Countdown to Christmas with 25 Heartwarming Children’s Books
A favorite Christmas tradition in our family is to snuggle up on the couch, amidst the glow of the Christmas Tree lights, and read our favorite Christmas books. Over the last 10 years we’ve collected a wide assortment of heartwarming books that celebrate the Christmas spirit for our Advent countdown.
What is an Advent Countdown?
If you’re unfamiliar with an Advent Countdown, it’s quite simple. The season of Advent in the Christian calendar anticipates the "coming of Christ" or Christmas. Every night as a family you read a Christmas book, new or a favorite one. Some people purchase 25 new book each year and they wrap each book, which can be pricey.
What we enjoy doing is having a Christmas book bin and each day we number the books to count down with a simple sticky note. After winter is over, we pack up the books and stash them away until Christmas the following year. That way they get to enjoy the books for 3 months, but 9 months later, they are excited to read their beloved books again. Every year I sneak in a couple new ones to the stack. Our collection is a mix of Christmas books, religious books, and nature inspired winter books.
Tips for gathering a collection
Checkout and borrow books from your local library. Plan ahead to beat the crowds. I do this every year and then we purchase the ones we love.
Check second hand stores or garage sales, you can often find some great books.
If you’re just starting your collection, simply shorten the number of days. ie a week countdown.
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Here is our compiled list of beloved Christmas books to help you create your own tradition. I can’t wait for you to make memories cuddling up with your children. Countdown to Christmas with these 25 amazing Christmas books to start the magical advent season. Helpful links are attached if you want to add them to your Christmas collection.
Christian/ Religious Based Books
The Nativity by Julie Vivas
The biblical story of the Christmas nativity with amazing illustrations, by one of our favorite illustrators, the talented Julie Vivas.
The Clown of God Tomie DePaola
An Italian juggler offers the one gift he possesses to the Christ child. This story has a wonderful rich message by one of our favorite authors, Tomie DePaola.
God Gave Us Christmas by Lisa Tawn Bergren
Fans of the Little Cub series will love exploring the questions “who invented Christmas?” with Little Cub and her family. This curious polar bear and his mother set of on an adventure to find God. Along their journey, they discover signs that God is at work all around them and Jesus is the best present of all. This series of books are all wonderful including, God Gave Us Winter, and God Gave Us You.(2-6)
Mortimer’s Christmas Manger by Karma Wilson
A Christmas Favorite! This adorable story features Mortimer, a mouse, who lives in the walls. Each day he comes out looking for bits of food, when one day he finds the most amazing thing— a small house with tiny people just his size. Read along as Mortimer learns the story of Jesus, the manger, and the message of “making room for baby Jesus.”
The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie DePaola
Around Christmas time, the poinsettia flower blooms and its bright red flowers have become a quintessential symbol of Christmas. In Mexico, the poinsettia is called flor de la Nochebuenao, which means flower of the Holy Night. This Mexican legend tells how the this star like flower came to be, through a young girl's selfless gift to the Christ Child.
They Followed A Bright Star by Joan Alavedra
An angel appears to shepherds on a cold, bitter night with a message. They set out on a one-of-kind journey following the bright star that will lead them to the newborn baby. As they travel they pass others, who have also received messages. Each person with their own unique calling, which will one day fulfil a destiny of the new King. The author weaves a story of symbolism that foretells the miracles that this King Jesus will one day perform.
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowki
When a reclusive woodcarver is asked to carve a replacement of a lost nativity set. He must face difficult memories while learning valuable lessons on friendship in unexpected people. This book will bring a tear to your eye and make you want to hold your children extra close as you read together. Ideal for older children.
The Lightlings by RC Sproul
This story is a beautiful woven allegory of the biblical story of creation, the fall and redemption. Told in a unique way by Dr. R.C. Sproul. Children will love the tiny lightlings and be drawn into the story. The spiritual lesson will ring true; there is no need to fear the dark because we have the light within.
Christmas Books
A Wish to Be a Christmas Tree by Colleen Monroe
Year after year a pine tree remains unpicked at Christmas time. Will he ever get his wish to become a Christmas tree? A message of hope and friendship as the woodland animals band together for their friend. A heartwarming Christmas story told in simple verse for both young and old.
Snowmen of Christmas by Caralyn Buehner
This book is such a fun story! An easy read with rhyming verse and captures the Christmas spirit. Your children will really enjoy looking for the hidden pictures in each page. You’ll love the wintery scenes revealing the fun ways snowmen celebrate Christmas while we are all asleep. Both Santa and Jesus are referenced in this Christmas book.
An Orange for Frankie by Patricia Polacco
Every year there are nine oranges found on the mantle among the pine boughs, but this year because of the heavy snow there are no oranges and no papa. A story of a young boy who learns a lesson about giving on Christmas Eve. The sweetest story that is guaranteed to bring a tear to your eye.
An Otis Christmas by Loren Long
A story of a determined little tractor, who risks it all to help the animals on the country farm. It’s a perfect story for children who adore trucks and tractors. My sons love it! The illustrations are beautiful and it's a great Christmas story for all ages.
