The Best Christmas Picture Books of 2024
Happy Holidays to all of you! Welcome to our annual rundown of the best Christmas picture books of the year - a tradition going 6 years strong. It’s one of the big 3 lists each year - best Halloween, best Christmas, and best of the year. And, I don’t want to speak for you or anything, but arguably I think this one is many people’s favorite list.
For the Christmas list, as always, there are a few key things to keep in mind. First of all, I play pretty fast and loose with the word Christmas. Some might even call it a winter list, because if you’re drinking hot cocoa and playing in the snow and building a snowman, I’m calling it a Christmas book. It’s a state of mind.
With that said, there are still bonus points for being very clearly a holiday book and capturing the magic of the season. If there are two books I like the same exact amount and one has Santa - then that might be as good a tiebreaker as any. I’m also pretty partial to original stories. I’m not against well known characters being milked for more stories - but originality is often my preference.
But ultimately we’re just looking for our favorite books of the holiday season. And in case you didn’t notice, we always choose the number 12 for the 12 days of Christmas. Much of the same criteria exists that we use on our list of the best books the year. They just need to be special and make us happy. Don’t forget that all of our old lists are still available if you need more ideas! And without further ado, let’s get to the Christmas books!
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12. The First Snow
Written by Marie Stumpfova and Illustrated by Radek Maly.
The First Snow is a very beautiful book, and that’s what drew me to it immediately. And this is a good example of the wintery kind of book that makes this list despite not exactly being a Christmas book.
I mean, a polar bear built out of snow comes to life, so I think we can all agree this one has a bit of the magic of the season in it. And I have to admit I’m a sucker for books about playing in the snow - there’s lots of nostalgia there.
The story follows two siblings on their winter adventure, and the plot isn’t exactly the point here. It’s more of a feeling that the book elicits, and the style of art is extremely nostalgic too - like something that reminds me of the 1950s perhaps. This one is like a work of art to display on your shelf.
11. Little Hare Finds a Gift
Written and Illustrated by Oleksandr Shatokhin
The illustrations in Little Hare Finds a Gift really stand out to me for their unique quirkiness. It also contains one of those aforementioned cameos from Santa himself, and that’s always a nice surprise.
It follows a little rabbit as she tries to figure out who lost this mystery present. The structure works as a way to introduce us to her friends - fox, pigs, owl - as she asks everyone about the gift. And I think the character work is probably my favorite part.
It’s a very cute book from top to bottom, and Red Comet press did a great job publishing this one. It’s cover is fantastic and contains a special texture on the snow - and it contains a secret cover too which is always nice. You can tell a lot of care was put into it.
My daughter enjoyed this story as a read aloud, but I think the highlight and what will be more memorable is moreso the unique artwork. I remember the author/illustrator Shatokhin from his Yellow Butterfly, and will definitely keep my eye out for what comes next.
10. It’s Winter!
Written and Illustrated by Renée Kurilla
It’s Winter! is a wonderfully illustrated book. Kurilla is knocking it out of the park with these seasonal books - and she does a great job capturing the feelings and nostalgia. Winter crafts in the classroom, snowball fights, hot cocoa and blankets - it’s all here.
There is great detail in the artwork - and the cartoony aesthetic is just incredibly cheerful and fun. It simply looks great. Plus it’s not just a playing in the snow book. There are wonderful two page spreads for both Hanukkah and Christmas as well.
If you’re looking for a book that celebrates the spirit of the season without being real specific about any one holiday - this is definitely the book to grab this year. It’s handsome and fun and full of details that make me smile.
9. The Winter Wish
Written by Helen Mortimer and Illustrated by Rachael Dean
This is one of the books that make me remind you of one rule about this Christmas list - these are all books published in the US in 2024. The Winter Wish was previously published in the UK but now we finally get the US release.
This beautiful book is not just a holiday book, it’s also a celebration of bookstores - and you know I can’t argue with that! William’s family lives about their bookstore called Words of Wonder, and it’s a very special small town bookshop on the edge of town. But they’re worried they might have to close up shop because of a lack of customers.
Williams decides to build a very special Christmas display of books in the front window - featuring a reindeer crafted out of sticks. A bit of magic takes place, the reindeer comes to life, and the whole town gets sprinkled with that little bit of holiday spirit that not only makes you cheerful but also apparently gets you to go shop in local bookstores too. I’m fuzzy on the details of how it all works but I’m not arguing with Christmas magic that gets people into bookshops!
