 23rd: The Night Before the Night Before Christmas by Natasha Wing
Okay this one is just a great laugh and as a mom who ends up getting sick pretty much every single year, I feel SEEN reading this story to my kids.
December 24th: The Night Before Christmas, various editions (see below)
Reading the Night Before Christmas on Christmas Eve is a Christmas tradition in my house. When I was a kid we would go for a snowy night walk before bed to look up into the sky looking for Rudolph’s red nose (a blinking airplane light always showed up) or the Christmas Star. Then we would race home, jump into our pajamas and read our tattered old copy of the Night Before Christmas and tuck into bed.
A lady from my church was a children’s librarian and she gifted me many of her children’s books and among her collection were over a dozen differently illustrated copies of the Night Before Christmas. I had never before considered looking at differently illustrated versions of the same story, but wow what a fun experience it was to gather all of the copies together and look over the pictures as we read the same poem by Clement C. Moore. Everyone in our family has their own favourite illustrated edition. If you’d like to try comparing illustrative artistic styles with your family too, here are some suggestions for beautifully (and differently illustrated) versions of the famous poem:
By Clement C. Moore, Illustrated by Cheryl Harness
By Clement C. Moore, Illustrated by Jan Brett
By Clement C. Moore, Illustrated by Charles Santore
By Clement C. Moore, Illustrated by Jim Davis
By Clement Clarke Moore, Illustrated by Mr. Boddington
Other Ideas:
This year (2024), Hanukkah begins December 25th and lasts until January 2nd 2025. If you’d like a book introducing Hanukkah, here is a good one:
The Story of Hanukkah by David A. Adler
Christmas Mouseling by Dori Chaconas, illustrated by Susan Kathleen Hartung
This story is out of print and it’s too bad because it’s a very cute story and is quite fun to read outloud. A cold baby mouse gets warm in the bedding in Jesus’ manger. You can find used copies, however.
On Christmas Eve by Margaret Wise Brown
Another out of print story that my son loves because it has a beautiful train under the Christmas tree.
Clown of God by Tomie DePaola
This is another inspirational Tomie de Paola book that we really enjoy.
Christmas Eve, in the Frog and Toad Treasury by Arnold Lobel
One of the last stories in this Frog and Toad treasury is one about Frog and Toad getting together for Christmas Eve.
An Orange for Frankie by Patricia Polacco
Another very moving story from Patricia Polacco that is longer and best for older children.
The Spirit of Christmas by Nancy Tillman
I’m including this one in my list of Christmas books for kids even though I really think it’s more for adults than kids. It gives me goosebumps and I tear up when I read it. My kids don’t really think too much of it though. But I love it!
Brave Irene by William Steig
Angela’s Christmas by Frank McCourt, illustrated by Raúl Colón
This is a long picture book as well, but it is a really beautiful story. We love the Netflix film Angela’s Christmas.
Holly & Ivy by Rumer Godden, illustrated by Barbara Cooney
For little doll lovers who can sit through a longer picture book!
Christmas in Noisy Village by Astrid Lindgren
From the author of Pippy Longstocking, three families celebrate Christmas with many activities.
Counting to Christmas by Nancy Tafuri
If this one wasn’t out of print, I would have put it for December 1st in this blog post. It is perfect for the very first day of counting down to Christmas and giving ideas for all the different activities we can do in the month leading up to Christmas Day. If you can find a used copy somewhere, it is especially great for little kids (preschool aged)
The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Andersen, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney
A classic story!
Chapter Books to Read Aloud during the Holiday Season:
The Christmas Pig by J.K. Rowling
This is one of my all-time favourite books I have ever read aloud to my son. I cried several times reading this book, remembering all my favourite toys and wondering where they were now. It’s truly a delightful magical read, perfect for the holiday season.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
This is a laugh out loud read!
Miss Hickory by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey
I didn’t think this would be a Christmas book when I first read it, but this little doll made from a nut and an apple twig goes to see a baby King in a manger, so I think it counts as a Christmas read.
Heartwood Hotel – The Greatest Gift by Kallie George
Heartwood Hotel is a delightful and gentle little series – perfect for the 4-8 age cohort as a novel read-aloud. The second in the series, the Greatest Gift takes place over the holidays.
The Complete Brambly Hedge by Jill Barklem (Winter Story)
The Complete Brambly Hedge is a sweet treasury of stories about mice who live in some tree hollows and stumps. In this treasury, there is Winter Story, about a festive winter ball the mice organize.
So there you have it – a list of over 40 Christmas books to include in your December reading with your kids! Do you have any family favourites not on this list? I would love to hear about them!
Merrily,
Heather
Ps: This post contains Amazon affiliate links, from which I earn a commission on qualifying purchases. Thank you for supporting my blog!
If you’ve enjoyed this post, consider checking out some of my other recent posts!
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