As Christmas quickly approaches, my toddler daughter and I have been busy reading as many books about the holiday as we can. If you are looking for a board book to share with your young reader, check out some of our favorite board books for Christmas for toddlers.
The Story of Christmas (2010)
The Story of Christmas (2010) written by Patricia A. Pingry and illustrated by Lorraine Wells is a nonfiction book that introduces young readers to the Christmas story. Recommended for readers ages 2 to 5, the book teaches the reason for giving gifts at Christmastime and offers a strong Christian background to the holiday.
Baby’s Very First Touchy-feely Christmas Book (2010)
Baby’s Very First Touchy-feely Christmas Book (2010) written by Fiona Watt and illustrated by Stella Baggott is a simply holiday book that introduces the littlest readers to some of the iconic symbols of Christmas. Each page features high contrast illustrations and touchy-feely patches with a simple description beneath each holiday picture. Infants and toddlers will delight in this fun book.
Baby Touch and Feel: Christmas (2010)
Baby Touch and Feel: Christmas (2010) from DK Publishing is another simply holiday book that introduces the youngest readers to the images of Christmas. Each illustration uses an amazing range of novelty textures to teach infants and toddlers about Christmas trees, ornaments, snowflakes, and even Santa Claus.
Merry Sparkling Christmas (2010)
Merry Sparkling Christmas (2010) written by Elizabeth Spurr and illustrated by Colleen Madden is a beautiful book that focuses on the shimmery, shiny, sparkly aspects of Christmas. Recommended for toddlers and preschoolers between the ages of 2 and 5, this glittery book is sure to captivate your little reader this holiday season.
Baby’s First Christmas (1988)
Baby’s First Christmas (1988) by Tomie dePaola is a perfect holiday book for infants and toddlers are beginning to recognize the symbols of Christmas. Each page features clear, vivid colors and uncluttered images characteristic of dePaulo. The text is simple, using repetitive language perfect for younger readers.
Christmas in the Manger (1998)
Christmas in the Manger (1998) written by Nola Buck with illustrations by Felicia Bond is a story about the Nativity written in rhymed verse. The simple book introduces young readers to the animals and people of the First Christmas and features quaint illustrations that bring the story to life.
Corduroy’s Merry Christmas (2002)
Corduroy’s Merry Christmas (2002) by Don Freeman with illustrations by Lisa McCue is a holiday story that features the beloved character, Corduroy. Recommended for preschoolers and older, the book follows Corduroy as he and his friends prepare for Christmas on Christmas Eve.
Santa!: A Scanimation Picture Book (2013)
Santa!: A Scanimation Picture Book (2013) by Rufus Butler Seder is a delightful holiday book featuring Santa Claus that uses the magic of scanimation to amaze young readers. My toddler daughter loves hearing about the energy-filled antics of her favorite Christmas character.
Bear Stays Up for Christmas (2008)
Bear Stays Up for Christmas (2008) written by Karma Wilson with illustrations by Jane Chapman follows Bear and his forest friends as Bear attempts to stay awake for Christmas during his usual winter hibernation. Recommended for readers between the ages of 2 and 8, this book is written in a rhymed verse and features delightful illustrations that bring the holiday story to life.
Biscuit’s Pet & Play Christmas (2006)
Biscuit’s Pet & Play Christmas (2006) written by Alyssa Satin Capucilli with illustrations by Pat Schories is an interactive touch and feel holiday book for younger readers. Recommended for children between the ages of 4 and 8, this book is also a great Christmas book for toddlers and preschoolers because of the textures on each page.
Elmo’s Christmas Snowman (2013)
Elmo’s Christmas Snowman (2013) written by Naomi Kleinberg with glitter-filled illustrations by Tom Brannon is a holiday book that features Elmo and the other beloved characters of Sesame Street. When a little snow finally starts falling on Christmas Eve, Elmo wants to make a Christmas snowman. Young fans of Elmo will delight in this holiday tale.
Merry Christmas (2001)
Merry Christmas (2001) written by Michelle Knudsen with illustrated by Kathy Couri is a sparkling title in the Sparkle ‘n’ Shimmer Books series. Recommended for readers between the ages of 2 and 5, this holiday book features a Christmas story told in rhyme and textured, glittery illustrations on every page.
Have Yourself a Furry Little Christmas (2007)
Have Yourself a Furry Little Christmas (2007) written by Naomi Kleinberg and illustrated by Louis Womble features the beloved characters of Sesame Street in a fun Christmas story. Young readers will delight in reading about Elmo and his friends preparing for a furry little Christmas.
Mouse’s First Christmas (1999)
Mouse’s First Christmas (1999) written by Lauren Thompson and illustrated by Buket Erdogan follows a little mouse who new sights, smells, and tastes throughout the house on Christmas Eve. Recommended for readers between 2 and 6 years old, this holiday book will delight young children through a simple but beautiful text and soft, colorful pictures.
Elmo’s Christmas Colors (1997)
Elmo’s Christmas Colors (1997) written by Constance Allen and illustrated by David Prebenna is a fun Christmas book recommended for infants through preschoolers that teaches young readers about colors. Fans of Elmo will enjoy reading about Elmo as he discovers the colors of the Christmas season.
