Our Family’s 10 Favorite Christmas Picture Books

Our family’s VERY favorite picture books are the ones we pull out every Christmas. These books have been a staple in our home for years. And they never fail to usher in the Christmas season! Tradition is so important and I pray my children will read these books to their own children one day. Of all the Christmas books we read, these 10 have become our favorites. I’d love for you to tell me your favorites in the comments below!

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The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomy by Susan Wojciechowski

“Jonathan Toomey is the best woodcarver in the valley, but he is always alone and never smiles. No one knows about the mementos of his lost wife and child that he keeps in an unopened drawer. But one early winter’s day, a widow and her young son approach him with a gentle request that leads to a joyful miracle. The moving, lyrical tale, gloriously illustrated by P.J. Lynch, has been widely hailed as a true Christmas classic. This beautiful anniversary edition includes a new note from the author and an audio narration by James Earl Jones available as a complimentary download.”

An Invisible Thread Christmas Story by Laura Schroff and Alex Trespiowski

“In this sweet picture book, Laura retells the first Christmas that she and Maurice spent together. She shares how Maurice gave her a small white bear—as she later learns, the only thing he had that he could truly call his own—to show her how grateful he was for their friendship.

This heartwarming tale captures the true meaning of the holidays and will be one you’ll want to share with your family year after year as a reminder that a gift from the heart is always the best present under the tree.”

Cobweb Christmas: The Tradition of tinsel by Shirley climo

“Everybody loves Christmas at Tante’s. The old lady decorates a wonderful tree and makes certain to have something for all who come to visit, be it the nearby village children or the shy animals of the pine forest.

The only creatures Tante overlooks are the spiders she has swept out of her cottage while cleaning. But the curious spiders want to come inside and see Tante’s tree, too. When a midnight visitor lets them into the old lady’s home, they unknowingly spin Tante the very gift she has longed for—a gift that has inspired the draping of tinsel on Christmas trees ever since.”

the money we’ll save by brock cole

“When Pa brings a turkey poult home to fatten for Christmas dinner, he assures Ma that it will be no trouble since it can live in a box by the stove and eat table scraps–and just think of the money we’ll save! But it’s not quite so simple to raise a turkey in a tiny flat in a nineteenth-century New York City tenement. Can Pa and the children manage the willful and growing Alfred and keep the neighbors happy until Christmas? Pa finds a solution for every difficulty–until he encounters one that threatens to ruin Christmas completely. How the family joins together to solve this last difficulty makes for a very funny and satisfying holiday story.”

cranberry christmas by wende and harry devlin

“Old Cyrus Grape doesn’t like children. And he insists that the skating pond is ‘his.’ Mr. Whiskers knows this isn’t true, but since he can’t prove it, there’ll be no skating…not even on Christmas Day! That is…unless cleaning Mr. Whiskers’ house uncovers some important information.
This 1976 classic is back for a new generation of Devlin fans to enjoy, with Maggie’s favorite cranberry cookie recipe on the back.”

The Legend of the candy cane by lori walburg

“One dark November night, a stranger rides into a small prairie town. Who is he? Why has he come? The townspeople wish he were a doctor, a dressmaker, or a trader. Then a young girl named Lucy befriends the newcomer. When he reveals his identity and shares with her the legend of the candy cane, she discovers fulfillment of her wishes and the answer to her town’s dream. Now will she share what she has learned?

The Legend of the Candy Cane is a beautiful picture book for ages 4-8, and focuses on the:

• Importance of Jesus as it explains the Christian symbolism behind candy canes
• Miracle of Christmas and why the occasion is celebrated

With vibrant illustrations and a timeless story, The Legend of the Candy Cane is the perfect read for the Advent and Christmas season.”

LIttle One, We Knew you’d come by sally lloyd-jones

“From New York Times bestselling children’s book author Sally Lloyd-Jones, Little One, We Knew You’d Come is a heartwarming and endearing story about the hope and anticipation of a new baby. Overflowing with joy, this book makes the perfect gift for a new baby, baptism, adoption, new beginning, or special occasion.

Little One, We Knew You’d Come includes:

• Engaging illustrations and delightful, lyrical text
• A beautiful message for parents and grandparents to read aloud to their children again and again
• A joyful story that celebrates new life and the love we have for our little ones even before their arrival”

the crippled lamb by max lucado

“From bestselling author Max Lucado comes a unique Christmas story called The Crippled Lamb, an inspirational children’s book about being different, fitting in, and being happy with yourself. With more than 100,000 copies sold, this timeless bestseller has become a holiday read the entire family enjoys. 

The Crippled Lamb follows the story of Joshua, a lamb with a crippled leg who feels left out because he can’t run and play like the other lambs. But God has a special plan for Joshua’s life, as He does for all who feel alone. Readers will feel a gentle tug on their hearts as the little lamb’s prayers are answered in an amazing way on Christmas Day.”

pick a pine tree by patricia toht

“Part of the magic of the Christmas season stems from the traditions that families and friends take part in every year: hanging up stockings; putting lights in the windows; and, one of the most important of all, picking out and taking home the Christmas tree. With style and warmth, debut author Patricia Toht and Jarvis, the author-illustrator of Alan’s Big, Scary Teeth, evoke all the rituals of decorating the tree — digging out boxes jam-packed with ornaments and tree trimmings, stringing tinsel, and, at long last, turning on those twinkling lights. Joyously drawn and rhythmically written, this celebration of family, friends, and the holiday season is as merry as the tradition it depicts.”

home for the holidays by jan brett

“A grumpy little troll runs away from home because he doesn’t want to do his chores. Rollo tries living with various woodland animals. But he finds out that there is no place like home, and returns to his family just in time for “the best Christmas ever.”

Among the animals who take him in are an owl family, a mother bear and two rambunctious cubs. There are also some playful river otters, a hungry lynx and a friendly moose family.

Jan Brett creates an irresistible, mischievous character that kids will recognize in themselves. Jan transports us to a glorious Scandinavian landscape where a beautiful fall turns into a magnificent snowy winter. Her signature borders depict the troll family missing Rollo, and animals as appealing as those found in The Mitten.”

Those are our family’s 10 favorite Christmas picture books! Again, I’d love for you to share your family favorites in the comments below. And I pray you and your people have a very merry Christmas!

As always, you can learn more about our big family fun over at Meet Tanna from Megavan Mama.

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