35 Christmas Chapter Books Your Kids Will Love
There’s something a bit magical about Christmas chapter books because these are often the books that the whole family can enjoy together.
Each year, I like to choose at least one Christmas chapter book to read in December with my kids. (or listen to!)
Just add cocoa, and you have a great way to make some warm, Christmas memories.
Reading As Part Of Your Christmas Celebrations
There are lots of ways to make reading a part of Christmas.
You can absolutely wrap Christmas picture books and put them under the tree, or open them as part of your Advent celebration.
Maybe your family even celebrates Jolabokflod, reading books on Christmas Eve.
But I’m here to tell you, that you can also just choose a chapter book or two to read aloud or listen to together.
So don’t feel intimidated by this list, just pick a few that may appeal to your family, and dive in.
Favorite Christmas Chapter Books For Kids
Below are some favorite Christmas chapter books, new and old, to read with your kids this year.
Most of these are fun, a few are sentimental, and there are even a few classics.
But pick books that you think you AND your kids will enjoy.
Also, most of these are great on audio – perfect for listening to during shopping trips or on the way to Grandma’s house. And YES – audiobooks absolutely count!
Juniper’s Christmas
By: Eoin Colfer
Juniper’s Christmas is a brand new book for 2023, but I think it’s destined to be a favorite.
Eleven-year-old Juniper is about to have a very magical Christmas when she meets a man who might be Santa. Throw in a reindeer and crime boss, and a neighbor who has always believed in Santa, plus Eoin Colfer’s signature pacing (you might know him best as the author of the Artemis Fowl series) and lovely illustrations – this one is a winner.
My Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Barbara Robinson
This one is definitely a classic that makes me laugh out loud. It’s also great on audio.
The Herdman kids are the absolute worst, but even rotten kids like snacks. So when the six Herdman kids show up for free food, they end up taking over the Christmas pageant – and learning the true meaning of Christmas.
My Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
A Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens
This classic Christmas tale has been enjoyed for decades. Join Scrooge as his former co-worker, Marley, and the Ghosts of Christmas past teach him a lesson about the true meaning of the season.
And yes, this is a great one to read aloud to your tweens and teens. You don’t have to be intimidated by Dickens! I have a whole post about How to Have Fun While Reading a Christmas Carol with Kids.
I promise you can handle this classic, and maybe even turn your reading experience into a party using this book club party guide.
(P.S. This graphic novel version is great too. And there are lots of movie versions to watch after you read. You can also check out our favorite audio version.)
My Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
The Night I Met Father Christmas
Ben Miller
How did Father Christmas become Father Christmas? Jackson is about to find out in this heartwarming tale, packed with gorgeous illustrations and a little mischief.
Diary of a Christmas Elf
Ben Miller
Diary of a Christmas Elf is the first book in the Christmas Elf Chronicles series, by Ben Miller, who also wrote The Night I Met Father Christmas.
All Tog wants is to learn to make toys, but when he finally becomes an apprentice elf, it’s not as much fun as he imagined. And now, someone is stealing Christmas toys, and Tog is the No. 1 suspect!
A Boy Called Christmas
Matt Haig
Author Matt Haig has been called “the King of Empathy,” and it shines through in this book about an 11-year-old boy nicknamed “Christmas,” who heads to the North Pole to search for his missing father.
This one is now a Netflix movie starring Maggie Smith!
My Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
The Girl Who Saved Christmas
Matt Haig
In this sequel to, “A Boy Called Christmas,” by Matt Haig, we are introduced to the first girl to ever get a Christmas present.
Amelia’s spirit is what fueled Santa to be able to make it around the world. But now Amelia’s mother is sick, and her spirits are too low for Christmas to happen. It will take a Christmas cat, a reindeer, and Charles Dickens to find Amelia and hopefully save Christmas.
Father Christmas and Me
Matt Haig
In the third book in Matt Haig’s Christmas book series, Amelia is back.
I won’t share too much about this one, because it will give away what happens in The Girl Who Saved Christmas, but Father Christmas and Me is also filled with magic and fun, plus another battle to save Christmas.
