Funny books, festive spirit reads, or learning about the true reasons for the season, these Christmas books for toddlers are just what you need this season.
Toddlers need durable books so every book on this list is a board book. They will definitely last through the holiday. My bigger kids still love to revisit their Christmas board book favorites from years ago.
The Christmas Board Books for Toddlers Book List
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Fun and Silly Picks Toddler Christmas Books
Get ready to chant and sing the rhymes with little dino lovers from “Clap Your Hands” sung to “If You’re Happy and You Know It while you clap your dino hands to “Three Little Dinosaurs” sung to “Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed” while little ones jump all around. The only thing I wish the book included was a key to which tunes the rhymes paired with. It can take a minute to figure it out for some of them. Check out Dinosaur, Dinosaur, It’s Christmas and Other Holiday Rhymes illustrated by Sanja Rešček.
Christmas ABC by Jannie Ho isn’t just fun. It introduces the kids to each letter of the alphabet and builds vocabulary of words associated with the season. There is J for Joy, O for Ornaments, and U for Unwrap.
Don’t Push the Button! A Christmas Adventure by Bill Cotter is an interactive book that will have all toddlers pushing the button in the book.
The preschool crowd loves the Llama Llama stories and now younger kids can meet this favorite character in a board book version. Llama Llama Jingle Jingle by Anna Dewdney. It’s Christmastime and their is lot to explore about the season.
I’m a bit partial to books to the tune of nursery rhymes. The Itsy Bitsy Reindeer by Jeffrey Burton is set to “The Itsy Bitsy Spider.”
Penguin finds a little magic in Penguin’s Christmas Wish by Salina Yoon. If you love Penguin in this book, there are more titles in the series.
Speaking of penguins, check out Five Christmas Penguins by Steven Lenton is fun and playful. Plus, little ones will practice counting to five.
Toddlers will also get some counting practice while decorating the tree in Merry Christmas, Mouse! by Laura Numeroff.
One of of my all-time favorite touch-and-feel series is That’s Not My… by Usborne. You can find some some Usborne books at bookstores, but your best bet is to order from a Usborne consultant (Yes, I’m one.) Try That’s Not My Elf or That’s Not My Reindeer.
Goose is interested in making snowballs and sledding, but Duck tells him there is no time for all of that. It’s time for Christmas. Duck and Goose It’s Time for Christmas! by Tad Hills is an oversized board book.
Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle was an absolute favorite in our house when my boys were toddlers. It’s actually one of my top book picks for any toddler. There is also Little Blue’s Christmas Truck that has light up lights at the end of the story. The Christmas book isn’t as good as the original, but Little Blue fans will still enjoy it.
Speaking of trucks, let’s delve into another. In Merry Christmas Red Truck by Kersten Hamilton, Red Truck has a special rescue mission. Put the chains on the tires and get ready.
Lift-the-Flaps Christmas Books for Toddlers
Another lift-the-flap favorite is Where is Baby’s Christmas Present? by Karen Katz. Little ones lift the flaps to find all sorts of treats.
For even chunkier flaps that won’t tear as easily, try Santa’s Workshop: Christmas Lift-a-Flap by Holly Berry-Byrd. The illustrations are delightful. Kids get to peek inside the Northpole including Santa’s kitchen and his workshop.
All little Spot fans will enjoy Spot’s Christmas by Eric Hill. Who wouldn’t find a cute little dog adorable!
Nativity Stories for Toddlers
For a book that explains the real story of Christmas to little ones, try The Story of Christmas by Patricia A. Pingry. It’s the story of the nativity told simply for toddlers.
My kids also liked Christmas in the Manger by Nola Buck is full of rhyme and simplicity. But, it also packs a punch of vocabulary.
The animals are excited that a new baby has arrived in The Christmas Baby by Marion Dane Bauer. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful in this one.
Print the List of Christmas Board Books for Toddlers
Grab a printable list of the titles above.
RELATED POSTS
~Have a little ABC fun using the Pete the Cat Saves Christmas ABC Chimney Drop. It’s so much learning fun.
~Keep the toddlers engaged with books. Check out these favorite lists.
*This post first appeared on Growing Book by Book on 11/14/18 and has since been updated.