Explore the magic and traditions of December with this diverse collection of December books for children and families. This holiday-themed list covers celebrations from around the world, helping readers learn about and appreciate cultural customs.
Which book will your read first?
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December Books for Kids
Many years ago we shared this popular book list that shared our top picks of 100 Christmas Books Every Child Should Read Before Age 10. Good News! We are sharing a new book list that Celebrates Holidays Around the World in December.
In this book list, you will discover the joy of Christmas stories, the excitement of Gingerbread Man adventures, and the enchantment of Nutcracker tales. Take a journey through Las Posadas, the heartwarming Nativity, and the festivities of Three Kings Day and St. Nicholas Day. Delve into Hanukkah’s lights, the Kwanzaa’s heritage, and the beauty of St. Lucia’s Day.
This book list was created to go along with our hand-picked crafts for Holidays Around the World.
Before you get started…Take a moment to download our Free December Activity Calendar to plan out your holiday season.
Christmas Books
- Dasher: How a Brave Little Doe Changed Christmas Forever by Matt Tavares
- Little Red Sleigh by Erin Guendelsberger
- Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree by Robert Barry
- Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson
- The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
- The Night Before Christmas by Clement Moore
- ‘Twas Nochebuena by Roseanne Greenfield Thong
- The Legend of St. Nicholas: A Story of Christmas Giving by Dandi Daley Mackall
- A World of Cookies for Santa: Follow Santa’s Tasty Trip Around the World by M.E. Furman
- Joy to the World!: Christmas Around the Globe by Kate DePalma
- Sounding Joy by Ellie Holcomb
- Little Blue Truck’s Christmas by Alice Schertle
- Fletcher and the Snowflake Christmas by Julia Rawlinson
- 12 Days of Christmas by Lara Hawthorne
Want more holiday fun? Explore our list of 100+ Christmas Books for Kids!
Gingerbread Man Books
- Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett
- The Gingerbread Man by Gail Yerrill
- How to Catch a Gingerbread Man by Adam Wallace
Explore our complete list of the best Gingerbread Man Books for Kids!
Las Posadas Books
- The Night of Las Posadas by Tomie dePaola
- Celebrate Las Posadas by Marisa Boan
- Las Posadas: Numbers by Lil’ Libros
Learn more about how Las Posadas is celebrated with these Las Posadas Activities.
Nativity Books
- Christmas in the Manger by Nola Buck
- The Christmas Promise by Alison Mitchell
- The Christmas Blessing by Erin Guendelsberger
- Advent Storybook: 24 Stories to Share Before Christmas by Antonie Schneider
- Silent Night (The Christmas Choir) by Lara Hawthorne
- Jesus Calling: The Story of Christmas by Sarah Young
- The Animals’ Christmas Eve by Gale Wiersum
- The Last Straw by Fredrick Thury
Three Kings Day Books
- The Story of the Three Wise Kings by Tomie dePaola
- If the Three Kings Didn’t Have Their Camels by Gilberto Mariscal
- Hooray, It’s Three Kings Day!: A Picture Book for Epiphany by Annette M. Clayton
- La Noche Before Three Kings Day by Sheila Colón-Bagley
- Three Kings Day – Día de Reyes Mago by Marisa Boan
- The Three Wise Men: A Christmas Story by Loek Koopmans
- From Boriquén to Bethlehem: A Coquí and the Three Wise Men by Lara Mercado & Armando Valdes
Extend the book fun with these Three Kings Day Activities.
Nutcracker Books
- The Nutcracker by New York City Ballet
- The Nutcracker by Parragon Books
- Jan Brett’s The Nutcracker by Jan Brett
- The Story Orchestra: The Nutcracker by Katy Flint
For a book extension, try these DIY Nutcracker Ideas for Kids this Christmas.
