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 a 4-Year-Old! A Collection of Recommended Picture Books That Will Make Christmas Feel Even More Exciting (21–30)

The Christmas Tree Deep in the Forest

http://www.amazon.co.jp

This is a Christmas-themed book with a story that unfolds around a lonely fir tree.

In the forest, there was one fir tree that didn’t grow as splendidly as the others, and unlike the other trees, it wasn’t cut down and was left behind.

But the animals decorated it, and it became a wonderful Christmas tree in the forest.

At first you worry, wondering what will happen, but you feel relieved when it turns into what you can call a happy ending.

Perhaps there’s a kind of happiness you can find precisely because you’re different from others… It’s a story that makes you think so, isn’t it?

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Christmas Adventure

http://www.amazon.co.jp

Cosmo, who doesn’t like winter, sets out at Betty’s invitation to find the “Christmas Tree of Light,” said to stand in the forest where the brightest star in the world shines.

But even when they ask the animals, no one knows about it, and they can’t seem to find it.

Does the Christmas Tree of Light really exist…? This is a thrilling yet delightful book for children about an adventure through the forest at night.

Turn the pages with excitement, wondering what kind of tree they’ll discover, and join the adventure yourself.

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Books to Read with Your Four-Year-Old! A Collection of Recommended Picture Books That Will Make You Excited for Christmas (31–40)

Christmas market

http://www.amazon.co.jp

A Christmas market set up in the town square… This heartwarming book lets you feel the connections between people, chance meetings, and kindness.

The protagonist of the story is Kuro, an abandoned dog.

Kuro meets a girl holding a white stuffed dog, forms a bond with her, and finds his own happiness.

It’s a lovely picture book where you can enjoy the lively, cozy atmosphere of the market while experiencing a moving story.

You’ll also learn what a Christmas market is like, and Kuro’s determined efforts to deliver something to the girl will touch your heart.

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Coco-chan the Santa

http://www.amazon.co.jp

When you think of Santa, you probably picture an old man with a white beard.

But the Santa who appears in this story is more like a little puppy named Coco-chan.

Coco-chan prepares presents for her friends in the forest and rides a reindeer to deliver them.

What kind of gifts did Coco-chan prepare? Were her friends happy to receive them? From the cover illustration, you can feel the charming, heartwarming atmosphere of this lovely book.

If you like, give it a read at Christmas.

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Zip & Candy: The Robots’ Christmas

http://www.amazon.co.jp

This is a story about the love between Zip, a new-model robot, and Candy, an old-model robot.

Because Candy is an older model, her memory capacity is small; when she records new data, the old data is erased.

In other words, she gradually forgets her memories.

It’s a book that makes adults think about many things—the word “dementia” may cross your mind.

There are many lines, like those spoken by the Doctor, that really pierce the heart.

It’s a Christmas picture book I truly hope adults will read as well.

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Pikki’s Christmas

http://www.amazon.co.jp

This is a story about Pikki the doll, who tries hard to make her way back to Rina.

Rina cherished Pikki very much, but she dropped her while shopping.

Pikki tried to find a way home, but, unfortunately, she was run over by a carriage.

The one who helped the immobilized Pikki was an old man with a white beard—yes, Santa Claus.

Seeing Pikki’s earnest efforts, children will surely cheer for her with pounding hearts, wondering, “Will she make it home?” It’s a lovely Christmas picture book that also nurtures a spirit of taking good care of toys.

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In the white forest

http://www.amazon.co.jp

A book that instantly captures your heart with its delicate, beautiful pencil illustrations: “In the White Forest.” The protagonist is a grandfather as innocent as a child, who lies down on the snow, kicks his legs, and ends up making an angel.

The creatures of the forest watch him, each one so full of life that you can’t help but linger over every detail.

Who exactly is this grandfather, I wonder…? Savor both the story and the artwork, and let this picture book fill you with the spirit of Christmas.

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