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

Little Squirrel’s Christmas

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In the forest where Santa Claus lives, a little squirrel decides to give a present to Santa, who is always delivering gifts.

But the squirrel becomes unsure of what to give and gets confused.

Santa notices the squirrel’s feelings.

This is a heartwarming picture book that shows a present isn’t only something you give as a thing.

Children will likely discover through this story how important it is not just to receive, but to be thoughtful toward others.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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A picture book that will captivate 3-year-olds! A special volume to enjoy a fun Christmas (51–60)

Never, Ever Open It? Larry’s Christmas

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A precious Christmas present is in big trouble!? Here’s a Christmas picture book that will get kids excited.

The cover shows a big green present box, and the one holding it is Larry, a mischievous monster.

“Do NOT open it,” Larry says.

Being told not to open something only makes you more curious—kids and adults alike.

The surprising turn of events will have you laughing nonstop.

It also gives you a sense of Santa Claus’s presence, making it perfect for Christmas.

Wishing you a Christmas filled with laughter.

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kepiko

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The Secret of the Santa No One Knows

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From the title alone, you can tell kids will be captivated by “Santa’s Secrets Nobody Knows”! How does Santa find out whether children have been good? This humorous picture book answers that very question.

It’s fun that it’s packed with detailed explanations, almost like a dictionary or an encyclopedia.

Some children may doubt whether Santa Claus really exists, but with this much detail, they just might be convinced.

It looks like Christmas will be even more exciting!

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hanauta obasan

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The Snow Hare’s Gift

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Introducing the second installment in this popular series, “Yuki-Usagi’s Gift”! What inspiration strikes Pete the snow bunny when he sees his friends heading home in the freezing cold? Children will surely become absorbed in the story as they put themselves in Pete’s shoes.

The silver-foil embellishments are also stunning, beautifully recreating the textures of snow and yarn.

Reading this picture book invites you to imagine a sparkling, beautiful snowy landscape and enjoy the festive spirit of Christmas.

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hanauta obasan

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What I want for Christmas

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How about selecting a heartwarming picture book for Christmas? “What I Want for Christmas” is a story that gently revolves around a wish to Santa.

Cone the fox, who is always lonely, asks Santa for a stuffed animal to play with.

But after a chance encounter, Cone learns about the wish of Pete the rabbit and decides to cancel the request for the stuffed animal, making a new wish for Pete instead.

It’s a story your child can enjoy while imagining what that new wish might be!

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miyabi

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Christmas Ghost

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As a picture book recommendation for the Christmas season, I highly recommend Keiko Sena’s “The Christmas Ghost”! It skillfully combines its two motifs—Christmas and ghosts—and is a book that enriches children’s imaginations.

As the young girl protagonist wonders, “What do little ghosts do at Christmas?”, the story teaches the importance of imagining.

The girl’s thoughtfulness toward the ghost child is so sweet that both children and adults are sure to feel warm and fuzzy.

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miyabi

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The Mysterious Christmas Box

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“The Mysterious Christmas Box” is a picture book I recommend for sparking children’s imaginations.

It depicts the moment Santa prepares and delivers presents inside a tiny box, allowing children to read while savoring the anticipation of waiting for their Christmas gifts.

And isn’t it heartwarming to see how determined children become about the imaginary rule that they won’t get presents unless they fall asleep? This book, which helps readers enjoy Christmas more deeply, is one I hope will be read not only at home but also in nurseries and kindergartens—and I think adults will be able to share in the Christmas spirit right alongside the children.

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miyabi

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