A collection of recommended picture books to read with 4-year-olds that will make the wait for Christmas exciting

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! For 4-year-olds, it’s a special season filled with excitement as they look forward to Santa and presents.

What makes the magic of Christmas shine even brighter is discovering heartwarming picture books.

They can comfort children as they wait for their gifts, or introduce them to little-known stories about Santa.

We’ll introduce a variety of wonderful, fun picture books that are perfect for this time of year.

Enjoy the unique world of Christmas stories together with your 4-year-olds!

Books to Read with 4-Year-Olds! A Recommended Collection of Picture Books That Will Make You Excited for Christmas (71–80)

Guri and Gura’s Guest

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This book is a picture book for four-year-olds, set during the Christmas season, depicting an adventure in which the field mice Guri and Gura follow a trail of boot prints.

Each page offers clues, encouraging children to infer whose footprints they are, nurturing their imagination and logical thinking.

The joyful Christmas scenes also heighten children’s excitement for the holiday.

Through this picture book, children will experience the delight of embarking on an adventure.

Teachers are encouraged to make use of this book to enjoy a wonderful time with their students.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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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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Santa the Cold‑Sensitive

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This picture book warmly portrays Santa’s work of delivering presents to children on Christmas Eve.

It realistically depicts Santa diligently making his deliveries while deepening his connections with people in the community.

In this story, Santa is a relatable character who doesn’t handle the cold well and loves a good drink, making him feel familiar to children.

It also shows Santa enjoying his own Christmas after he finishes his work.

Through this picture book, children can experience a day in Santa’s life and feel the magic of Christmas up close.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Absolutely Do Not Open? Larry’s Christmas

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When it comes to Christmas, one of the things kids are most curious about is the presents, right? But what if a present is something you absolutely must not open… That just makes you want to open it even more, doesn’t it? Even if you don’t open it, this playful picture book features a present held by Larry the Mischief Monster that changes just by touching it—the box gets smaller, turns tall and narrow, or becomes comically huge.

With a new twist on every page, it keeps children excited and engaged.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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