21 Children's Christmas Books That Will Make You Feel Good Inside

Here's a list of sweet and meaningful children's Christmas books that focus on Christ, giving, and service. 

THE BEST CHRISTMAS BOOKS FOR KIDS

There are so many fun Christmas books to read in December, but this post is all about Christmas books for children that focus on the real reason for the season.

Reading these classic heartwarming Christmas stories will make you feel good inside and help kids realize that Christmas is about much more than Santa and reindeer.

I hope you enjoy these best children's Christmas books as we much as we have!  

HOW TO START A CHRISTMAS BOOK TRADITION

One of our all-time favorite Christmas Traditions is reading a Christmas book each night! In fact, we do a Christmas Book countdown that you can read all about here.

Each year, we like to add a new Christmas book to our collection. This year, we added The Myth of Santa's Beard. It is a cute story about how doing good things makes Santa's beard grow longer and what he does with it when it gets too long to make toys!

Choose one of these stories to add to your collection!

CLASSIC CHRISTMAS BOOKS FOR KIDS

*I've linked to these best Christmas story books for your convenience. The cost is the same to you...my goal in providing the links is to make it easier for you to find them! 

Or take this Christmas picture book list to your library to borrow them.

The Christmas Story 

Share the true meaning of Christmas with your children this holiday season. This simple but poetic text brings to life the story of Jesus' birth in a stable in Bethlehem

Christmas Is Here

Audiences from religious and secular worlds alike are familiar with the comforting words from the second chapter of Luke in the King James Bible, most memorably featured in A Charlie Brown Christmas. Just as Linus reminded his community of the real meaning of Christmas, this touching tribute to an ancient text reminds us to focus on family and our fellow man instead of on gifts and indulgences.

 A Christmas Carol 

"One Christmas Eve, in old London town, Ebenezer Scrooge looked out with a frown. ""Merry Christmas, Uncle!"" called his cheery nephew. ""Come join in our festive dinner, won't you?"" Charles Dickens's story, A Christmas Carol, is a traditional favorite for Christmastime. Retold in verse and accompanied by Caroline Pedler's evocative illustrations, this is a story to provoke thought about the meaning of Christmas and leave the reader with a warm Christmas glow."

Christmas Day in the Morning 

Rob wants to get his father something special for Christmas this year—something that shows how much he really loves him. But it's Christmas Eve, and he doesn't have much money to spend. What could he possibly get? Suddenly, Rob thinks of the best gift of all...

This is one of the Christmas books about giving!

A Christmas Dress for Ellen 

And would there be a special present for Ellen? Find out in this classic tale of Christmas sacrifice and service.

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey 

Jonathan Toomey is the best woodcarver in the valley, but he is always alone and never smiles. No one knows about the mementos of his lost wife and child that he keeps in an unopened drawer. But one early winter’s day, a widow and her young son approach him with a gentle request that leads to a joyful miracle. The moving, lyrical tale, gloriously illustrated by P.J. Lynch, has been widely hailed as a true Christmas classic.

The Christmas Train: A True Story

In this children s picture book, President Thomas S. Monson recounts a Christmas memory from his childhood. As a boy, he yearned for an electric train. To his delight, on Christmas morning he got exactly that a train that operated through the miracle of electricity. Then he noticed a second train that his mother had purchased for the boy down the street whose family was struggling. Although it was only a wind-up train, it had an beautiful oil tanker car, which little Tommy wanted for his own. Soon after, Tommy s mother invited him to accompany her to the neighbor s home to deliver the gift. Young Mark was thrilled with his new train and, of course, didn t notice the missing train car. However, a remorseful Tommy did. What happened next will bring the spirit of Christmas into every heart and home.

The Gift of Nothing

Mooch the cat desperately wants to find a gift for his friend - Earl the dog. He wonders what he can buy the dog who has everything and decides that the answer, of course, is nothing.

The Gift of the Magi

The Gift of the Magi" is a short story, about a young married couple and how they deal with the challenge of buying secret Christmas gifts for each other with very little money. As a sentimental story with a moral lesson about gift-giving,

How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

Not since "'Twas the night before Christmas" has the beginning of a Christmas tale been so instantly recognizable. This heartwarming story about the effects of the Christmas spirit will grow even the coldest and smallest of hearts. Like mistletoe, candy canes, and caroling, the Grinch is a mainstay of the holidays, and his story is the perfect gift for readers young and old.

I Believe in Santa Claus

Finally, a book that says it's OK to believe in Santa Claus, yet shows how this time honored symbol is meant to remind us of the true meaning of Christmas.

The Legend of the Candy Cane 

 

The Legend of the Christmas Stocking

This gorgeous holiday book—part of the Legends series from Zonderkidz—explores the true story behind the tradition of hanging and filling Christmas stockings. Kids will learn about what it means to give to others, and how they can share God’s love during the Christmas season.

 

The Mitten 

In this bestselling modern classic, a young boy’s lost mitten leads to a charming snowy adventure. Jan Brett’s beautiful retelling is a family favorite and this sturdy board book is perfect for little hands.

The Polar Express

A young boy, lying awake one Christmas Eve, is welcomed aboard a magical train to the North Pole. The Polar Express makes its way to the city atop the world, where the boy will make his Christmas wish. This is a story for all who believe in the spirit of Christmas and those who treasure the sound of a reindeer’s silver bell. 

Santa Calls

Art Atchinson Aimesworth--inventor, crime fighter, and all-around whiz kid--receives a mysterious summons from Santa Claus and shares a Christmas adventure with his sister Esther that brings them closer together.

See Christ In Christmas: 12 Symbols of Christmas

Have you ever wondered what the symbols of Christmas mean? This beautifully illustrated book about 12 symbols of Christmas helps readers young and old see that Christ is in Christmas everywhere you look!

 

The Christmas Baby

When Mary and Joseph’s child was born, the good tidings spread from the animals in the manger, to the shepherds in the fields, to the kings in distant lands, and even to the angels in the heavens! Now every time a baby is born, we celebrate and people travel from far and wide to greet the new baby—because every new baby is a small miracle.

  

The Crippled Lamb

The Crippled Lamb follows the story of Joshua, a lamb with a crippled leg who feels left out because he can't run and play like the other lambs. But God has a special plan for Joshua's life, as He does for all who feel alone. Readers will feel a gentle tug on their hearts as the little lamb's prayers are answered in an amazing way on Christmas Day.

The Tale Of Three Trees

A book to help children recognize the significance of Christ's life.

Who Is Coming To Our House?  

"Who is coming to our house?

Someone, someone," says Mouse.

As Pig makes room, Lamb cleans up, Goose stacks the hay, and Duck lines the crib with eiderdown, Mary and Joseph are on their way by donkey. All the animals are eager to welcome the baby Jesus to their home.

A warm, lyrical book your family will cuddle up with for years. 

 
What are your favorite feel good Christmas books? Leave a comment so we can add them to this list!  

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