toddler under christmas tree

40 Best Books For Baby's First Christmas

Snuggling up around the fireplace with a pile of stories is one of the most special ways to slow down an enjoy time together. Through all of the laughter and precious moments exploring stories about Santa Claus, Christmas trees, and elves, there are lots of important things that are happening. You are cementing the emotional bond between you and your child, which will have a lasting impact for the rest of your little one's life. Also, the values that are building blocks for the rest of a child's life are formed based on the books you select. Lots of lessons are learned through Christmas stories about kindness, sharing, empathy, charity, and more. There are so many important reasons why parents should read Christmas books for babies starting the very first time the holiday is celebrated. Time spent quietly reading with a tiny tot tucked into your lap over the holidays is the best gift you can give a baby.


Where Is Baby's Christmas Present?

All the fun, festive Christmas treat can be found under each flap as baby is searching for his special gift. Christmas ornaments for the tree, delicious holiday cookies, and lots of other bright, cheery objects will add to the cheer of the season. Colorful illustrations will grab the attention of babies and toddlers in this delightful book.


 Christmas Board Books for Babies and Toddlers

The season is even more special when there is a toddler in the family. The celebration begins when friends and family gather around a little one experiencing the magic of decorating Christmas trees , opening presents, and singing carols for the first time. The happiness and joy that the tiny tot brings to family is the most precious gift of all. One of the ways to spend time together over the holidays is through reading Christmas board books especially for babies and toddlers.

Here is a comprehensive list of suggestions including stories about the birth of Jesus in the manger that toddlers will understand. There are interactive board books, important for the development of eye-hand coordination, featuring touch-and-feel Christmas objects and fun lift-the-flaps with Santa's elves, brightly wrapped presents, reindeer, and other fun pictures of holiday symbols. There are also some of the most adorable stories about Santa Claus to introduce little ones to the jolly man who delivers all the magic!


Bright Baby Merry Christmas

Simple, bold illustrations with touch and feel features sprinkled throughout the book. Die-cut holes add a fun dimension to a little book sturdy enough to withstand a lot of handling. Colorful Christmas presents, friendly reindeer, adorable elves, and Santa Claus all add to the holiday cheer on every page.



nutcracker crunch

A nutcracker immerses himself in Clara's dreams in hopes of finding the perfect snack. It is Christmas Eve and he's really hungry. Preschoolers will love pulling every tab until they find exactly what the nutcracker needs to feel satisfied. This novelty board book is a great first introduction toTchaikovsky's famous ballet.



jolly jingle christmas

Toddlers will love pressing all the buttons to produce festive Christmas sounds. They will hear jingle bells, reindeer pattering, children's laughter, elves tapping, and more fun noises. Each button corresponds with a page in the book.  An adorable book that kids can interact with all by themselves to get into the spirit.



 

santa's workshop

There is so much to explore in this tabbed Christmas book! It's ideal for toddlers who like to read alone sometimes and practice their fine motor skills. This fun book is chock full of festivities, like Santa stuffing his sleigh with toys, delicious treats being sold in the candy store, and elves buzzing around. Young children can flip through this colorful book, lift the tabs for surprises, and and explore all the activity in Santa's workshop.



never touch a grumpy elf

Fun Christmas rhymes fill the pages of this book that tempts your preschooler to touch all of characters- simply by telling them not to!  This fun book contains right, bold pictures of a very grumpy elf and all kinds of other funny  figures with tactile elements. Perfect stocking stuffer gift for a preschool child!



baby touch and feel merry christmas

A sweet Christmas book perfect for babies who will love to feel all the different textures. This little book showcases a festive Christmas image with tactile features. Lumpy antlers, felt Santa hat, a velvety-smooth Christmas sack, and lots of sparkles, sequins, and other attention-grabbing decorations adorn each page. 



my very merry ugly christmas sweater

A super funny touch-and-feel Christmas book chock full of interesting sweaters! Lots of fun objects for toddlers to touch throughout, including a soft sweater adorning the cover.  Kids will enjoy all the holiday characters as much as the ugly sweaters they are wearing. 



christmas cookies

Maybe your toddler isn't quite ready to bake real cookies, but this must-have tactile book will sure get them excited! Scratch and sniff the delicious cookie smells, touch the gooey frosting, and roll out the dough over and over again. The best thing about this book is that there is no mess to clean up afterwards!

 

 

pop up peekaboo

Toddlers will love lifting the flaps to find their favorite Christmas objects. Brilliant pop-up pictures feature chimneys, stocking, Christmas trees, presents, and more! A highly interactive, engaging book for little readers eager to learn new Christmas words and study all the detailed pictures in this festive board book.



 

the 12 days of christmas

Reading this book to toddlers is a great way to teach them the classic Christmas song. Each tab of the book has a picture that provides a clue. As kids flip the pages, they are counting down the twelve days of Christmas. This sturdy book will stand up to little fumbling fingers.

