The holiday season is the perfect time to cozy up with a good book. We bring out a few very special books every year that were passed down from my grandparents, books that I grew up reading with them. You may not be able to find those ones anymore but here’s a curated list of Christmas and holiday-themed books to create your own lasting memories.
(This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase through them. Thanks for your support!)
Toddlers & Preschoolers (Ages 2–5)
- The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
- The Night Before Christmas Board Book by Clement Moore
- Llama Llama Holiday Drama by Anna Dewdney
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss
- Dear Santa by Rod Campbell
- Olive, the Other Reindeer by J. Otto Seibold & Vivian Walsh
- Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson & Jane Chapman
- Franklin’s Christmas Gift by Paulette Bourgeois
- Moo, Baa, Fa La La La La! by Sandra Boynton
- The Snow Dragon by Abi Elphinstone
- The Tea Party in the Woods by Akiko Miyakoshi
- Pick a Pine Tree by Patricia Toht
- Little Critter: Just a Snowman by Mercer Mayer
- Dasher Can’t Wait for Christmas by Matt Tavares
- Red and Lulu by Matt Tavares
- Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
- Winter: A Solstice Story by Kelsey E. Gross
- Winter’s Gifts by Kaitlin B. Curtice
- The Shortest Day by Susan Cooper
- Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter by Kenard Pak
Early Readers (Ages 6–8)
- Froggy’s Best Christmas by Jonathan London
- Little Critter: Snowball Soup by Mercer Mayer
- The Snow Knows by Jennifer McGrath
- Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving by Jan & Mike Berenstain
- The Snow Thief by Alice Hemming
- Fly Guy’s Ninja Christmas by Tedd Arnold
- Paddington’s Christmas Post by Michael Bond
- Biscuit’s Snowy Day by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
- One Snowy Night by Nick Butterworth
- The Frost Goblin by Abi Elphinstone & Fiona Woodcock
- The Christmas Owl by Gideon Sterer
- Dasher: How a Brave Little Doe Changed Christmas Forever by Matt Tavares
- The Legend of the Candy Cane: The Inspirational Story of Our Favorite Christmas Candy by Lori Walburg
- The Return of the Light: Twelve Tales from Around the World for the Winter Solstice by Carolyn McVickar Edwards
- Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner
- How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? by Mac Barnett
- An Anishinaabe Christmas by Wab Kinew
- Winter Sleep: A Hibernation Story by Sean Taylor & Alex Morss
- The Christmas Wish by Lori Evert
- The Shortest Day: Celebrating the Winter Solstice by Wendy Pfeffer
Tweens (Ages 9–12)
- The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
- Christmasaurus by Tom Fletcher
- Amelia Bedelia Wraps It Up by Herman Parish
- The Snow Show by Cam Higgins
- Winter’s No Time to Sleep! by Poppy Green
- Christmas in Camelot by Mary Pope Osborne
- The Great Reindeer Rescue by Stephen Mangan
- A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig
- Magic in the Mountains by T.E. Milburn
- A Christmas Carol – Kid Classics: The Illustrated by Charles Dickens
- Kringle’s Emporium by Jemma Hatt
- Christmas with Anne and Other Holiday Stories by L.M. Montgomery
- The Sea in Winter by Christine Day
- The Solstice Badger by Robin McFadden
- Santa & Son by David Walliams
- North for the Winter by Bobby Podesta
- The Boy Who Slept Through Christmas by Matt Lucas
Teens & Adults
- Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn
- Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson & Lauren Myracle
- The Lost Letters of Christmas by Lisa Renée Ruggeri
- The Liar’s Guide to the Night Sky by Brianna R. Shrum
- The Winter Garden by Alexandra Bell
- A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
- The Winter Spirits: Ghostly Tales for Festive Nights by multiple authors
- The Winter Goddess by Megan Barnard
- Christmas Bells by Jennifer Chiaverini
- Last Christmas in Paris by Hazel Gaynor & Heather Webb
Cozy Holiday Reading Tips For The Busy Season
Between gatherings, baking, and last-minute errands, it can be hard to slow down long enough to enjoy a quiet moment with a book. Here are a few simple, realistic ways to make reading feel both doable and delightful this season:
1. Create a Cozy Reading Nook
You don’t need anything fancy even just a soft blanket, a pillow, and a basket of books. Add a twinkly string of lights, and suddenly it feels like the coziest spot in the house.
2. Make Reading Part of Your Family Rhythm
A story after breakfast, a chapter after dinner, or reading aloud before bedtime… it all adds up.
3. Try a Holiday Book Basket
Fill a basket with seasonal books (new ones and old favorites) and keep it where the kids can reach it. Rotate titles each week to keep it exciting.
4. Enjoy with Hot Chocolate
Once a week, pour mugs of hot chocolate, grab blankets, and read a chapter together.
5. Keep a Book in Your Bag
Those in-between moments like waiting at appointments, sitting in the car during activities, or lingering in the check out line are perfect for a few stolen pages. If you don’t want to carry a heavy book, consider using a Kindle or using the app on your phone.
6. Swap Screens for Stories For a While
No pressure to ditch screens entirely during the holidays. But trading one movie night for a family read-aloud can become a cozy, cherished tradition.
7. Let Audiobooks Do the Heavy Lifting
Driving to see grandparents? Baking cookies? Putting up decorations? Turn on a holiday audiobook and make the moment feel extra magical.
8. Don’t Aim for Perfect
Some nights you’ll read for an hour. Some nights it’ll be three pages. It all still counts!
These holiday books offer moments of joy, connection, and wonder for every age. I hope this list helps you build new traditions, spark cozy evenings, and fill your home with the comforting magic of the season. Happy reading!