A special feature of recommended picture books for Christmas that will captivate 2-year-olds!

Last updated:2025/11/7

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.

Many of you are probably looking for picture books that a Christmas-loving two-year-old can enjoy.

So here, we’re introducing Christmas picture books recommended for two-year-olds.

Picture books that depict Santa and the world of Christmas are sure to create a memorable page in your winter.

We’ve gathered lots of parent-and-child favorites, like “Spot’s First Christmas,” which thrills and excites with every lift-the-flap, and “Presents Through the Window,” with its delightful mix-ups of gifts.

Spend a wonderful time wrapped in the magic of Christmas together with your children!

Toddlers will be captivated! Recommended Christmas picture books (1–10)

Piyo piyo, Merry Christmas

http://www.amazon.co.jp

This is a work by Noriko Kudo, known for the “Noraneko Gundan” series.

The protagonists of the story are five sibling chicks.

All of them can’t wait for Christmas and anxiously wonder, “Will Santa really come?” as they wait with bated breath.

Their mother hen prepares a feast, and they decorate the tree.

A wonderful family Christmas is depicted here.

It’s a perfect book to share the joy of the holiday with children who ask, “What is Christmas?”

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The Bear Mailman

http://www.amazon.co.jp

This picture book has a wonderfully charming premise: a bear who works as a mail carrier.

The story revolves around the bear, showing how carefully he does his job.

Even on Christmas Day, he delivers letters and packages to everyone.

You can feel the Christmas spirit here and there—the tree visible inside people’s homes, the holly decorating the bear’s hat.

After finishing his work, the bear sets out sweets and a drink for Santa and goes to sleep.

It would be lovely if a present arrived for the hardworking bear, too.

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Little Bear: The Night Before Christmas

http://www.amazon.co.jp

A story about “Me” and “Night Bear” set on Christmas Eve.

Even though the next day is Christmas and should be full of fun, I’m too worried to sleep.

I get scolded a lot, so I’m afraid I’m a bad kid and Santa might not come.

Then Night Bear comes to visit, and the two of us start talking about Christmas.

It’s a warm yet slightly bittersweet, mysterious Christmas tale that draws in both children and adults.

Please enjoy reading it while taking in the softly drawn, beautiful Christmas scenes.

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Advent Calendar Picture Book: I Wonder When Santa Will Come

http://www.amazon.co.jp

This picture book lets you enjoy both an advent calendar that counts down the days to Christmas and a heartwarming Christmas story.

The setting is a northern land, where bear brothers Tete and Toto prepare for Christmas.

Writing a letter to Santa, cleaning the chimney, decorating the tree, getting the feast ready—everything shows just how excited the brothers are for Christmas.

Their kindness and cozy interactions are part of the charm, too.

It’s a heartwarming Christmas picture book that makes a wonderful gift.

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Christmas Hide-and-Seek

http://www.amazon.co.jp

If you’re looking for a Christmas picture book with pop-up-style tricks, how about “Christmas Hide-and-Seek”? It’s a die-cut interactive book that even babies and toddlers can enjoy—with quiz elements, too! On the left page you’ll find colors, patterns, and decorations, and when you layer the next die-cut page over it, they transform into a snowman or a Christmas tree.

If the pictures alone aren’t enough, there are hints written in, so reading them aloud might help the children catch on.

Have fun feeling the Christmas spirit as you play!

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The Mysterious Christmas Box

http://www.amazon.co.jp

On Christmas Day, there are countless children around the world eagerly and excitedly waiting for Santa Claus to arrive, aren’t there? This is a story where, by peeking into a secret box that appears in a picture book, you can see what Santa is doing right now.

The thrill of wondering when Santa will come, combined with the excitement of a secret known only to the protagonist, draws you into the world of the book.

With warm illustrations by Toshiyuki Saito that blend seamlessly into everyday life, “The Mysterious Box of Christmas” is a must-read.

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