 

 

cozy nativity

An exciting, engaging book about the birth of Jesus designed for little hands. Touch and feel elements, fun animal noises, and simple text work together to make this the perfect introductory book about the arrival of Jesus. 



don't push the button

A ton of interactive Christmas fun is packed into the book that tests the limits of temptation. Larry the monster is back and he's ready to cause a little trouble. The elves don't appear to be watching...so...maybe it is okay to push the button?! Grab a copy and find out what happens.



christmas songs

Preschoolers will love this Christmas book that features ten classic Christmas songs. They can push the buttons to play each song while they look at the pictures and follow along with the corresponding lyrics. Jingle Bells, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, and Santa Claus is Coming to Town are just a few of the songs kids can listen to in this musical holiday book.



the sounds of grinchmas

This is the ideal introduction to The Grinch Who Stole Christmas for toddlers and preschoolers. The book, which is adapted for a younger audience, has twelve buttons that correspond to various sounds. Kids will hear the Grinch's laughter, the Who's singing, Max's barking, and many more entertaining sounds that bring the book to life. 



fa la la llama

This festive novelty book, set to the tune of "Deck the Halls", follows a group of llamas decorating for Christmas.  Every single page of this really cute book has a different tactile element. Toddlers will enjoy touching soft felt, crinkly foil, and other interesting materials that are part of the holiday decor.



who is coming to our house

Mary and Joseph are making their way by donkey, and there is much work to be done to get the stable ready. Pig, Lamb and Goose busily complete chores so that baby Jesus will have a warm reception in their home.



the story of christmas

This is a best-selling, comprehensive story of the Nativity told in terms that are accessible by preschoolers. The sequence of events, from the angel's announcement of the birth to the journey of the wise men, are all beautifully illustrated. This is the classic story for toddlers that they will be able to enjoy for many years.



christmas in the manger

A simple, joyous introductory book about the Nativity. Sparse text paired with warm illustrations make this the perfect first Christmas book for toddlers. 



what is christmas

Some adorable little cherubs brainstorm about all the things that define the Christmas season. Told in rhyming text, their insight is funny and endearing. In the end, these smart munchkins finally conclude that Christmas is all about Jesus, the Savior. Delicate, detailed watercolor illustrations will keep toddlers engaged and entertained.



the first christmas

Read about the first story of Christmas in this sweet, lift-the-flap story for toddlers. Follow Mary and Joseph to the town of Bethlehem where they welcome baby Jesus into the world.  Simple and engaging Christmas story is a perfect introduction to the meaning of Christmas.



silent night

A Caldecott-winning illustrator delivers a beautiful book based on the carol, Silent Night.  A diverse group of characters appear on the pages of this calm and serene interpretation of a very holy night.



happy birthday jesus

A cute family gathers together to celebrate the real reason for Christmas- the birthday of someone really special! They decorate the house, bake a birthday cake, and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus. A joyous book that even the youngest little readers will understand.



the christmas baby

The illustrations are pure magic in this beautiful Christmas book about the Nativity for preschoolers.  The arrival of baby Jesus is a momentous event that spreads from the animals, to the shepherds, to the angels, and to people from lands afar. This re-telling of the classic Christmas story is captivating.



god gave us christmas

An inquisitive cub has a lot of questions for his mother about Christmas. For example- Who is more important, God or Santa? They head out on a journey where the mama bear shows her child all the ways God is present around them. She then goes on to explain the very first Christmas and the best present of all, Jesus Christ. 



10 trim the tree'ers

Adorable little neighbors come together in the lobby to decorate their Christmas tree. Practice counting the colorful ornaments until the tree is finished and the sweet revelers are ready to celebrate. This sturdy board book is a must-read for baby's first Christmas.



a magical christmas

Little mouse knows that something special is in the air. Winter is here and the world around him is sparkling with excitement. Will he ever figure out that Christmas Day is right around the corner? The laughter and frenzied activity of all his friends stirs his curiosity and adds to the magic of the season.



llama llama jingle bells

Llama Llama Jingle Bells is the perfect Christmas book for all babies this holiday season. Llama embraces all the special festivities like exchanging gifts with his friends and decorating Christmas treats to share. Sparse text and vibrant illustrations will have your toddler reaching for this cute Christmas book time and again.


 

 

duck and goose it's time for christmas

Duck and Goose are the best of friends with a little conflict to resolve this Christmas. While Duck is busy trimming the Christmas tree, Goose is having a blast playing in the snow. Poor Duck is frazzled and frustrated doing all the work himself while Goose does not help one bit in preparing for the big day! Babies and toddlers will fall in love with these two characters and their antics from best-selling Duck and Goose series.


