Favorite Holiday Books for Kids

Updated November 2020

Books are such a fun, easy thing to add to your family’s holiday traditions. 📚 ❄️ 📚 This year, sadly, with limited travel and family visits, there will probably be more time for this kind of thing — the building of new traditions, that is. So why not make reading holiday books as a family one of them?

Here are some of our favorite books celebrating the holiday season in all shapes, colors, and sizes (listed in no particular order.)

But first…

Celebrations Are Different This Year and That’s OK!, Julie Blair & Susan Leininger

Written by two sisters, this timely book tackles the pandemic on your kids’ level. If your children (or YOU) are bumming about missed holiday traditions, this might help them cheer up.

The Bear and the Star, Lola M. Schaefer, illustrated by Bethanne Andersen

This book has gorgeous winter illustrations and tells the story of a bear who works to prepare for a holiday celebration that brings people and animals from far and wide together in peace.

Queen of the Hannukah Dosas, Pamela Ehrenberg, illustrated by Anjan Sarkar

This book for 4-6 year olds mixes traditional Jewish and Indian celebratory foods and themes in a sweet story about making dosas for Hanukkah.

The Crayons’ Christmas, Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

The crayons are back in town! (If you don’t know the crayons yet, get The Day the Crayons Quit.) This adorable and funny book comes complete with laughs and Christmas card inserts (kids are obsessed with these, if you don’t already know that… though they do tend to get lost in our house, hah).

The Nutcracker in Harlem, T.E. McMorrow, illustrated by James Ransome

This creative book is a retelling of The Nutcracker through the eyes of Marie, who opens a magical present at her family’s jazz-inspired Christmas party.

The Shortest Day, Susan Cooper, illustrated by Carson Ellis

Derived from a poem celebrating the winter solstice and “the return of light,” The Shortest Day explores the joy of the sunrise after the dark, long days of winter.

The Jolly Christmas Postman, Allan Ahlberg, illustrated by Janet Ahlberg

Another book with inserts! The postman visits all your classic fairy tale favorites — and you get to read all their letters aloud. A very interactive reading experience 😉.

Pick a Pine Tree, Patricia Toht, illustrated by Jarvis

This cute book follows a family as they pick out a simple evergreen tree from the lot and then transform it into a glowing, cheerful Christmas tree. (It made me want to go out and get ours right now!)

The Magic of Friendship Snow, Andi Cann

This is a sweet story about — you guessed it — friendship. Jojo feels alone until she befriends Puddles, a magical snowman, and learns about the joy of true friendship.

Hanukkah Bear, Eric A. Kimmel, illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka

This story about latkes, so deliciously tempting that they lure a bear out of hibernation, has a fun and quirky plot that kids love (it may or may not involve the latke chef mistaking the bear for her rabbi).

The Christmas Quiet Book, Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Renata Liwska

I love The Quiet Book. The cadence and the simplicity of it are beautiful, IMO (🙋🏻‍♀️ introvert here, BTW), and the Christmas edition is equally endearing. An especially great pick for those in need of calming reads, or for right before bedtime.

The Polar Express, Chris Van Allsburg

The book that needs no introduction. It’s an all-time Christmas classic that stands the test of time.

That’s a wrap, folks. Do you have other holiday favorites your family loves reading? Please share in the comments! 🙂

See also!

Holiday Gift Guides 2020

About the Authors

Brit Cowgill Researcher and Sr. Editor

Brit is the author of Rest Uneasy: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in Twentieth-Century America. She has an MA and a PhD in history and previously worked as a medical history professor. She's taught and written on the history of women’s health, pediatrics, disease, and motherhood. Brit lives in Maine with her family and spends her days reading esoteric academic literature, walking, listening to podcasts, and writing about anything that interests her (which is many things). Outside of work, you can find her packing lunches, changing diapers, waiting out a tantrum, making a list, or looking for something one of her kids lost. Her favorite time of day is after her kids go to bed, when she loves to sit by fires, read novels, eat hummus, drink wine, and enjoy good company.

Marissa Bader Editor & Multiples Guru

Marissa Bader, our Twins Editor and mama to twin toddlers and their big sister, hails from Minneapolis, MN. When she’s not kissing owies, playing dress-up, or mediating sister squabbles, she enjoys dancing (you should see her get down when nobody’s watching!), and writing about topics pertaining to mental health, wellness, fitness and parenthood.

Comments

Meredith Hargreaves says:
November 21, 2020 at 3:40 pm Reply
Another holiday favorite that I wish were on this list is “Dasher” by Matt Tavares!

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

I'm just writing to let you know how thankful I am for your information. The registry saved my life as it was my first kiddo. Getting your emails literally feels like I have a friend watching out for me! Ha. Thanks so much for your efforts and information.

