Fresh and Festive:
Brand-New Children’s Books To Read This Christmas
by Dena McMurdie
One of my favorite Christmas activities is gathering a stack of holiday-themed picture books and reading them with my kids while we snuggle under a blanket. Even as my kids get older, we all look forward to this tradition. Of course, this also means that we like to keep our eyes peeled for brand-new children’s books to add to our reading stack each year. Here are the titles we’re excited to dive into this Christmas.
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What Does Santa Want for Christmas?
Buy from:One little boy embraces the spirit of Christmas in this adorable picture book. Dorim wants to give Santa a gift, and enlists his friends’ help to make the perfect present for the jolly old elf. The cutest illustrations ever and a heartwarming story make this book an excellent addition to your holiday reading stack!
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Jingle
Buy from:Jingle is a tiny reindeer who dreams of pulling Santa’s sleigh. To earn her spot on the team, she must compete against much larger, stronger rivals in the annual Reindeer Games. Even though she’s small, Jingle has plenty of heart. This charming story is perfect for kids who always remember to set out carrots for Santa’s reindeer on Christmas Eve.
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Merry Christmas Snickerdoodle
Buy from:Written as a love letter from a parent to a child, this pun-filled, rhyming picture book is a delectable treat to share with your little one. Kids will love the feel-good text and the oh-so-cute cookies sprinkled across every page.
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Duck the Halls A Rhyming Christmas Story
Buy from:Duck, Duck, and Goose are ready to deck the halls, but when they discover their friend Chicken is sick and missing out on the festivities, they hatch a plan to bring Christmas cheer to her instead. With lights, cookies, carols, and plenty of snowy silliness, this rollicking rhyming read is a joyful celebration of friendship, generosity, and coming together to make the holidays special for someone you love.
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Santa Loves Snow Cones
Buy from:Santa loves eating snow cones, and they make the perfect treat for when he’s delivering presents around the world. He tops them with all kinds of sweets, but never with syrups for fear of staining his bright white suit. But when Santa has an accident and gets doused in cherry lime-flavored syrup, he loves his new look!
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And a Partridge in a Pear Tree
Buy from:On the first day of Christmas, Partridge was enjoying a cozy, solitary holiday season. However, as turtle doves, calling birds, gold rings, and more gifts show up, Partridge’s home gets too crowded for comfort. This silly twist on the beloved song will become an annual favorite!
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Night of the Three Kings
Buy from:A young boy lies awake, too excited to sleep, when the three kings ride past his window. The boy hops on the back of a camel and follows the procession to a small town where a special baby awaits. This beautiful retelling of the Christmas story will delight and enchant readers of all ages.
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It’s Not Easy Being an Elf
Buy from:Quinn is a penguin (and one of Santa’s elves) who is bored of his job making toy trucks. He tries doing many other jobs at the North Pole, including coaching the reindeer, with hilarious results! But when Santa has no way to deliver toys on Christmas Eve, Quinn knows exactly how to help.
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The Bakery Dragon and the Giant Cookie
Buy from:I love The Bakery Dragon series and its warm, cheerful stories about friendship and kindness. In this Christmas-themed installment, a young dragon named Ember is making cookie deliveries when a winter storm blows him into the home of a grumpy giant. Although the giant dislikes Christmas, Ember bravely tackles the extra-large kitchen to make his new friend a tasty treat.
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Merry Christmas Sleepy Sheepy
Buy from:If you can’t resist Sleepy Sheepy, make sure to pick up a copy of his new Christmas story! Sleepy Sheepy wants to stay awake long enough to see Santa on Christmas Eve. But as the hours tick by, Sheepy’s eyelids start to droop. Bouncy, rhyming text, fun illustrations, and a humorous storyline will make this book a favorite for young readers!
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Momma’s Christmas Gift
Buy from:This is one of those special Christmas stories that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading. It’s about a Hmong family that doesn’t have much money. However, even though their finances are stretched to the limit, Momma finds a way to make Christmas Day magical for her children.
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The Twelve Days of Jamaican Christmas
Buy from:The Twelve Days of Christmas looks a little different in Jamaica! Each day, granny delivers a tasty new dish to her family until the feast is complete. From plantains to saltfish, this book celebrates the traditional holiday foods of the beautiful island country.
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A Very Mercy Christmas
Buy from:Take your little reader to Deckawoo Drive to meet Mercy Watson and her friends for a day of caroling! Stella goes from house to house with Mercy and a menagerie of farm animals, spreading off-tune Christmas cheer. This delightful and heartwarming story is the perfect addition to your holiday book collection!
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Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas… According to Max
Buy from:How the Grinch Stole Christmas is one of my all-time favorite holiday stories, even if I felt bad for poor Max, the dog. Now, Max gets to tell his version of that significant Christmas and how he tried to stop the Grinch’s evil plans. If you love reading the original story, you’ll also love reading it from Max’s point of view!
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Hank Goes Ho Ho Honk
Buy from:Your favorite impatient goose returns in a new Christmas story! Hank adores Christmas and can't wait for the holiday to arrive. He starts decorating, eating goodies, and ice-skating months early. But when he gets the chance to help the elves at the North Pole, Hank must keep his impatience in check or risk ruining the holiday for everyone.
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Christmas is in the Little Things
Buy from:In this sweet story, a child and a bear get ready for Christmas together. They write cards, bake (and eat) treats, share smiles, and say “I love you.” As they enjoy the holiday preparations, they both realize that each little thing they do snowballs into a heartfelt Christmas celebration.
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You might also like:
- Books That Celebrate Diverse Holidays and Traditions
- Christmas Books for Kids and Families
- Children’s Books That Celebrate the Meaning of Christmas
- Delightful Santa Stories for Kids
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2017 and updated in 2026.