New Christmas Books for Kids this Holiday Season
Christmas Books by Age Group — New Releases From 2024-2025
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The Christmas season is one of the most meaningful times of year to share stories with children. While classic Christmas books will always have a place in our homes and classrooms, newly published holiday titles offer fresh perspectives, modern illustrations, and inclusive storytelling that reflect today’s families and traditions. Christmas books released in 2024 and 2025 introduce young readers to the magic of Christmas through new characters, creative adventures, and heartfelt messages about kindness, generosity, and the spirit of giving.
Whether you are a teacher building a festive classroom library, a parent searching for the perfect Christmas gift, or an organizer planning a holiday book exchange, new Christmas books provide a great way to refresh traditions while still honoring the joy of the season. From cozy board books for little kids to engaging picture books and middle-grade holiday adventures, these recent releases are designed to capture attention, spark conversation, and create meaningful moments during the busy holiday season for the whole family.
How to Use New Christmas Books this Season
In Classrooms and School Libraries
New Christmas books are excellent tools for creating excitement and engagement in the classroom during December. Teachers can incorporate them into:
Holiday read-alouds that support listening comprehension and discussion for children of all ages
Advent or countdown reading calendars, pairing one book or chapter with each day of December for a special gift
Seasonal literacy centers, especially for picture books and early readers
SEL lessons, using holiday stories to explore themes such as generosity, empathy, teamwork, and gratitude
Because these titles are recent releases, many students will be encountering the stories for the first time, making them especially effective for shared reading and discussion. New books also help ensure classroom libraries remain current and representative of evolving storytelling styles. We all love classics like Grinch Stole Christmas and Polar Express, but this Christmas book gift guide will introduce great new books to your colleciton.
New Christmas Titles As Christmas Gifts
Books make timeless Christmas gifts, and newly published holiday titles feel extra special under the tree. A brand-new Christmas book can become a child’s “this year” story—one that is read on Christmas Eve, Christmas morning, or throughout winter break and remembered for years to come.
New releases are also easy to personalize:
Board books are perfect for babies and toddlers celebrating their first Christmas
Picture books work beautifully as gifts from grandparents, teachers, or family friends
Chapter books and middle-grade titles are ideal for kids ready to read independently during school break
Pairing a book with pajamas, a stuffed animal, or a handwritten note turns a simple gift into a meaningful holiday keepsake.
New Christmas Books for Christmas Book Exchanges
Holiday book exchanges are increasingly popular in classrooms, libraries, and community groups, and new Christmas books are ideal for this format. Choosing recently published titles ensures:
Children are less likely to receive duplicate books
The exchange feels thoughtful and current
A wide range of reading levels can be accommodated
New Christmas books also work well for:
Classroom Secret Santa exchanges
Family or sibling book swaps
Community or church holiday events
Teacher gift exchanges, especially picture books suitable for shared reading
Including a bookplate or small note inside the cover can turn a book exchange into a lasting memory.
List of the Best Christmas Books by Age
Ages 0–3 | Board Books & First Christmas Reads
Love Is a Tree (I Love Holidays) — Boxer Books (2025)
This sturdy board book celebrates the simple joys of Christmas, from decorating the tree to sharing special moments together. Bright colors, thick pages, and a gentle message make it ideal for toddlers experiencing the magic of Christmas for the very first time. It’s a sweet introduction to holiday traditions in a format built for little hands.
A Dance with Santa Claus — Sandra Boynton (2025)
Sandra Boynton’s signature rhythm and playful humor shine in this festive board book starring Santa Claus himself. With bouncy text and cheerful illustrations, it’s perfect for lap reading and interactive storytime. This new Christmas book easily becomes part of early holiday routines and repeated bedtime reads.
That’s Not My Christmas Tree… — Fiona Watt (2024)
This interactive board book invites babies and toddlers to explore Christmas through textures, shiny ornaments, and tactile details. Each page encourages sensory engagement while introducing festive sights and sounds. It’s especially appealing for curious little readers who love hands-on books.
