A picture book that 3-year-olds will be captivated by! A special book for enjoying a fun Christmas

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.

Christmas is just around the corner at last.

That makes you want to read a Christmas picture book to your child, doesn’t it? Three-year-olds are at a stage where their imagination really blossoms, so you can share a wonderful time together through Christmas picture books.

But many people may be unsure which books to choose.

So here, we’ll introduce heartwarming Christmas picture books that will make children’s eyes sparkle.

Enjoy a delightful encounter with Santa Claus together with your child!

Picture books that captivate 3-year-olds! A special volume for enjoying Christmas (11–20)

Forgetful Santa Claus

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A Christmas picture book by Hirotaka Nakagawa, whose songs and picture books are beloved not only by children but also by adults, touching their heartstrings.

The exchanges between the forgetful Santa and his reliable partner, the reindeer, are simply irresistible.

Especially in the first half, the large two-page spreads make it perfect for read-aloud time.

The story is, of course, delightful, and the illustrations are friendly and approachable, drawing children right into the world of the book.

Enjoy gently teasing the slightly unreliable yet adorable Santa together as a parent and child, and let the laid-back atmosphere soothe your hearts!

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hiyori

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What is Christmas?

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A Christmas picture book by Dick Bruna, the Dutch graphic designer who created Miffy.

With its warm illustrations and striking, vivid colors, it conveys the spirit of Christmas in a way that’s easy for children to understand.

Christmas often tends to be associated first with ideas like “the day you get presents” or “the day you get to eat cake,” but it might be nice to take the holy night as an opportunity for parents and children to think together about why we celebrate it and why it makes us happy.

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hiyori

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Mr./Ms. Tree

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Tree-san by Hiroyuki Arai—known for his unique ideas and adorable board books—features the fresh and fun concept of a Christmas tree as the main character.

It’s packed with the excitement of eagerly awaiting Christmas and the joy of decorating the tree.

As you read on, more and more ornaments are added, making the pages increasingly lively.

And at the end, it’s a delightful book for parents and children to think together: “But something’s missing, isn’t it? What could it be?”

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hiyori

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100 Santas

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From the title alone, “100 Santas” is sure to captivate children! Santa Claus is incredibly busy preparing for Christmas throughout all four seasons—spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

Children will be amazed by Santa’s hard work.

And the most exciting highlight is the Santas’ special treat: the party after Christmas is over.

The ending is also fun—although there should be 100 Santas, one of them is missing.

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hanauta obasan

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You know, in Santa’s country…

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Santa Claus eagerly awaits the children’s arrival.

How does Santa live outside the Christmas season? This picture book presents the twelve months Santa spends in Santa’s country.

How does he prepare the presents? What does he do during the hot summer months? It sparks the imagination: “Perhaps Santa spends his time like this.” The gentle illustrations are friendly and inviting for children, drawing them into the world of the story.

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tsukada moe

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Nontan! It’s Santa Claus!

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Among the beloved Nontan picture book series that has been cherished across generations, the Christmas-themed title Nontan! It’s Santa Claus stands out.

It tells the story of Nontan trying to go ask the Cat Santa for the present he wants for Christmas.

The story unfolds with warm illustrations that expand children’s dreams, such as scenes featuring Santas of various animals.

It also sounds fun to search for Cat Santa together with the kids.

This is a picture book you can’t take your eyes off, as Nontan’s excitement mirrors the feelings of children eagerly awaiting Christmas.

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mutō

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A picture book that captivates three-year-olds! A special volume to enjoy a fun Christmas (21–30)

Christmas on December 26

http://www.amazon.co.jp

“Christmas on December 26” is a story that takes place after Christmas.

A girl who received a dog from Santa sets out to find him so she can say thank you.

She must have been overjoyed to want to search for someone just to say “thank you”… It’s a work whose pure-hearted childlike sentiment will move adults as well.

Precisely because getting presents at Christmas has become so commonplace today, I hope children will never forget this sense of gratitude.

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sasashina

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