Favorite Children's Christmas Books

What are your favorite children’s Christmas books?

I asked some friends and got a very fast response that included 15 books!

My friends are writers, parents, artists, and all book lovers.

They were happy to share stories their families loved.

The list is divided into books new to me and a cover gallery of more familiar Christmas stories.

Enjoy!

Favorite children’s Christmas books

The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree

by Gloria Houston. Illustrations by Barbara Cooney.

“Ruthie has been waiting patiently for her father to return from the war.
“As Christmas approaches, Ruthie’s mother begins to worry about the Christmas tree tradition in their small Appalachian town of Pine Grove. But without Ruthie’s father home, how will they provide a tree?
A Maine mother of boys

Why the Chimes Rang

by Raymond MacDonald Alden. Illustrations by Katherine Haward Greenfield

A beautiful story in the tradition of many Christmas tales where giving the best you have, no matter how simple or small, is what’s important; not the presents.
A librarian and mother of boys.

Santa’s Favorite Story

by Hisako Aoki.

“No, no, no,” said Santa in a kindly voice, “Christmas hasn’t got anything to do with me. Sit down and I’ll tell you all the story of the first Christmas.”
“Santa’s Favorite Story” is an attractively illustrated (with watercolors) picture book for children, which helps to de-emphasize Santa’s role in Christmas, and place the focus where it belongs. I’m sure the real Saint Nicholas would agree that it’s part of his favorite story as well!
Editor who owns a lot of Christmas books

Papa Panov’s Special Day

by Mig Holder. Illustrations by Julie Downing

The heart-warming story of a lonely shoemaker who sits down to read the story of Christmas from the Bible and soon nods off to dream of Jesus.
Things do not turn out at all as he thought … but by the end of the day the sparkle is back behind his little round spectacles.
The original story was adapted by Leo Tolstoy.
Novelist and mother of four

The Donkey’s Dream

by Barbara Helen Berger

He was just an ordinary donkey, but on his back he carried a miracle. He carried the Virgin Mary to Bethlehem on the night she gave birth. Along the way he dreamed he was carrying a city, a ship, a fountain, and a rose.
He dreamed he was carrying a lady full of heaven–and he was. Barbara Helen Berger’s glowing artwork and lyrical text perfectly convey the beauty and majesty of the story of the Nativity.
A new grandmother who can hardly wait to start reading

Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey

by Susan Wojciechowski. Illustrations by P. J Lynch

The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous!
Jonathan Toomey’s wife and son died and ever since he has been cranky and kept to himself. But one day he is asked to carve a Nativity set for Mrs. McDowell and her son Thomas. Thomas keeps telling Mr. Toomey what he is doing wrong, and slowly his heart begins to soften until the miracle occurs.
Grandmother of four or five . . .

Christmas Day in the Morning

by Pearl S. Buck. Illustrations by Mark Buchanan

A wonderful short story that shows how love is truly the best gift that you can give your loved ones.

The story is about a boy, who even after becoming a man, remembers a Christmas when he truly realized the meaning of loving and how it was the perfect gift for his father.

Love does not need any money or even effort, it just is and when it is, it’s easy to express.