Holiday Book Gifts: Ages 3 – 5
by Dena McMurdie
Books are one of my favorite gifts to give kids during the holidays. Picture books make especially wonderful gifts for preschoolers, who will enjoy them for months and years to come. Whether you’re looking for a fun holiday title, a new release, or a must-have modern classic, here are some excellent options. Give your child a few of these heartfelt and funny books to create lasting memories with your little one!
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The Day the Crayons Made Friends
Buy from:Preschoolers will be thrilled to unwrap the Crayons’ latest adventure. Eager to expand their horizons, the Crayons once again abandon their box to explore Duncan’s room. Each Crayon makes new friends and has new stories to tell when they return. Quirky humor and familiar characters make this book a surefire win!
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Oh Dear, Look What I Got!
Buy from:From the creators of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt comes a new giggle-inducing story about miscommunication. A boy goes to a shop to buy a carrot but receives a parrot instead! He wants to buy a cake at another store, but ends up with a snake. As the mix-ups pile up, so do the animals that follow him throughout the story. With jaunty, rhyming text and hand-painted watercolor illustrations, this classic-in-the-making is an excellent holiday gift.
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Cupig Saves Christmas
Buy from:When Santa comes down with the flu on Christmas Eve, he asks Cupig to fill in for him. But Cupig has never delivered presents before, and her mistakes keep piling up. She must learn what Christmas is all about if she wants to save the day. This funny and heartwarming story is an excellent addition to your holiday book collection.
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Where’s Bearry?
Buy from:It’s bedtime, but Remo can’t sleep without his beloved Bearry. Lively rhymes paired with vibrant illustrations skillfully capture Remo's adventure to find his special stuffed animal. This sweet bedtime story also teaches how to calm one’s body and mind in times of stress.
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The Bedtime Book of Magical Creatures
Buy from:Prepare to fill children’s dreams with incredible mythical creatures from around the world. This beautifully illustrated compilation of legendary beasts is an excellent gift for any child.
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Girls on the Rise
Buy from:Celebrate girls and girlhood in all their forms with this gorgeous picture book from #1 New York Times bestselling author and presidential inaugural poet Amanda Gorman. This vibrant book encourages girls to harness their inner strength, be brave when faced with fear, and lift each other up.
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The Sweet Smell of Christmas
Buy from:As Little Bear helps his family get ready for Christmas, he enjoys the smells of everything from apple pie to candy canes. Readers will also get to experience delectable, holiday-themed scents as they scratch and sniff six fragrant stickers placed throughout the book. This beloved, interactive classic has enchanted children (and their noses) for generations.
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Don’t Trust Fish
Buy from:There’s something fishy about fish, and this hilarious picture book casts a suspicious eye on the underwater creatures. From their mysterious “schools” to their (most likely) diabolical plots, this book examines all the reasons why you cannot trust fish. Readers of all ages will laugh out loud as they learn about these aquatic villains.
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Perla and the Pirate
Buy from:Pet-loving kids will adore this sweet story about a little dog named Perla. When her human brother gets lost on the way home from school, Perla does everything in her power to find him and bring him home safely. This heartfelt story is the follow-up to the New York Times bestseller, Perla The Mighty Dog, and is available in English and Spanish editions.
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Elmore and the Big Christmas Rescue
Buy from:Kids and adults will love this humorous holiday book from the creators of Don’t Eat Bees. When Santa catches a cold, he asks Elmore the moose to take over the Christmas preparations. It’s a big job, and Elmore quickly becomes overwhelmed. With encouragement from Santa and a boost to his self-confidence, Elmore manages to pull off a successful Christmas.
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Bluey: More 5-Minute Stories
Buy from:Join Bluey, Bingo, and their friends in six new adventures that each take five minutes to read. Follow along as they visit the doctor, attend swimming lessons, and more. This collection of stories is the perfect addition to bedtime reading for young Bluey fans.
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The Interpreter
Buy from:Cecilia’s parents don’t speak English, so it’s her job to accompany them to grown-up places as a translator. But when her interpreting responsibilities become too much, Cecilia wishes she could opt out for a bit. With humor and heart, this story beautifully depicts the reality of many children and suggests that teamwork can help the entire family.
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Papilio
Buy from:Three beloved children’s book creators join forces to create this one-of-a-kind picture book about the life cycle of a butterfly. Papilio is a young caterpillar who overcomes multiple challenges on her way to becoming a butterfly. She learns to believe in herself and persevere through every bump in the road.
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How to Catch Santa
Buy from:This humorous picture book is a festive favorite for my kids! A brother and sister set out to catch Santa on Christmas Eve, sharing their tips, tricks, and strategies along the way. From leaving irresistible riddles for Santa to piles of carrots to tempt the reindeer, the characters teach readers how to (gently) catch Santa and what to do if they’re successful.
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I’m Very Busy
Buy from:This hilarious and poignant picture book reminds readers to slow down and spend quality time with the people who matter most. Bridget wants to hang out with her friends, but they’re all too busy to spend time with her. When her friends remember that it’s her birthday, they come together to create a special moment for Bridget.
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This Is Not My Hat
Buy from:Preschoolers love funny stories, and you can’t go wrong with this New York Times bestselling and Caldecott Medal-winning picture book. A little fish swims across the pages wearing a blue hat that doesn’t belong to him. He feels confident that the hat’s (very large) owner will not wake up and find out what happened. The dry humor and visual clues will have readers in stitches.
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BTS: A Little Golden Book Biography
Buy from:If your child loves BTS, they’ll love learning the backstory behind the global phenomenon. Young readers will learn about the boy band’s beginning, their rise to worldwide fame, and how they’ve used their platform to make the world better.
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We’re in This Together: Leo’s Lunch Box
Buy from:The Biblical story of Jesus feeding the five thousand gets a modern twist in this heartfelt picture book by Reverand Senator Raphael G. Warnock. When Leo’s mom buys him a new lunchbox, his previously meager lunches become bountiful enough that he can share with his friends. The more he shares, the more he receives. With themes of prayer, gratitude, faith, and generosity, this book delivers a relatable lesson to readers of all ages.
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The Mixed-Up Owl
Buy from:Owl can’t figure out why all the other forest animals sleep at night. He looks for answers in all the wrong places, irritating the other critters in the process. Eventually, he discovers the surprising reason behind his sleepless nights and learns to embrace it. Adorable illustrations, a comic book-style layout, and a charming story make this picture book a fantastic bedtime read.
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Just Shine!
Buy from:Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor pens a beautiful story about a young girl in Puerto Rico who has a special ability to make the people she loves see their full potential. By listening, working hard, and showing kindness, young readers can also help their friends and family be their best selves.
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You might also like:
- 14 Clever Picture Books for Kids (and Their Parents)
- Hidden Fun! 13 of the Best Seek-and-Find Books for Kids
- Must-Have Books for 3-Year-Olds
- The 50 Best Books for 5- and 6-Year-Olds
- Christmas Activity Books That Make Great Stocking Stuffers for Kids
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2019 and updated in 2025.