 

my baby loves christmas

Cute, rhyming book talks about all the sweet things to love about Christmas. Candy canes, snow, jingle bells and all of the other festive reminders of the holiday are appreciated through the eyes of a baby. Warm and vibrant illustrations perfectly complement this lovely, little story.



bear stay up for christmas

Bear sure loves to sleep but his friends are determined to make sure he doesn't miss the most special holiday of the year. They awake their big furry friend in time to partake in all the fun festivities like trimming the tree and singing Christmas carols. A most important lesson is learned by bear this Christmas- that is it always better to give than to receive! A special book to read to all babies and toddlers when the gift-giving season is upon them.



snowmen at christmas 

A most magical Christmas story about what snowmen do once all the little children are tucked into bed. Toddlers will be enthralled to see their daytime creations come to life dancing, caroling, and visiting with their own special snowman Santa Claus! Magnificent pictures illuminate every page of this whimsical book that you must read to your toddler this Christmas.



baby's first christmas

A vibrant and visually appealing little board book perfect for a stocking stuffer! Simple Christmas terms are introduced on each page. Easily identifiable objects presented in a raised format add a nice tactile touch. Little ones will expand their vocabulary in this spirited holiday book.



little blue truck's christmas

If there is one Christmas board book to add to your toddler's collection, this is the one! Little Blue Truck is a best-selling series and this Christmas edition does not disappoint. Follow our favorite truck as he delivers Christmas trees to all of his forest friends. The pictures, which  capture an abundance of Christmas spirit, are complete with adorable twinkling lights. Extremely sturdy pages will withstand many years.


 

the snowiest christmas ever

Everyone dreams of a white Christmas. But could there be such thing as too much snow? Two little bears go to bed happy as can be as the white flakes are falling hard and fast. When they awake the next day, snow is filling the chimney, blocking the windows, and now threatening the arrival of Santa Claus. The bears have their work cut out for them if they want to save Christmas.



christmas parade

Sandra Boynton delivers a quirky parade of Christmas characters in her latest board book. Toddlers will enjoy counting all of the musicians marching to the tunes. Silliness abounds in this cute book filled with holiday charm.



not very merry pout pout fish

Poor Pout-Pout Fish is completely consumed with holiday shopping that he practically forgets the real meaning of Christmas. Sweet illustrations and cute rhyming text work so well together that toddlers will beg to read this every night during the holiday season.



biscuit gives a gift

Our favorite pup, Biscuit, is working hard to find the perfect gift for all his friends.  He is a very loving dog and wants to everyone to have a very special holiday. A sweet Christmas board book with brief text perfect for little ones. 



where do diggers celebrate christmas

Toddlers will be delighted to learn that diggers, tractors, forklifts, and all other things-that-go celebrate just like people do! Read about how these adorable characters sing carols, exchange presents and get ready for Santa's arrival. 



Merry Christmas, Little Pookie

Adorable Little Pookie and his mom are spending precious moments together getting ready for Christmas. They bake cookies, sing Christmas carols with neighbors, decorate the house, and snuggle up for a peaceful night of sleep. Babies will fall in love with Little Pookie's charm and zest for celebrating this very special holiday.

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Religious Christmas Books for Toddlers

Most of the toddler Christmas books are about commercial aspects of the season- Santa Claus, elves, reindeer, gingerbread houses, and brightly wrapped presents. Trimming trees, caroling with neighbors, baking gingerbread cookies, wrapping presents, and lots of other magical festivities are enjoyed by the characters in these sweet books for tiny readers.All of these stories are so much fun to share with babies who are ready to embrace the magic. But be sure to select some titles that introduce the story of Jesus' birth in the manger. The events of this very special night, what the birth of the savior symbolizes, and why his birthday is celebrated every December. These fantastic stories capture the religious spirit behind why we celebrate Christmas told in terms that are easily understood by the youngest listeners.

baby at christmas

Benefits of Reading to Your Baby During Christmas

There are a lot of first year traditions and holiday festivities especially for families with tiny tots to enjoy. While all of the fun events, like attending parties and visits with Santa that make the holiday special, it is really important for families to carve out some quiet time together. Reading stories is a wonderful way to slow down and enjoy the season. Here are some things to think about next time you sit down to read with your kids.

(1) Creates a tradition of reading Christmas books as a family.

Select a few special books to read over a baby's first Christmas. Mark the date inside the cover to turn these stories into keepsakes to read in years to come. Every year collect some new titles to add to the pile and make this an ongoing tradition that can be passed on to future generations. 

(2) Teaches little ones the real meaning of Christmas through stories.

Baby books about the birth of Jesus help introduce this special moment in terms that little ones will understand. Toddlers will see pictures of Joseph, Mary, and Baby Jesus in the stable. With just a few words on each page, a simple introduction to the nativity will set the basis for a little one's Christian education.

(3) Embraces the values of kindness, generosity, and love shared in baby Christmas books.

Christmas is a time of year to reflect on the core values most important to a family. Instilling these values in toddlers can begin with the reading books. Seek out Christmas books for toddlers with stories and messages that encourage helping others in need and embracing someone who is sad or lonely. Find some good stories about the importance of giving instead of receiving, too.

(4) Prioritizes spending time together over material gifts.

It's hard not to get swept up in the commercial aspects of Christmas, especially when there is an endless supply of cute gifts to give a baby. But the most valuable gift you can give a little one is your time. Reading the best toddler Christmas books is a special way to slow down and give babies the one thing they need the most- your attention.

 

baby in santa outfit

 

More Magical Holiday Stories

Amazing Reindeer Tales

Celebrating the Real Meaning of Christmas

Sweet Candy Cane Adventures

 

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