Looking for the best Christmas books to read on Christmas Eve this year? Here are 4 classic Christmas stories for children of all ages. These timeless tales take little ones on festive adventures and build all the anticipation of Santa Claus’ arrival.
The night before Christmas is full of magic and wonder, and a bedtime story is one of the best ways to help your kids settle down and (hopefully) drift off to sleep. Here are some classics the whole family will enjoy.
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4 Classic Christmas Stories for Children
#1. Little Owl and the Star
Image: Mary Murphy
Mary Murphy’s “Little Owl and the Star” is a simple and touching story of the birth of Jesus. Told in the first person with sparse, gentle words, it’s perfect for children aged 2 and up. Younger children will love the little owl’s kind, curious approach to the baby Jesus, and the bold, lined illustrations with splashes of colour and a gold star on the cover keep the pages inviting to look at again and again.
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#2. ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
Christmas isn’t complete without “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” being read again and again in the run-up to the big day. It sparks both excitement and imagination, with children picturing Rudolph’s hooves on the roof, listening for the tinkle of bells, and waiting for the “Ho! Ho! Ho!” of that very special visitor in red.
The original poem first appeared in a New York newspaper in 1823, and it was the first time many American children had heard of Santa Claus. Children wondered what might happen if they hung their stockings by the chimney, just as the children in the poem did — and the idea caught on quickly, spreading the poem, and the story of Santa, around the world. Santa Claus has been a busy man ever since.
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#3. Mr Men and Little Miss Christmas Series
We love the Mr Men and Little Miss series so much that there are three books to choose from here, and each one makes a fantastic Christmas story for children.
The first, “Mr Men Night Before Christmas”, takes place on the night before Christmas, when all through the Mr Men house not a creature is stirring… but in the sky overhead, some very special visitors are on their way.
Let Mr Men help with the letter to Santa in “Mr Men Christmas Letter Activity Book”. Children can write down what they’d like on special letter-writing paper, and send thank-you notes to family and friends too, with an ink pad, stamp and stickers included for extra seasonal sparkle.
“Little Miss Christmas” works hard all year round wrapping presents for Santa. One year she decides it’s time for a holiday — but will everything be alright while she’s away?
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#4. The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey
Image: Rarest Kind of Best
“The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey” is an award-winning book with beautiful illustrations by P.J. Lynch. It tells the story of an angry, bitter widower whose life is changed by a young boy who is also grieving a loss.
A sad but ultimately moving story with a happy ending, it’s been widely praised — the Daily Telegraph called it “a deeply moving story… the masterly paintings have an extraordinary intensity and depth,” while Junior Education described it as “a breathtakingly beautiful book, sure to become a classic.”
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Are any of these classic Christmas stories for children a favourite in your house? Leave a comment below and let us know — we’d love to hear from you!
Looking for more festive reading?
If your family has enjoyed these stories, why not browse our other Christmas book roundups for more ideas to add to the bedtime pile? Bookmark this page so you can come back to it every December.
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