Picture books to read at Christmas! A collection of picture book ideas that will move adults, too.

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.
Keyboard playerSAKI
I’ve been playing the Electone since I was six, mainly performing Disney music, anime songs, and music from dramas and films. I post performance videos on YouTube and social media, and I also give concerts. Building on my Electone experience, I took up synthesizer and piano during my student years and performed at school-sponsored events. As a writer, I’ve covered not only music-related topics but a wide range of genres, so I hope to draw on my experience to deliver articles that make readers think, “I want to try that!” or “I want to listen to that!”

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 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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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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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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