The Best Christmas Picture Books of 2021
There are a few lists we do every year on Dad Suggests, and I always very much look forward to the yearly lists like this one. I actually think I look most forward to the holiday lists. The Dad Suggests Picture Book Awards in January is a fun celebration of the best of the best picture books - but I’m a sucker for Christmas.
Discover the best Christmas picture books released in 2021. Browse this list of our family’s favorite new Christmas picture books, and find out why we love them so much. #kidsbooks #picturebooks #christmasbooks #christmaspicturebooks #familychristmas #bestchristmasbooks #dadsuggests
There were a lot of great new Christmas picture books released in 2021, and that makes our job of ranking them even more fun. The research is the best part. But, I have to admit, choosing the winner this year wasn’t particularly difficult. And if you’re familiar with the special book we have at number one, or perhaps its predecessor from 2 years ago, I think you’ll know what I mean when you get to the end of our list.
As far as all the other books go, always keep in mind that this is a subjective family list. That means it’s based almost entirely (okay, completely entirely) on our whims. Of course that’s not to say that we aren’t strong in our convictions. On the contrary, I stand by my selections and I think you’ll be quite pleased with the festive books on display here.
As you’ll see, the trend of making Advent calendar books continues this year, and there are no less than 3 brand new Advent calendar books to discover on this list. We recently wrote about our favorite Advent calendars for kids, including several books like these, but I have to say we’re going to be in trouble if this trend continues. We have a lot of different books asking us to read 1 chapter a day at this point!
But if there’s an ideal time of year for increasing the family read aloud time, this has to be it. It’s a great opportunity to turn on a fire (or perhaps a digital yule log on the TV), snuggle up on the couch, and countdown to Christmas together with stories. Anticipation is a big part of the Christmas fun obviously, especially when you’re a kid, so I’m a big proponent of this trend.
I hope this list helps you discover some new holiday favorites, and perhaps helps you build your own little family countdown. Whether you’re looking to stick a few new books under the tree, searching for a new Advent calendar, or maybe even building your own Advent calendar with 25 Christmas books to wrap up - I’m certain that this list (and all of our previous years’ lists) is a great place to start the holiday hunt.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. These links will lead you to view the books' listings on Amazon or Bookshop.org.
15. A Simple Christmas on the Farm
Written by Phyllis Alsdurf and Illustrated by Lisa Hunt
A beautifully-illustrated picture book that’s about exactly what you’d think it is based on that title. Spoiler alert: this family decides to have a simple Christmas on the farm. It’s about getting away from the commercialization of Christmas, and really focusing on family and friends. That’s a theme you hear a lot of course, but it’s really pulled off quite well here.
I particularly like how excited the little girl in this book gets about the whole idea, and how she takes it upon herself to invite friends and family to their get-together in the barn. I also have to say that I always appreciate it when books include family activities or recipes like this one does in the back (specifically it’s advice on making your own Christmas gifts!) and it’s a very nice touch in this Christmas book considering the themes of simplicity and togetherness.
14. 12 Days of Christmas (LEGO)
From Random House and The LEGO Group
What can I say, it’s LEGO! We’re big LEGO fans in our house now - both the hilarious movies and the playsets. And this book kind of appeals to our love of both, because a lot of the focus of the illustrations is on expressive LEGO characters that remind us of the films.
The structure of the book is a rewriting of the song The 12 Days of Christmas, so the book is actually kind of one long parody piece with rewritten lyrics for the LEGO world. The only downside is that the repetitive structure of that song is impossible to avoid, but that’s no issue if you’re willing to get silly and just sing the whole thing like it’s a Christmas carol. And I bet the kids would really appreciate it if you did!
13. The Cat on the Dovrefell
Written and Illustrated by Tomie DePaola
This is actually a re-release of a 1979 book by the late, great, legendary, incomparable Tomie DePaola - but it also features “refreshed” illustrations and a brand-new text from DePaola as well. Honestly I can’t say how much the text has changed, because I never read this one as a kid. And as much as I like this book, I resisted ranking it higher on this list of new books since it’s a bit of a grey area being refreshed and republished like this.
