You’ve been asking for one, and this year, we made it for you: a booklist of Christmas novels to read aloud.
If you’re looking for stories that will shape and form your Advent and Christmas season, you’re in exactly the right place.
On this brand new podcast episode, I’m sharing my favorite Christmas novels (and short stories, too) to read with your kids.
In this episode, you’ll hear
- which books to read with your kids all through December
- books that will appeal to the youngest kids and the “biggest kids” (you? Grandpa?) ;)
- one absolute favorite series that you should just grab right this minute
Listener Guide
Use the time stamps below to skip to any part of the podcast:
- 2:00 December picture books
- 3:53 Meaningful reading
- 5:33 Christmas audio
- 6:38 3 Qualities for Christmas novels
- 8:20 Classic collections
- 9:50 More recent favorites
- 11:38 A favorite series
- 15:44 Short story collections
- 19:55 A couple more classics
- 23:08 Santa’s childhood
- 25:52 Let the Kids Speak
Click here for the transcript.
Books from this episode:
Get the printable booklist
CHRISTMAS NOVELS and SHORT STORIES
(All links are affiliate links.)
The Family Under the Bridge
Armand likes his life as a Hobo living under the bridges of Paris, and the last thing he needs is anything remotely connected to responsibility. So when a family moves under the bridge with him and threatens to steal his heart, how will Armand handle it? Excellent for all ages.
More info →The Story of Holly and Ivy
Best for all ages. A classic! One to buy for your own shelves.
More info →Jotham’s Journey: A Storybook for Advent
Best for ages 7+, and highly recommended. The 1st book in Arnold Ytreeide's fantastic Advent series. This is one of Sarah's favorites. Preview for sensitive readers, as these stories get quite intense. They are also rich and beautiful and unforgettable.
More info →Bartholomew’s Passage: A Family Story for Advent
Best for ages 7+, and highly recommended. The 2nd book in Arnold Ytreeide's fantastic Advent series. This is one of Sarah's favorites. Preview for sensitive readers, as these stories get quite intense. They are also rich and beautiful and unforgettable.
More info →Tabitha’s Travels: A Family Story for Advent
Best for ages 7+, and highly recommended. The 3rd book in Arnold Ytreeide's fantastic Advent series. This is one of Sarah's favorites. Preview for sensitive readers, as these stories get quite intense. They are also rich and beautiful and unforgettable.
More info →The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street
FROM SARAH:
When their landlord decides he's not going to renew the Vanderbeekers' lease, the five Vanderbeeker kids launch a full-blown mission to change his mind. Highly recommended for kids of all ages (I read it to all six of my kids, from preschool through teen). A practically perfect family story that's first in a wonderful series. Meet the author, Karina Yan Glaser, in her Author Access replay in RAR Premium.
FROM THE PUBLISHER:
The Vanderbeekers have always lived in the brownstone on 141st Street. It's practically another member of the family. So when their reclusive, curmudgeonly landlord decides not to renew their lease, the five siblings have eleven days to do whatever it takes to stay in their beloved home and convince the dreaded Beiderman just how wonderful they are. And all is fair in love and war when it comes to keeping their home. A modern classic in the making reminiscent of the Penderwicks series, The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street is about the connections we make and the unexpected turns life can take.
More info →A Little House Christmas Treasury: Festive Holiday Stories
Best for all ages. The Christmas scenes from the various books in the Little House on the Prairie series, all in once place, and illustrated by Garth Williams.
More info →I Saw Three Ships by Elizabeth Goudge (1990-10-01)
Best for ages 7+ if your kids are into classics. This one is a bit more "classic" in style (spare, beautiful language and a slower-paced, but rich, story), this is Elizabeth Goudge's imagining of the Christmas carol, I Saw Three Ships.
More info →Christmas with Anne (L.M. Montgomery Books)
Best for all ages. If you love Anne of Green Gables and Lucy Maud Montgomery, this one is not to miss. A collection of stories from LM Montgomery's books.
More info →The True Gift
Best for ages 7-12. From the author of Sarah, Plain and Tall. All year long Lily and Liam look forward to the holidays at their grandparents’ farm. It’s always the perfect trip, but this year it's different than any other...
More info →Ishtar’s Odyssey: A Family Story for Advent (Storybooks for Advent)
Best for ages 7+, and highly recommended. The 4th book in Arnold Ytreeide's fantastic Advent series. This is one of Sarah's favorites. Preview for sensitive readers, as these stories get quite intense. They are also rich and beautiful and unforgettable.
More info →Nutcracker
Best for ages 4+, including your teens! This is a long one, so read it like it's a chapter book. Maurice Sendak's illustrations are just marvelous!
More info →The Nutcracker
Best for the whole family, Jim Weiss joins the London Philharmonic for this glorious retelling of The Nutcracker.
**Highly recommended**
More info →Tumtum & Nutmeg’s Christmas Adventure
Best for ages 5+. Your kids don't need to be familiar with the other Tumtum and Nutmeg stories to enjoy this one. But they may fall in love with Rose Cottage after this one!
More info →The Bells of Christmas
Best for ages 7+. A bit slower-paced, so this one is best for your patient listeners. Twelve-year-old Jason Bell and his family anticipate Christmas in Ohio, 1890.
More info →Nancy and Plum
Best for 6+, but everyone could listen in. A classic Christmas tale by the author of the Mrs. Piggle Wiggle books. Orphan sisters, the horrid Mrs. Monday, and Christmas shenanigans. There's a lot to love about this one.
More info →A Boy Called Christmas
Best for 9-14, for fans of Roald Dahl. I thought this book was laugh-out-loud funny. This one is a Christmas fantasy (secular) that is whimsical and optimistic. If you are looking for something reverent or historically accurate, skip this one. (But your reluctant readers will probably eat this one up!)
More info →The Last Holiday Concert
Best for 8-12 as a read-alone. Andrew Clements delights kids once again with this school story. In this one, the most popular kid in sixth grade discovers what it means to be a leader.
More info →Felicity’s Surprise
Best for ages 5+. I was surprised at how much all of my kids enjoyed this when we read it a few years ago! The American Girl "Surprise" books that celebrate Christmas are really quite delightful.
More info →Addy’s Surprise: A Christmas Story (The American Girl Collection)
Best for ages 5+. I was surprised at how much all of my kids enjoyed this when we read it a few years ago! The American Girl "Surprise" books that celebrate Christmas are really quite delightful.
More info →The Gift of the Magi (Aladdin Picture Books)
Best for ages 6+. Older kids and teens will enjoy this one a lot-- so will you, mama. It's the classic tale from O. Henry, and I like this edition as well as the one illustrated by P.J. Lynch.
More info →The Gift of the Magi
Best for ages 6+. Older kids and teens will enjoy this one a lot-- so will you, mama. It's the classic tale from O. Henry, and I like this edition as well as the one illustrated by Lisbeth Zwerger.
More info →The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Best for ages 8+. Hilarious and moving, this one is a Christmas classic!
More info →Christmas Remembered
Best for ages 8-12. Tomie dePaola is always a RAR favorite! In this collection, he recalls memories from his own Christmases.
More info →Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas
Best for all ages. This is an Advent celebration of the Jesse Tree. Read a little bit aloud each day, if you can.
More info →The Twenty-four Days Before Christmas: An Austin Family Story (Austin Family Series Book 3)
Best for ages 8-14, though all ages could listen in. The Austin family does one special thing each day of December to prepare for Christmas. This year, they're also preparing for the birth of a new brother or sister!
More info →