New Christmas Children’s Books Not to Miss + 15 Other Christmas Read Alouds. Written by the Elf on 11/10/2020 This post contains affiliate links, you can find out more on our policies page or in the disclaimer at the bottom of the blog.
Top 5 Favorite New Christmas Picture Books from 2019-2020
+ Our Reviews!
This Christmas will certainly be different! And while there is a lot of grief and heaviness to the season we find ourselves in this year, there can also be a lot of joy. There’s still a reason to break out the holiday cheer! Check out these new children’s Christmas books + 15 holiday read alouds!
1) All The Colors of Christmas
Written by: Matthew Paul Turner
Illutrated by: Gillian Gamble
Published On: September, 2020 Pages: 40
Available Where: On Kindle or a Physical Copy Here or IndieBound here.
Our Review: There is a lot of joy to be found in this holiday season- and a large part of that is you. Your compassion, your joy, your relationships- what you bring to the season. Not only does this beautifully written book give you all the warm fuzzy holiday feels, it inspires and reminds you that you can make this season wonderful. The illustrations are soft, warm, and there’s diversity among the characters. I love all of the beautiful and colorful poetry, but my favorite line is at the very end. “You’re a part of the story, the joy and the glory. Yes, Christmas is YOU!” This book is definitely going to be one that we read every year and one that we gift as well!
2) Santa In a Snowglobe
Written by: A.H. Edelman
Illutrated by: Serge Srecko Gall
Published On: October 2020 Pages: 34
Available Where: Kindle or Paperback Here
Our Review: Our holiday season is definitely looking different this year! This is a really cute book to normalize that and to start some good conversations. It’s written by a mom, and in the book- Santa explains how we can still be joyful and compassionate through this season. My pre-schooler thought it was fun and loved to see characters in the book wearing masks too! The wording is cleverly done and subtle enough that it doesn’t make the pandemic part of the story scary! It just reiterates that it won’t always be this way- but this year we’re trying to keep each other safe! A great gift for the littles in your life! *There are some light political and social justice points in this book, but it is very subtle and mainly focuses on being compassionate and helpful to others.*
*For another book that addresses the pandemic, check out
A Coronavirus Christmas or Christmas is a Little Different This Year. And for a book that talks about the importance of wearing a mask in a super fun way- check out Remember to Smile!
3) The Crayons’ Christmas
Written by: Drew Daywalt
Illutrated by: Oliver Jeffers
Published On: October 2019 Pages: 52
Available Where: (You’re going to want a physical copy of this one because there are pullouts) Get it here.
Our Review: This is a cute, holiday, continuation of the Crayon story!! The Day the Crayons Quit is a favorite in my classroom every year! This is the perfect book to go along with letter writing activities!! Make a family day out of making letters together so that no one feels forgotten this season, like Duncan in the story. There are always clever references in these stories and this storyline is really cute! This is definitely aimed at an an early childhood audience- pre-school to second grade.
4) Dasher: How a Brave Little Doe Changed Christmas Forever
Written and Illustrated by: Matt Tavares
Published On: September 2019 Pages: 40
Available Where: Kindle or Physical copy here, on IndieBound here.
Our Review: Did you know that Santa’s sleigh used to be pulled by just one horse? But then he needed more help. And Dasher was a reindeer with a dream and wish for more- but she didn’t know how to get there. Follow Dasher and Santa in their trip to get to each other. It’s quite an adventure! Wonderfully written- it’s an engaging and action packed story that has equally engaging illustration. The endings wonderful, and the rest- as they say- is history!
5) In the Nick of Time
Written by: DeeDee Cummings
Illutrated by: Charlene Mosely
Published On: October 2019 Pages: 36
Available on Kindle: Click Here From the Author’s Shop: Click Here
Our Review: A cute book that explores a little boy learning about the joys of giving, as well as realizing that not everyone has the blessings of home and security. Nick Saint gets a letter that is meant for Saint Nick and it ends up teaching him a whole lot more than any letter ever had before. My favorite thing about this book was the parents allowing Nick to come up with some of his own solutions to the need that he saw. Our kids are far more generous than society and our consumer culture gives them credit for- they just need to be encouraged and given the tools to use that generosity and compassion.
*) After publishing this we bought another new Christmas book because of a friends recommendation. A Dolly for Christmas was written by Kimberly Schlapman, of the band Little Big Town, and illustrated by Morgan Huff. It’s a very short read and is the true story of the Schlapman’s family adoption of their second daughter, Dolly, from big sister’s, Daisey, perspective.
5 Christmas Books to Promote Empathy and Compassion
*Most of these books will be most engaging for readers 7+, but you know your reader best!*
1) The Family Under the Bridge by Natalie Savage Carlson and Illustrated by Garth Williams
2) The Girl Who Saved Christmas by Matt Haig and Illustrated by Chris Mould
3) Oskar and the Eight Blessings by Tanya and Richard Simon and Illustrated by Mark Siegel
4) Between Us and Abuela by Mitali Perkins and Illustrated by Sara Palacious
5) (The Dear America Series) Christmas After All: The Great Depression Diary of Minnie Swift by Kathryn Lasky
*) Fun Extra: National Geographic Weird But True Christmas: 300 Festive Facts to Light Up the Holiday
10 of Our Favorite Classic Christmas Read Alouds
1) How the Grinch Stole Christmas (& Check out our review of the new animated movie HERE!)
2) The Classic Christmas Story- Baby Jesus is Born! I like the books that tell the story from the animals perspective. I’m on the hunt for a good one where baby Jesus isn’t white- if you have any suggestions, please put them in the comments section!
3) The Polar Express– Grab the movie here!
4) The Muppet Christmas Carol– there is a new illustrated book version!
5) Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer – grab the claymation movie set HERE!
6) The Nutcracker– Check out the new kids novel ‘Nutcracked‘ too.
7) The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving or The Gift of the Magi to discuss generosity!
8) ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas– and a Christmas collection from Mary Englebreit
9) The Legend of the Poinsettia– Similar to the Little Drummer Boy
10) The Gingerbread Man– also check out Gingerbread Friends and The Ninjabread Man
What to Check Out Next:
Our Christmas Movie Reviews:
–The new Grinch
–The Star
–The Nutcracker and the Four Realms
–Plus 10 Family Holiday Activities for 2020!
Tell us what your favorite Christmas book is!! And please take a second to share this post on social media!
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I really enjoyed Finding Christmas by Lezlie Evans, illustrated by Yee Von Chan. Squirrel, Mouse, and Hare are getting ready for Christmas. While Mouse is out looking for the perfect gift for Hare, she finds Swallow sick in the snow. The three friends bring Swallow home and try to nurse the bird back to health. Squirrel and Mouse realize their Christmas gifts might help Swallow get better, so they give up their presents to help Swallow because she needs the gifts more than they do. It’s a delightful story with a wonderful message – but it isn’t overly preachy. Just friends helping friends. It should be available at your local library.
That sounds like a beautiful Christmas tale!! 🙂
Pappa Panov’s Special Christmas literally made me cry a little bit at the end this year. I loved it!