Christmas and Holiday Books to Read This December

The holidays are here, and for me, that means curling up with my niece and nephew to read Dasher and then whipping up our favorite holiday treat: “reindeer poop” (yes, it’s as fun as it sounds!). It’s become a tradition—one that keeps the magic alive and gives us all a big dose of holiday cheer. Each year, as I add ingredients and memories to our treats, I feel a tug of nostalgia and think of my mom. She was the first to show me that books, especially picture books, hold a kind of magic that lasts a lifetime.

So, in her honor and with the holiday spirit about to be in full swing, I’ve put together a list of picture books that I hope will spark the same joy and connection for you and your family. These books are perfect for building memories, starting conversations, and bringing a little extra sparkle into your classroom or living room. Gather around, enjoy the magic, and let these stories bring warmth and wonder to your holiday season!

A City Full of Santas: A City Full of Santas takes readers on a magical holiday journey where one big-hearted city comes together to spread cheer in the spirit of Santa Claus, showing that kindness is the best gift of all! A teacher could use this story to inspire a classroom kindness project, encouraging students to come up with their own ways to spread holiday cheer within the school or community.

Christmas Forever: Christmas Forever is a delightful story where Christmas magic never seems to end, capturing the joy, love, and warmth that make the holiday season feel truly endless! Teachers could use this book to explore students’ holiday traditions or to create a writing activity where they imagine their own “perfect Christmas.”

Red and Lulu: In Red and Lulu, two cardinals find themselves separated in the bustling holiday season but are reunited in a heartwarming journey to the majestic Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center—an enchanting tale of love and finding your way home. Teachers could use this story to introduce a lesson on empathy and resilience, encouraging students to discuss the importance of family and traditions during the holiday season.

Elmore The Christmas Moose: Elmore The Christmas Moose follows a friendly moose on a snowy adventure to help Santa when he needs it most, making this story a delightful reminder that even the most unlikely friends can make the holiday bright! Teachers could use this book to spark a discussion on teamwork and how everyone has unique strengths, then engage students in a team-building activity where they work together to “save Christmas” with creative problem-solving.

Carla’s Christmas Cornbread: Carla’s Christmas Cornbread is a sweet story about family traditions and the love baked into holiday treats, as Carla creates her special cornbread to bring everyone together in a Christmas celebration like no other! Teachers could use this book to launch a holiday traditions unit, where students share family recipes or favorite holiday foods, creating a class “Holiday Recipe Book” to take home.

Our Favorite Day of the Year:Our Favorite Day of the Year follows a group of students as they each share their favorite holiday, learning about one another’s cultures and traditions while building friendship and understanding. Teachers could use this book to create a “Favorite Day” project, where each student can present a special holiday or tradition from their own family, fostering a sense of inclusion and cultural appreciation within the classroom.

To see even more book recommendations, click here for the PDF printable list and the images below for the full storefront. Happy Reading!

Ramona Recommends partners with affiliate platforms where commission may be earned based on clicks and or purchases, and I would love it if you decided to use the links above! Affiliate links help bloggers like me to fund the free content that we provide on our blogs.

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