Oh hello my fellow Christmas lovers…or is it book lovers? Not sure…maybe a little a and b? 😉 But I’m so glad you’re here, because I have quite the list to share with you today. For those who’ve been around my social media for some time, know that I’ve shared magical kiddy Christmas books with you on My IG stories in the past. But this year, so that you’ll always have easy access to this list Ive created a blog post.
And you may have even been around when I shared my Halloween Book List on the blog – SO FUN, you must see! Anyhoo, this year, I thought I’d take the time to share with you all our favourite Christmas books that truly inspire the magic of this season…indulge the cosiness of it all, and encourage the wonder of little minds.
We’re slowly building up our collection over the years, because we know that books, especially really GOOD books, don’t come cheap these days (which is sad). But I say this to let you know that there’s nothing wrong in building it up slowly over time, so that one day eventually you’ll have a great collection.
For me I see this collection possibly being handed on to our kids for their kids to enjoy (they can split it however they choose to one day as adults). Some of these were also gifted to our kids – which was SO appreciated.
So each year I add a few to our collection..and maybe one day we’ll have enough to do an advent book countdown. But then again we absolutely LOVE our Book Nook vibe that encourages ALL our kids, and I really mean ALL our kids (even 1 year old Remy) to come sit on the mat and get lost in the books..ANY book..on ANY day, any time. So whatever your vibe is, just know that books bring such a beautiful effect of transportation to a magical world …or better yet of learning too! So it really doesnt matter.
Now, this little nook area of our home has firmed itself as ALL our kids fave spot in the home. They all congregate here often and just sometimes hang on the pillows while someone reads out loud. Or each grab a book and read by themselves. Gosh even our doggo loves it…and will either bury herself in the pillows or lay in the sun on the mat.
Also did you get a load of my banners this year? The Little Banner Company came through with this custom made Ginger bread man banner. It always adds just the right touch of festivity to an area.
But enough tish tosh, let me just get right down to it…So the way I’ve structured this post is that I’ve grouped the classics together, magical reads (books that encourage the wonder and “believers” by helping understand how some of the magic works), the just fun reads together and then finally the baby books …BUT I’ll kick off with purely just what are our new picks this year – regardless of their category.
Please note, I’ve linked books where I could. For the rest, I cant seem to link it, but KNOW that I have definitely seen about 90% of those unlinked ones at Readers Warehouse. Thanks to Tam for sharing that with me. If all else fails, hopefully the picture of the books I’ve included by each other them will help you.
2020 Christmas Book Picks
· Dasher – The Doe Who Saved Christmas – Oh emm geeee..this book came out last year, and I was keen to get it..but BOOK BUDGET! Bleh..So this year, I made sure I got it the moment my budget became available, and I am NOT sorry. The bigs fought over who could read it first, and I made them read it together. They both LOVE the book.
· KIPPER’S Christmas Eve Board Book – Now I wanted to get another board book for the babies, because they are HARD on books. But turns out this one is NOT a board book, despite what it says. But it is a sweet book that the kids enjoy, and it is an easy ready and perfect for read together times.
· Room for a little one – I really wanted to include some stories especially for the babies about the TRUE reason for the season. And since I found that my kids tend to grasp concepts so much easier when there’s a little book to support what we teach them, this was a great add to our collection. And its perfect for Remy, who absolutely LOVES books, but can be hard on them.
Classic Reads:
· The Night Before Christmas – will forever be my most beloved Christmas story, and this particular pop up book itself. It was mine since I was 7 years old, and its still standing today for my kids to read. We only bring it out for our North Pole Party where my mom reads it out loud to the kids, and then again we read it on Christmas Eve. I’m firm about that. (Also keeps the anticipation of this book so hugh for my kids…and keeps my book in tact!) 😉
· The Nutcracker: You cannot go through a December without this classic. Also conjures up delightful memories of my mom and I at the ballet, when I was a little girl. This is a partial pop up book (only the last few pages pop) and it is beautiful.
