Top Christmas Picture Books for Kids
It’s that time of the year when I am in need of books that can capture the magic of Christmas. The last three weeks of school can fly by (or CRAWL)! So, keeping my students’ attention and enthusiasm for what they are learning, becomes more challenging. Thankfully, incorporating my curriculum into Christmas books is pretty easy! This list of my top 10 picture books for kids is sure to help you keep your class tame.
1. The Not Very Merry Pout-Pout Fish
This is one of my top Christmas Picture books because it helps remind us what is important during Christmas time. In this story, Pout-Pout Fish is struggling to find the perfect gift for his friends, until he is reminded that the best gifts are handmade and come from the heart.
2. Pete the Cat Saves Christmas
The next Christmas picture book our class loves is Pete the Cat Saves Christmas. This is a fun spin on the Night Before Christmas. In this story, Pete the Cat shows us that giving your all to help those in need is something to cherish.
A great classroom activity that you can incorporate with this book, is to have your students create an anchor chart with a list of ideas on how to help during Christmas Time.
3. How Do Dinosaurs Say Merry Christmas
If you have not read this series yet, I HIGHLY recommend them! They make a perfect segue into talking about appropriate behaviors at home and in the classroom. My students crack up laughing at the dinosaurs and it always prompts a great classroom discussion on how not to act. How Do Dinosaurs Say Merry Christmas? easily made our list because of its nontraditional Christmas themes, fun pictures, and funny dinosaurs.
4. The Gingerbread Baby
Oh Jan Brett, what fun it is to read. Last year my class did an author study on Jan Brett and it ended up being one of my favorites. She uses common themes and classic fairy tales but always puts a surprise twist that kids love to read. This was one of our top Christmas books last year because my students ended up making gingerbread men and hiding them around the school. This story is fun because the baby is clever and outwits the hungry town until he is captured by the boy who makes him a cozy gingerbread house. You can grab a copy here.
5. The Polar Express
This doesn’t need an explanation right? The Christmas magic in this book alone made this one an easy add to my top ten Christmas picture books for kids.
It is still up in the air if reading the book or watching the youtube video of Liam Nelson is better. His voice is so soothing and mesmerizing that it really adds to the Christmas Spirit. One year, I have had my class wear PJs and drink hot chocolate while listening to Liam Nelson read aloud. Afterward, I gave each student a small silver jingle bell with a note attached to it.
6. Memories of an Elf
The next book on our list is Memoirs of an Elf. In this story, the elf has to help Santa stay on time and get presents delivered to the right children. This is a great book to talk about Christmas memories, time, and making lists. After reading this book you can have the class review telling time and make a holiday schedule, or write about their favorite Christmas memory.
7. Sad Santa
Sad Santa is a new book that I got using my Scholastic Points for my class. This book is definitely different than any other Christmas book I have read.
At first, Santa’s post-Christmas blues had me a bit down. But, the message in the story touched a nerve that I think a lot of kids and adults can relate to. Many times we spend the holiday season focusing on the anticipation of Christmas day, that once it is over it can make us feel a tad empty. This book made the cut on our top Christmas books for kids to help us address the true meaning of Christmas (JESUS) and to help curb those Christmas blues.
8. Too Many Tamales
WARNING! Do not read this book until you have eaten. Being from Texas it is a Christmas must to eat tamales at least once during the holiday season. Too Many Tamales is a story full of family tradition and culture. We love this story because it is a great way to talk about the different traditions we have. The students love sharing how their families celebrate the Christmas holiday.
9. The Great Reindeer Rebellion
The Great Reindeer Rebellion is another twist on “The Night Before Christmas”. The reindeer suddenly decide to go on strike and Santa is frantic to find different animals to fly his sled. This is a quick read with fun rhyming included. A fun follow up activity that you could have your students do, is to write a job application for Santa’s sleigh driver.
10. A World of Cookies for Santa
The last book that made our list of Christmas books for kids is A World of Cookies for Santa. This is a perfect book to talk about Christmas traditions from around the world. My students really enjoyed reading this and sharing their own traditions with their classmates. Of course, you may want to pack some cookies for a read-aloud snack, because your mouth will surely be watering after this one.
More Christmas Fun
What are your top Christmas picture books for kids? I would love to add more to my list!
Check out my post about Holiday Traditions Around the World. It is full of simple ideas on ways to teach students about popular Christmas traditions.