Ages 3–7 | Christmas Picture Books & Read-Alouds
Steam Train, Dream Train: Next Stop, Christmas! — Sherri Duskey Rinker (2025)
This festive addition to the beloved series features cheerful trains working together to deliver Christmas magic. Rhythmic text and bright illustrations make it ideal for read-alouds and repeated readings. Kids who love vehicles and holiday excitement will be instantly drawn in.
The Muttcracker — Anna Kemp (2025)
Inspired by The Nutcracker, this humorous holiday story stars a lovable dog with big performance dreams. The playful storytelling and expressive illustrations make it both funny and heartwarming. It’s a great choice for families looking for a lighthearted Christmas read with classic inspiration this festive season.
Holly Jolly Kitty-Corn — Shannon Hale (2025)
Kitty-Corn returns in this sparkly Christmas adventure filled with kindness, friendship, and holiday cheer. The whimsical illustrations and positive message make it especially appealing to young readers who love magic and imagination. This book is well suited for festive storytimes and gift-giving. Where was this book when I was a little girl? I would have been obsessed with this fun book.
The Christmas Contest: An Advent Novel — Maxime Gillio (2025)
Set at the North Pole, this Christmas story is designed to be read over the days of December, with each chapter building anticipation toward Christmas Day. It encourages daily reading and creates a meaningful holiday tradition for families. The story blends festive competition with teamwork and holiday spirit.
The Christmas Sweater — Jan Brett (2025)
Jan Brett’s detailed illustrations bring warmth and charm to this holiday tale about a boy, his dog, and a very special sweater. The story captures the cozy feeling of Christmas morning and the joy of unexpected moments. It’s a visually rich picture book that feels timeless yet fresh.
Bear’s Lost Christmas — Karma Wilson (2024)
This gentle holiday story follows Bear and his friends as they work together to restore Christmas cheer. With themes of friendship, generosity, and helping others, it’s ideal for younger children. The rhythmic storytelling makes it a strong choice for classroom and bedtime reading.
How to Catch Santa Claus — Adam Wallace (2024)
This interactive Christmas picture book invites kids to imagine silly and creative ways to catch Santa on Christmas Eve. The playful tone and engaging illustrations encourage participation and laughter. It’s a fun, high-energy read that pairs well with holiday excitement.
Ages 6–9 | Early Readers & Graphic Novels
Peanut, Butter and Crackers: Christmas Surprise — Paige Braddock (2025)
This festive graphic novel installment follows the beloved characters as they navigate holiday surprises together. The accessible format supports independent reading while still feeling celebratory and fun. It’s especially good for kids transitioning from picture books to longer stories.
The 13th Day of Christmas — Adam Rex (2025)
A clever twist on the traditional “12 Days of Christmas,” this book adds humor and unexpected chaos to a familiar rhyme. The playful storytelling keeps kids engaged while offering something new and surprising. It works well for both read-alouds and solo reading.
Ages 8–12 | Middle Grade Christmas & Holiday Adventures
The Rise of Nicholas the Noble — Chanda A. Bell (2025)
This middle-grade fantasy reimagines the origin story of St. Nicholas through adventure, courage, and kindness. The story blends Christmas lore with action and heart, making it appealing to older readers. It’s a thoughtful holiday read that goes beyond traditional picture books.
Letters from the North Pole — Annie Barrows (2024)
Told through letters exchanged during the Christmas season, this cozy novel captures anticipation, connection, and holiday warmth. The epistolary format keeps readers engaged while offering a slower, reflective holiday experience. It’s ideal for winter break reading.
All titles above are new Christmas books published in 2024-2025 or tied specifically to the holiday season to get you in the Christmas spirit.
New Christmas books from 2024 and 2025 offer families, educators, and gift-givers a wonderful opportunity to build fresh traditions while celebrating the timeless themes of the holiday season. Whether shared during a classroom read-aloud, wrapped as a Christmas gift, or exchanged among friends, these books invite children to slow down, connect, and experience the joy of Christmas through storytelling.
By adding new titles to your holiday rotation, you create space for stories that feel both familiar and exciting—stories that reflect today’s readers while capturing the same warmth and magic that make Christmas reading so special. No matter how you use them, these new Christmas books are sure to become part of the season’s most cherished moments. Merry Christmas!
