Do you countdown to Christmas by reading holiday books? As you know, we count down to Christmas with an activity advent calendar. (Check out how to make one using Dollar Tree supplies!) and the kids really enjoying picking out a holiday book to read each night. In order to make it a little special this year, I’ve wrapped each of the books and placed it in a box and basket.
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How to get 25 holiday books to countdown
But how do you get 25 books? You don’t necessarily need to buy 25 new books.
- Look for books at thrift stores, book sales, and rummage sales. It doesn’t even necessarily need to be done during the holidays. I’m always on the lookout year round.
- Borrow books at the library. Put the books on hold. I would suggest using those books first though so you don’t risk a fine.
- Still can’t find enough books? It doesn’t necessarily need to be holiday themed. How about anything with snow? Or you can include their favorite books.
- Wrap them or don’t wrap them. It’s up to you. This shouldn’t stress you out.
- Have fun with it!
Countdown to Christmas with these Holiday Books
Samurai Santa: A Very Ninja Christmas
What happens when a little ninja doesn’t believe in Santa? This book will be LOVED by any ninja-lovin’ kid. This book would be great to pair with making these ninja-bread men since I’ve totally given up on making real gingerbread houses. Ha!
The 12 Sleighs of Christmas
A Cookie for Santa
This adorable twist on the Night Before Christmas stars a gingerbread boy and his cookie duties as Santa’s snack. Will he be brave enough to do what he needs to do? A cute book with a little twist at the end. A perfect book to read before or after making your cookies for Santa.
Dream Snow
Holiday Heroes Save Christmas
What happens when Santa get sicks and can’t deliver presents? He enlists the help of the Holiday Heroes – the Tooth Fairy, Leprechaun, Witch, and Easter Bunny. After undergoing training, they are set on their mission — to save Christmas in their own style.
How do Dinosaurs Say Merry Christmas?
For fans of dinosaurs, this is a no-brainer. My kids have grown up with this series and this is extra special.
The Polar Express
My kids have loved this classic story ever since they could say the words, “choo choo.” Make it even better with a real train ride.
Pig the Elf
Since we have a pug, we love any and all Pig the Pug books. In this version, Pig is up to his usual antics except Christmas-themed with Santa, of course.
A Christmas Carol: A Babylit Book
I absolutely adore these little board books from BabyLit. They take your favorite novels and stories and condenses it into a little board book. Perfect for babies! The BabyLit version has cute illustrations and focuses on colors seen throughout the book.
Pete the Cat’s 12 Groovy Days of Christmas
If you love counting down to Christmas in the 12 Days of Christmas style, you’ll adore Pete’s version.
Dinosaur vs. Santa
Fans of dinosaurs have no doubt run into these “Dinosaur vs.” series. This particular book focuses on Dinosaur all the things he needs to do to get ready for Santa’s arrival.
Llama Llama Holiday Drama
Love Llama Llama and all his adventures? Llama Llama is so excited to Christmas and is busily preparing for the big day, but he can’t wait. Then when the big day arrives, he gets overwhelmed. In the end, he learns a sweet lesson. Guaranteed to end with a hug and kiss.
Snowmen at Christmas
How do snowmen celebrate at Christmas? A little boy imagines snowmen having all the fun with dancing, trimming the tree, and of course seeing Kris Kringle. Such an adorable little book!
Santa Mouse
A really adorable story about a mouse who becomes Santa’s little helper. I absolutely love the vintage illustrations!
S is for Santa
Another adorable board book from BabyLit. As you can guess, the book goes through the alphabet and each letter corresponds to a holiday-theme. For instance, G for Gingerbread. Love this book for my emerging reader.
12 Elves of Christmas
We’ve had this book for awhile now and it’s one of the kids’ favorites. Every day, I go ahead and hide the elf. Using clues from the book, the kids go on and search for it. Once they find it we stick it under the tree. This is our “easy” version of Elf on the Shelf.
