15 Top Christmas Read Aloud Books for Kindergarteners from a Teacher and Mom

If you're on the hunt for some fun, festive Christmas books to read with your Kindergarteners, I've got you covered. These Christmas read-alouds are tried and true favorites for this magical season, bringing in plenty of joy, kindness, and holiday fun. Whether you’re reading in your classroom or sharing the love of books at home, these picks are sure to keep little ones engaged and excited. Here are 15 of my go-to favorite Christmas books for Kindergarteners.

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15 Christmas Books for Kindergarteners

1. The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

Nothing gets kids into the Christmas spirit like a magical train ride to the North Pole. Grab some hot cocoa, dim the lights, and let the adventure begin!

2. How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss

An absolute classic! Watching the Grinch’s heart grow three sizes gets the kids every time. I love to use a deep “Grinch” voice when reading it out loud, and the kids love all the fun, silly words!

3. Snowmen at Christmas by Caralyn Buehner

Imagine if snowmen celebrated Christmas while we’re all asleep! This one has gorgeous illustrations and a fun story that kids love – great for sparking their imaginations!

4. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

Not exactly a Christmas book, but it’s perfect for those winter vibes. This simple story of a boy exploring the snow is relatable and calming – a nice break from all the holiday excitement!

5. Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman

Poor Bear tries to stay awake for Christmas with his friends’ help, and it’s too cute! Such a sweet story about friendship, giving, and the joys of being together.

6. Llama Llama Holiday Drama by Anna Dewdney

Llama Llama has a little holiday impatience (sound familiar?). It’s so relatable for kids waiting for Christmas and is a great way to chat about patience!

7. Santa’s Underwear by Marty Rhodes Figley

This one is definitely the funniest Christmas book for Kindergarteners! Santa can’t find his special Christmas undies, and kids can’t help but laugh. It’s silly, fun, and always gets giggles!

8. The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore

If you’re looking to go traditional, this classic poem brings all the nostalgia. Look for illustrated versions with big, colorful pictures to really draw the kids in.

9. Olive, the Other Reindeer by Vivian Walsh

Olive the dog thinks she’s a reindeer, and it’s adorable. A cute story about finding your place and helping others, with a little humor mixed in!

10. Pete the Cat Saves Christmas by Eric Litwin

Pete the Cat is always a HIT in our classroom, so we've got to include a Pete the Cat themed Christmas book for Kindergarteners! He brings his cool, laid-back style to Christmas, helping out Santa when he’s sick. If your kids love Pete, they’ll get a kick out of this groovy holiday story!

11. Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition by Carol V. Aebersold and Chanda A. Bell

The Elf on the Shelf has become a holiday favorite, and reading the story aloud is a fun way to introduce this mischievous visitor in the classroom. Plus, it’s a perfect lead-in to start some classroom elf activities – check out my Elf on the Shelf ideas for the classroom for simple, fun ways to bring the elf’s magic into your routine!

12. There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bell! by Lucille Colandro

Kids love the sing-song pattern in this hilarious story. It’s always a hit, and the predictable text makes it easy for kids to join in as you read!

13. How to Catch an Elf by Adam Wallace

In this story, kids try to set traps to catch Santa’s sneaky little helper. It’s playful, rhyming, and has fun illustrations that show just how tricky it can be to catch an elf! Kids love guessing what the elf will do next and imagining what traps they’d set themselves.

14. Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh! by Mo Willems

Pigeon is back, and this time he’s determined to take Santa’s sleigh for a spin. True to Willems’ style, the story is interactive and hilarious, with Pigeon’s big personality making it hard not to laugh. It’s great for encouraging participation as kids will want to shout, “No, Pigeon!” every time he tries to take over.

15. The Giving Snowman by Julia Zheng

This is a sweet twist on a holiday classic, with a snowman who learns the joy of giving. It’s a lovely way to bring a message of kindness into the season, and the heartwarming story can be a nice way to wind down after all the excitement of holiday activities.

More Christmas Books for Kindergarteners and Little Kids

I hope these festive and funny read-alouds add some extra magic to your holiday season, whether you’re reading in the classroom or snuggling up at home! There’s truly something special about sharing the joy and laughter of a good book with little ones, especially during this time of year.

For a complete list of my favorite Christmas books for Kindergarteners, including even more great picks for toddlers and preschoolers, check out my full Amazon list here. Happy holidays and happy reading!