8. One Foggy Christmas Eve
Written and Illustrated by Kerilynn Wilson
I’ll give this book one thing - okay I’ll actually give it lots of things - it has a fantastic title. Very clever I must say, and gives it a bit of that oh-so-important staying power in the world of Christmas picture books.
And on top of a very smart title, it’s a beautiful book. I like Wilson’s a lot - particularly when the little girl is using her imagination and seeing the worst in the fog. And it has the best secret cover of the year hands down. I adore it.
The book has a simple hook - they’re supposed to go to the grandparents’ house, but it’s too foggy. The girl has a present she really wants to deliver, and the family has to come up with a solution for getting through the fog.
It’s a book full of magic and imagination - and it’s a champion of storytelling too at the end of the day. And at the end of the day, it’s hard not to love a book that has a focus on love, imagination, and storytelling - right? Especially when everything is executed so well.
7. Paddington’s Christmas Post
Based on the Stories by Michael Bond and Illustrated by R. W. Alley
I have a confession to make. Paddington was never a big part of my childhood - nor have I seen a single one of the very popular Paddington movies. But I am still not immune to the charm of this immensely beloved bear.
This is another book that was previously published in the UK but we are finally receiving in US bookshops this year. And the hook here is that it’s one of those clever books that has actual letters to open up and actual letters to pull out and read.
The whole thing is beautifully crafted, and the hook of having letters to pull out and read is one I’ll probably never tire of. Kids obviously love the concept too. It’s very engaging for sure. And one of the pullouts is actually a little Advent calendar you can use!
I think it’s safe to say Paddington fans will adore this book - and I am proof positive that even those of us who are not yet indoctrinated into the world of Paddington worship will still find a lot to love here.
6. Yours, Befana
Written by Barbara Cuoghi and Illustrated by Elenia Beretta
Talk about originality! This beautiful picture book from Italy is off the charts with both original, standout art and a very unique story. Yours, Befana is about a Winter Witch who I can only assume is more well known in Italy and perhaps elsewhere in Europe - but who is completely new to me.
Apparently, and trust me I am no expert on the details here at all, Befana comes to deliver presents or coal 12 days after Christmas - and she knows if you’ve been naughty or nice.
It all sounds pretty familiar doesn’t it? But we also hear about being able to talk to animals, soups that make you invisible, and sowing seeds that will herald in the eventual coming of spring fruit.
And perhaps my favorite part of the book is actually in the back, where we get a crash course on the myths being discussed in the story. Apparently there are lots of famous witches active this time of year, and I love learning about all of them and which country they are from. Super cool all around.
5. Letters from the North Pole
Written by Anne Atkins and Illustrated by Fia Tobing
This is second book of the year with the novelty of pulling out real letters from real envelopes - only this one gets bonus points for originality and presentation. This book is A+ handsome - just an absolutely gorgeous book.
And the letters you pull out are incredibly good-looking as well. Each envelope has a type-written letter from Santa, and a very detailed blueprint/patent for one of the creative gift inventions that the children in the book keep writing and asking Santa for. And the letters are so detailed, with beautiful envelopes and beautiful details all around the frame of the letters themselves.
The details really highlight the magic of this book - making it look as authentic as possible. Reading this book with children it’s really easy to treat the envelopes and letters as actual artifacts sent from Santa himself. It’s just a lot of fun and I’m so impressed with the work done by both the artists and the publisher.
4. Mr. Santa
Written and Illustrated by Jarvis
Jarvis makes some very aesthetically pleasing books, and he’s one of the author/illustrators I always have my eye on for what they do next. I knew Mr. Santa is a book I had to have, and that it would very likely make this list, before I even looked inside.
Mr. Santa is a story written in rhyme, and Jarvis manages to pull it off incredibly well despite the immense challenges of writing a rhyming picture book that feels natural. You know heading into the book that it’s going to be drop-dead gorgeous, but it’s a very welcome surprise to discover that the adventure is funny and sweet as well.
A little girl comes face to face with Santa and starts pestering him with lots of questions one after another. In many ways the story is told through the pictures, as they function as the clue ground the reader in what is happening. And what’s happening is that Santa is basically taking this little girl on a Christmas adventure - including a trip up into the clouds on his sleigh, and even a visit to the North Pole.
I also very much enjoy the ending. I adore children’s stories that emphasize childhood wonder and imagination, and I never tire of the gray area that leaves us questioning if something really happened or not.
3. Christmas at Hogwarts
Written by J. K. Rowling and Illustrated by Ziyi Gao
From the moment this book was announced, I figured it would be the top-selling Christmas book of the year. And, at least in the case of our bookshop, it certainly was. Were you one of the many people that chose this book as your new addition to your Christmas collection?