The Littlest Elf
Oliver the Elf wants to help out but he finds out that he’s too “little” to do anything. But in the end he does find out what he’s perfect for and it may involve helping Santa.
Last Stop on the Reindeer Express
What a beautiful book! The illustrations are wonderful and pages durable. Some pages have flaps to open, others have peek through holes that open to the next page. Not only is it a gorgeous book, but the story is uplifting as well!
A Bad Kitty Christmas
Bad Kitty is back at it again with her antics and ruins Christmas because she wants more. Then she meets a friend and everything changes for the better. A super cute story!
A Bag for Santa
This book from local Chicagoland author Kendra Esbrook is one of my new favorite holiday books
Read the full review here.
Dinosaur That Pooped Christmas
Danny gets a very hungry dinosaur for Christmas that eats all of Christmas? Can you imagine what happens next? And yes, it does involve poop!
Santa Bruce
What happens when a reluctant bear becomes Santa Claus for Christmas – Santa Bruce! An endearing story that is similar to the Grinch.
Bear Stays Up for Christmas
Bear is trying to stay up for Christmas, but will he succeed? A very cute book that talks about sharing and caring.
Gingerbread Man Loose at Christmas
The gingerbread man is busy making a sweet present for someone special. When the time comes to give it to them, he’s confronted with winds and a sticky situation. Does it stop him from giving the present? A perfect book to pair with making gingerbread men or a house.
Santa is Coming to Chicago
Santa is coming to Chicago! This cute book highlights places that your kids may know. The perfect book to grab to highlight your city. Also makes a great souvenir! We read this book when we visit any of the Chicago attractions on our advent calendar. So fun!
What are some of your favorite holiday books?
We do the 25 days of Christmas books too. Pete the Cat and Bad Kitty are big favorites at our house, as well as the Polar Express.
These are some great children’s books and I need some ideas for the holidays. I love Eric Carle so i would have to see this book and give it as a gift.
What a great list. I love giving my grandkids books for Christmas (at least a few) they love to be read to and we’re hoping by the end of this next year they will be reading to us!
As my son gets older, this holiday season is going to just be THAT MUCH MORE MAGICAL and I am so excited for it. We are going to read all the books and watch all the movies!!
These look like fabulous books! We love to read, so I’ll have to pick these up for my kids.
What a cute idea! For some reason I never thought about doing something like this. I think it would be fun to do a great tradition to start when they’re little.
I love your list. I give all my baby nieces and nephews books for Christmas. I love the countdown to Christmas book idea.
Great places and ideas on where to get these books. Unless you collect books, there’s no need to have all 25! These are some fun and exciting books.
These are such good recommendations. I always liked having some Christmas-themed books on the shelves for bedtime in the winter.
I am loving these books that will make countdown to Chrsitmas fun and educational. I miss having littles in the house, they used to love things like this.
I love the idea of counting down to Christmas with a book every day. A lovely idea of something new to get stuck into everyday.
What a fabulous children’s book collection! Each is so precious and special. Thank you for sharing these with us. I’ll be selecting 3 of the titles to gift to my nephew.
Were big readers in our house. Consider adding Gingerbread Mouse, Pick a Pine Tree, The Mitten, and Just Right for Christmas! Some of our most favs. If we’ve enjoyed one from the library I buy it the next year. This year we’ll add The Sweet Smell of Christmas (scratch and sniff). I’ve started buying used in good condition off Amazon, paperback are great so they easily pack with our holiday decorations. Always fun to pull theses out for the season!
These are some great holiday books. I always love giving out books to my daughters for the holidays. They always make great gifts.
Thanks for this great list. I saw a few I may want to add to the kids Learning Center as I think they’d enjoy some new reading material for over the Christmas break.
A few of these I read in my childhood. They really do Christmas countdown some justice!
This is such a wonderful idea. I would love to do something like this with my nieces and nephews.
those are amazing book options. i love getting books for kids at Christmas. i always get a few.
Great idea to get the kids reading during the holidays, I need to tell my sister in law