Morgan H

You are, in my opinion, the best writer when it comes to delivering the message in a way that is helpful, real, and humorous. As each day goes by that I am ‘raising’ Patrick, I learn something new. Thanks again for all you do/write. Anxiously awaiting my next installment!

Kristi T.

I just wanted to send a quick HUGE ‘thank you’ for your weekly updates. Our baby is 2 weeks old today and your email today about sleep was so reassuring and good to read. I usually wait eagerly to see your emails in my inbox because I know it will a) make me feel not so insane and b) be really helpful advice that trumps all the other crazy stuff people are telling me to do. Can’t get enough!

Amy Christie

Meg!! I just wanted to email you and let you know how much I love your blog, and will continue to read it, and read it, and read it. Lol. Most likely until I’ve memorized it all. My point is that it’s an amazing blog, and I will turn to it for advice whenever I need to know something, and I want to say thank you as well for being so awesome and giving so much needed advice and information!!!

Elizabeth G.

I’m not sure who loves you more: me or my husband…

Tara N.

I’m just writing to let you know how thankful I am for your information. The registry saved my life as it was my first kiddo. Getting your emails literally feels like I have a friend watching out for me! Ha. Thanks so much for your efforts and information.

Morgan H.

I just wanted to say thank you for creating Lucie’s list and for your weekly emails. They got me through pregnancy, and now they’re getting me through the phase of newborn craziness. I think the email below alone just changed my life. It’s spot on. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

Elyssa, mom to Maxwell, 5 weeks old

I was thankful for your emails with the first one but I am way beyond thankful for you now with the second! It seems I have forgotten all this stuff and it’s harder to remember things taking care of 2. So thank you, I appreciate you!

Jasmine, mom to Rico

Your emails are so wonderful. Every time I receive one it is right on target with what I’m going through with my first baby girl. Thank you for being my go-to resource! I find the amount of information out there on sleep and scheduling and feeding overwhelming. Your advice works for us and that is so incredibly helpful.

Tara & Baby Nola

I just had my first baby 5 weeks early (5 weeks ago). I really appreciate you, and your emails literally got me through some tough times. Your down-to-earth advice is incredible and I’ve recommended you to everyone I know! Keep up the amazing work, lady!!

Cassie Smith

KUDOS: A friend referred me to your site when I was pregnant and as a first time mom, it saved me! I was so overwhelmed with all the decisions you have to make and it was all too expensive to make a mistake. I continue to use your site as a bible and your topics are remarkably on track. Unfortunately, the 4 mo sleep regression was one that specifically had perfect timing 🙁 Poor me. LOL.

Mara B.

I just want to take a minute to send you a THANK YOU! We followed your advice on sleeping last night and for the first time in weeks we got to sleep for more than 2-3 hours at one time. You, my friend, are a genius! As a first time mom, I thoroughly enjoy and look forward to your emails each week. Your info on products is ahhhmazing! It makes navigating the jungle of baby junk a breeze. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and New Year’s holiday!

Laura J.

Hi! Lucie’s List was a lifesaver for me… Still is actually. You told me things during my pregnancy that no one else did. And you’ve been dead on, every time. How things would go, what I would need, and all the ins and outs of the baby gear. I can’t thank you enough.

Hilary S.

Just wanted to let you know that I really love your newsletters. It’s right on schedule when I’m freaking out and not sure what is happening with my baby. The tone is great and just makes it easier for me to deal with my baby’s craziness :)

Ly G.

Seriously. You are the wind beneath my wings.

Anna F.

I’m 36 weeks along and I just want you to know that I have enjoyed your blog and your emails immensely. I’ve come across many other blogs, anecdotal accounts, and scientific/medical reports, just like any FTM who is simultaneously excited and scared out of her wits, but yours has continued to be my go-to resource. Again, I just love your detailed thoroughness and real-life frankness – but also you must know that a big plus is your humor. I LOVE that you don’t take yourself too seriously or think yourself (or your readers) above sprinkling in the occasional s- and f-bomb here and there because, frankly, sometimes that really is the most appropriate adjective! So, thank you so much for acknowledging that your readers are adults who can handle big-girl panties – and more importantly, for being such a fantastic resource to pregos like me. Thank you again and keep it coming!

Becky B.

Hi there. I just wanted to let you know how thankful I am for your emails. I am the last of my girlfriends to have a baby by about 5 years, I don’t have a relationship with my mother, my mother-in-law is not ‘my style’ (to put it nicely), and at some point all of the books people recommend start to contradict each other. The info you send out and the manner in which you present it (funny and real) is so very much appreciated by both me and my husband (I always forward them to him).

Sandra K.

My husband and I love your emails! Thank you for writing these. This is our first baby. Every time we have no idea what’s going on you send an email that has all the answers! Take care and keep up the great work!