What’s not to like, really? It contains text pulled straight out of the Christmas chapter in book one, and it features spectacular art that makes it seem Harry Potter was turned into a very handsome anime movie. I love the look of this book.
Other than that, you pretty much know what you’re in store for. All of the text is pulled from Harry Potter, but it bounces around a little. Harry and Ron getting their Weasley sweaters, Hagrid carrying the Christmas trees, the decoration of the Great Hall, and of course opening the mysterious gift of the invisibility cloak - all the best bits are here.
Very much like the beautiful, illustrated versions of the original books that have been gradually releasing, this picture book is something special for collectors. We already know the words, so what’s special here is the interpretation from the illustrator, who does a really magnificent job bringing this world to life. I really love the anime-inspired style, and I think it’s something really special. It honestly makes me want to see the whole thing animated like this.
2. The Grumpus and His Dastardly, Dreadful Christmas Plan
Written and Illustrated by Alex T. Smith
Another Christmas book written and illustrated by Alex T. Smith, and another absolute Christmas classic. Just like his previous two books about Winston the mouse, The Grumpus can be used as an Advent book - reading one chapter a day in December.
You might notice there are 27 chapters instead of 25, but I think if you take into consideration that the first two chapters kind of humorously backtrack and give you a bit of background information, you realize the story perhaps really starts on chapter 3.
The framing and heart of the story may sound familiar, as The Grumpus is remarkably similar to The Grinch - but I think we’ll never tire of Grinchy, Scroogey stories around Christmastime. And I think it’s safe to say this is the most humorous read aloud of all of them.
There is tons of humor infused by Alex T. Smith into this book, with much of it very subtly and expertly coming from the narration. Perhaps one of my very favorite small details is when The Grumpus is referred to as “Mr. The Grumpus.” But really there’s just too much humor to describe - it’s fantastic.
Of course it must be mentioned that this is much larger than your normal picture book, and is quite a bit of text as well. Some may consider it more a chapter book of course, but it’s heavily illustrated, so it gets you into that interesting conversation of what makes a picture book. Just like Winston before it, there are very few pages that aren’t illustrated. You may get 4 pages in a row at most without an illustration, and I’m ruling in favor of picture book in this case - but just keep in mind this is really a month-long read aloud.
As far as the story goes, even though it sounds a bit Grinch-y, it’s actually incredibly original with lots of characters and humorous and exciting side adventures on The Grumpus’s main mission - going to the North Pole to stop Christmas once and for all.
1. Santa’s First Christmas
Written by Mac Barnett and Illustrated by Sydney Smith
Mac Barnett has teamed up with another all star illustrator to create a Christmas picture book for the second year in a row. Last year we got the instant classic How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? - illustrated by Jon Klassen - and this year he teamed up with the extremely talented Sydney Smith for Santa’s First Christmas.
I think if I was to compare these two Christmas picture books by Barnett, I’d have to say How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? is funnier while Santa’s First Christmas is more heartfelt. It’s a sentimental story and full of heart, and that really makes Sydney Smith a spectacular choice. It’s a beautiful book and really full of love.
That’s not to say that Santa’s First Christmas isn’t funny, but it’s the kind of humor that’s sweet and endearing and makes you smile instead of laugh out loud. The funniest part of the book is when they tell Santa to go to bed because “you know who” is going to come soon. Santa of course is thinking “wait a second, you-know-who is me.” And then a polar bear shows up dressed as Santa.
The basic story here is that Santa always delivers Christmas to the whole world, and then goes home and falls asleep. He basically doesn’t get Christmas himself - and the residents of the North Pole decide one year that that’s not fair. They take it upon themselves to make Christmas magic for Santa too - complete with storytelling and gift-giving and eating a Christmas meal with loved ones.
If you think about it, the book starts with a simple question that has never really been addressed before - does Santa celebrate Christmas too? And - much like when years ago Dasher addressed how Santa actually got his reindeer - I think that’s the perfect way to set the stage for a new modern Christmas classic. Barnett and Smith have ultimately made a very beautiful Christmas book, and, in my opinion, it’s the most likely one this year to stand the test of time, and it’s well-deserving of the title of best Christmas picture book of 2024.
Have you read any of these great, wintery, Christmasy books yet? What’s your pick for best Christmas picture book of 2024? Let us know in the comments!
And don’t forget to check out our past 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
The Best Christmas Picture Books of 2021
The Best Christmas Picture Books of 2022
The Best Christmas Picture Books of 2023
