Preschool Christmas Book List

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There are so many amazing Christmas books out there, this is just a small collection of my favorites for my family and preschoolers. Obviously, if you teach at a public preschool, you need to be sensitive to the childrens families beliefs and maybe ask if it’s ok to read the books with a religious theme.

As part of our 25 Days of Christ, this is another great idea for keeping Christ in Christmas. Finding books about Jesus’ birth and reading them to your little ones is the perfect thing to bring the spirit of Christmas into your home and open a dialogue with your child about the birth of Christ.

This is a long list (please scroll to the bottom to see the whole list), so I’m just going to highlight my favorites:

When Jesus Was Born in Bethlehem

Absolutely beautiful, poignant pictures accompany the scriptural telling of the Saviors birth. I read these same scriptures to my children every christmas, how nice it will be to have them all together with pictures to go with them. This a brilliant artist whose paintings seem to come to life. One can feel the emotions on Mary and Joseph’s faces and the pictures of the Christ Child are fantastic.

The Christmas Star

Follow the shining star as it guides shepherds, kings, and all the animals of the forest to the stable where the Holy child lies. Now available in a sturdy board book edition, this glittering Nativity, by the author of “The Rainbow Fish,” is a perfect Christmas gift for the entire family to share.

Christmas from Heaven: The True Story of the Berlin Candy Bomber

This is such a heart-warming story, beautifully illustrated and interspersed with documentary photos. The accompanying DVD with Tom Brokaw’s narration is magnificently done. My children are now so excited to make their own candy parachutes for Christmas. (Not sure where we’ll be dropping them, or for whom. But this book includes instructions on how to make them so of course we’ll give it a shot!)

The Carpenter’s Gift: A Christmas Tale about the Rockefeller Center Tree

Family, friendship, and the spirit of giving are at the heart of this inspiring picture book. Opening in Depression-era New York, The Carpenter’s Gift tells the story of eight-year-old Henry and his out-of-work father selling Christmas trees in Manhattan. They give one of their leftover trees to construction workers building Rockefeller Center. That tree becomes the first Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, the finest Henry has seen when adorned with homemade decorations. Henry wishes on the tree for a nice, warm house to replace his family’s drafty, one-room shack. Through the kindness of new friends and old neighbors, Henry’s wish is granted, and he plants a pinecone to commemorate the event. As an old man, Henry repays the gift by donating to Rockefeller Center the enormous tree that has grown from that pinecone. After bringing joy to thousands as a beautiful Christmas tree, its wood will be used to build a home for a family in need.

Christmas in the Manger

The gentle beauty of the story of the first Christmas is now available as a board book. With a simple, lyrical text and radiant artwork, this book is perfect for the youngest child to be a part of the wonder of the Nativity.

The Polar Express Kindle Edition

Since its publication in 1985, Chris Van Allsburg’s holiday classic has sold millions of copies and has come to signify the essential spirit of Christmas for countless readers.

Readers young and old are sure to treasure this inspiring book, which brings to life the magic of Christmas for all who believe.

Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale

That cold winter’s night,
beneath the star’s light…

…a Little One came for the world.

The illustrations are beautiful!

Legend of the Christmas Stocking

This wonderful Christmas tale, set in the late 1800s, shares the touching story of a young boy named Peter. He sells newspapers to help his family while his father is away at sea, and he’s been saving a bit of his earnings to buy a model schooner in the woodworker’s shop. But after Uncle Jim, the woodworker, tells him the story of St. Nicholas, Peter discovers the meaning behind the hanging and filling of Christmas stockings and learns a heartfelt lesson in kindness and generosity. Filled with the rich, realistic illustrations of Jim Griffin.

A Wish to Be A Christmas Tree Kindle Edition

This charming tale of an overgrown pine always being passed by for Christmas, and what his woodland friends do to help him, is sure to become a Christmas classic. With delightful illustrations by wildlife artist Michael Monroe and enchanting text from Colleen Monroe, the birds, deer and squirrel of this story help make their special friend’s wish come true.

Santa’s Favorite Story: Santa Tells 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 helps to place the focus where it should belong. I’m sure the real Saint Nicholas would agree that it’s part of his favorite story as well!

Twas The Night Before Christmas: Edited By Santa Claus for the Benefit of Children of the 21st Century

Kindle Edition

This colorful and bright edition was created for young readers in mind. Attracting global media attention, The BBC, The View, The Colbert Report, New York Post, Huffington Post and many others for what the Kirkus Review calls a legitimate editing of the reference to the pipe and wreath of smoke for the first time in the history of this the most famous poem in the English language. This is the edition that is credited with having Santa stop smoking after 189 years and for taking a small bite out of history. The public health sector, parents, educators and grandparents have applauded and welcomed the addition of this child friendly edition.

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 welcome the baby Jesus to their home.