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 Your 4-Year-Old! A Collection of Recommended Picture Books That Will Make You Excited for Christmas (1–10)

Callten-kun’s Christmas

http://www.amazon.co.jp

Corduroy the plush bear is busy getting ready for Christmas! Decorating the tree, baking cookies, and waiting for Santa—each scene is brimming with the excitement of counting down to Christmas.

The simple, easy-to-understand story and the soft, gentle illustrations are very appealing.

Corduroy’s friendly charm and all the decorating and preparations let children enjoy lots of pretend Christmas play.

With every reread, it’s a story that lifts your spirits and makes you think, “Santa will be here soon!”

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Nanaka

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I Spy: A Book of Picture Riddles (4) Santa Claus

http://www.amazon.co.jp

A hugely popular Christmas edition in the “I Spy” series.

It’s packed with hidden items in quintessential holiday scenes like Santa’s toy factory, under the tree, and snowy nights! It’s a book parents and children can enjoy together, calling out, “Where’s Santa?”, “Where are the presents?”, and “I found a snowman!” The photos are incredibly realistic, letting you feel as if you’ve stepped into a real toy world.

With new discoveries on every page, kids never get bored.

The sense of “I found it!” fosters children’s focus, observation skills, and a rewarding feeling of achievement.

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Nanaka

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Merry Christmas! An advent calendar to enjoy with picture books

http://www.amazon.co.jp

A special picture book that lets you count down the 24 days until Christmas with a storybook! Each day, as you open a tiny page, you’ll discover that day’s unique Christmas preparations—decorating the tree, baking treats, getting presents ready, and more.

It’s like having an advent calendar inside a picture book, and every time a page is opened, a child’s face lights up with a smile.

The time spent waiting is one of Christmas’s magical elements.

Through the joy of one page a day, this book nurtures the delightful feeling of “waiting with anticipation.”

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Nanaka

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Books to Read with a 4-Year-Old! A Collection of Recommended Picture Books That Will Make You Excited for Christmas (11–20)

A Little Fox’s Special Christmas

http://www.amazon.co.jp

From the cover design alone, you can feel the excitement of Christmas—“The Little Fox’s Special Christmas” is a warm story about a little fox and an old man.

It tells how the old man rescues the lonely little fox, and they spend Christmas together.

With cozy illustrations and the sparkle of the holiday, it’s a tale that leaves you with a warm, contented feeling after reading.

This picture book lets readers feel the joy of spending Christmas and the warmth of connection through the gentle old man and the little fox’s heartwarming Christmas story.

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mayumi

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Christmas is coming soon.

http://www.amazon.co.jp

The picture book “Christmas Is Coming Soon,” the one you want to read as the holiday approaches, is a charming book filled with delightful illustrations and story.

It’s like an advent calendar in book form, conveying the excitement of getting ready for Christmas day by day.

You can feel the anticipation as the animals make a wreath, write a letter to Santa, and eagerly wait together for Christmas.

After reading, it might be nice to write a letter together about what you’d like to ask Santa for.

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mayumi

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Gifts for Christmas

http://www.amazon.co.jp

The picture book Christmas Means Giving by Taro Gomi, a beloved author across generations.

In the middle of the night, Santa Claus tries to put a present into a stocking that’s been set out.

“Huh? There’s something already inside…” From there, a heartwarming story unfolds.

In a season when receiving presents has come to feel like a given, this book seems to remind us that the true gift is the thoughtfulness we have for others.

With its short text and gently soothing illustrations, it’s a picture book that even very young children can enjoy all the way to the end without getting bored.

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hiyori

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Christmas Bunny

http://www.amazon.co.jp

The picture book “Christmas Is Coming Soon,” which heightens the excitement for Christmas, is a warm and slightly magical story about a special day that depicts the friendship between Davy, who can’t wait for Christmas, and the animals.

The illustrations, simple yet painted in warm colors, make you feel as if you’re right there with Davy just by looking at them.

It’s recommended for children around age four, when they’re ready to fully enjoy a Christmas tale.

Kids eagerly awaiting Christmas may find parts of the story that resonate with their own feelings.

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mayumi

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