Best Picture Books about Christmas (2026): 5 Picks

The best picture books about Christmas make December a nightly read-aloud ritual. Five Christmas picture books compared by fit, contents, value and stated reading age.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Santa Go Down the Chimney by Barnett	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Snowmen at Christmas by Buehner	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Christmas Blessing by Guendelsberger	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
4	'Twas the Night by Dean	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Sneezy the Snowman by Wright	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Santa Go Down the Chimney by Barnett

Mac Barnett·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 deadpan look at how Santa gets down the chimney, with Jon Klassen's art, for ages 3 to 7.

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Pros

• Ages 3 to 7, grade Preschool to 3, both stated
• 32 pages, Candlewick, September 12, 2023
• Art by Jon Klassen, per the description

Cons

• Reading age marked as from customers
• Silliness may not suit traditional shelves
• No bonus material stated

2

Snowmen at Christmas by Buehner

Caralyn Buehner·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 ›

Snowmen celebrate Christmas their way in bouncy read-aloud verse, for ages 1 to 6.

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Pros

• Ages 1 to 6, grade Preschool to 2, both stated
• Verse made for read-aloud
• 32 pages from Dial Books

Cons

• Reading age marked as from customers, not the publisher
• Published 2005, an older edition
• Companion book sold separately

3

Christmas Blessing by Guendelsberger

Erin Guendelsberger·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 rhyming Nativity story through the stable animals' eyes, with a family blessing at the end, for ages 4 to 7.

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Pros

• 40 pages, longest pick here
• Rhyming text, family blessing at end
• Grade K to 3 stated

Cons

• Age 2+ from customers; description says 4 to 7
• Faith-based story may not suit every family
• Illustrator not named in the listing

4

'Twas the Night by Dean

William 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 rhyming retelling of the night-before-Christmas poem centered on Jesus, for ages 3 to 8.

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Pros

• Rhyming read-aloud
• Illustrated by Sarah Lowe
• Reading age 3 to 8 years stated

Cons

• No grade level stated
• Reading age marked as from customers, not the publisher
• Faith-based theme may not suit every family

5

Sneezy the Snowman by Wright

Maureen Wright·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 shivering snowman tries to warm up with cocoa and hot tubs only to melt, prompting helpful children to rebuild him.

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Pros

• The listing states a reading age of 3 - 6 years and grade level Preschool - 2.
• Repetitive rhyming refrains allow preschoolers to chant along as the snowman warms up.
• Mixed-media illustrations by Stephen Gilpin add visual humor to each melting scenario.

Cons

• Reading age of 3 - 6 years is marked as from customers.
• The listing does not state a publisher in the specification table.
• Winter and snow theme makes it less relevant for year-round seasonal reading.

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Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 22 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit, contents, value, and the listed reading age or level; four of the five picks list one. 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 picture books about christmas

Match the reading age to the child

Reading ages run from 1 to 6 years to 3 to 8 years, each marked as from customers. The Christmas Blessing lists 2+ years but is described as perfect for ages 4 to 7. Browse all picture books.

Rhyming read-aloud or funny story

Snowmen at Christmas, The Christmas Blessing and ‘Twas the Night use rhyming verse made for reading aloud. How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? is a funny question-and-answer story. For winter themes, try the winter picture books list.

Faith-based or secular

The Christmas Blessing tells the Nativity through the stable animals; ‘Twas the Night retells the Christmas poem around Jesus. The snowman and Santa books keep it secular and silly.

Before you buy

• Check print length: the picks here run 32 to 40 pages.
• Match the stated reading age or grade level to the child.
• The two faith-based picks center on the Nativity; read the description first.

Frequently Asked Questions

What ages are these Christmas picture books for?

Listings give reading ages from 1 to 6 years to 3 to 8 years, all marked as from customers.

Which book should I start with?

For funny and secular, start with the Santa book. For the Nativity, start with The Christmas Blessing.

Are any of these part of a series?

The Christmas Blessing is listed as part of The Blessing Series. The other listings state no series.

Still deciding? Our top pickSanta Go Down the Chimney by Barnett

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Related lists

See every picture books list and all kids and teens lists.

More lists: Christmas picture books for older kids, Thanksgiving picture books and kindness picture books.