Picture Books Recommended for a One-Year-Old's Christmas! A Collection of Stories That Will Captivate Your Child

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
20 years of experience as a nursery teacher / kindergarten teacherhiyoko sensei
I’m Hiyoko-sensei, a former nursery school teacher from Hyogo Prefecture. Ever since I was five, my dream was to become a childcare worker, and before I knew it, 20 years had passed since I achieved that dream. Through singing and playing with the children, I kept working with the spirit of someone in their twenties, even as I increasingly felt my physical limits year by year (haha). From here on, I’d like to share helpful information carefully and thoughtfully, drawing on my on-site experience.

“Which Christmas picture book should I choose?” Many of you are looking for the perfect book to create special Christmas memories with your child.At around one year old, children start to enjoy picture books—gazing intently at the colorful images and pointing at them.Christmas during infancy is a wonderful opportunity for parents and children to share special moments through picture books.So here, we’ll introduce Christmas picture books that one-year-olds will be captivated by.Please choose one that suits your child’s interests and developmental stage.

Recommended picture books for a baby's first Christmas! A collection of works that captivate children (21–30)

Three Christmas Gifts

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Three children awaiting Christmas experience mysterious happenings in The Three Christmas Gifts.

This picture book features artwork and a story loved across generations.

Because the narrative is told from a child’s perspective, you might try imitating the characters’ voices or reading it aloud while speaking gently to a baby.

The softly colored illustrations, paired with the Christmas-themed story, create a strong visual effect.

Give it a try as a read-aloud Christmas picture book with children as the main characters.

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The Christmas party is starting!

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A picture book packed with interactive features that delight 0-year-olds, “The Christmas Party Is About to Start!” This installment focuses on getting ready for Christmas.

Kids can enjoy cutting colorful fruits and watching the chicken roast through playful mechanisms.

With engaging, hands-on movements that easily capture a child’s interest, it’s perfect for boosting the Christmas mood together as a parent and child—even if little ones don’t yet understand what Christmas is.

It also makes a wonderful Christmas gift, so be sure to keep it in mind!

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Let’s party!

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“Let’s Have a Party!” depicts animals getting ready for a Christmas party.

It’s a picture book where children can enjoy moving and fitting pieces as they experience an exciting Christmas gathering.

The story unfolds as kids fit pieces into shapes—like decorating for Christmas and icing the cake.

Watching stars, hats, and cake parts move invites children to point, repeat the names of the pieces, and play along.

With its cute animal illustrations and as a read-aloud, it’s a book that lets you enjoy Christmas together with your baby.

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Triangle Santa

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If you want to share the excitement of Christmas with a one-year-old, the picture book “Sankaku Santa” is just perfect.

The Santa and presents drawn with simple triangles are a design that even one-year-olds can enjoy.

The scenes of Santa choosing gifts and children receiving them are depicted in gentle language.

If you make time for read-aloud sessions as a parent and child, it will surely be a wonderful time full of smiles.

It’s a lovely picture book that gently conveys the meaning of Christmas while letting you experience the joy of sharing feelings.

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If you go to sleep, Santa will come.

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The picture book Nenne Shitara Santa-san (When You Sleep, Santa Comes) charmingly depicts Santa delivering presents while children are asleep.

It portrays the excitement of a child eagerly awaiting Christmas, and features a fun interactive element where Santa appears at the window when you close your eyes to sleep.

When you open your eyes, Santa slips away—making it great to move and play with together with a one-year-old.

The gentle, conversational phrases are perfect for bedtime reading.

With its warm, comforting illustrations, it’s a heartwarming Christmas picture book.

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mutō

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Boshi-kun’s Christmas Present

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Isn’t a story with a hat as the main character quite rare? This time, I’d like to introduce “Mr.

Hat’s Christmas”! It’s a heartwarming tale in which a hat left all alone in the forest gives presents to the animals who gather around.

What will happen to the hat? Who is the hasty someone in disguise? It’s the kind of story that draws you in.

If you change your voice to match each character, you’ll be even more absorbed in the reading.

It’s a short picture book, so it’s also recommended before bedtime.

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Everyone’s beloved Christmas

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Let me introduce the delightfully interactive “Everyone Loves Christmas”! Its bold, vivid colors make the changes easy to notice.

Plus, it’s a board book made with smooth, sturdy pages, so there’s no worry about little fingers getting cut—another great point.

Kids can enjoy reading it safely.

In sync with the story, the tree lights up, the skaters glide along, and there are pop-up surprises with Santa, so it’s sure to amaze.

It’s a picture book that keeps you turning the pages with excitement.

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