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 (21–30)

Usako-chan on a Snowy Day

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This is one of the works by Dutch picture-book author Dick Bruna, from the “Usako-chan” series, better known by the nickname “Miffy.” The hat that wraps up to her ears is irresistibly cute, isn’t it? The vivid colors that attract even very young babies, the warm hand-drawn lines, and the rhythmic flow of the Japanese translation are all wonderful.

One snowy day, Usako-chan builds a snowman and enjoys sledding and skating.

Then she meets a little bird in trouble…

This heartwarming book shows Usako-chan as gentle yet surprisingly strong—it’s a story that will make even adults’ hearts flutter.

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Forgetful Santa Claus

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A Christmas picture book by Hirotaka Nakagawa, whose songs and picture books are beloved not only by children but also by adults, touching their heartstrings.

The exchanges between the forgetful Santa and his reliable partner, the reindeer, are simply irresistible.

Especially in the first half, the large two-page spreads make it perfect for read-aloud time.

The story is, of course, delightful, and the illustrations are friendly and approachable, drawing children right into the world of the book.

Enjoy gently teasing the slightly unreliable yet adorable Santa together as a parent and child, and let the laid-back atmosphere soothe your hearts!

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Christmas Ghost

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This is a Christmas picture book by Keiko Sena, known for creating long-selling books with warm, textured collages.

Even though the theme is Christmas, it features the beloved “ghosts” from her popular series.

The first half is packed with the joys of Christmas.

Then comes the main thread: as a girl drifts off to sleep, smiling and happy from all the fun, she wonders, “By the way, what are the ghosts doing?” It’s a story that seems to strike at the essence of picture books—the importance of imagination—and its depth resonates with the meaning of Christmas, too.

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The 100th Christmas Cake

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On Christmas Eve morning, the cake shop wakes up early to make Christmas cakes and bakes 100 of them.

Ninety-nine cakes are for customers, and one is made for the shop staff to eat.

The cakes sell out quickly, and a little girl who came to buy one arrives at the shop and bursts into tears.

This is a warm story about what happened between the girl and the cake shop on Christmas Eve.

It’s a recommended picture book for children around age three.

Please consider reading it on Christmas Eve, too.

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100 Santas

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Let me introduce the picture book “100 Santas” by Tomonori Taniguchi.

Just from the title, kids are likely to get excited and ask, “There are as many as 100 Santas?!” The highlight of this book is the many Santas—sporting big white beards and dressed in colorful outfits—playing together and working side by side.

With scenes of them drinking wine and enjoying songs, it’s a very cheerful story about Santa Claus, and the twist at the end is sure to be a hit.

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