Stick Man
Julia Donaldson
Ages 3–6
Stick Man
Julia Donaldson · Axel Scheffler
Stick Man is repeatedly mistaken for an ordinary stick and carried farther from his family tree.
Picture Book2008
← The Children's Library / Guides / Best Christmas Books for Children
Best Christmas Books for Children
Festive British stories for December reading together — wordless wonders, funny Father Christmases, and longer reads for the school holidays.
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13 hand-picked books
How to use this shelf
For read-aloud nights, start with the picture books and let a favourite become a family tradition. Confident readers after a longer Christmas story can move to the chapter books below; use the age ranges to judge the fit.
Quick comparison
6 varied places to start. Compare the age, format, and themes, then read the notes or check current UK editions.
Stick Man
Mog's Christmas
One Snowy Night
The Snowman
A Boy Called Christmas
The Jolly Christmas Postman
Mog's Christmas
Judith Kerr
Ages 3–6
Mog's Christmas
Judith Kerr
Choose Mog's Christmas by Judith Kerr for children aged 3 to 6. This picture book is shelved with books about family, humour and wonder.
Picture Book1976
One Snowy Night
Nick Butterworth
Ages 3–6
One Snowy Night
Nick Butterworth
One Snowy Night by Nick Butterworth is a picture book for children aged 3 to 6. A useful choice for reading about kindness, family and nature.
Picture Book1989
The Snowman
Raymond Briggs
Ages 3–7
The Snowman
Raymond Briggs
On the shelf for children aged 3 to 7: The Snowman, a picture book by Raymond Briggs. It connects with wonder, friendship and imagination.
Picture Book1978
A Boy Called Christmas
Matt Haig
Ages 6–10
A Boy Called Christmas
Matt Haig · Chris Mould
A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig is a chapter book for children aged 6 to 10. It is illustrated by Chris Mould. A useful choice for reading about wonder, humour and adventure.
Chapter Book2015
The Jolly Christmas Postman
Allan Ahlberg
Ages 3–7
The Jolly Christmas Postman
Allan Ahlberg · Janet Ahlberg
The Jolly Christmas Postman, a picture book by Allan Ahlberg, is selected for children aged 3 to 7. It is illustrated by Janet Ahlberg. Compare it with other books exploring humour, imagination and heritage.
Picture Book1991
Lucy and Tom's Christmas
Shirley Hughes
Ages 2–6
Lucy and Tom's Christmas
Shirley Hughes
Lucy and Tom's Christmas, a picture book by Shirley Hughes, is selected for children aged 2 to 6. Compare it with other books exploring family, wonder and heritage.
Picture Book1981
The Christmasaurus
Tom Fletcher
Ages 7–10
The Christmasaurus
Tom Fletcher · Shane Devries
First published in 2016, The Christmasaurus is a chapter book by Tom Fletcher for children aged 7 to 10. It is illustrated by Shane Devries. Its themes include humour, wonder and family.
Chapter Book2016
The Night I Met Father Christmas
Ben Miller
Ages 7–10
The Night I Met Father Christmas
Ben Miller · Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini
First published in 2018, The Night I Met Father Christmas is a chapter book by Ben Miller for children aged 7 to 10. It is illustrated by Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini. Its themes include humour, wonder and family.
Chapter Book2018
Refuge
Anne Booth
Ages 4–8
Refuge
Anne Booth · Sam Usher
Refuge, a picture book by Anne Booth, is selected for children aged 4 to 8. It is illustrated by Sam Usher. Compare it with other books exploring kindness, family and heritage.
Picture Book2015
Winnie and Wilbur Meet Santa
Valerie Thomas
Ages 3–7
Winnie and Wilbur Meet Santa
Valerie Thomas · Korky Paul
First published in 2016, Winnie and Wilbur Meet Santa is a picture book by Valerie Thomas for children aged 3 to 7. It is illustrated by Korky Paul. Its themes include humour, wonder and imagination.
Picture Book2016
Last Stop on the Reindeer Express
Maudie Powell-Tuck
Ages 3–6
Last Stop on the Reindeer Express
Maudie Powell-Tuck · Karl James Mountford
Last Stop on the Reindeer Express, a picture book by Maudie Powell-Tuck, is selected for children aged 3 to 6. It is illustrated by Karl James Mountford. Compare it with other books exploring wonder, family and adventure.
Picture Book2017
Father Christmas
Raymond Briggs
Ages 4–8
Father Christmas
Raymond Briggs
On the shelf for children aged 4 to 8: Father Christmas, a picture book by Raymond Briggs. It connects with humour, heritage and wonder.
Picture Book1973