St. Nicholas Day Books
- The Legend of St. Nicholas: A Story of Christmas Giving by Dandi Daley Mackall
- Saint Nicholas the Giftgiver by Ned Bustard
- The Story of Saint Nicholas by Laura Wagner
- The Miracle of Saint Nicholas by Gloria Whelan
- The Legend of Saint Nicholas by Anselm Grun
- Saint Nicholas and the Nine Gold Coins by Jim Forest
- The Legend of Saint Nicholas by Demi
Celebrate St. Nicholas Day with some fun and interesting St. Nicholas Day Activities for Kids.
Hanukkah Books
- Hanukkah Bear by Eric A. Kimmel
- Little Red Ruthie: A Hanukkah Tale by Gloria Koster
- The Story of Hanukkah by David A. Adler
- The Night Before Hanukkah by Natasha Wing
- The Ninth Night of Hanukkah by Erica S. Perl
- Red and Green and Blue and White by Lee Wind
- Shmelf the Hanukkah Elf by Greg Wolfe
- Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama by Selina Alko
- How Do Dinosaurs Say Happy Chanukah? by Jane Yolen
- I Know An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Dreidel by Caryn Yacowitz
- Hanukkah Pajamakkahs by Dara Henry
- Latke, the Lucky Dog by Ellen Fischer
- Meet the Latkes by Alan Silberberg
Learn more about this festival of lights with these Hanukkah Activities.
Kwanzaa Books
- The People Remember: A Kwanzaa Holiday Book for Kids by Ibi Zoboi
- Together for Kwanzaa by Juwanda G. Ford
- The Night Before Kwanzaa by Natasha Wing
- Li’l Rabbit’s Kwanzaa by Donna L. Washington
- K Is For Kwanzaa by Juwanda G. Ford
- Seven Spools of Thread: A Kwanzaa Story by Angela Shelf Medearis
- My First Kwanzaa by Karen Katz
- My Family Celebrates Kwanzaa by Lisa Bullard
- Seven Candles for Kwanzaa by Andrea Davis Pinkney
Discover the seven values of this holiday with these Kwanzaa Activities for Kids.
St. Lucia’s Day Books
- Lucia Morning in Sweden by Ewa Rydaker
- Lucia, Saint of Light by Katherine Bolger Hyde
- Who Are You Santa Lucia? by Glenda Cedarleaf
- Santa’s Christmas Tomtens jul by by Linda Liebrand
- Tomten Saves Christmas by Linda Liebrand
Explore these activity ideas for St. Lucia’s Day with your child.
Winter Solstice
- Bright Winter Night by Alli Brydon
- Winter: A Solstice Story by Kelsey E. Gross
- The Shortest Day by Susan Cooper
- The Shortest Day: Celebrating the Winter Solstice by Wendy Pfeffer
- Luke & the Longest Night by Kathleen Converse
- Sun Bread by Elisa Kleven
- A Solstice Tree for Jenny by Karen Shragg
Have some fun welcoming Winter with these Winter Activities for your child.
Winter Books
- The First Day of Winter by Denise Fleming
- Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner
- Twinkle, Twinkle, Winter Night by Megan Litwin
- Winter Tales: Stories and Folktales from Around the World by Dawn Casey
Go on a virtual adventure with our Winter Virtual Field Trip for Kids!
New Year’s Eve Books
- The Night Before New Year’s by Natasha Wing
- Squirrel’s New Year’s Resolution by Pat Miller
- Freedom Soup by Tami Charles
- Felíz New Year, Ava Gabriela! by Alexandra Alessandri
- Snow Horses: A First Night Story by Patricia MacLachlan
- Shante Keys and the New Year’s Peas by Gail Piernas-Davenport
- The Lucky Grapes: A New Year’s Eve Story by Tracey Kyle
Kick off the New Year with our New Year’s Eve Interview.
Books for Holidays Around the World with Kids
No matter which holidays you celebrate, these books are sure to fill your December with wonder, warmth, and a deeper understanding of traditions from around the world. Happy reading!
- Holidays Around the World Activities for Kids
- 12 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar with Books and Crafts
- 24 Random Acts of Christmas Kindness
- The Best Christmas Movies for Kids
You may also enjoy these activities with your child…
