Lovely childcare

A collection of recommended Christmas picture books that will captivate 5-year-olds!

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.

As Christmas approaches, 5-year-olds can find even more joy in the world of picture books.

Some children believe in Santa Claus, while others are just beginning to have a few questions—meeting picture books that can embrace each child’s feelings is important.

Here, we introduce picture books with warm illustrations and heartwarming stories that bring the dreams and hopes of Christmas to life.

Create special memories with books that capture children’s excitement as they wait for presents and convey Santa Claus’s gentle spirit!

Picture Books 5-Year-Olds Will Love! Recommended Christmas Titles (81–90)

What do you want to put on the shortcake?

What do you put on a shortcake? / Kohei Ohno (Story & Illustration) | Official [Full Picture Book Read-Aloud] PHP Institute

What do you want to put on the shortcake?

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Many children look forward to eating cake on Christmas Day, don’t they? This time, we’d like to introduce a story about such cakes: “What Should We Put on the Shortcake?” It’s a delightful tale that imagines what would happen if, instead of strawberries, we put various “red things” on top.

It’s fun to picture how children would react to toppings like pickled plums or chili peppers.

The striking, captivating illustrations are sure to draw in five-year-olds and keep them absorbed as they read.

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Wanpakudan’s Christmas

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“Is Santa real?” How do you answer when your child asks you that? Here’s a fun Christmas picture book recommended for five-year-olds, who might be starting to wonder about such things.

The mischievous trio from Wanpakudan are decorating for Christmas.

But the three of them get into an argument about whether Santa exists or not.

Then a mysterious cat appears and offers to guide them to Santa’s country! In Santa’s country, the trio meets the real Santa, but for some reason he doesn’t seem very cheerful…

What kind of ending awaits them? Enjoy reading this dream-filled picture book to find out.

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Find the 1001 Christmases!

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Spend a fun-filled Christmas searching through pictures in “Find 1001 Christmas Things”! With finely detailed illustrations of reindeer, sleighs, fairies, elves, and other Christmas motifs, you’ll discover something new every time you read.

The clear search areas help children enjoy the sense of accomplishment of “I found it!”—another great feature.

Also recommended for practicing counting! The colorful artwork is eye-catching, making this a book you’ll want to come back to again and again.

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You know, in Santa’s country…

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“What does Santa Claus do after Christmas is over?” Here’s a picture book that answers that delightful question for children! This book warmly illustrates life in Santa Claus’s country throughout the year, from January to December, month by month.

Believe it or not, there’s even a reindeer school in Santa’s land! There’s also a Santa Council, with details even adults might not know.

You’ll see how Santa and the reindeer spend the entire year preparing to deliver presents on Christmas Day.

It’s a great read not only at Christmas—kids will love wondering, “What is Santa up to right now?” any time of year.

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Guri and Gura’s Guest

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Guri and Gura’s Visitor is a picture book that’s perfect to enjoy with a five-year-old.

The story, in which Guri and Gura follow the large footprints of a pair of boots they find while playing in the snow, tickles children’s curiosity and sense of adventure.

With a new clue appearing on each page, it’s fun to read together while guessing who the footprints belong to.

Since the book weaves in a Christmas-themed episode, it also heightens the excitement for Christmas once you finish reading.

Plus, it includes seek-and-find style picture play that children can enjoy with friends, making it a great book not only for read-aloud time but also for encouraging communication among kids.

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