The 25 Best Christmas Books of All Time

Everyone in Whoville can’t wait for Christmas to arrive — everyone, that is, except the Grinch. Isolated from and disgusted by Whoville’s celebrations, he sets out to put a stop to the holiday altogether.

But while he can steal the presents and decorations, is it possible that there’s more to Christmas than he thinks?

Every year, J.R.R. Tolkien wrote letters to his children from Father Christmas. Through this collection, families can make the letters a part of their own traditions and introduce young readers to the adventures of Father Christmas, Polar Bear, and the eccentric residents of the North Pole.

In this rhyming picture book, animals from around the world gather at the Nativity alongside angels to celebrate the birth of the newborn King. Written by New York Times bestselling author and poet Nikki Grimes, this pick makes for a gentle holiday-themed bedtime story.

When a boy receives a ticket to the legendary Polar Express on Christmas Eve, he almost can’t believe his eyes when he meets Santa Claus himself at the North Pole. But as the classic picture book reminds its readers, “Seeing is believing.”

Of all Christmas traditions, Rosie’s favorite is making tamales and telling stories with her abuela, mamà, tià, sisters, and cousins. Through a story inspired by the author’s own childhood, this picture book reminds readers that the joy of Christmas comes from spending it with those you hold dear.

Without a chimney on her apartment’s roof and no room for a sleigh, Rosie worries that Santa won’t be able to visit and sometimes doubts he cares about her city at all. But as she asks her family her questions about Santa, she discovers that Christmas is more than a chimney or sleigh — it’s about celebrating with your community.

The Christmas Feast is right around the corner, and Strega Nona can’t wait! With the help of Big Anthony, Bambolona, and the residents of her Italian village, she gets ready for the big day.

Everyone knows the Herdman siblings are the rowdiest kids in town. So why have they taken a sudden interest in the Christmas pageant? Are they planning some kind of prank, or is it possible their intentions are more than they seem?

After moving from Puerto Rico to Ohio, Lucía worries that celebrating Three Kings Day will not feel the same as it did. But with help from her family, she finds ways to celebrate that are different than before but still capture the feeling of being home.

When a legendary sleigh breaks down in their yard, Monte and Mabel can’t wait to celebrate the holiday with Santa Claus himself! But Santa’s a more mischievous guest than he appears, and the siblings must find a way to get Santa’s sleigh working again before he turns their family’s house upside down.

In this adaptation of Tove Jansson’s The Fir Tree, the Moomins excitedly prepare for Christmas after waking up from their Long Winter Sleep. Because they’ve never celebrated Christmas before, they aren’t sure what to expect. But as long as they are together, they’ll figure out their own traditions and have fun along the way!

As the daughter of the two year-round Christmas celebrators, Holly is distraught when she realizes this year’s celebrations feel different. Starting at a new school after being homeschooled hasn’t been easy for her, and she doesn’t feel like spreading cheer as she normally does. With the help of her family and new friends, can she rediscover the joy of the season?

Learn about the cultural diversity of traditions and folktales that people share to celebrate Christmas together. Plus, get answers to questions about the holiday you may have always wondered, like “Why is Christmas celebrated on December 25th?” or “Why do we decorate Christmas trees?”

After meeting a woodsman strangely reminiscent of a certain North Pole toymaker, Juniper Lane discovers that the magic of the holiday season is all too real! But she’s not the only person who knows Santa Claus exists, and some of them have nefarious intentions.

It’s up to Juniper to save Santa and the Christmas season from those who want to steal the magic for themselves.

This picture book is an adaptation of the New York City Ballet’s production of the Tchaikovsky classic. Every illustration is inspired by the choreography, set, and costuming that make the production so timeless.

One of the most beloved Christmas tales of all time, A Christmas Carol is part of a larger Victorian ghost story tradition, which you can read about here in an essay by contributor K.W. Collard. It stars the coldhearted man named Ebenezer Scrooge who, on the night of Christmas Eve, is visited by three ghosts who transform his perspective on his life and what he owes to others — and warns him of things to come if he does not change his ways.

When Vivian Forest accompanies her daughter on a work trip involving the royal family, she grows unexpectedly close with the Queen’s private secretary, Malcolm Hudson. Vivian knows her vacation in England must come to an end, but she can’t deny the spark she feels around Malcolm and how much she wants it to last.

When Belgian detective Hercule Poirot is called to investigate a murder over the holidays, he finds a wealthy family torn by millionaire Simeon Lee’s announcement that he has changed the terms of his will — and the millionaire himself dead. Now Poirot must navigate family tensions to discover who among them had resorted to murder.

This modern It’s a Wonderful Life retelling stars Bailey George, who has dreamed of adventure beyond her hometown of Lanford Falls for as long as she can remember. Family and work emergencies have always gotten in the way, however, and Bailey feels crushed by how different her life has turned out than she expected. But after a moment of crisis leads her to an extraordinary new friend, she discovers that there is more value than she believes in her life, which has changed Lanford Falls for the better.

This warmhearted novel is set in 2000 when three holidays — Christmas, Ramadan, and Hanukkah — all fell at the same time. When their plane unexpectedly has an emergency landing, and they discover they will be unable to spend the holidays with their families, three strangers form a bond and celebrate together.

Starr Lewis is dreading her return home this holiday season for a particularly uncomfortable reason: her sister is getting married to her ex-boyfriend. As wedding preparations and winter festivities begin, however, Starr finds unexpected chemistry with her brother’s best friend, Waylon Emmerson.

When the legendary Hogfather goes missing, and the children of the Discworld no longer believe in him, Death tries to fill in. But there’s more to Hogswatch than he anticipates, and it’s up to him and his granddaughter Susan to find and rescue the Hogfather from assassins before it’s too late.

Discover fun facts and behind-the-scenes stories of popular Christmas songs, from classic hymns to newer favorites. The stories of how each song came to be are accompanied by festive illustrations, which makes for browsable and cozy holiday reading.