Books for Christmas are pretty much a staple at my house. The books I owned myself as a child hold a special place in my heart. In fact, I still have most of them to this day. Other presents my kids receive they will eventually break or grow out of. But a good book is always worth treasuring and coming back to.
Many years, I’ve simply gone to library book sales and given my kids a whole bag full of books. Other years, like this (I missed our book sale), I’ve carefully selected a few books I think each child will love. Do you have this same tradition?
If you are planning to get your children books for Christmas, the one’s below are a great place to get started. I love classic books as well, but these recommendations are all books that have come out in the last year or two. Many of these will end up under the tree for my kids or my nieces this year. (Shh! Don’t tell them!) I’ve got lots more suggestions of books for Christmas presents in my curated Amazon Bookstore.
If you’re looking for those free downloadable bookplates to personalize your children’s new books, keep scrolling to the end of this post.
Picture Books
Beautiful by Stacy McAnulty–If you have young girls, you really must get this book. I insist. My nieces and daughters are getting this one from me for sure.
Mr. Postmouse’s Rounds by Marianne Dubuc--This was my three-year old’s (now four-year-old’s) favorite library book this year. She’ll have her own copy under the tree this year.
A Poem for Peter by Andrea Davis Pinkney–I’ve heard such good things about this book from Sarah Mackenzie… I might just have to give this one to myself for Christmas!
They All Saw a Cat by Brendan Wenzel--One of my favorite picture books from this year. Read my full review here.
Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña--This award-winner is one of my all-time favorite picture books! If you don’t own it yet, it’s a must buy!
Return by Aaron Becker–This book completes the beautiful wordless series. The previous books are Journey and Quest. I highly recommend them.
One Day, The End by Rebecca Kai Dotlich–This book of itty-bitty stories is hysterical. You’ll enjoy this read as much as your kids.
Books for the In-Between
Echo Echo by Marilyn Singer–This is the third book of Reverso poems from Singer, and they really are fascinating. They take a little thought, so they are best for kids starting at age eight or nine and older. The equally fabulous books of Reversos are Mirror Mirror and Follow Follow.
Under Water/Under Earth by Aleksandra Mizielinska–I can’t wait to dig into this two-books-in-one with my fact-loving kids.
Animals by the Numbers by Steve Jenkins–Jenkins is a master of illustration and of rooting out fascinating animal facts. I’d recommend his books to any kid obsessed with animals and trivia.
Pig and Pug by Laura Marchesani–I haven’t seen this one in person yet, but it looks so sweet. I chose it for my beginner reader this year.
History of Fun Stuff and Science of Fun Stuff—More fun for beginner readers who love science or history.
Mango and Bambang the Not-a-Pig by Clara Dulliamy–This sweet chapter book is a fun read, and a series for kids to get hooked on featuring a girl good at nearly everything and a talking tapir afraid of nearly everything.
Middle-Grade Books
Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley–I just love this book (and the audiobook is fantastic). Read my full review here.
Wingfeather Tales by Andrew Peterson and others–Wingfeather Saga fans, finally a new book! I’ve begun reading, and so far, it’s lots of fun. If you haven’t read the series, start with On The Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness (series review coming soon, but let’s just say, these are my favorite books).
When the Sea Turned to Silver by Grace Lin–I love everything I’ve ever read by Grace Lin, particularly Where the Mountain Meets the Moon which I reviewed here. Now I just have to decide which kid to give it to…
The Secret Keepers by Trenton Lee Stewart–This is the latest book from the author of the Mysterious Benedict Society, which you can read my review of here. My daughter and I both love his new book (review coming soon).
If you’d like my printable bookplates, just click the button below. Print on standard label paper. Simply write your child’s name and stick it in their books! They make great stocking stuffers, too.
Click Here for Bookplates
Do you have a post sharing your favorite Christmas books?
I thought I had done one last year, but apparently, I haven’t! I’ll have to put it on my to do for next year. One of my favorites that I never see recommended is The Stone: A Persian Legend of the Magi. And two that I bought for my kids this year are The Christmas Promise and Christmas in the Barn. Also, you can still enter to win Max Lucado’s Itsy Bitsy Christmas in last week’s post.
Here are our favorites:
The year of the perfect christmas tree By Gloria Houston
Rudolph the red nosed reindeer
By Rober L May
The wild Christmas reindeer
By Jan Brett
The Christmas miracle of Jonathan Toomey
By Susan Wojciechowski
Little Santa By Jon Ague
Mr Willowby’s Christmas tree
By Robert Barry
How the grinch stole Christmas
By Dr Seuss
A wish to be a Christmas tree
By Colleen Monroe
Toot & Puddle let it snow
By Holly Hobbie
Toot & Puddle I’ll be home for Christmas
The Nutcracker By Susan Jeffers
The gingerbread girl
By lisa Campbell Ernst
Enjoy!
Definitely. Half the gifts are books. I usually give her our favorite read aloud of the year. This year she’s getting 2: The princess and Curdie and The land of the blue flower.
Then she’s getting a new volume in a French comics series we like (also translated into English) Yakari and a new volume in a French picture book series we love (Caroline et ses amis)
She will also get a beautiful edition of a new read aloud, this time The little house series (Barnes and Noble leather bound illustrated)
Exciting!
Ooo, I’ve never heard of The Land of the Blue Flower! I’ll have to check it out! This year, our kids are basically getting books and family games. They get plenty of toys from other family members. 🙂
I highly recommend. It’s by Frances Hodgson Burnett (Little princess, Secret Garden) and we know she’s GOOD!
You can get the kindle version free + inexpensive audio to go with. The illustrated picture book is only available used (ebay)…It’s yellow with a big blue bird in cover. Illustrated by Judith Ann Griffith. Gorgeous! It is so beautiful. I was in tears by the end!
Thank you! I’ll check it out 🙂