Picture books to read at Christmas! A collection of picture book ideas that will move adults, too.
On Christmas night, many of us want to spend a special time with our children.
Christmas trees and presents are wonderful, but curling up in a warm room, opening a picture book, and immersing yourselves in a world of stories creates memories that will stay in your hearts for years to come.
In this article, we introduce picture books that are perfect for Christmas.
We’ve gathered titles filled with heartwarming stories and beautiful illustrations, as well as books with delightful twists that will bring out smiles—great for both read-aloud time and independent reading.
This Christmas, gather around a picture book with someone you love and savor an irreplaceable moment together!
Picture books to read at Christmas! A collection of picture book ideas that will move adults too (1–10)
Christmas on December 26
“Christmas on December 26” is a story that takes place after Christmas.
A girl who received a dog from Santa sets out to find him so she can say thank you.
She must have been overjoyed to want to search for someone just to say “thank you”… It’s a work whose pure-hearted childlike sentiment will move adults as well.
Precisely because getting presents at Christmas has become so commonplace today, I hope children will never forget this sense of gratitude.
13 Santas
If you want to choose a Christmas picture book with impact, how about “The 13 Santas”? The characters are 13 mischievous Santas…
or are they? They don’t wear red suits like the Santa we all know; instead, they lick frying pans, bang doors, and do all sorts of quirky things.
They look different from the widely recognized image, but they’re full of personality and really fun.
Set in Iceland, the story also offers a glimpse into people’s everyday lives there.
Enjoy each unique character and be sure to read it together as a parent and child.
Somewhere in this town
This Town, Somewhere is a story about a boy searching for his lost cat.
It’s a bittersweet tale, yet when you finish reading, you’re left with a sense of satisfaction, much like after watching a good film.
The illustrations—of the cityscape the boy watches from the bus, the wintry snowy scenes—carry a certain poignancy, as if reflecting the boy’s inner world.
Many readers may find themselves closing their eyes, moved by the lingering resonance of the sad yet warm ending, thinking, “So that’s what it was.” It might be a work that touches the heart all the more precisely because you’re an adult.
Merry Christmas
Many children write letters to Santa at Christmas, don’t they? The siblings in this story, Yoshi and Na-chan, also wrote to Santa every year and set out some juice for him.
But then their mother suggests that, instead of juice, they should leave alcohol on Christmas.
It seems she’s planning to keep all the presents in the world for herself.
However, Yoshi doesn’t want everyone to end up feeling sad, so he…? This gentle, Christmas-themed tale depicts children’s growth.
Please pick it up and give it a read.
Fir Tree’s Wish
Fir trees have those distinctive jagged needles, don’t they? The fir tree in this picture book absolutely hates its own leaves and longs for the soft, rounded leaves of others.
So it asks a fairy to change the shape of its leaves.
The fir tree is delighted—but once its leaves have changed, new problems it had never imagined begin to appear…
It’s an intriguing setup, with the fir tree—often the star of Christmas—struggling with self-doubt, and it makes you want to know what happens next.
Will the fir tree learn to like the way it looks, different from those around it, and find confidence in itself?
Christmas Adventure
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.
Christmas market
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.
Zip & Candy: The Robots’ Christmas
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.
Pikki’s Christmas
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.
In the white forest
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.