But all that aside, Tomie DePaola is a master, and it’s absolutely delightful for me to discover this Christmas story I didn’t know about before. It also has a tiny bit of spookiness to it, which you know I always truly appreciate. It features a family that always has to run for their lives on Christmas eve because a group of trolls takes over their house. That’s the kind of stuff I think is very memorable for kids, and I love DePaola’s troll illustrations. So whether you’re discovering this one for the first time like me, or whether you remember it from your childhood, it’s well worth adding to the Christmas collection.
12. Peanuts Countdown to Christmas
Written by Charles M. Schulz and Illustrated by Robert Pope
The first Advent calendar on our list, and of course it’s a good one. It is Peanuts after all, and it’s hard to mess that up. I have to admit, I associate Peanuts very strongly with holidays like many other people out there - and it’s hard for me to resist any new books that tie Peanuts together with Halloween or Christmas.
You might be tempted to think it’s easy to go for a cash grab with a property like this, and I wouldn’t fault anyone for thinking that or wondering if a book like this is quality enough to add yet another holiday Peanuts book to the library. And I’m here to assure those people that this collection of stories is well done. The stories for each day are generally about 2 pages long, and they’re really great content. It’s all I could have hoped for when I first saw the cover and knew I had to have it.
11. Merry Witchmas
Written by Petrell Ozbay & Tess LaBella and Illustrated by Sonya Abby
How could I possibly ignore a book combining the best 2 holidays - Halloween and Christmas. The answer is I couldn’t. Merry Witchmas is about a witch that writes to Santa Claus, and the general premise is that Santa is the one who finds it hard to believe in witches. Of course that’s a funny little play on the fact that some people don’t believe in Santa, and it’s fun seeing her convince him that she does exist.
It kind of reminds of the beloved The Nightmare Before Christmas, with a Halloween character obsessed with Christmas, and that’s of course a very good story to be reminded of. And the art is colorful and detailed and truly brings out the character of this book in a great way. And, much like The Nightmare Before Christmas, this is the perfect book picture book to start reading around Halloween and bridge the gap through November all the way to Christmas.
10. The Christmas Chronicles
Written by John Townsend and Illustrated by James Newman Gray
This is one of the 3 new Advent calendar books this year, and it’s a very handsome one as you can see. The window flaps on the cover open up to reveal the page number you need to turn too that day. It’s a nice touch combining a traditional calendar with the book, and it’s fun little hunt to start things off. And this book is really honestly quite funny.
Actually, I’d say the best thing about this particular book is the humor inside the daily stories. They’re describing the daily life of Santa Claus and his wife as they’re preparing for Christmas, and the stories really humanize him a lot. They often flesh out previously unknown details about Santa and life at the north pole - and actually many sentences begin with the words, “Most people don’t know this, but…” And, in what’s a relatively rare occurrence, it has both of our kids laughing out loud on many occasions.
9. Grumpy Monkey: Oh, No! Christmas
Written by Suzanne Lang and Illustrated by Max Lang
I have to admit, the very popular Grumpy Monkey picture books are not books our family has discovered before - although I’m well aware how beloved they are. And now, finally, I understand why. This is really and truly a very impressive mashup of high-quality art (like watching a classic Disney movie) and wonderful writing. It’s a great story and legitimately laugh-out-loud funny.
As you can imagine, Jim Panzee, the titular grumpy monkey, needs convincing that Christmas isn’t as bad as he thinks. In the beginning he’s quite convinced that everything stinks, and of course that grumpiness is where a lot of the humor comes from. By the end of the story, Jim learns to look around and appreciate the little things in life. It’s a great message and a highly enjoyable book all the way around.
