Every November, the Christmas books come up from the basement, and my kids act like they’re seeing old friends. Reading these books before bed is one of my favorite parts of the season, and these are the stories we come back to every single year. Some are sweet, some are silly, and a few, like Tough Cookie, have been a family favorite for years.

The Best Christmas Books for Kids from 1 to 92

After years of reading these holiday books with my three kids, I know which books withstand the test of time and which ones end up at the bottom of the basket. There are board books for babies, lift-the-flap books for toddlers, and classics the whole family can enjoy. Here are our favorite Christmas books for kids of every age.

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Pick a Pine Tree

If you buy one Christmas book this year, make it this one. It follows a family as they pick out their tree, bring it home, and decorate it together. It's the sweetest story, and we read it every year.

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Tough Cookie

This is our second favorite. It's the cutest story about a sugar cookie who isn't fast and tastes terrible, and it always gets my kids laughing.

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Mo Willems

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh

Mo Willems' Pigeon is back, and this time he really, really wants to drive Santa's sleigh. Kids love shouting no at every page, and it's just as fun for the grown-up reading it.

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Nicola Killen

The Little Reindeer

This magical story about a little girl and a reindeer on a snowy night is so pretty, with cutouts and shimmery details on the pages. It's a cozy one to read right before bed.

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Alice Hemming

The Snow Thief

From the author of The Leaf Thief, this funny winter picture book is a perfect read for the season. It's a sweet one to read together all winter long, not just at Christmas.

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Yuval Zommer

The Tree That's Meant to Be

This is the story of a little crooked tree that gets left behind in the forest, until the animals step in. The illustrations are beautiful, and the message about being exactly who you are is so sweet.

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Alice Schertle

Little Blue Truck's Christmas

If your kids love Little Blue Truck, this holiday version is a must. Blue delivers Christmas trees to all his friends, and the rhymes and counting make it perfect for toddlers.

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Amanda Jane Jones

Decorate the Tree

This interactive book has kids tapping, shaking, and tilting the pages to decorate the tree. It's so fun for little ones who can't sit still, and the simple, modern illustrations are beautiful.

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Sherri Duski Rinker

Construction Site On Christmas Night

The trucks from Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site are back for a holiday adventure. It's a must for truck-obsessed kids, and it's become a bedtime favorite in our house.

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Peekaboo Santa

Toddlers can't resist pushing and pulling the sliders and tabs in this book. We have the car version, too, and my son loves it!

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Camilla Reid

Search and Find: Santa's Gifts

Little ones lift the flaps and slide the doors to reveal fun Christmas presents, all the way to the shiny foil ending when Reindeer's gift is revealed. It's a great pick for toddlers who love interactive books.

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Clement C. Moore

Twas the Night Before Christmas

No Christmas book collection is complete without this classic. Reading it on Christmas Eve is one of my favorite traditions, and it's one kids will remember forever.

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Nicola Edwards

You're My Little Christmas Wish

This sweet, rhyming board book is all about how much you love your little one. It's short enough for babies and toddlers, and it makes a lovely first Christmas gift.

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Tom Fletcher

There's a Little Snowman in Your Book

Toddlers will love pushing, pulling, and sliding tabs to dress Snowman, join a snowball fight, and help Snowman and his friends on their journey to Santa's workshop!

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Duck and Goose It's Time for Christmas

This is a short and sweet book that isn't my personal favorite, but my daughter loves it. It's cute and simple, with just a handful of words on each page, which makes it perfect for the littlest readers.

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Robert Barry

Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree

Mr. Willowby's tree is too tall for his parlor, so he snips off the top, and that little treetop gets passed along to the maid, a bear, a fox, and finally a family of mice, who each find just the right spot for it. It's a rhyming classic from the 1960s, and kids love seeing who ends up with the tree next.

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