Best Books for Christmas Time for All Ages
This time of year is one for traditions, making memories, and remembering the true reason for the season–the birth of Jesus Christ. One way to do this? Reading the Best Books for Christmas time!
I love reading, and reading Christmas and winter books in December helps my heart fill full. It’s a great way to embrace the holiday season. In addition to working through the book of Luke in the Bible, I hope to have a tradition of reading Christmas books aloud with my future children throughout December.
Check out the BEST BOOKS FOR CHRISTMAS below for ideas on family reading this holiday season!
Books for Everyone: Picture Books
Picture books, traditionally, are designed for babies, toddlers, and lower elementary students. I, however, like calling picture books Everybody Books, because everybody, young and old, can enjoy picture books! This first section has Everybody Book recommendations for the Christmas season. These are books you and yours will want to read year after year–even when your littles become big kids.
⭐️God Gave Us Christmas by Lisa Tawn Bergen is a picture book that is sure to be a family favorite. Follow Little Cub and Mama, two polar bears, as they explore the true meaning of Christmas in the midst of holiday preparations.
⭐️Room for a Little One by Martin Waddell is a precious picture book following Kind Ox in the stable. Every time someone asks for a place to stay, Kind Ox says, “There’s always room for a little one here.” A wonderful way to talk about the birth of Jesus!
⭐️The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado is a heartwarming story with disability representation and answered prayers on Christmas Day. Fans of the old animated movie Annabelle’s Wish will enjoy this book!
⭐️The Christmas Book Flood by Emily Kilgore teaches about the Icelandic tradition of exchanging books on Christmas Eve. With lyrical text and beautiful illustrations, learn about the magic of reading—and open the door to decide if gifted books on Christmas Eve is a tradition you and your family want to start!
Books for Emerging Readers
The following books are great to read with young children who are transitioning from early readers to chapter books. Think upper elementary and early middle school. But these are books that can be read and reread and still be enjoyed!
⭐️The Promise and the Light by Katy Morgan is a retelling of the nativity story. This first person point of view narrative shines a light on what Mary, Joseph, and Zechariah experienced during the first Christmas. The imaginative story will engage and captivate readers while the biblically faithful truths will remind all the importance of the birth of Jesus. With twenty-five chapters, it can be read all throughout Advent!
⭐️The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson is a chapter book of just over 100 pages. The Herman children have a horrible reputation—setting things on fire, blackmailing classmates, and hitting people. So, when the six siblings show up at church, the other kids are shocked and convinced they are going to have the worst Christmas pageant this year. However, the magic of Christmas and what the Christmas story means, makes an impact on everyone. (I love using this book in the classroom.)
⭐️The Christmasaurus by Tom Fletcher features a boy named William who wants one thing for Christmas: a dinosaur. Santa accidentally leaves his dinosaur with William. At first, things are great! But then a man called the Hunter goes after them. Though this fantastical book does not have direct elements of the biblical Christmas story, it’s rhyming text, black-and-white illustrations, and humorous adventure is sure to captivate even reluctant readers. As William learns that believing in something is powerful, you can use this as a chance to talk about the power in believing in Jesus with your young readers.
⭐️”The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry is a short story that has many retellings and variations. Though short in length, the theme of sacrifice is powerful. And it is a great tie in to why the birth of Jesus, and Christmas, is so important. For emerging readers, I recommend the abridged version illustrated by Lisbeth Zwerger!
Books for Advanced Readers
⭐️”Finding Christmas Joy” by Amanda Tero is a short story that young adult and new adult readers will enjoy. The story focuses on Melonie who has taken a vacation during Christmas instead of going home. With distant parents and a broken engagement, she feels lost. At the Starlight Lodge, she feels overwhelmed with the “picture perfect” Christmas around her. Will Melonie find the peace and joy she so desperately needs?
⭐️”In the Manger” by Ashton E. Dorow is a look into the experiences of individuals during the first Christmas. It is a part of the Experience the Bible series that can be continued past Christmas, too!
⭐️Comfort and Joy by B. M. Baker is a novella that follows 16 year-old in the days after the loss of her grandmother. When Clara and her parents are going through her grandma’s home, her dad finds a large box full of yarn. A note shares that Grandma’s final wish was for Clara to turn her pain into a project. Clara doesn’t think she can crochet without hurting too much, since her grandma taught her to crochet. But her grandmother has left other messages of the importance of turning pain into good for others.
Books for Mom
The following holiday romance novellas are written for adults, however, there is no graphic content. No spice (Only kissing). Mature young adult readers could read the following, with parent discretion.
⭐️Wishes by Brittany Eden is a wintertime Cinderella reimagining (no magic), perfect for fans of clean holiday romance. A Crown Prince and an aspiring newspaper writer, with a tragic shared history, get entangled in the present when the royal line is threatened by her employer. Will their connection prove genuine and strong enough to overcome it all or will lies and secrets prove their fake engagement was indeed nothing more than a ruse?
⭐️Christmas Still by Jennifer Q. Hunt is a beautiful novella about love, grief, and family. Christmas time 1918 is coming after a time of war and a pandemic. Lottie is struggling to create a good Christmas for her two nieces. Last year, the girls’ mother, Lottie’s best friend and sister-in-law, passed away. Since then, Lottie’s husband has come back from overseas, but he is withdrawn and suffering from the trauma of the warfront. Juggling everything, Lottie gets news that her brother is coming back home from Germany. Shortly after the letter arrives, Lottie’s brother arrives with a new wife, Ada,—whom he met abroad. Will Lottie be able to embrace change and find peace in her marriage and the season?
What Do You Think of This Best Books List?
Did you enjoy this curated book list, The Best Books for Christmas Time? If so, let me know in the comments! What other book lists do you want to see in the future?
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