The Children’s Book Review | December 1, 2014
In the spirit of the most wonderful time of the year, we’ve put together a list of the best new kids’ Christmas books that capture the holiday magic. We just know you’ll love our Christmas Books booklist!
By Lisa Ann Marsoli; Illustrated by Keith Andrew Finch
Publisher’s Synopsis: Start a new holiday family reading tradition with a delightful pop-up retelling of the beloved Christmas special. Just in time for its 50th anniversary, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is now a stunning pop-up book that will be treasured for generations to come. All of the classic characters join Rudolph for his North Pole adventure: Hermey the elf/aspiring dentist, Yukon Cornelius, and the doe-eyed Clarice. The impressive large-scale pop-ups re-create classic scenes using actual movie stills. Fly along with Rudolph, join in the reindeer games, flee from the Abominable Snow Monster, visit the Island of Misfit Toys, and save Christmas one foggy night. Most importantly, be touched by the timeless story of acceptance and the true meaning of the holiday spirit.
Ages 0+ | Publisher: Silver Dolphin Books | Sept. 23, 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-1-62686-197-8
By Deborah Underwood; Illustrated by Claudia Rueda
Publisher’s Synopsis: Cat took on a bunny in Here Comes the Easter Cat, but now Christmas is coming, and Cat has a hunch he’s not on Santa’s “nice” list. Which means? No presents for Cat. So he tries to be good, but children, it seems, aren’t wild for his brand of gift-giving. Still, Cat might surprise himself, and best of all, he may just get to meet the man in the red suit himself—and receive a holiday surprise of his own. Fans of Pete the Cat, Splat the Cat, and Bad Kitty will delight in this holiday treat.
Ages 3-5 | Publisher: Dial | October 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-0803741003
By Stephen Krensky; Illustrated by Pascal Campion
Publisher’s Synopsis: Among the grand balsam firs and pines at the Christmas tree lot is a little hunched tree that is missing several branches. Still, no tree is more filled with the spirit of Christmas. As the weeks go by, many others are selected but still the little tree keeps up its hope of finding the perfect family. On Christmas Eve, now the last tree in the lot, a special visitor (Ho, Ho, Ho!) might just give the little tree what it wants most of all.
Ages 3-5 | Publisher: Dial | October 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-0803737570
By Jan Brett
Publisher’s synopsis: When Big Snowshoe tells Little Snow that the animals’ Santa is coming with presents for everyone, Little Snow wants to know who he is. The animals say they have never seen him. Maybe he’s a badger, a moose, a polar bear, or a wolf, they tell him. But this spunky little rabbit thinks they are just fooling him.
On Christmas Eve, Big Snowshoe finds a way to see the animals’ Santa when a Snowy Owl in a red cap swoops down with a pack full of presents. Never again will an excited Little Snow doubt that there is an animals’ Santa.
Ages 3-5 | Publisher: Putnam Juvenile | October 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-0399257841
By Paul Czajak; Illustrated by Wendy Grieb
Publisher’s Synopsis: It’s almost Christmastime, and Monster needs a tree. But the holidays are filled with joy and so many fun things to do! After snowballs, sleds, and Santa Claus, will he find a tree in time? In this festive, rhyming story, Monster shows young readers that with a little creativity, a tree can be perfect any way you look at it.
Ages 2-6 | Publisher: Scarletta Kids | October 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-1938063466
By Alison McGhee; Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Publisher’s Synopsis: This perfectly angelic—and perfectly charming—Christmas story offers a creative twist on the classic tale of the nativity, from the #1 New York Timesbestselling creators of Someday.
The angels are aflutter: a baby is soon to be born! One small angel can tell this baby is especially special by the way the other angels are dashing and fussing about. And holy moly, are their presents extraordinary. The little angel wants to give a present too, but, what could she possibly offer that is as worthy as the others’ gifts?
At a loss for original ideas, she peeks over the side of her platform and spies something going on in the desert—a caravan of kings on camels, lost in the dark. And suddenly she knows she most do something, and does the only thing she can. Because the greatest gift of all? It can’t be wrapped. It can’t be bought. It can only be selflessly, joyfully given. And it ends up being the perfect gift for that little baby…the shiningest gift at all.
Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers | September 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-1416958581
By Daphne Benedis-Grab
Publisher’s Synopsis: A heartwarming Christmas mystery and friendship story!
Every Christmas in the small town of Pine River, a tree appears in the town square–the Angel Tree. Some people tie wishes to the tree, while others make those wishes come true. Nobody’s ever known where the tree comes from, but the mystery has always been part of the tradition’s charm.
This year, however, four kids who have been helped–Lucy, Joe, Max, and Cami–are determined to solve the mystery and find out the true identity of the town’s guardian angel, so that Pine River can finally thank the person who brought the Angel Tree to their town.
This is a heartwarming Christmas mystery, full of friendship, discovery, and loads of holiday cheer!
Ages 8-12 | Publisher: Scholastic Press | September 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-0545613781
Publisher’s Synopsis: The Poky Little Puppy, the Gingerbread Man, and many other classic Golden Books characters help illustrate this wise and witty guide to the holidays! Delightfully retro yet utterly of the moment, this companion to the bestselling EVERYTHING NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED FROM A LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK will delight fans of those gold foil-spined treasures. Featuring iconic art from Golden Books luminaries including Eloise Wilkin, Richard Scarry, J.P. Miller, Garth Williams, and more — this collection is a must for maintaining ever-important holiday cheer!
Ages 12+ | Publisher: Golden Books | September 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-0553497359
By Bloomsbury
Publisher’s Synopsis: Don’t let Santa give the best gift this year—this delightful activity and sticker book will brighten anyone’s Christmas morning! Whether you are designing your own holiday decorations, sorting presents with Santa’s elves, or helping snowmen find their noses, there is so much to discover in this wonderful seasonal title. Teeming with over 100 stickers and packed full of festive doodles and puzzles, this entertaining book will put even the grumpiest person in your family into a jolly mood!
Ages 3-6 | Publisher: Bloomsbury USA | September 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-1619633117
Discover More Kids Books for Christmas …
- Holiday Gift Guides with Kids Books
- 20 of the Best Kids Christmas Books
- 8 Books to Celebrate Baby’s First Christmas
You can also take a look at all of our articles tagged with Christmas Books or check out our Holiday Books category. Merry Christmas and don’t forget to #GiveBooks this year—the gift of reading is a powerful one!