8. The Magical Christmas Store
Written by Maudie Powell-Tuck and Illustrated by Hoang Giang
This is an example of successfully judging a book by its cover - because I’m sure you can agree that this one has a spectacularly beautiful cover. And, luckily, this one turns out to live up to the expectations that magical cover builds up. The artwork of Hoang Giang is something special, and the original story provides that little bit of Christmas magic that makes the season so memorable and meaningful.
I appreciate that this new story does a great job of world building. In a way, its original setting adds to Christmas canon in much the same way that The Polar Express did. And I’m a sucker for new imaginative stories being built up around Christmas. In fact, it sort of celebrates the power of the imagination too, which is delightful.
Benji can’t afford any presents for his family, but that was before he discovered the Magical Christmas Store - which he tours with a polar bear. It’s incredibly sweet listening to Benji talk about what he wants to be able to give his family, and, at the same time, it’s wonderful to meet all of the characters in this book - especially considering how they’re brought to life with the artwork. And I think the ending, kind of like The Polar Express, is just the perfect amount of ambiguous.
7. The Snowflake
Written and Illustrated by Benji Davies
The Snowflake follows a single snowflake as it falls from the sky - like it’s having its own little adventure. At the same time, the story also follows a little girl named Noelle, who we learn can’t afford a Christmas tree and also wishes that it will snow on Christmas.
To me this is a story about childhood wonder and magic - and how something as simple as snow can often mean so much to a child. And as we watch the little snowflake make its journey from the sky, Noelle also finds a tiny piece of a tree that her family helps her decorate with great love. So we’re certainly touching softly upon common Christmas themes like family and appreciating what you have.
But the snowflake is also a character, and arguably the main character, so his themes and his adventure are just as meaningful. He’s also searching for meaning in his life, and looking for the place that he belongs, and his journey is a beautiful one. Davies’ art is obviously a huge highlight here. He has a distinct style that’s always a joy - and his Christmas and winter illustrations here are very special.
6. A Christmas Too Big
Written and Illustrated by Colleen Madden
A young girl is a bit overwhelmed by all the Christmasy stuff going on in her exuberant household. If you’ve ever complained about Christmas songs starting on the radio too early, you’ll probably find it very easy to relate with her. And when she leaves the house to catch a little break from it all, she actually starts a new friendship with a lonely old woman in her neighborhood.
The rest of the woman’s family is in Mexico, and the little girl even helps her figure out how to use her new iPad to video chat with them. The little girl also learns some new calmer and quieter Christmas traditions - like making paper flowers - that she enjoys very much and brings back to her family to share.
Both the scenes of over-the-top Christmas celebrations as well as the thoughtful empathy and kindness on display with her new friend are well done and memorable. It’s a sweet little story and a nice exploration of the importance of family and kindness and traditions.
5. Santa in the City
Written by Tiffany D. Jackson and Illustrated by Reggie Brown
Deja has a lot of questions about Santa Claus, and some of her friends don’t believe anymore. Most of all, Deja wants to know how Santa does all the same things for her that he does in all the famous stories - like landing on the roof and coming down the chimney - when she lives in a big apartment building in the city. And how does he find her even when they’re in Jamaica visiting family?
Questions like that remind me of the wonderful Christmas movie The Santa Clause, which does a great job explaining many of the same things for kids who have questions. In this book, Deja’s mother answers a lot of her questions wonderfully, but so do many other people, like her aunts and uncles, and even the guy who runs the local bodega. It’s a wonderfully sweet example of a community all helping to keep the magic alive.
And the art is really wonderful - looking ready-made for turning the story into a Christmas special on TV. I could see the whole thing being transferred into a Disney short film in exactly the same style. And without a doubt this book serves an important purpose. Lots of kids have these same questions, and deserve to experience the magic and belief like everyone else, and for as long as possible.
4. Merry Christmas, Anne
Written by Kallie George and Illustrated by Geneviéve Godbout
Christmas in Avonlea is obviously something that absolutely every fan of Anne of Green Gables will fall in love with. It tells a Christmas story about Anne - about to experience her first Green Gables Christmas - who is all set to recite poetry at the local Christmas concert. In true Anne fashion, she talks a lot about the thrill of it all, and how thankful she is for her kindred spirits. And she’s very excited about her first dress with real puffed sleeves!
