Fresh and Festive:
Brand-New Children’s Books To Read This Christmas
by Dena McMurdie
One of my favorite Christmas activities is gathering a stack of holiday-themed picture books and reading them with my kids while we snuggle under a blanket. Even as my kids get older, we all look forward to this tradition. Of course, this also means that we like to keep our eyes peeled for brand-new children’s books to add to our reading stack each year. Here are the titles we’re excited to dive into this Christmas.
-
Countdown to Christmas
Available from:A family counts down the days until Christmas in this festive board book. Tiny readers will love watching the family go through holiday preparations and getting everything ready for the big day.
(Ages 0 – 3)Also available from: -
Esperanza Caramelo, the Star of Nochebuena
Available from:On the eve of Nochebuena, Esperanza, a magical sugar figurine, brings the other cake decorations to life for a festive celebration. But when the mischievous pastelería cat disrupts the party, Esperanza and her sweet companions must work together to fix the cake before Christmas.
(Ages 3 – 6)Also available from: -
Santarella
Available from:In this delightful twist on the classic Cinderella story, Santa Claus hurts his back and can't lift his bag of toys. It's a good thing Cinderella is there to lend a hand!
(Ages 3 – 7)Also available from: -
Otto the Ornament
Available from:Shiny and bright, Otto believes he belongs on the top of a Christmas tree. Follow Otto on a pun-filled and hilarious adventure as sets out to find a tree worthy of his sparkle, discovering the importance of kindness and chosen family along the way.
(Ages 3 – 7)Also available from: -
It’s Not Easy Being Santa Claus
Available from:Santa feels overwhelmed with his holiday to-do list and gets grumpier by the minute. To get out of his rut, Santa tries out some new roles, but none of them make him feel better. Before long, Santa realizes the only way to find peace and happiness during the holiday craze is by being himself.
(Ages 3 – 7)Also available from: -
Snowmen’s Twelve Nights of Christmas
Available from:Celebrate The Twelve Days of Christmas with your favorite snowmen! Each night brings more animals, chaos, and silliness than the last. This book will soon become one of your favorite holiday reads.
(Ages 3 – 7)Also available from: -
Our Italian Christmas Eve
Available from:When someone forgets to bring a dessert to Christmas Eve dinner, Francesco and Danielle step in to save the day. With some help from a family recipe, the kids whip up a delicious cheesecake. This ode to holiday food will leave your mouth watering!
(Ages 3 – 7)Also available from: -
How to Decorate a Christmas Tree
Available from:Get into the Christmas spirit with this adorable “how-to” book about tree trimming! A little girl shares how she decorates her Christmas tree, from stringing the lights to gathering the family. This festive picture book is an excellent addition to your holiday reading stack.
(Ages 4 – 8)Also available from: -
How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney?
Available from:It's the age-old question: how does Santa go down the chimney? From urban high-rise apartment buildings to tropical homes made of grass, this charming and humorous book explores the many ways Santa makes his legendary entrance on Christmas Eve.
(Ages 4 – 8)Also available from: -
Santa’s Gotta Go!
Available from:Monte and Mabel are thrilled when unexpected sleigh trouble brings the coolest houseguest ever — Santa Claus! However, Santa’s night owl habits and wild party antics make the kids decide to kick Santa to the curb. This hilarious holiday picture book is a must-read!
(Ages 4 – 8)Also available from: -
Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Lost Christmas
Available from:The much-anticipated sequel to How the Grinch Stole Christmas is a must-have for your holiday reading list. In this all-new story, the Grinch is determined to win the Christmas tree decorating contest and the Who-ville’s Christmas Crown. As the competition heats up and tempers flare, the Grinch learns an essential lesson in the true meaning of Christmas.
(Ages 5 – 9)Also available from: -
Merry Christmas, Anna Hibiscus!
Available from:Anna Hibiscus is visiting her grandmother in Canada for the first time. She can’t wait to see snow, go sledding, and participate in all the cozy holiday traditions she’s heard about. This heartwarming chapter book is perfect for growing readers who want a comforting Christmas story about family, home, and new experiences.
(Ages 6 – 9)Also available from: -
Scaredy Squirrel Gets Festive
Available from:Everyone’s favorite anxious squirrel prepares to host a holiday party in this humorous chapter book. Kids will giggle through each page as Scaredy Squirrel’s anxiety climbs higher and higher. But with help from his friends, Scaredy Squirrel realizes that spending time with the critters he cares about is more important than decorations, gifts, and perfectly planned parties.
(Ages 6 – 9)Also available from: -
The Christmas Doll: A Repair Shop Story
Available from:This book is based on a true story featured in an episode of the popular BBC show Repair Shop. But even if you haven’t seen the show, you’ll love this heartfelt Christmas story about a girl who gets evacuated out of London during World War II. She receives a doll for Christmas that becomes a treasured keepsake and changes her life forever.
(Ages 7 – 9)Also available from:
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2017 and updated in 2023.