Christmas picture books that toddlers can enjoy! A collection of read-aloud stories that will leave a lasting impression.
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.
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Christmas picture books that toddlers can enjoy! A collection of read-aloud stories that will leave a lasting impression (1–10)
Santa’s Magic Spell
At Christmas, presents arrive from Santa, right? In this picture book, Ken-chan also gets a present, but when he opens the box, it’s filled with nothing but vegetables he hates.
However, there’s a secret to these veggies.
When you chant the magic words, “One-two Santa!” you hear snip-snip, snap—and amazingly, a green pepper turns into the shape of a Christmas tree! It’s a delightful picture book where you can have fun guessing what the colorful vegetables will become next.
Christmas Ghost
Eating delicious food, getting presents, having a Christmas party—Christmas is full of fun, isn’t it? In this picture book, children’s cheerful scenes are depicted as well.
But can a little ghost enjoy Christmas, too? Ghosts appear at night, and by then all the fun is already over.
So the girl in the story tries to make sure the little ghost can enjoy Christmas as well.
It’s a very gentle tale that wishes for the day to be special for everyone.
Transforming Present
The picture book “Henshin Present” (Transforming Present) tells the story of Santa delivering wonderful gifts.
In the tale, Santa visits children who are troubled or facing problems, and his presents neatly solve them.
Each child has a name, and by calling that name over and over, it transforms into a present.
It’s a fun picture book where you can guess what the present will be from the situation in the illustration and the child’s name.
We’d love for children to think about whether their own names might be able to transform into presents, too.
Christmas picture books that toddlers can enjoy! A collection of read-aloud stories that leave a lasting impression (11–20)
Big tree, small tree
“Big Tree, Little Tree” is a heartwarming story about a Christmas tree.
The tale begins when a large tree delivered to the Willoughby household hits the ceiling, and the trimmed top is passed along to others.
With each trimming the tree grows smaller, yet even what’s no longer needed ends up making someone happy—evoking a Christmas miracle that gently warms the reader’s heart.
The illustrations, filled with many forest animals, are delightful for both children and adults.
As Christmas approaches, why not read this picture book aloud and bask in its cozy charm?
Guri and Gura’s Guest
Guri and Gura’s Visitor is the perfect picture book to read aloud to children eagerly awaiting Christmas.
The protagonists are Guri and Gura, twin field mice.
The story follows their adventure as they track a set of large boot prints they’ve discovered.
The owner of the footprints isn’t revealed until the very end, but you can enjoy making predictions together with the children as you read! It’s an ideal book for read-aloud time at preschool or for family reading at home.
After encountering this book, children will be even more excited for the night when Santa Claus comes.
Triangle Santa
The picture book “Sankaku Santa” boosts the excitement of the Christmas season.
A story unfolds in which a triangular Santa delivers presents.
Its charming illustrations using geometric shapes are sure to capture children’s attention.
The simple word choices also help young readers understand language.
Storytime is bound to become even more fun.
It’s a perfect book to build Christmas cheer, whether at preschool or at home.
It will surely resonate with children eagerly waiting for Santa.
Nezumi-kun’s Christmas
Since the 1974 bestseller “Nezumikun no Chokki” (Little Mouse’s Vest), the Nezumikun series has been created around the theme of kindness toward friends.
This is the Christmas edition.
The animals laugh at the tree Little Mouse prepared, calling it “so tiny, so tiny.” Duck, rabbit, bear… the animals appear in order of increasing size, and their well-meaning laughter makes for a lively read-aloud.
The ending is heartwarming, and the large pop-up-like spread will fill readers with excitement.
With a festive red border and starry yellows, it’s perfectly suited to enhance the Christmas mood.