Spot’s Christmas (2004)
Spot’s Christmas (2004) written and illustrated by Eric Hill features the beloved canine character Spot in a Christmas tale. Readers between the ages of 1 and 3 years old will love reading about Spot as he prepares for Christmas Eve and finds gifts from Santa on Christmas morning.
Merry Christmas, Mouse! (2007)
Merry Christmas, Mouse! (2007) written by Laura Numeroff and illustrated Felicia Bond features the lovable character Mouse from the If You Give… series. Young readers can join Mouse as he counts from one to ten while hanging Christmas ornaments on the tree.
Where Is Baby’s Christmas Present? (2009)
Where Is Baby’s Christmas Present? (2009) written and illustrated by Karen Katz is a holiday lift-the-flap book for children between the ages of 1 and 4. Young readers will delight in helping Baby look for his Christmas present in this interactive book.
It’s Holiday Time! (2012)
It’s Holiday Time! (2012) written by Elizabeth Bennett and illustrated by Gladys Baccala teaches young readers about the sights, sounds, and activities of the holiday season through whimsical illustrations accented with textured glitter. The rhymed verse fills the reader with thoughts of Christmas through New Year’s and is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers.
Santa (2003)
Santa (2003) is a shaped board book that tells the story of Santa Claus searching for his red coat on Christmas Eve. The colorful illustrations are slightly comical, and the rhymed text will hold the attention of the youngest readers.
Santa’s Reindeer (2002)
Santa’s Reindeer (2002) written by Catherine Shoolbred and illustrated by Liz Pichon is a sweet Christmas book recommended for children between the ages of 2 and 5 years old. Young readers will delight in reading about the preparations that Santa’s reindeer make in anticipation of the big flight on Christmas Eve.
Fa La La (2012)
Fa La La (2012) written and illustrated by Leslie Patricelli is a bright and cheerful board book with minimal text that features the adorable baby from the series by the author. Younger readers will enjoy reading about Baby as he helps Mom and Dad with the Christmas preparations.
10 Trim-the-Tree’ers (2010)
10 Trim-the-Tree’ers (2010) written by Janet Schulman and illustrated by Linda Davick is a delightful holiday counting book perfect for toddlers and preschoolers. Younger readers will love helping the kids count the decorations for the Christmas tree while pouring over the colorful and slightly comical illustrations.
What is your favorite Christmas board book for toddlers?
Image Credits
Cover of The Story of Christmas © 2014 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of The Story of Christmas © 2014 Heather Johnson
Cover of Baby’s Very First Touchy-feely Christmas Book © 2014 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of Baby’s Very First Touchy-feely Christmas Book © 2014 Heather Johnson
Cover of Baby Touch and Feel: Christmas © 2014 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of Baby Touch and Feel: Christmas © 2014 Heather Johnson
Cover of Merry Sparkling Christmas © 2014 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of Merry Sparkling Christmas © 2014 Heather Johnson
Cover of Baby’s First Christmas © 2014 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of Baby’s First Christmas © 2014 Heather Johnson
Cover of Christmas in the Manger © 2014 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of Christmas in the Manger © 2014 Heather Johnson
Cover of Corduroy’s Merry Christmas © 2014 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of Corduroy’s Merry Christmas © 2014 Heather Johnson
Cover of Santa!: A Scanimation Picture Book © 2014 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of Santa!: A Scanimation Picture Book © 2014 Heather Johnson
Cover of Bear Stays Up for Christmas © 2014 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of Bear Stays Up for Christmas © 2014 Heather Johnson
Cover of Biscuit’s Pet & Play Christmas © 2014 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of Biscuit’s Pet & Play Christmas © 2014 Heather Johnson
Cover of Elmo’s Christmas Snowman © 2014 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of Elmo’s Christmas Snowman © 2014 Heather Johnson
Cover of Merry Christmas © 2014 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of Merry Christmas © 2014 Heather Johnson
Cover of Have Yourself a Furry Little Christmas © 2014 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of Have Yourself a Furry Little Christmas © 2014 Heather Johnson
Cover of Mouse’s First Christmas © 2014 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of Mouse’s First Christmas © 2014 Heather Johnson
Cover of Elmo’s Christmas Colors © 2014 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of Elmo’s Christmas Colors © 2014 Heather Johnson
Cover of Spot’s Christmas © 2014 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of Spot’s Christmas © 2014 Heather Johnson
Cover of Merry Christmas, Mouse! © 2014 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of Merry Christmas, Mouse! © 2014 Heather Johnson
Cover of Where Is Baby’s Christmas Present? © 2014 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of Where Is Baby’s Christmas Present? © 2014 Heather Johnson
Cover of It’s Holiday Time! © 2014 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of It’s Holiday Time! © 2014 Heather Johnson
Cover of Santa © 2014 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of Santa © 2014 Heather Johnson
Cover of Santa’s Reindeer © 2014 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of Santa’s Reindeer © 2014 Heather Johnson
Cover of Fa La La © 2014 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of Fa La La © 2014 Heather Johnson
Cover of 10 Trim-the-Tree’ers © 2014 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of 10 Trim-the-Tree’ers © 2014 Heather Johnson