· Christmas Carols – a MASSIVE book of all the Christmas carols EVER! Many of which I think I’ve not even heard of. Simply beautiful illustrations, and is one of Morgy’s favourite as she is the singer in our family.
Magical Reads:
· How Winston Saved Christmas- We added this in 2019, and what an incredibly wonderful and sweet book. It has 24 and a half chapters, and is meant to be read like an advent book. One story for each day of December until just before Christmas. However will a tiny mouse save Christmas for that one little child who’s letter got lost?? Such a very loved book in our home…and I am raked over the coals if I ever skip a day with the kids on this one. SO good!
· The Santa Claus – Oh my goshhh..when I saw the original book I was floored! If ever you had a believer and wanted to wow them, or had a kid who was on the fence about Santa that book would have hands down converted them! That pop up book came with hidden compartments and little letters tucked away in Santa’s desk and so much more. Now the normal hardback doesnt come with all of that, but it’s still magical! Want to know how the sleigh works? How time works for Santa? Well this book has it ALL!! Its a must have!
· The Elf On The Shelf – the beautiful book that arrives with the Elf the first time he/she comes to visit your home. It brings home the magic of the Elf, and helps the kids understand how it all works and why we don’t touch the elf. It’s a must have. Also, catch the YouTube movie of the Elf on the Shelf to help your kiddies find the magic.
· Letters to Santa – What home doesn’t have the joy of writing letters to Santa? And now you can bring home some North Pole delight in the form of this letter kit! Our Elf brought the whole kit home one day with special letters that would shrink just enough for an Elf to take it to Santa personally…along with this book that explains how the magic came about, and how it all works. Its perfect for all the believers in your home.
Note: I just rechecked, and it seems that alot of the Elf on the Shelf merchandise was not available anymore on TakeAlot.
Fun Reads:
· The Christmas Story – This is a personalized book I had made for the girls YEARS ago. Parker was just born that year. And so it puts your kids and their friends right at the heart of the story. Wonderful option to consider.
· The Christmas Wish – A little girl gets her wish to help Santa on Christmas Eve.Always fun to see that childlike fantasy unfold before your eyes. And its wistfully illustrated.
· Santa’s Sleigh Is on Its Way to Sheffield – its a lovely little book denoting how all little kids are on Christmas Eve, staring at the night sky, despite plenty of yawns…hoping they’ll catch a glimpse of the big guy.
· Santosaurus (can no longer find this link) – A cute tale set in a dino land where a little dinosaur also wishes to see St Nick ..and guess what? Wishes DO come true! It speaks to just about every believers wish – just for ONCE to see Santa doing his magical things. A sweet read.
· The Very Snowy Christmas – a short and sweet little tale about little mouse and the parent mouse preparing for Christmas the next day, until little mouse has to find some mistletoe and goes on an adventure.
· Snuggle up, sleepy ones – Great short little tale to wind down, with all the animals winding down and getting ready for bed. Not Christmassy, but great for slow down and wind down time before bed.
· One Snowy Night – Little Hedgehog gets a gift from Santa, but doesn’t think its best for him, so he shares it with someone who he thinks may need it more than him. But somehow, Santa just knows.
· Angelina’s Christmas – a sweet tale about a little mouse who spots an old lonely man who used to be the town’s postman. A feel good tale to bring the Christmas spirit of caring.
· Tacky’s Christmas – an odd little tale about a brave penguin and weird wolves. We still read it none the less. 🙂
For the Babies:
· Five Little Reindeer -great for counting, sweet illustrations and tactile feel in the books. Its been loved by my kids for years, and despite Coco removing one reindeer the board book has help up well.
· Dear Santa: Such a lovely little story that repeats and reads easily, with fun flaps to reveal. Definitely a must have board book.
Hope you found this helpful in trying to narrow down which books youd like to get this year! Enjoy!
