Best Christmas Books for 5 Year Olds: 5 Compared

December bedtime reading goes better with snow on the page, and the best christmas books for 5 year olds are the ones a kindergartner can follow in one sitting. We compared five picture books on reading age, page count and theme, using only what each listing publishes.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Pete the Cat: Snow Daze	9.7/10	Buy
2	Dasher by Matt Tavares	9.7/10	Buy
3	How to Catch a Snowman	9.7/10	Buy
4	The Giving Snowman	9.6/10	Buy
5	The Grumpy Reindeer	9.6/10	Buy

1

Pete the Cat: Snow Daze

James Dean·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A My First I Can Read snow day story with reading age 4 to 6, for shared holiday reading with a 5 year old.

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Pros

• Reading age 4 to 6 years, the best fit here for a 5 year old
• My First I Can Read format supports shared reading
• 32 pages from HarperCollins, illustrated edition

Cons

• Snow day theme more than a Christmas story
• 2016 publication, an older edition
• Single story, no series continuation in this listing

2

Dasher by Matt Tavares

Matt Tavares·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A reindeer adventure with reading age 3 to 6, for the child who loves Santa stories.

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Pros

• A reindeer story from the creator of Red and Lulu
• Reading age 3 to 6 years with Preschool to grade 3 level
• 40 pages, illustrated edition from Candlewick

Cons

• 2019 publication, an older edition
• Standalone story with no series to continue
• Adventure tone may not suit every bedtime

3

How to Catch a Snowman

Adam Wallace·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

An interactive snowman chase with STEAM connections, for the 5 year old who likes to join in.

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Pros

• A popular entry in the How to Catch series
• Interactive second-person chase invites the child to join in
• STEAM connections noted for families and educators

Cons

• Series siblings sold separately, not in this listing
• Silly-rhyme tone may tire some parents
• 2020 publication, an older edition

4

The Giving Snowman

Julia Zheng·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 27-page bedtime story about gratitude with reading age 3 to 6, for families who want a gentle message.

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Pros

• Kindness and gratitude theme for bedtime reading
• Reading age 3 to 6 years
• 2021 publication, the newest here

Cons

• Fewest pages of the picture books
• A lesser-known author than the more famous picks
• Single story with no series

5

The Grumpy Reindeer

DK·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

An 18-page board book about friendship and kindness, best for younger siblings at reading age 2 to 4.

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Pros

• Board book with sturdy pages for small hands
• Friendship and kindness theme
• From DK Children with festive illustrations

Cons

• Reading age 2 to 4 years, young for a 5 year old
• 18 pages, the fewest here
• Grumpy-to-kind arc may feel familiar

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More picks to compare

• Bluey: 12 Days of ChristmasBluey Christmas carol, 32 pages, reading age 2-6Check on Amazon
• Christmas On The FarmPadded board book, 24 pages, ages 1 to 5Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

19 October 2026

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for a 5 year old reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or grade level. All five listings give a reading age marked by Amazon as from customers; the Grumpy Reindeer lists 2 to 4 years, which is young for a 5 year old. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best christmas books for 5 year olds

Match the reading age to your child

Pete the Cat lists reading age 4 to 6, squarely on target, while Dasher, How to Catch a Snowman and The Giving Snowman list 3 to 6. The Grumpy Reindeer lists 2 to 4, which suits younger siblings better than a 5 year old. See more picture book lists for more options by age.

Picture book or board book

Four picks are standard picture books of 27 to 40 pages; the Grumpy Reindeer is an 18-page board book with sturdy pages for small hands. A 5 year old can handle the longer picture books in one sitting.

Pick the theme that lands

The Giving Snowman and The Grumpy Reindeer teach kindness and gratitude, Dasher tells a reindeer adventure, How to Catch a Snowman invites the child to join the chase, and Pete the Cat brings humor to snow days. For a first independent reader, the My First I Can Read format of Pete the Cat supports shared reading.

Before you buy

• Check the reading age: the Grumpy Reindeer lists 2 to 4 years, the others list 3 to 6 or 4 to 6.
• How to Catch a Snowman is part of the How to Catch series; the listing names other titles if you want more.
• Compare the grade level with your child’s current grade, and read the description for themes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What reading age suits a 5 year old?

Books listed for 3 to 6 or 4 to 6 years fit best. Four of the five picks list one of those ranges; the Grumpy Reindeer lists 2 to 4 years.

Which book is best for a first independent reader?

Pete the Cat: Snow Daze is a My First I Can Read book, which the listing describes as perfect for shared reading with a child.

Are these books part of series?

How to Catch a Snowman belongs to the How to Catch series, and the Grumpy Reindeer is in the First Seasonal Stories series. Pete the Cat and Dasher stand alone in these listings.

Which pick teaches kindness?

The Giving Snowman is about kindness and gratitude, and The Grumpy Reindeer teaches the importance of friendship and being kind.

Still deciding? Our top pickPete the Cat: Snow Daze

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Related lists

See every picture books list and all kids and teens lists. Also see our best christmas books for 13 year olds.

More lists: browse picture books, middle grade books and roald dahl books for 5 year olds.