The Christmas Pig
J. K. Rowling
We know that Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling is a great storyteller, and this Christmas tale holds up.
Jack loves his toy pig DP, but when DP goes missing, Christmas magic brings a new toy to life ready to help him save his best friend.
Miracles on Maple Hill
Virginia Sorensen
This is a classic, first published in 1956, and a Newbery award-winner.
Miracles on Maple Hill is a bit more sentimental and tells the story of a wounded father returning home from war. But it’s stood the test of time, and the audio version is well done, featuring a full cast.
How Winston Delivered Christmas
Alex T. Smith
When Winston the Mouse finds a lost letter meant for Santa, he begins a journey in 24 chapters. This one is best started on Dec. 1 and read one chapter a day. Plus, each chapter includes an Advent activity.
Top Elf
Caleb Zane Huett
Santa is stepping down. But not to worry, he’s not just letting his son Klaus Claus take over.
Instead, he’s started a contest open to any kid who wants to apply, including elves! Who can tame the reindeer, eat the most cookies, and win that red suit?
The Lotterys More or Less
Emma Donoghue
A follow-up to The Lotterys Plus One, The Lottery’s More or Less is set in winter, with 9-year-old Sumac trying to keep the family’s four parents, seven siblings, five pets and one grandfather celebrating all the traditions, from Pow Wow to Holi to Hogmanay.
The Naughty List
Michael Fry and Bradley Jackson
Bobbie is trying to save her brother’s Christmas, but it all backfires and he ends up on Santa’s naughty list.
This is another great North Pole adventure, featuring funny illustrations. Perfect for your Diary of a Wimpy Kid fans!
The Family Under the Bridge
Natalie Savage Carlson
This is another Newbery Award winner which features illustrations by Garth Williams (illustrator of the Little House Series and Charlotte’s Web).
Armand lives in Paris and enjoys his simple life. But when he discovers three hungry and cold children at his usual spot under the bridge, he decides he must find them a proper home.
My Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
The Christmas Carrolls
Mel Taylor-Bessent
The Carrolls Family LOVES Christmas, so much so that this book kicks off a series of three Christmas Carrolls books.
If you’re looking for an inclusive Christmas series – give the first book a try. Fun and a little silly – a Christmas carol-singing toilet! – the Carrolls just want to spread Christmas cheer.
Magic in the Mountains:
A Christmas Adventure
T. E. Milburn
Santa has sent out a desperate message. The North Pole is under attack, and so is Christmas.
Two brothers have the key to rescue Santa and save Christmas. But it isn’t going to be easy …
The Pug Who Wanted to Be a Reindeer
Bella Swift
This is part of the series of 12 Pug Who Wanted to Be books.
Peggy the pug’s family is not getting along this season. If only she could turn into a reindeer and bring them some Christmas spirit. But maybe she needs help from Santa …
Nate the Great and the Crunchy Christmas
Marjorie Weinman Sharmat and Craig Sharmat
Nate the Great fans will rejoice – Nate is back and solving a Christmas mystery with his trusty pup sidekick, Sludge.
Little House in the Big Woods
Laura Ingalls Wilder
This first book in the Little House series includes the Ingalls Family celebrating Christmas.
Cherry Jones expertly narrates the audio version.
Plus, there are lots of Little House Christmas books if this one captures your family, including a picture book, A Little House Christmas Treasury, and The Little House Cookbook.
My Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
The True Gift
Patricia MacLachlan
From Patricia MacLachlan, the beloved, Newbery-award winning author of the Sarah, Plain and Tall series, Lily and Liam love traveling to visit their grandparents for Christmas, but when they find an abandoned cow, compassion becomes contagious and their whole town is swept up in the spirit of Christmas.
This one is a great quick win!
Nancy and Plum
Betty MacDonald
Two orphaned sisters face another lonely Christmas at Mrs. Monday’s boarding school. But if all goes well, this will be their last Christmas with the mean Mrs. Monday.
Originally published in 1952, this newest edition features illustrations by Mary Grand Pré, who illustrated the original Harry Potter covers.
