UPDATE: For easy access and viewing, this list has been updated on the ABCJLM Amazon Shop.
On the ABCJesusLovesMe Facebook Group, Helen shared an idea that she found on Pinterest to wrap and read one book per day as a countdown to Christmas or for Advent. I love the idea!
There is a plethora of wonderful children’s books focusing on Christmas so I assumed that finding 25 quality books would be a cinch. But in my search, I found most of the lists contained books that focused on the commercial side of the holiday. So with the help of some precious ladies in our group, I compiled a list that intermixes fun and teaching the true meaning of Christmas.
25 Count-Down to Christmas Books
These 25 books are simply suggestions. Additional options to substitute as needed as listest below. Also fill free to change the order as needed!
- The Sparkle Box: A Gift with the Power to Change Christmas by Jill Hardie (Read my review and enter to win.)
- The Biggest Snowman Ever
- What Is Christmas?
- The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving
- The Story of Christmas
- Snowmen at Night
- The Tale of Three Trees
- The Hat
- The Littlest Christmas Tree: A Tale of Growing and Becoming
- A Wish to Be a Christmas Tree
- Poppleton in Winter
- The Candymaker’s Gift: The Legend of the Candy Cane
- God Gave Us Christmas
- Itsy Bitsy Christmas: You’re Never Too Little for His Love
- The Perfect Christmas Pageant (Everyday Zoo)
- Mortimer’s Christmas Manger
- Christmas Cookies: Bite-Size Holiday Lessons by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
- Song of the Stars: A Christmas Story
by Sally Lloyd-Jones - The Gingerbread Man
- The Very First Christmas from the Beginner’s Bible
- Morris’ Disappearing Bag
- Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale
- Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree
- Who is Coming to Our House?
- The Bible – Luke 2
Additional Christmas Book Options
Below is a list of books that others have suggested that may also be use.
One Shining Star: A Christmas Counting Book
Christmas Books by Crystal Bownman – Several books written by this talented author.
The Best Thing about Christmas (Happy Day)
The 12 Days of Christmas: The Story Behind a Favorite Christmas Song
B Is for Bethlehem: A Christmas Alphabet Board Book
The Adventure of Christmas: Helping Children Find Jesus in Our Holiday Traditions
Legend of the Christmas Stocking
Why Christmas Trees Aren’t Perfect
The Gift of the Christmas Cookie: Sharing the True Meaning of Jesus’ Birth
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey
What Happened to Merry Christmas
The Greatest Shepherd of All: A Really Woolly Christmas Story
The Littlest Magi SEA: A Christmas Tale
The Story of St. Nicholas: More Than Reindeer and a Red Suit
Secular Christmas Books
These super cute books contain discussion of Santa Claus.
Scholastic Reader Level 1: Noodles: I Love Christmas (with sticker sheet): I Love Christmas! (with Sticker Sheet)
That’s Not Santa! Hello Reader (Level 1)
A Wish for Wings that Work: An Opus Christmas Story
Discover more Christmas Traditions on the ABCJesusLovesMe Preschool Curriculum website.
Jenny Brown says
I would love to add a brand new (2014) book to his list. It is a book called God Bless Our Christmas by Hannah C. Hall with illustrations by Steve Whitlow. We love their first book God Bless You and Good Night. It is our brand new go-to baby shower/baptism/birthday present book for the little ones in our lives. We ran across their new Christmas book and bought it as soon as it came out and we have not been disappointed by the adorable illustrations. My son (18 months) loves to read her books over and over agani!
ABCJLM says
Thank you for sharing. I will take a look!
Jenny Brown says
Another great board book for Christmas time is The Donkey's Christmas Song by Nancy Tafuri. My baby/toddler laughs each time the donkey "sings" (just like Jesus laughs in the story)
ABCJLM says
I will look for this one. Thanks for sharing!
Tour of My Life says
The biggest snowman ever and god gave us Christmas are both on sale for $1 through scholastic. At least they were Nov 18th when I ordered them 🙂
ABCJLM says
Thank you! That is a great deal!
Anonymous says
I would also love to add ' Birds of Bethlehem' – The nativity story from a birds eye view.
ABCJLM says
That sounds fun! Thanks for sharing.