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!

A picture book that will captivate 3-year-olds! A special volume to enjoy a fun Christmas (31–40)

Transforming Present

http://www.amazon.co.jp

The picture book “Henshin Present” (Transforming Present) tells the story of Santa delivering wonderful gifts.

In the tale, Santa visits children who are troubled or facing problems, and his presents neatly solve them.

Each child has a name, and by calling that name over and over, it transforms into a present.

It’s a fun picture book where you can guess what the present will be from the situation in the illustration and the child’s name.

We’d love for children to think about whether their own names might be able to transform into presents, too.

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Mary-chan’s Christmas

http://www.amazon.co.jp

The story features Mary-chan and Patapon the sheep.

Mary-chan tells Patapon about the Christmas she’s looking forward to.

One of the stories is about Santa putting presents in wooden shoes, and when Patapon hears this, he becomes sad, thinking he won’t receive any gifts.

Mary-chan doesn’t seem to notice Patapon’s feelings and talks only about her own presents.

It’s a work that depicts the pure feelings children have toward Christmas—joy and sadness.

There’s a heartwarming episode at the end, too.

Enjoy reading it along with the adorable illustrations.

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Snow of Dreams

http://www.amazon.co.jp

If you’re looking for a pop-up Christmas book, how about Dream Snow? It’s a work by Eric Carle, known for The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and the story features an old man and some animals.

The old man wakes from a dream in which everything is covered in beautiful snow.

When he looks outside, real snow is falling, which makes him remember something; he hurriedly gets dressed.

What did he remember, and what is he about to do…? There are two pop-up mechanisms: one on the page with the animals, and the second on the last page, where you can hear the sound of bells.

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Christmas Black Bear

http://www.amazon.co.jp

This is a Christmas-themed volume in the “Ohanashi Kurokuma” series.

Little Kurokuma writes letters to his forest friends, inviting them to a Christmas party he’s hosting.

Everyone will bring gifts, and they’ll do a gift exchange.

On the day of the party, the exciting gift exchange begins.

Wondering who will receive what, children will feel as if they’re taking part themselves, their hearts pounding as each present appears—and they’ll delight in the surprises.

We hope this picture book helps children feel the joy of choosing and giving gifts.

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Find the Christmas decorations

http://www.amazon.co.jp

Let’s go look for decorations for the tree with Mr.

Polar Bear! Hidden throughout the picture-book illustrations are all sorts of ornaments.

As you read the story, lift the flaps and discover the decorations together with Mr.

Polar Bear.

This delightful book, with a Christmas theme children love, draws readers right into the story.

Finding decorations yourself and turning them into a beautiful Christmas tree is sure to bring joy.

Why not read it together as a family before you decorate your tree at home?

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A picture book that captivates 3-year-olds! A special volume for a fun-filled Christmas (41–50)

Gifts for Christmas

http://www.amazon.co.jp

At Christmas, Santa brings presents.

For children, that has become a given.

But presents aren’t just something you receive—they’re also something you give.

This picture book tells the story of Santa, who comes on Christmas night to deliver gifts.

When he peeks into a stocking to put a present inside, he finds a gift for Santa tucked there.

It beautifully portrays the joy of giving and the warmth of thinking of others, leaving your heart feeling toasty after reading.

I can’t help but hope that children will grow up to be people who can give gifts like this.

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Christmas is exciting

http://www.amazon.co.jp

Let me introduce a perfect pop-up picture book for Christmas: “Christmas Is So Exciting.” The story features a pair of bear siblings who can’t wait for their presents.

Santa delivers gifts to children who have been good all year… That single line might make many kids’ hearts skip a beat, just like the bear siblings.

Lift the flaps and presents appear—it’s a wonderful picture book that even little ones can easily enjoy.

It would be lovely to ask, “Have you been good?” and hear a cheerful, “Yeees!” in return.

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