Lovely Christmas

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 for 10 years as a kindergarten teacher and for 7 years as an after-school childcare instructor, then took a post as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I also engaged in activities that shared Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational play, working with many children. Afterwards, through freelance writing, planning, and editing work at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and conveying ideas. Leveraging the perspective cultivated in educational settings and my experience as an editor, I aim to deliver practical information—focusing on fields related to music and children—that values both input and output. Hobbies include instruments, singing, handcrafts, toys, drawing, traditional play, the outdoors, books, DIY, and crafts. Special skill: 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 Touch Adults Too (41–50)

Letter to Santa

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This video features a second-grade girl who loves the picture book “Santa’s Letter” reading it aloud.

It’s a lift-the-flap style book with extras like maps, a shopping list, and letters in envelopes, and part of the charm is seeing her actually touch and enjoy them.

You can also enjoy the cute animals that kids love, like bears and squirrels.

Above all, you can hear how hard she’s trying to read, which helps children watching the video feel a sense of closeness and connection.

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Santa’s Magic Spell

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When we think of Christmas presents, many of us imagine receiving something we’ve been wanting.

However, at the beginning of this work, what arrives for Christmas is a bunch of disliked vegetables and a slip of paper with a magic spell from Santa.

When you chant the spell to the vegetables, they transform into fun shapes, and you start to feel more friendly toward them.

It’s a cut-paper-themed work that lets you enjoy the process of shapes changing.

The spell uses simple, approachable words, so saying it out loud may make the experience even more enjoyable.

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Santa Claus and the Elves

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This is a story set in a certain village at the foot of a mountain in Finland.

It depicts the lives of Santa Claus, his wife, and the elves who help prepare the presents to be delivered to children.

It clearly shows how the vast number of gifts that reach children around the world are made ready, and what feelings are poured into those gifts.

The beautiful scenery of the village and the lively, bustling preparations come through in the dynamic, dazzling illustrations—one of the work’s greatest charms.

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The Nightmare Before Christmas

The Nightmare Before Christmas

The Nightmare Before Christmas

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Let me introduce a pop-up edition of The Night Before Christmas! This picture book is themed around the poem by Clement Moore, who is said to have influenced the image of Santa Claus and Christmas.

Its charm lies in the elaborate mechanisms: reindeer spring out in great numbers, and Santa pops up with a cheerful peek.

The simple illustrations, based mainly in white, also spark the imagination.

It’s a book that’s sure to elicit delighted gasps from children with every page turn.

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Nontan! It’s Santa Claus!

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This is a Christmas-themed story from the popular picture book series Nontan.

In it, Nontan goes looking for Santa to ask for the present he wants.

Since Nontan is a cat, other Santas tell him that the cat Santa is the one who brings presents to cats.

He searches everywhere for the cat Santa, but can’t find him and ends up feeling lonely.

The simple, adorable illustrations and the lively, rhythmic language that makes you want to read it aloud are major charms of this work.

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Gifts from the Window

Gifts from the Window: Christmas Medley Original Work by Taro Gomi Animated Picture Book by Taro Gomi

Gifts from the Window

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This video lets you experience the cute, heartwarming world of Taro Gomi’s picture books in motion—sure to delight both adults and children.

The Christmas stories unfold as a medley: the playful word-chain game in “Snowman,” the hymn-like beauty of “An Angel Comes Down,” and the mysterious spirit of Christmas in “Nibble the Fir’s Fruit,” among others.

While it inspires a quiet, solemn feeling, the gentle humor will make you smile—just as you’d expect.

Enjoy a relaxing, fun moment together as a parent and child!

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The Mysterious Christmas Box

THE Japanese Christmas Picture Book: 'The Mysterious Christmas Box' (Part 1)

The Mysterious Christmas Box

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The story begins with a small box found under the house floor; when you peek inside, you can see Santa.

By looking into the box, you can follow Santa as he prepares gifts and sets out to deliver them, and the anticipation of receiving presents grows.

Noticing that he’s getting closer to your own home makes the excitement soar, but the charming touch is how you try hard to fall asleep, believing that presents won’t arrive unless you’re asleep.

The contrast between everyday life and the townscape visible inside the box is another engaging point, and the changing scenery makes it clear that he’s steadily approaching your home.

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