Table of Contents
Unwrap the Joy of Reading: Best Preschool Christmas Books for Little Ones
One of my favorite things to do is read to my little ones, especially at Christmas time. I’m a major reader myself, so I know the importance of starting them early. There’s something truly magical about snuggling up on the couch with a cup of hot cocoa (for me), milk (for them), and a stack of Christmas books just waiting to be explored.
Over the years, I’ve probably read hundreds of Christmas books to my kids, but there are always those special few that they ask for again and again. You know the ones – where you’ve memorized every word, but they still insist on “one more time, please!” Those are the books I’m excited to share with you today.
Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or teacher, these Christmas books are absolute winners for the preschool crowd. I’ve personally tested each one with my own little elves, and they’ve all passed the ultimate test – keeping wiggly toddlers engaged and coming back for more!
Bear Stays Up for Christmas
Bear Stays Up for Christmas has a special place in my family’s holiday reading routine. This adorable tale follows Bear (who’s supposed to be hibernating!) and his woodland friends who are determined to keep him awake so he can experience Christmas for the very first time. The way Bear’s friends – Mouse, Rabbit, and Badger – work together to keep him engaged with holiday activities like finding the perfect tree and wrapping presents just melts my heart every time.
What I absolutely love about this book (and what makes it perfect for preschoolers) is how it teaches the joy of friendship and giving while keeping little ones entertained with the silly attempts to keep Bear awake. My kids always giggle when Bear tries his hardest not to doze off! The illustrations by Jane Chapman are just gorgeous – soft, warm, and cozy, perfectly capturing the sleepy winter woodland atmosphere.
The simple, rhyming text makes it easy for little ones to follow along, and I often catch my preschooler “reading” it on their own, having memorized their favorite parts. It’s become such a beloved book that we now have a little tradition of reading it on Christmas Eve – though unlike Bear, my little ones have no trouble staying awake with all the excitement!
Grab it here.
A Silly Milly Christmas
If your little ones love dogs as much as mine do, they’ll absolutely fall in love with A Silly Milly Christmas! This heartwarming story follows Milly, an adorable Great Dane who’s bursting with Christmas spirit. Let me tell you, my kids can totally relate to Milly’s excitement about the holidays – she’s just like them, barely able to contain her joy as Christmas approaches!
What makes this book extra special is how it captures all those magical Christmas Eve moments through the eyes of a lovable pup. Milly does everything our kids love to do – she eagerly welcomes holiday guests (though probably with more tail-wagging!), tries to sneak peeks at presents (sound familiar?), and even joins in for Christmas carols. My little ones always giggle when they see this big, goofy Great Dane getting into the holiday spirit.
The best part? Milly made it onto Santa’s nice list! This always leads to fun conversations with my preschoolers about what it means to be “nice” during the holiday season. It’s such a sweet way to encourage good behavior while keeping the story light and fun.
Grab it here.
You're My Little Christmas Cookie
You know those special books that just feel like a warm hug? Well, You’re My Little Christmas Cookie is exactly that kind of treasure! As a parent, I’m always on the lookout for books that create those sweet bonding moments with my little ones, and this adorable board book delivers that magic in spades.
What really makes this book stand out is how it combines everything preschoolers love – interactive features they can touch and explore, beloved holiday characters, and the most precious rhyming text that just rolls off your tongue. My kids absolutely light up when we get to the pages with snuggly snowmen and sparkly snowflakes. And don’t even get me started on the gingerbread cookies – we usually have to pause reading right there because it gets them so excited about making our own holiday treats!
The sturdy board book format is perfect for those little hands that want to help turn pages (and sometimes get a bit too enthusiastic!). I love how this book has become part of our holiday bedtime routine – there’s something so special about ending the day with sweet sentiments and festive snuggles. It’s definitely one of those books that creates memories while reading it!
Grab it here.
