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! An idea collection of picture books that will move adults too (31–40)

Triangle Santa

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It’s a simple, Christmas-like story depicting Santa delivering presents and the children receiving them.

The artwork is a major feature of this piece: pictures are created by combining triangles, squares, and circles, and the story unfolds through those images.

The handmade feel that comes through in the illustrations might make it a good fit for origami or craft projects.

Alongside the pictures, the text also has a distinctive tone, expressing the joy of Christmas in rhythmic language that makes you want to read it out loud.

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kappamaki

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Pop-up Book: What Is Christmas?

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A Christmas picture book by Dutch graphic designer Dick Bruna, the creator of Miffy.

Beloved and read around the world, it’s a classic that helps even very young children easily understand the origins of Christmas, and its simple, charming illustrations are irresistible.

The extremely minimal expressions, drawn with just the essentials, invite and expand the reader’s imagination.

Take your time enjoying the gentle, parent-and-child world unique to Christmas, and let it wrap you in its warmth.

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hiyori

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Grandma Baba’s Christmas Decorations

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This is one of the series featuring the ever-energetic Grandma Baba as the protagonist.

In this work, Grandma Baba explains Christmas decorations and how to make them.

It conveys the idea that by adorning Christmas in a festive way, the sense of joy grows, too.

The gentle illustrations lay out the crafting steps in detail, and it almost feels like a call to readers to enjoy Christmas.

Be sure to pay attention to Grandma Baba’s bright personality as she throws herself into enjoying Christmas together with the children.

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The Jolly Mailman’s Christmas

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This is a story about a mail carrier who delivers letters to various fairy-tale characters.

In this installment, the mail carrier’s work on Christmas Eve is depicted, and it’s fun to see how well-known characters like Little Red Riding Hood spend their Christmas.

A standout feature of the book is the pages that look like the address side of a letter, which both emphasize that the protagonist is a mail carrier and clearly show who will receive the next letter.

Everywhere the letters are delivered, everyone is enjoying Christmas in their own way, which is sure to heighten the reader’s own festive spirit.

As you read on, keep an eye on whether the mail carrier, who is traveling along harsh, snow-covered roads, will be able to enjoy Christmas too.

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Little Bear: The Night Before Christmas

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The perfect picture book for children eagerly awaiting Christmas is Yoru-Kuma: The Night Before Christmas.

It’s the story of a boy who’s been scolded by his mom and can’t sleep, worried that Santa won’t come, and Yoru-Kuma, who gently stays by his side as they spend Christmas Eve together.

It portrays a mysterious world where dreams and reality intertwine, and the depth of the story is one of its charms.

The yellow illustrations set against dark backgrounds also stand out beautifully, giving the feel of gazing at holiday illuminations.

No matter your age, this book is sure to warm your heart on Christmas night—and it makes a wonderful gift, too.

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