Juan, Jennifer, & Joaquin

You deserve the 50,000 mark. You are an amazingly smart and insightful woman. I thank you for getting me through my pregnancy and beginning stages of baby life. If it wasn’t for you I would be more or less clueless. I look forward to your emails every week with new and cool info, and I thank you for sharing it.

Stella V.

I’m writing you from my recovery bed at George Washington Hospital in DC. I had my baby yesterday, and I just wanted to give you a shout and say thanks so much for your awesome weekly emails. They were so valuable. I did a ton of reading and no one quite said it as straight as you. They really helped me brace for each step that was to come. It’s a great service that you provide to bewildered first time mommies. I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate it!

Keisha M.

Thank you so much for your amazingly informative e-mails. They always seem to come JUST at the right time… Like when I’m holding my 3-day-old baby who is crying because she doesn’t want to eat, and in the other hand your e-mail about tiny baby stomachs arrives. One suggestion to that e-mail might also be to discuss engorgement. The Milk Fairy brought me too much rather than too little milk.

Betsey H.

You are AMAZING!!!! I absolutely love your blog! I stumbled upon it on Pinterest, and even though I’m a good 3-4 years away from having my first baby, I could not stop reading it! You made me laugh, want to puke and terrified me yet put me at ease all in a matter of a paragraph or two! Thank you for your wonderful insight and for telling me what I really have to look forward to.

Victoria S.

Hi there! I subscribed to your newsletter when I was about halfway through my pregnancy. My son is now 3 weeks old and I just want to say THANK YOU for making your website and newsletter! First of all it is hilarious and always makes me laugh which is much needed at this point of no sleep! 🙂 Second, the information you provide is priceless and much appreciated as a first time mom. I always look forward to the next newsletter that pops up in my email. Thank you for doing what you do! It has really helped me along my mommy-hood journey!

Kristi N.

Oh my goodness! I have a 3-week-old son and I could have used your site from my late pregnancy on! The postpartum hospital stuff? Why the heck does no one tell you about that stuff?! It would have been much less awful if I knew all of what you go through while in the hospital! But anywho, I’ve been all over your site all day and can’t believe how helpful it has been! This is seriously the first day in two weeks my baby blues haven’t kept me on the verge of tears! You are hilarious and so frickin helpful I can’t say it enough! Thank you so much for giving me many great laughs and lots of ‘a-HA!’ moments!

Sara and her little guy Maddox

THANK YOU!! I love your weekly emails! Love! And I have to mention I have a pretty particular funny bone aka you’d better be damn smart, witty, and/or brilliant to make me laugh OUT. LOUD. as you always do.

I sent my hubby your email on Postpartum issues, and after he read it I asked what he thought…the first words out of his mouth, ‘She’s funny.’ And he works at Yale.

Tish P.

There is one problem with your website – it’s highly addictive. I’ve been reading through it non-stop since yesterday. You could seriously put all this information together as a book, or say, booklet. I would totally pay for it!

THANK YOU for giving me just what I needed…a funny, realistic, distilled version of what a first time preggo needs to know!

Erika T.

Join Lucie's List

Get practical advice and pro-tips for pregnancy, postpartum and parenting.

Featuring:

The Real Lowdown on Pregnancy
Preparing for Birth
Postpartum Survival Strategies
Breastfeeding, Newborn Sleep Solutions and more

Get a weekly email with practical advice and insights as your baby grows.

Featuring:

Infant Sleep Solutions
Babyproofing
Starting Solids
Pumping at Work and more

Hi there - Welcome to the fold.

Bearing and raising kids is hard, but we're here to simplify everything. Unlike most sites, we offer an ad-free, sponsor-free environment, so you always know you’re getting a full dose of honesty.

If you want to noodle around on our site, our 3 most popular articles are:

And, if you haven't already, find us Facebook and Instagram.

Thanks for joining and we'll talk soon!

- Meg

Favorite Holiday Books for Kids

Celebrations Are Different This Year and That’s OK!, Julie Blair & Susan Leininger

The Bear and the Star, Lola M. Schaefer, illustrated by Bethanne Andersen

Queen of the Hannukah Dosas, Pamela Ehrenberg, illustrated by Anjan Sarkar

The Crayons’ Christmas, Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

The Nutcracker in Harlem, T.E. McMorrow, illustrated by James Ransome

The Shortest Day, Susan Cooper, illustrated by Carson Ellis

The Jolly Christmas Postman, Allan Ahlberg, illustrated by Janet Ahlberg

Pick a Pine Tree, Patricia Toht, illustrated by Jarvis

The Magic of Friendship Snow, Andi Cann

Hanukkah Bear, Eric A. Kimmel, illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka

The Christmas Quiet Book, Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Renata Liwska

The Polar Express, Chris Van Allsburg

Holiday Gift Guides 2020

Related

Comments

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

New parents unite!

Join Lucie's List

Featuring:

Featuring:

Hi there - Welcome to the fold.

Spread the love!

Pin It on Pinterest