Christmas has a unique meaning for children, and they look forward to it all year. How could they not? Holidays at school, a festive cheer in the air, and they receive gifts from Santa Claus. My Christmas traditions now include decorating the house, enjoying hot chocolate and reading my childhood favourites to my son. No one ever really outgrows The Polar Express and The Night Before Christmas, right? The collection below includes classics from childhood to brand new books that you can enjoy reading to and with your kids. Get into matching Christmas pyjamas and get reading.
‘The Snowman’ by Raymond Briggs
Raymond Briggs’s classic is a true piece of Christmas magic, narrated entirely through pictures. It came out in 1978 and has become a classic ever since. It’s a beautiful Christmas book about a young boy building a snowman that comes to life. And no, it’s not Frosty!
Ages: infants and above
Buy here
‘On the First Day of Christmas’ by Roald Dahl
Begin a less-than-traditional countdown to Christmas featuring many of Dahl’s most well-known and well-loved characters and Quentin Blake’s iconic illustrations. Along with being a counting book, this one is also the best introduction for little ones to the works of this much-loved author whose books, while largely written for more independent readers, will nevertheless entertain our youngest ones if they’re read aloud during family time. No child should go through their young life without knowing what a ‘whizz-popper’ is or dreaming of winning that golden ticket to Wonka’s factory!
Ages: 1 and above
Buy here
‘The Polar Express’ by Chris Van Allsburg
This wonderful story captured my imagination as a child. Now that my son is old enough, I read it to him. He doesn’t quite get the message yet, but he loves the beautiful illustrations and the train itself. The message of believing in something magical resonates with me even today. Imagine boarding a magical train to the North Pole and getting to visit Santa Claus. It’s every little child’s dream. This classic story tells what happens one Christmas Eve when one lucky little boy experiences this dream, and boards the Polar Express with many other children to visit the North Pole.
Ages: 3 and above
Buy here
Dr Suess’s ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’
Whether your kids know this tale by heart or are new to the story, they’ll gasp and giggle their way through one of the most loved Christmas books for kids. In How the Grinch Stole Christmas, the grumpy Grinch learns the true meaning of the festive time — a lesson that’s as relevant now as it was when the book was published in 1957.
Ages: 4 and above
Buy here
‘Dasher’ by Matt Tavares
Dasher is a quietly beautiful book, which doesn’t rely on any gimmicks to attract readers. It is a traditional, old-fashioned, honest-to-goodness Christmas story that will have long-lasting appeal. This 2019 book tells the touching story of a young doe named Dasher ,who wished for more than a life in the circus. Dasher follows her journey north to meet Santa.
Ages: 5 and above
Buy here
‘How Winston Delivered Christmas’ by Alex T. Smith
These gorgeously illustrated Christmas stories are written in 24 and a half chapters, and each chapter should be read on the corresponding day of advent, with the final half chapter being read on Christmas Day itself. Alongside the new part of Winston’s Christmas adventure, each chapter has a festive activity you can do as a family — from writing a letter to Father Christmas to making Christmas decorations. So, while you can read one chapter a day over advent, they can be read quicker if you can’t wait to find out what happens next (or need to catch up!). Suitable for young readers, this one makes a lovely gift too!
Age: 6 and above
Buy here
The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser
In The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser, the Vanderbeekers’ grumpy landlord fails to renew the lease on their Harlem brownstone home. The five siblings plot to learn his secrets and win him over. It is the first book in the The Vanderbeekers series. Centred around Christmas, this one is a must for confident young readers.
Age: 8 and above
Buy here
‘The Miracle on Ebenezer Street’ by Catherine Doyle
This modern imagining of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is perfect for young readers. From inside the covers of The Miracle on Ebenezer Street come wispy echoes of the classic Christmas tale by Dickens. There is a Marley, there are journeys to the past, the present and the future. There are humbugs and there’s a purple reindeer. Yes, a purple reindeer! Along with an elf on the shelf, and a walking, talking oil-painted ancestor. This is an exciting, funny, surprising but truly poignant story with shattered snow-globes, broken hearts, and a happy ending.
Age: 9 and above
Buy here
‘Letters from Father Christmas’ by J.R.R. Tolkien
Each December a letter would arrive for the Tolkien family, bearing the stamp of the North Pole. The letters were from Father Christmas. They tell tales of life at the North Pole, the adventures of reindeer and accident-prone polar bears. These letters are perfect for reading aloud and sharing throughout December. The idea that you can take a peep at Tolkien being a dad and writing his kids letters from Santa is just too much. The illustrations are beautiful and the letters are charming.
Age: 10 and above
Buy here
This Christmas, get yourself cups of hot cocoa, curl up on the couch or by the tree, and enjoy these festive stories!
The author is an economist and full-time millennial mother, struggling to cope with daily chores