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Spending time as a family is an important part of the holiday season. Spending time reading Christmas picture books together is definitely a favorite pastime.
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As I began to go through the list of Christmas picture books that we have read over the last few years, I am in awe of the writing and illustrations and their ability to capture that special light in a child’s eyes. The light that only appears thanks to the magic of Christmas. I adore these read alouds as much as my children do for getting into the holiday spirit.
10 Christmas Picture Books
While I have read numerous Christmas books over the years, first with my students and then with my own three children, there are some titles that just stand out. Here are a few of our favorites.
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
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Twas the Evening of Christmas by Glenys Nellist
![](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/619oWK3ymDL._SL250_.jpg)
The Carpenter’s Gift by David Rubel
![](https://www.ftjcfx.com/image-8070877-15496421?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fg.christianbook.com%2Fg%2Fslideshow%2F6%2F635305%2Fmain%2F635305_1_ftc.jpg)
The Gift of the Magi by O Henry
![](https://www.awltovhc.com/image-8070877-15496421?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fg.christianbook.com%2Fg%2Fslideshow%2F0%2F070188%2Fmain%2F070188_1_ftc.jpg)
The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore
![](https://www.lduhtrp.net/image-8070877-15496421?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fg.christianbook.com%2Fdg%2Fproduct%2Fingram%2Ff450%2F619082.jpg)
The Christmas Story by Jane Werner Watson
![](https://www.lduhtrp.net/image-8070877-15496421?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fg.christianbook.com%2Fg%2Fslideshow%2F4%2F43028%2Fmain%2F43028_1_ftc.jpg)
An Orange for Frankie by Patricia Polacco
![](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51UnlQ9C5rL._SL250_.jpg)
The Christmas Story by Robert Sabuda
![](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61rUjGqxbZL._SL250_.jpg)
Walk This World at Christmastime by Big Picture Press
![](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61qVB2cVzRL._SL250_.jpg)
How Santa Got His Job by Stephen Krensky
Thank you so much! I agree these are beautiful stories, and there are a couple I do not have…I will add these to the shelf!
We love Polar Express! I used to read it year round to my oldest. It’s a beautiful story, the illustrations are beautiful and detailed. It was like I could feel the warmth on the train car and smell the hot chocolate! Plus, we could watch the movie and practice comparing and contrasting.
I also just adore the message. The magic of Christmas is in the power of belief and generosity.
A must read for every child at Christmas.
I have such fond memories of Polar Express from when I was little, and I love reading it with my children as well. My youngest grabs it throughout the year and has me read to him. We even have a little bell, and I ask him if he can hear it.