Christmas picture books that toddlers can enjoy! A collection of read-aloud stories that will leave a lasting impression.

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.
lighterutatane
A person from the melodic hardcore boom generation who loves music, photography, and eating. I’ve been going to live houses for over 20 years. I’m at the age where summer festivals are starting to feel tough physically. I sometimes try shooting live photos and videos for MVs. I’m not great at English, so I often listen to straightforward Japanese rock that hits directly, but if someone recommends something, I’ll listen to anything—Western or Japanese—broadly and casually. I like cooking while listening to music; it’s a nice way to relieve stress.

How about enjoying a Christmas picture-book read-aloud with your children? As you watch the snow fall outside the window, spend a special time together in a warm, cozy room.

Open your favorite Christmas picture book, and a wonderful world of stories unfolds before you.

Here, we’ll introduce heartwarming picture books perfect for the holiday season and tips for read-alouds that will resonate with children.

It’s sure to create lovely Christmas memories for both kids and adults.

Christmas picture books toddlers can enjoy! A collection of read-aloud stories that will touch the heart (71–80)

The Night Before Christmas

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“The Night Before Christmas” is a picture book based on a 19th-century poem by Clement Moore.

It is said that this poem, written to bring a smile to his sick daughter’s face, helped shape the modern image of Santa Claus.

The expressive lines and color palette convey a warm Christmas atmosphere.

Another notable point is the book’s tall, vertical format, which makes a striking impression—apparently designed to fit into a stocking.

It’s a perfect choice for a Christmas gift.

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hanauta obasan

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Three Christmas Gifts

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Three children awaiting Christmas experience mysterious happenings in The Three Christmas Gifts.

This picture book features artwork and a story loved across generations.

Because the narrative is told from a child’s perspective, you might try imitating the characters’ voices or reading it aloud while speaking gently to a baby.

The softly colored illustrations, paired with the Christmas-themed story, create a strong visual effect.

Give it a try as a read-aloud Christmas picture book with children as the main characters.

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mutō

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Three Christmas Gifts

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“Three Christmas Gifts” is a set of three Christmas picture books.

It tells stories of three siblings—Kasumi-chan, Rei-chan, and Mokkun—and has long been a popular series among children.

Each book can be read on its own, but if possible, I recommend reading all three together.

Christmas as seen from each child’s perspective is sure to delight your little ones.

Many parents read these books when they were children themselves, so please enjoy them with your family.

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sasashina

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Christmas picture books that toddlers can enjoy! A collection of read-aloud stories that leave a lasting impression (81–90)

Koro-chan’s Christmas

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The pop-up picture book Spot’s Christmas tells the story of the puppy Spot as he welcomes Christmas.

Alongside scenes of Spot carrying the tree and decorating it, there are simple interactive features where hidden pictures appear when you lift snowy trees or open windows.

Because the mechanisms don’t require complex movements, even one-year-olds can enjoy manipulating them with their hands.

You’ll want to read to the end to find out what Spot receives after a snowy Christmas Eve, making this a Christmas picture book that keeps you engaged until the last page.

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mutō

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Santa, where are you?

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“Where’s Santa?” is a picture book created for adults and children to enjoy Christmas together.

From the cover, which shows Santa peeking out from behind a curtain, each turn of the page offers playful interactive elements.

It’s fun to move the mechanisms together while asking children, “Where do you think Santa is?” As kids search for the hidden Santa in the illustrations, the cute Santa appears saying, “I’m right here!” This story about Santa delivering presents on Christmas Eve is the perfect picture book to share with children at Christmastime.

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mutō

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Thank you, Santa.

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Before Christmas, letters arrive for Santa with messages of thanks and lists of wished-for presents.

Among them is a boy’s request for a bear who will be his friend.

To grant this wish, Santa teaches a teddy bear how to speak.

This story portrays the bear, who has learned to talk and spent time with Santa, up until the moment he meets the boy.

The scenes of parting from Santa, with whom the bear has shared his days, and of meeting the boy convey a touching sense of poignancy.

A distinctive feature of this work is that the images are rendered in embroidery; the uniquely soft quality of the pictures seems to accentuate the warmth of the story.

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kappamaki

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Santa’s lost item

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On a very cold Christmas Eve night, a little girl who had gone out on an errand found a big red mitten.

“It must be Santa’s mitten!” she thought, and the story follows her as she sets out to return it to Santa.

The city’s Christmas lights, the white snow, the colors of the rooftops—every beautiful scene is depicted with care and tenderness, and it’s deeply moving.