Best Non Fiction Books for Christmas (2026): 5 Picks

The best non fiction books for christmas range from a true Christmas miracle to the real story of Saint Nicholas. We compared five non-fiction Christmas books by fit, contents, value and reading age, using only what the listings publish.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Our Little Adventure Christmas	9.6/10	Buy
2	Saint Nicholas by Stiegemeyer	9.6/10	Buy
3	The 13th Gift by Smith	9.6/10	Buy
4	The Christmas Story	9.6/10	Buy
5	The Women of Christmas	9.6/10	Buy

1

Our Little Adventure Christmas

Tabitha Paige MS CCC-SLP·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 32-page board book for babies and toddlers: a badger's Christmas tree is ruined by a storm, and friends help.

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Pros

• Board book for Baby-3, the youngest band here
• Published October 14, 2025, the newest here
• Foundational language concepts per the listing

Cons

• 32 pages only
• Babies and toddlers only, not older kids
• A story, not a fact book

2

Saint Nicholas by Stiegemeyer

Julie Stiegemeyer·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 32-page hardcover picture book on the real story of Saint Nicholas, the fourth-century Bishop of Myra.

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Pros

• Hardcover, the true story of Saint Nicholas
• Reading age 2-7 and grade Preschool are stated
• Dear Grown-up section with history and glossary

Cons

• 2007 edition
• 32 pages only
• Faith-focused, not for every family

3

The 13th Gift by Smith

Joanne Huist Smith·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 224-page true story of a Christmas miracle: 12 days of gifts after a family's loss, from Harmony.

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Pros

• 224 pages, the longest book here
• First edition from Harmony, 2014
• A true story of kindness per the description

Cons

• No reading age is stated on the listing
• A memoir, not a children's book
• Deals with grief, not for light reading

4

The Christmas Story

Jane Werner Watson·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 24-page Little Golden Book retelling of the Christmas story, illustrated by Eloise Wilkin.

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Pros

• Reading age 2-5 per the listing
• Little Golden Book classic, first published 1952
• Illustrated by Eloise Wilkin

Cons

• 24 pages, the shortest here
• 1999 edition of the reprint
• Faith-focused, not for every family

5

The Women of Christmas

Liz Curtis Higgs·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 224-page Advent Bible study on Elizabeth, Mary and Anna, from WaterBrook.

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Pros

• 224 pages on three women of the first Christmas
• First edition from WaterBrook, 2013
• An Advent study format for the season

Cons

• No reading age is stated on the listing
• A study, not a read-aloud
• Faith-focused, not for every family

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More picks to compare

• My First Christmas Piano25 carols, 56 pages, ages 6+.Check on Amazon
• Anthology of Christmas80 pages, DK, ages 7-9.Check on Amazon
• Christmas Is Coming136 pages, traditions, ages 4+.Check on Amazon
• Needles Christmas Tree38 pages, Mascot Kids, ages 5-10.Check on Amazon
• Washington's Christmas Key90 pages, ages 7+, 2026.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 17 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for a Christmas reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or grade level where one is given. Three listings state a reading age; two state none. 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 non fiction books for christmas

Ages

The listings span Baby-3, 2-5 and 2-7 for kids, while the memoir and the Advent study list no age and suit adults. Match the book to the reader. For group reading, browse our book club books.

True stories versus faith

The 13th Gift is a true story of a Christmas miracle; Saint Nicholas tells the real story of the Christmas legend. The Women of Christmas is an Advent Bible study. For more holiday reads, see our non-fiction books for holiday.

Format

Our Little Adventure is a sturdy board book for babies; Saint Nicholas and The Christmas Story are picture books. The 13th Gift and The Women of Christmas are full-length reads.

Before you buy

• Match the age: Baby-3, 2-5 and 2-7 are listed; the memoir and study list no age.
• Check the format: board book, hardcover and paperback are listed.
• Confirm the faith angle: two titles are explicitly Christian.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which book is a true story?

The 13th Gift is a true story of a Christmas miracle; Saint Nicholas is the real story of the Christmas legend.

Which book is for babies?

Our Little Adventure at Christmas is a board book for Baby-3.

Which books are the longest?

The 13th Gift and The Women of Christmas each list 224 pages.

Still deciding? Our top pickOur Little Adventure Christmas

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Related lists

See every nonfiction list.

More lists: browse non-fiction books for holiday and nonfiction books.