Tumtum and Nutmeg’s
Christmas Adventure
Emily Bearn
This one is out of print, so check your library or used book store or grab the audio. It’s worth it. Part of the charming Tumtum and Nutmeg series, Tumtum and Nutmeg, the mice of Rose Cottage, have big plans to save the Mildew kids’ Christmas.
This book even has sweet recipes to make this holiday season.
The Last Holiday Concert
Andrew Clements
If your kids are Frindle or Lunch Money fans, they’ll enjoy this Christmas-themed book by Andrew Clements.
Hart Evans is popular, even with the teachers at his school. But when he interrupts choir practice, the director leaves and the kids vote to put Hart in charge of the holiday concert.
The Twenty-Four Days Before Christmas
Madeleine L’Engle
This is another sentimental pick. Published in 1987, Madeleine L’Engle, best known for the Wrinkle in Time books, penned this short chapter book about the Austin family and the days leading up until Christmas.
Will Mother have to miss Christmas to have the new baby?
The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street
Karina Yan Glaser
The Vanderbeeker books are quickly becoming huge favorites in the literary world, and this is the book that kicked off the series.
Can the five Vanderbeeker siblings save the brownstone they love? They’ve lived there so long, it feels like a family member. They just have to convince their grumpy landlord to renew their lease.
WinterFrost
Michelle Houts
Inspired by Danish folklore, this holiday fantasy pulls in the natural world on a miniature scale – acorn cups! – but is also a gentle tale about responsibility.
It’s as warm and comforting as a bowl of rice pudding.
The Very Merry Murder Club
Serena Patel & Robin Stevens
The Very Merry Murder Club is actually a collection of 13 mystery stories, written by diverse authors.
It’s not a traditional chapter book, but your mystery fans 8-12 will love this anthology of whodunnits.
Winterhouse
Ben Guterson
An Edgar Award Finalist and An Agatha Award Finalist, Winterhouse kicks off a three-book series of mysteries.
Elizabeth is spending Christmas break at the spooky yet charming Winterhouse Hotel and is delighted by the massive library. But a magical book of puzzles is about to lead Elizabeth to a family connection, and a curse.
The Yule Tomte and the Little Rabbits
Ulf Stark
An advent story made up of short chapters, The Yule Tomte and The Little Rabbits is perfect for younger kids and Jan Brett fans.
Nutcracked
Susan Adrian
Georgie’s dream is coming true! She is going to dance the part of Clara in The Nutcracker.
But whenever Georgie dances with the Nutcracker doll, she falls into the world of The Nutcracker. And now, that world is seeping into her regular life causing chaos.
Christmas in Camelot
Mary Pope Osborne
Of course, there’s a Christmas Magic Tree House book! Inspired by the Celtic legend, siblings Jack and Annie are traveling to Camelot in this first installment of the Merlin Missions series (slightly more challenging reading than the original Magic Tree House books.)
8-Bit Christmas
Kevin Jakubowski
Warning: There is some language in this one, so be sure to preview it. But, 8-Bit Christmas is packed with 80s nostalgia and laugh-out-loud moments.
Deck the Halls, We’re Off the Walls
Dan Gutman
The My Weird School series has a Christmas tale. Santa is coming to town, but so is kid rapper Cray-Z.
This is a funny quick read, especially for fans of the series.
The Miracle on Ebenezer Street
Catherine Doyle
The name of this one gives it away! This modern twist on A Christmas Carol has been called “an instant classic.”
More Book Lists For The Holidays
More Than 30 of the Best Christmas Books for Teens
35 of The Best Thanksgiving Books for Kids
Top Spooky and Fun Halloween Poetry Books for Kids
Must Read Books About New Year’s Resolutions for Kids
How to Host a Special Valentine’s Day Poetry Teatime
She believes that creativity, laughter, and fun are the backbone for engaging and inspiring homeschools. You can find her encouragement and tips on this blog, Mary Hanna Wilson.
She is an enneagram 7 and an extrovert. She enjoys traveling, tea (iced or hot), good conversations, and books. You can connect with her on Instagram and Facebook.
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