When Santa was a Baby by Linda Bailey
Such an adorable story that will make everyone giggle, especially the pictures of imagining Santa as a baby. This clever book is a funny glimpse of an oddball child who fulfills his destiny, and makes his parents proud.
Christmas Oranges by Linda Bethers
This is a beautiful book, especially for those who grew up having an orange placed in their stocking each year. After being moved to an orphanage, Rose looks forward to Christmas, when she will taste her first orange. The children in the book deal bravely and patiently with adversity. I love how this book encourages kindness, sharing, and love. It's a sweet message that the most memorable Christmas is one where you give a gift from the heart.
Little Santa by Jon Agee
Curious about what Santa was like as a young child? Award-winning author and illustrator Jon Agee shares a playful story in this children’s picture book destined to be one of your favorite Christmas books.
Dasher by Matt Tavares
The striking cover of this book will immediately draw you in. Follow the story of Dasher, a reindeer who longs for a different life. When she bravely follows her dream, she doesn’t realize how one does brave act will change Christmas forever.
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
A magical story aboard a mysterious train, where a boy learns the power of believing and magic does really exist. We love watching the movie after reading this beloved book.
Little Blue Truck’s Christmas by Alice Schertle
Young fans of the Little Blue Truck series will love this book. The Little Blue Truck spreads Christmas cheer by delivering Christmas trees to his animal friends. Can you help count each pine tree from one to five? This story is a great one for younger children, with fun twinkle lights on the tree. (0-5)
The Jolly Christmas Postman by Allan Ahlberg
This beautifully illustrated, full-color book celebrates a time before email with a picture book full of real letters to read aloud. The Jolly Postman delivers various letters for Christmas. This interactive book, allows the reader to take out the letters and imagines what their favorite fairy tale characters would write to each other. This story is better to read 1:1 because of all the tiny details in the illustrations and letters.
Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore
This classic story filled with Christmas wonder has brought Santa to life for so many children. A timeless poem with gorgeous water color illustrations is a must for your families collection to read on Christmas Eve.
Pick a Pine Tree by Patricia Toht
The perfect book to kick of your Advent countdown as you pick out your Christmas tree and decorate it. The simple lyrical verse is ideal for young children. This bright, fun illustrations will make you smile!
Christmas Treasury Jan Brett
This Christmas collection is wonderful holiday gift! It includes seven of Jan Brett's most beloved stories: The Night Before Christmas, Trouble with Trolls, Christmas Trolls, The Mitten, The Hat, The Twelve Days of Christmas, and The Wild Christmas Reindeer.
Snowy Day Ezra Keats
Every year we reach for this book for the wonder and awe that the first big snow of the year brings. Our Winter Snow Day tradition is to have an indoor picnic with powdered donuts holes, hot chocolate and cozy read alouds together. Doesn’t staying in your pajamas all day, reading and playing in the snow sound magical! This book is rich in descriptive language and received the 1963 Caldecott Medal.
Nutcracker by Alison Jay
The classic story of a young girl named Clara and a magical world. The classic version follows the Nutcracker ballet. Allison Jay's illustrations are captivating for children and adults alike. This beautiful version will help children follow the Balanchine version of the Nutcracker if you attend the ballet. (4-9)
Lighthouse Christmas by Toni Buzzeo
A cozy story which was inspired by the Flying Santa program, a New England tradition since 1929. Frances is determined to make Christmas special for her brother, although it means joining family on the mainland and leaving Papa behind on their lighthouse island. But when Christmas Eve brings a wild storm and Papa rescues a drowning man, the children discover the most important thing about the holiday is being together.
Nature/ Winter Books
Secrets of Winter (Shine a Light Book) by Carron Brown
Shine a light books by Usborne are perfect for bedtime. Grab a flashlight and snuggle up together. These beautifully illustrated and written books are a favorite in our home because secret pictures are revealed as you shine a light on the page. There is a whole series of shine a light books. Other favorites include Secrets of Animal Camouflage.
Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree by Robert Barry
When the first person in Mr. Willowby’s home cuts the top of the tree off because it’s too tall, then the top is handed off and other people and even a mouse uses the decreasing top to make their own tree. The rhymes are lyrical. the story is warm with a wonderful message of recycling nature
Night Tree by Even Bunting
A family decorates a special tree in their yard with popcorn, tangerines, and sunflower seed balls. We were so inspired we created our own. Check out these crafts and homemade bird feeders
Christmas Farm by Mary Lyn Ray
A well written book that looks at what it takes for a seed to become a tree in this lovely story with beautiful illustrations. An interesting topic with fun characters, full of details, and plus some math! Highly recommend for anyone who has a green thumb, or kiddos that are curious where their Christmas trees come from!
Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Martin
A Caldecott picture book, based on the story of Wilson Bentley and his fascination with snow. At a young age he saw each tiny crystal as a little miracle and wanted to photograph them. Full of gorgeous artwork, this true story is perfect for snowy days. Geared towards older children.
Hope these books inspire you to create your own Christmas traditions! Pin for later and follow Discovering Anew for more family activities and adventures.
Merry Christmas from our family to yours!!
