In the new picture book Santa’s Story by Will Hillenbrand, Santa is ready to leave on Christmas Eve, but none of the reindeer are gathering until Santa realizes he almost skipped their special tradition of reading a story together first. This new picture book is short and sweet–making it ideal for a wide range of ages! I love the concept of Santa having a special reading ritual like so many of us.
In honor of that tradition I put together a list of my top favorite Christmas picture books that I wouldn’t want to skip either! See the list below!
I was sent a free copy of Santa’s Story by Amazon Publishing and Blue Slip Media and they have offered up as extra copy for one of you as well! Head over to this instagram post to enter!
Disclaimer: This post contains Amazon affiliate links which means I receive a small commission if you purchase through the links.
Top 5 Christmas Picture Books:
Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree by Robert Barry
This was a childhood favorite and I literally had it memorized and could recite it to others. It’s been so fun to introduce it to my own kids and they love it too. With a flowing, rhyming text it tells the story of a tree that it is a bit too tall. The top is cut off and given away and consecutively smaller homes are able to enjoy a piece of the top of the tree and end up with their own beautiful tree.
Mortimer’s Christmas Manger by Karma Wilson
I love this sweet story of a mouse who finds a little nativity set that he thinks would be the perfect home for him. He keeps pulling all the figures out until the night he hears the Christmas story being read and realizes who that baby really is. I’ve previously given this book as a gift along with a child friendly nativity set.
Little Star by Anthony DeStefano
This book tells the story of the little, ignored star that ends up shining brightly for the baby Jesus on the night of His birth. I love several of the messages it includes. Previously we have read this on Christmas Eve and then decorated star sugar cookies.
A Wish to Be a Christmas Tree by Colleen Monroe
This is such a sweet story of a tree who has always dreamed of being someone’s Christmas tree, but is overlooked every year. The animals in the forest want to show the tree how much they appreciate all it has done for them and they come up with a thoughtful plan.
The Tale of the Trees retold by Angela Elwell Hunt
This book is great for both Christmas and Easter and I’ve been reading and loving it ever since I was young. Now I get to introduce this moving folktale to my children about three trees that have a significant role in the story of Christ.
Do we have any of the same favorites? What is one of yours?
Check out these lists for additional ideas as well:
Cute and Fun Christmas Picture Books
Profound Christmas Picture Books
Christmas Picture Books with Spiritual Themes
Anya
22 Nov 2019I love Mortimer!
Cathy Bonnell
23 Nov 2019Apple Tree Christmas by Trinka Hakes Nobel
Jazmin
23 Nov 2019I love The Broken Ornament.
Lynne
24 Nov 2019I just bought the three trees and I love getting recommendations for other books! Putting on my wish list so I can build my collection over the years.
Melodee
24 Nov 2019We LOVE Mortimer! I bought our own copy last year and can’t wait to pull it out next weekend!
Sara Perrera
24 Nov 2019Mortimer makes my top 5. I also really love The Jolly Christmas Postman.