24 Favorite Winter & Christmas Picture Books

‘Tis the season for Christmas children’s books! It’s time to pull out holiday books about snow, generosity, and Santa Claus! I love the idea of a Christmas Picture Book Advent celebration in which 25 picture books are wrapped individually. Starting December 1st, one book is unwrapped and read at bedtime … right up to Christmas!

Here are 23 Favorite Winter & Christmas Picture Books.

We also think these Christmas picture books are funny:

And there is still room for snowy picture books like:

I tried a Random Acts of Kindness Advent celebration and found it much easier to pull off than I thought. It also helped me to create a daily RAK habit.

25 Random Acts of Kindness Advent Calendar

If you want to track a RAK Advent celebration, I have included a DIY calendar that is fun and easy to make with the kids.

DIY Acts of Kindness Gratitude Advent Calendar

How about you? What Christmas advent traditions do you celebrate? If you have done the advent picture books, what are a few of your favorites? Thanks for sharing!

24 Favorite Winter & Christmas Picture Books

New Cozy Winter Picture Books

The Magical Snowflake by Bernette Ford, illustrated by Erin K. Robinson

Is this a magical snowflake that lands on Ori’s nose? She and her friends follow the snowflake as the snow starts to fall in earnest. With the snow now knee-deep, the town shuts down, but it’s a wonderful time to celebrate the coming of winter! [picture book, ages 3 and up]

Snowy Race by April Jones Prince, illustrated by Christine Davenier

This is “Bring Your Daughter to Work Day” meets Katy and the Big Snow but told in spare rhyme! I love the ending in which the reader learns why there is such urgency to clear the roads! The charming illustrations give a clue on the first page that this is a long-anticipated day! I also like how this depiction challenges the norm of who is staying home to care for the children. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

The Luckiest Snowball by Elliot Kreloff

This reminds me of Frosty the Snowman but instead of a snowman, it’s a snowball. Collage illustrations depict this story of Izzy saving a lucky talking snowball from melting so it can experience the four seasons. The snowball spends quite a bit of time in the freezer where it makes new friends. Pair this with Josh Funk’s Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast series for freezer picture-book fun! [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Snow Still by Holly Surplice

If Bambi were not a Disney movie but a charming board book instead, this would be it. Here, a baby fawn explores a snowy world for what seems like the first time. It’s a safe and welcoming world with a happy ending. [board book, ages 2 and up]

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New Winter & Christmas Picture Books

The Christmas Doll by Amy Sparkes, illustrated by Katie Hickey

There is a popular TV show in the U.K. called The Repair Shop where restoration experts repair beloved family heirlooms. The story behind each object is what makes the show. In this case, a doll that a grandmother received during WWII when she had to leave her family in London to live with strangers in the countryside to escape the German bombings. She remembers the kindly couple who took her in and made her Christmas special with the gift of a beautiful doll. Now, the grandmother would like to gift her doll to her granddaughter. [picture book, ages 7 and up]

The Truth About Mrs. Claus by Meena Harris, illustrated by Keisha Morris

Amalia the Elf comes from a long line of elves that make teddy bears and she’s quite good at it, especially making up stories about who will get each special teddy bear. But, it doesn’t make her happy. She decides to ask Santa for advice and finds out that Mrs. Claus has been in the background all along, making the North Pole hum efficiently. Mrs. Claus advises Amalia to figure out her passion. Since no one knows about Mrs. Claus’ important role, Amalia decides this is a story that needs to be told. This is a wonderful story about discovering what you love to do and being true to yourself. This also might be the very first picture book to feature a Black Mrs. Claus! [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Dasher by Matt Tavares

Rudolph gets all the limelight but there are other reindeer in the sleigh-pulling lineup. Dasher has her own story and Matt Tavares weaves this tale of the time when Santa’s sleigh was pulled by a single horse. This feels like an “instant classic” to be enjoyed every December! [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Dasher Can’t Wait for Christmas by Matt Tavares

Dasher is back with a sequel. She can’t wait for Christmas and on the night before Christmas Eve, she sneaks off to a distant village with twinkling Christmas lights. When she tries to return, the snowstorm blocks the North Star, her navigation point. A boy helps her find her way home with the gift of a compass. Santa and Dasher have a special present for him under his tree. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Santa’s Secret by Denise Brennan-Nelson, illustrated by Deborah Melmon

This rhyming story is perfect for kids who think that the Santas they see at the mass or ringing a bell are not the real Santa. The rhyme pattern breaks at times which makes it more difficult to read aloud, but I’d add it to my Christmas Advent calendar list because my kids are a little cynical. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Little Robin’s Christmas by Jan Fearnley

This is a story for kids who like predictable stories. Little Robin has seven warm vests. The week before Christmas, Little Robin leaves his nest only to find a shivering animal. Little Robin gifts the animal his vest until he has none left. On Christmas day, Little Robin gets a surprise from Santa. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Peppa Pig and the Christmas Play by Candlewick Entertainment

The jacket cover doubles as a coloring poster so this is a 2-for-1 entertainment deal for fans of Peppa Pig! Peppa Pig and her friends put on a Christmas play and she really wants Santa to come. He’s pretty busy since she and her friends spotted him at the supermarket, the tree shop, and other retail locations. Will he make it to the play? [picture book, ages 4 and up]

How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen

For kids who wonder how Santa gets into their home, this picture book muses on all the ways Santa might deploy. What’s the answer? No one knows for sure. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Junie B. Jones: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells! (P.S. So Does May) by Barbara Park, illustrated by Denise Brunkus

We think Junie B. Jones is hilarious but not all parents appreciate this series because they find her “fresh” or don’t like her grammatically incorrect English. With more than 60 million copies sold, the Junie B. Jones series gets kids reading! This special Deluxe Holiday Edition is the perfect gift for kids who like funny books, and it has a holiday message of generosity even to one’s arch-enemy. [early chapter book series, ages 6 and up]

The Shortest Day by Susan Cooper, illustrated by Carson Ellis

I dread the shorter winter days here in the Northeast when it gets dark around 4:oo pm! But Susan Cooper brings a new perspective on this winter solstice. She wrote a poem to celebrate it, bringing us back to our early history as Neolithic people whose traditions viewed light as a part of the life cycle. Her endnote draws in the celebrations of light from around the world including Diwali, Chanukah, and the Yule. This is a lovely way to celebrate the shortest day of the year with a multicultural and inclusive perspective. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Related Posts:

Favorite Magical Christmas Picture Books

Christmas Magical Realism Picture Book of the Day

Open Ended Christmas Ornament Crafts for Kids

Funny Christmas Poem from Teachers

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