Little Blue Truck's Christmas
Oh my goodness, if your little one already loves the Little Blue Truck series (and who doesn’t?), this Christmas edition will have them beeping with joy! Little Blue Truck’s Christmas has become such a hit in our house that we practically know it by heart. There’s something extra special about watching our favorite little truck spreading Christmas cheer to all his animal friends.
What I absolutely adore about this book – and what makes it perfect for preschoolers – is how it sneakily works in counting practice while telling such a heartwarming story. My little ones love helping Blue count the Christmas trees from one to five and back again. We make it interactive by holding up our fingers to count along, and they get so excited when we remember to save the last tree for Blue! That signature “Beep! Beep!” never fails to get my kids joining in with the sweetest little voices.
The illustrations are just gorgeous – they capture all that cozy winter charm with the same familiar style that made us fall in love with Little Blue Truck in the first place. And can I just say how brilliant it is that the text is short and sweet? It’s perfect for those busy December evenings when you want to squeeze in a holiday story but don’t want to miss bedtime!
Grab it here.
The Itsy Bitsy Reindeer
If you’re like me and love finding fresh spins on classic nursery rhymes, The Itsy Bitsy Reindeer is going to be your new holiday favorite! You know how kids light up when they recognize a familiar tune? Well, this clever book takes the melody we all know from “The Itsy Bitsy Spider” and gives it the most adorable Christmas makeover ever!
I can’t tell you how much fun it is to sing this one with my preschoolers – yes, I said sing! Since they already know the rhythm of the original song, they catch on super quickly and before you know it, they’re singing right along. There’s something absolutely magical about watching their faces light up when they realize they can join in without having to learn anything new.
What makes this book extra special is how it takes us right into Santa’s Workshop. My little ones are absolutely fascinated by the idea of helping Santa prepare for Christmas, and through this tiny reindeer’s adventures, they feel like they’re part of the behind-the-scenes holiday magic. It’s become such a fun addition to our Christmas book collection that sometimes we find ourselves humming the tune even in July!
Grab it here.
The Grumpy Reindeer
You know those days when even the most festive season can’t shake a case of the grumps? Well, The Grumpy Reindeer tackles this relatable feeling in the most endearing way! As a parent, I absolutely treasure books that help little ones understand and process their emotions, and this story does it with such holiday charm that you can’t help but smile – even if the reindeer won’t!
I have to tell you, my preschoolers get such a kick out of this grumpy little character who’s huffing and puffing while everyone else is feeling merry and bright. The way they giggle at his grumpy antics while also learning an important lesson about friendship and kindness is just priceless. And let me say, we’ve definitely had some great conversations about how sometimes we all feel a bit “grumpy reindeer-ish” – even during the most wonderful time of the year!
What really makes this book special is watching children’s faces as they follow along to see if our grumpy friend’s frown will indeed turn upside down. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous – they’re so festive and expressive that even before we read the words, my little ones are pointing out how the reindeer is feeling on each page. It’s become such a go-to book in our house that whenever someone’s having a grumpy moment, we’ll playfully ask if they’re channeling their inner grumpy reindeer!
Grab it here.
The Biggest Snowman Ever
Oh, The Biggest Snowman Ever has a special place in my heart – not just because it’s an adorable Christmas story, but because it teaches such a wonderful lesson about teamwork! You should see how my little ones’ eyes grow wide as Clayton and Desmond try to build these enormous snowmen all by themselves. (It reminds me so much of how preschoolers often insist “I can do it myself!” until they realize some jobs are just better with help!)
What I absolutely love about this book is how it captures that magical mixture of winter wonder and friendly competition that comes with a town contest. Every time we read about the mayor of Mouseville announcing the snowman contest, my kids get so excited – they start planning their own imaginary snowmen right there on the spot! And let’s be honest, what preschooler doesn’t dream of building the BIGGEST snowman ever?
But here’s where the story gets really good – watching Clayton and Desmond realize that working together is better than competing against each other. I can’t tell you how many great conversations this has sparked in our house about cooperation and friendship. Plus, the illustrations of these cute little mice bundled up in their winter gear, working hard in the snow, are just too precious for words!
