‘Tis the season for holiday stories and what better way to get your little one into the festive spirit than with some delightful Christmas books? Whether you’re looking for a classic or something more modern, these are some of the best titles around that are perfect for children under five.
“Little Blue Truck’s Christmas” by Alice Schertle
“Little Blue Truck’s Christmas” is a children’s picture book written and illustrated by Alice Schertle. It is a holiday-themed story about a small blue truck named Little Blue who helps deliver Christmas trees to his animal friends. Through his kind actions and helpful spirit, Little Blue helps spread the holiday cheer and brings joy to all of his friends. The story is meant to teach children about the importance of helping others and that the true meaning of Christmas is love and service. This is one of 9 books in the infamous Little Blue Truck’s collection and there’s definitely a reason that children love this sweet guy and his ‘Beep, Beep, Beep!’
“Fritz the Farting Reindeer” by Humor Heals Us
This silly story will have your children laughing and begging to read it again! Normalizing passing gas isn’t generally a Christmas theme, but Humor Heals Us somehow makes it work. While we doubt this will make the list for ‘timeless classics’, it will probably make your kids laugh a lot for a few years!
“Construction Site: Merry and Bright” by Sherri Duskey Rinker
Whether you’ve read the other Construction Site books or not, this lift-the-flap board book helps put your littles in a holiday mood with this interactive heartwarming story. The book focuses on how being together with those we love is the greatest gift we can receive. It has easy-to-read rhymes, peekaboo flaps that encourage motor skill development, and adorable construction equipment that children just love.
“Peek-a-Flap Jolly” by Cottage Door Press, illustrated by Kathrin Fherl
This is a new (2022) medium-sized board book on Santa, created for the youngest of book lovers. The pages are thick and the flaps are durable, so your little can play peek-a-boo over and over. There are Christmas/Santa vocabulary words on each page to keep your toddler learning too. It even includes some dinosaur facts, which appeal to many young children and aren’t found in just any Christmas book.
“I Love You Snow Much” by Sandra Magsamen
“There’s no one like you, you’re snow special, too!” This adorable snowman-themed book has sweet rhymes, adorable illustrations, and a felt hat that gives some tactile experience for your little one. With a message of unconditional love and short, easy-to-read pages, it’s perfect for the littlest of readers.
“How to Catch an Elf” by Adam Wallace
The “How to Catch” series has books on the top of many book lists and reviews, and this Christmas edition is no different. With beautiful pictures and fun rhymes, this will keep your kids attention. (Which feels like a little gift right there!😂)
Some kids have tried to catch him, but Santa’s fast, you see!
So they’ve set their eyes on a smaller prize, and now they’re after me!
Follow along as traps are set for an elf loose in the house on Christmas Eve! The author suggests the book for ages 4-8, but readers suggest 2-7 is a good range based on their experience. Full disclosure- there are reviews that complain about a lack of a storyline, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that children love it! If you’ve enjoyed other “How to Catch” books in your house (How to Catch A Mermaid was a hit in our home), give this one a try.
“Bear Stays up for Christmas” by Karma Wilson
This Christmas story is part of the “Bear Books” series and is about the joy of giving. Bear’s friends wake him up on Christmas Eve so that he can experience the joys of Christmas (when usually he’d already be hibernating), they work hard to keep him awake and show him all of their favorite holiday activities. With simple rhymes, a sweet message, and a classic illustration style, this is sure to be a great read!
“Snowmen at Christmas” by Caralyn Buehner
This fun holiday book is about snowmen coming to life at night while people are asleep and celebrating Christmas in their own special snowmen way. The story is original and heartwarming, with illustrations that are vibrant and beautiful while still maintaining a classic feel. There are many many reviews stating that this is one of their favorite Christmas books, a story that will be read by their family every year and saved for generations to come. Additionally, this book has hidden characters on each page that help keep it exciting as your children grow.
Christmas stories can really help make the festive season even more special for kids under five. Whether you’re looking for something sweet and nostalgic or something goofy and fun, these titles are sure to have your little one spellbound—and keep them entertained until Santa arrives! So grab one (or two) from our list above, find a cozy spot on the couch, and get ready for some holiday cheer with your favorite tiny tot!
P.S. If you’re looking for more books for your 1-year-old or Christmas books for children older than 5, check out our other articles here:
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