My parents had a tradition of buying my sister and me a new book for Christmas every year, and I’ve done the same with my own kids. These Christmas books for toddlers and preschoolers are a great way to start that tradition early.
It made such good memories for all of us, and we still reread many of them year after year. My tip is to write your child’s name and the year inside the front cover so you always remember which kid got which book and when.
These have been favorites with my own kids, and a friend of mine who’s a preschool teacher recommends many of them, too. The 2026 list mixes classic board books with new picture books little ones will love.
This list is for the littlest readers, but I have lists for kids of all ages, so find the right one for you.
When your little ones get older, my list of Christmas books for tweens and teens has plenty of chapter books, mysteries, and graphic novels.
When your little ones are ready for longer stories, my list of the best Christmas books for kids has picture books, easy readers, and early chapter books for ages 5 to 9.
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Christmas Board Books for Toddlers
For the youngest kids, Christmas board books are fun to look at and play with. They’re sturdy enough for little hands, and many have flaps, buttons, or music to keep toddlers interested.
Moo, Baa, Fa La La La La!
I bought every Sandra Boynton book I could find for my kids, and Moo, Baa, La La La! was a favorite I can still recite from memory today. Moo, Baa, Fa La La La La! brings back the same silly cast of characters, and you won’t be able to resist joining in as you read it to your little one.
Barnyard animals celebrate the holidays with a festive sing-along in this sturdy board book. The short, rhyming text is easy for little ones to follow.
Llama Llama Jingle Bells
Your little one will love the Llama Llama books as they get older, and Llama Llama Jingle Bells is a fun first introduction to the characters. It goes nicely with the new Llama Llama picture book further down this list.
Llama Llama celebrates the holiday season with Mama and friends in this sweet board book. The simple rhymes are just right for babies and toddlers.
Merry Grinchmas, Baby!
I love the Grinch and everything about it, so I’m always excited to see a new way to share him with little ones. Merry Grinchmas, Baby! is a great first step before they’re ready for the full story.
Baby versions of the Grinch, Cindy-Lou Who, and Max get ready for Christmas in this shimmery board book. Simple rhymes, foil, and glitter make it a fun first Grinch book.
I Am Cindy-Lou Who
If your child is too young for the full classic story, I Am Cindy-Lou Who lets them meet the Whos first. Give it with Merry Grinchmas, Baby! for a fun Grinch-themed gift.
Cindy-Lou Who shares her favorite Who-ville holiday traditions in this rhyming board book. It’s a gentle introduction to the world of the Grinch.
Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!
While you may think Peanuts belongs with older children, Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown! proves even the youngest can enjoy Charlie Brown and his friends. It’s the start of a world they’ll love for years.
Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang celebrate the season in this simplified board book version of the classic story. It’s a sweet first look at the beloved characters.
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas on Sesame Street
You can’t go wrong with Sesame Street. ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas on Sesame Street puts a funny twist on the classic poem, and Cookie Monster fans will laugh out loud.
On Christmas Eve, Cookie Monster can’t wait for Santa’s visit, but he’s already eaten all the cookies. His Sesame Street friends step in to save the day.
Cookies for Santa
If your family bakes cookies for Santa, Cookies for Santa is a fun way to introduce little ones to the tradition. It’s a sweet book to read while the real cookies are in the oven.
A baby bakes cookies for Santa, from mixing the dough to adding frosting and sprinkles. Kids can slide, pull, and spin the pieces to help bake on every page.
Peek a Flap Jolly Christmas
Books that get your young child involved in the reading are always so fun. My kids loved books they could play with while I read to them, and Peek a Flap Jolly Christmas is one of those.
Lift the flaps to see Santa and Mrs. Claus baking cookies, building toys, feeding reindeer, and more. The sturdy flaps hold up to eager little hands.
The First Christmas
If the nativity is part of your family’s Christmas, The First Christmas is a great way to introduce the story to your little one. It’s short enough to read every night in December.
Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus in this pop-up board book for little ones. It tells the Christmas story in a simple, age-appropriate way.
Musical Christmas Tree
Musical Christmas Tree is great for the youngest kids, and the simple story works well for their short attention spans. Little ones love hearing the song again and again.
Little ones search each page for hidden items, from a dog bone to gingerbread men. The book plays Jingle Bells and stands up like a tree when you’re done reading.
Dear Santa
Interactive board books have always been my favorite, and Dear Santa is no exception. It’s a fun one to read long before kids are old enough to write their own letters to Santa.
Santa searches for the perfect present for a special child, and each flap hides a new gift idea. This lift-the-flap book is from Rod Campbell, the author of Dear Zoo.
Ten Little Snowmen
Counting books are a great way to sneak in a little learning, and Ten Little Snowmen makes it fun. It’s adorable and sweet, with a happy ending little ones will love.
Ten snowmen disappear one by one in this rhyming counting book, and kids push the snowman buttons to count how many are left. The last snowman finds plenty of new friends in the end.
You’re My Little Christmas Cookie
If you aren’t familiar with the You’re My Little series, You’re My Little Christmas Cookie is a great introduction to it. It’s a sweet book you’ll read again and again.
This rhyming board book celebrates the love between a parent and child at Christmas. Little fingers can touch the raised pieces and glitter on every page.
Grandma’s Sugar Cookie
Don’t forget the grandparents when it comes to the holidays. Grandma’s Sugar Cookie makes a lovely gift from Grandma, especially if she’s the family baker like she was in my family.