And it’s all absolutely gorgeous. The art style being used here is soft and gentle and endearing - capturing the spirit of the story and the source material perfectly. There really are some truly wonderful and Christmasy spreads in this book - exquisite and elegant, as Anne would say. By the end, she knows that she will remember this Christmas whenever she is near despair. That’s a beautiful thought, and a special reminder of the power the season can have.
3. My Christmas Wish For You
Written by Lisa Swerling and Illustrated by Ralph Lazar
My Christmas Wish for You is a beautiful poem about Christmas and wishes and believing and so much more. It’s a precious book that is on the smaller side, making it perfect for slipping into a stocking. It touches upon many of the classic things we all wish for for Christmas, and many of the small childhood memories we all have that stick with us - like sledding, hot chocolate, snow angels and neighborhood decorations.
But, most importantly, it speaks to that feeling all parents know well - how much we want to be able to give all of this to our children. And it’s not just talking about Christmas anymore. It’s about making dreams come true and keeping childhood wonder alive and helping our kids discover magic in the world - all the things that speak to me as a dad and remind me of my important fatherly duties.
It’s illustrated in a very original and endearing style - almost like sketches or doodles, but still very colorful and detailed. And it’s truly the perfect pairing, because it gives the final product the perfect amount of quirkiness and innocence. I truly think it will make for a special gift for many this Christmas, and that it will also end up as a traditional read aloud for lots of families out there.
2. Robin Robin
Written by Dan Ojari and Mikey Please and Illustrated by Briony May Smith
You’ve undoubtedly heard about the spectacular Robin Robin Christmas special on Netflix by now right? Well they also released a very special book at the same time, and it’s illustrated by the wonderful Briony May Smith. Both products are spectacular and a very welcome addition to the world’s catalog of Christmas classics.
Robin Robin tumbled out of her nest while she was still in her egg, and she hatched in the company of mice, who raised her as their own. After that, we have a story of hungry mice (and a bird raised as a mouse) who want to break into a home for crumbs of Christmas food left behind. Robin Robin also meets a magpie, who has a very loose understanding of the way humans wish on their Christmas tree star to get the things they want.
That’s when Robin Robin changes her mission to steal the star on the top of the Christmas tree - hoping to get all the crumbs they could ever need and maybe even turn into a real mouse. It’s a very sweet adventure story about family and belonging - and undeniably gorgeous both on TV and in print.
1. How Winston Came Home for Christmas
Written and Illustrated by Alex T. Smith
This book’s predecessor, How Winston Delivered Christmas, made our list back in 2019, and this time Alex T. Smith’s newest Advent book - broken into 24 and a half chapters - finishes right at the top of our list. Winston the little mouse has endeared himself to us over the years, and has officially staked his claim as a family Christmas tradition. This book is simply beautiful from top to bottom. Everything from the story to the illustrations to the printing to the dust jacket to the little bookmark ribbon - it all comes together into a very special package.
I also very much appreciate the recommendations for Christmas activities that appear after every chapter. It’s actually a popular trend in many Advent books these days, but it’s very welcome every time. Examples here include a recipe for lebkuchen, making popcorn decorations on a string, and many different ideas for ornaments to craft.
I heard that some people decided to read the first book in November this year, to prepare for using this sequel as their Advent calendar in December, and I’m definitely going to steal that idea next year. Of course, if you haven’t read it yet, How Winston Delivered Christmas is the one you’re going to want to start with. But for all the families out there that fell in love with Winston the last 2 years, this sequel and its nightly return to his world has been very special.
And if you still want more ideas, don’t forget to check out our other Christmas picture book lists:
The Best Christmas Picture Books of All Time
The Best Christmas Picture Books of 2019
The Best Christmas Picture Books of 2020