This is one I would love to give to my own grandchildren one day. I run a recipe site, and I love that it includes a cookie recipe, so you can bake together after you read it.
A grandmother and grandchild bake their favorite holiday treats together in this cozy board book. It’s a sweet way to celebrate time in the kitchen with Grandma.
Christmas Picture Books for Preschoolers
I loved reading to my kids as often as possible when they were little. These Christmas picture books have a little more story for preschoolers who are ready for it, and they’re great for bedtime all December.
I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas
Sorry, did you already get the song stuck in your head? I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas is just as fun to sing as it is to read, and who can blame her for wanting a hippo?
A little girl wants only one thing for Christmas, and it’s a hippopotamus. This picture book brings the classic holiday song to life with fun illustrations.
Bluey’s Night Before Christmas
If your preschooler watches Bluey (are there preschoolers who don’t?), Bluey’s Night Before Christmas is an easy win. It’s also a fun way to introduce the rhythm of the classic poem.
On Christmas Eve, Bluey and Bingo hear a noise outside and wonder who it could be. This Heeler family twist on the classic poem is made for Bluey fans.
Llama Llama: A Gift for Mama
Llama Llama: A Gift for Mama is the newest Llama Llama Christmas book, and its message about giving from the heart is a sweet one for little kids. Give it with Llama Llama Jingle Bells above for a fun set.
Llama Llama searches every store for the perfect Christmas gift for Mama, but nothing seems right. He finally discovers the answer was closer than he thought.
Hap-pea Holidays
The peas are so cute, and the wordplay in Hap-pea Holidays makes grown-ups smile, too. It covers lots of holiday traditions, so it’s a nice pick for families who celebrate in all sorts of different ways.
The peas celebrate the season by hanging ornaments, lighting candles, throwing snowballs, and giving gifts. It’s part of Keith Baker’s playful Peas series.
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh!
Has there ever been a child who hasn’t fallen in love with the Pigeon books? His silliness and sweetness come through in Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh!
Santa needs a break, but the Pigeon really, really wants to drive the sleigh. Kids get to say no over and over in this funny holiday story from Mo Willems.
Five Little Monkeys Looking for Santa
The monkeys always made my kids – and me – laugh. Five Little Monkeys Looking for Santa has the same silly fun as the rest of the series, and kids who are too excited for bed on Christmas Eve will relate.
The five little monkeys can’t sleep on Christmas Eve, so they keep jumping out of bed to look for Santa. Will they catch a glimpse of him?
Clifford’s Christmas
Clifford is a classic for a reason. Clifford’s Christmas has such a great message about trying hard, and we love the focus on spending time with family and friends over gifts.
Emily Elizabeth and Clifford share all their favorite winter activities while they wait for Christmas to come. This lighthearted story stars the big red dog kids already love.
Bear Stays Up for Christmas
The Bear books by Karma Wilson are favorites for preschoolers, and the rhyming text in Bear Stays Up for Christmas is a joy to read aloud. It’s a cozy bedtime story for the nights leading up to Christmas.
Bear’s friends are determined to keep him awake for Christmas, so they wake him up to find a tree, bake, and sing carols. Bear stays up and discovers that giving is one of the best presents of all.
I Saw Santa’s Underpants
If you’re looking for a slightly more irreverent but not inappropriate Christmas book, I Saw Santa’s Underpants is the one for you. My kids have always loved finding things they think are slightly naughty but really aren’t, and this book is exactly that.
Santa has a little accident on Christmas Eve, and a boy and his dog have to save the day. This rhyming book has bright, funny illustrations.
The Littlest Elf
The Littlest Elf reminds kids that there’s a place for everyone, and sometimes you just need a little help to find it. It’s a sweet one for any little one who feels too small.
Oliver is the littlest elf at the North Pole, and he worries he isn’t big enough for any of the elf jobs. This sweet picture book comes with stickers.
Little Red Sleigh
Little Red Sleigh is a sweet story about big dreams, and the illustrations are gorgeous. If your kids love it, there’s a sequel, Little Red Sleigh Soars with Santa.
A little red sleigh dreams of becoming Santa’s sleigh, even though everyone tells her all the reasons she can’t. She never stops dreaming, and this might just be her year.
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas on the Farm
We all know the classic by Clement Clarke Moore, and ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas on the Farm is a sweet twist for kids who love farm animals. The illustrations keep everyone engaged.
In this farm version of the classic poem, none of the animals are stirring except an adorable little lamb. It keeps the rhyming style families love to read aloud.
Where Would Santa Go?
Santa is their travel role model in this book, and as a travel writer, I love that. Where Would Santa Go? is a fun way to sneak a little geography into a Christmas story.
Lucy and Max leave Santa a letter asking where they should travel when they’re older, and Santa decides they don’t need to wait. They visit places around the world and learn facts about each one.
Christmas and the Joy of Giving
Christmas and the Joy of Giving shares the true meaning of Christmas with animals at the center of the story. It’s a great way to start a conversation about kindness with little ones.
Every year, the forest animals decorate for Christmas, but this year they can’t finish because the world has become less kind. They come together to save the holiday through acts of love and giving.
What Are Your Favorite Christmas Books for Toddlers?
Am I missing one of your family’s favorites? Let me know in the comments, and I’ll add it to next year’s list.
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