12 Books to Read as a Family at Christmas

The festive season is upon us! Christmas is a great time to start family traditions, and if you have young children, one of the best to start is reading Christmas books. You've heard of the 12 Days of Christmas? Well, we've put together 12 books of Christmas that you can read as a family. 

You can read them whenever you like. If you'd like to make it a real focus, consider putting them in a box for your children along with some new pyjamas or some nice hot chocolate mix and enjoying a fun afternoon or pre-bedtime reading session. Or you could wrap them and put them under the tree, picking one to read at random each time.

1. Character books

For our first choice we are cheating in a way because we’re suggesting a range of books and leaving you to choose your favourite. But, many characters like Peppa Pig and Thomas the Tank Engine have Christmas-related books so you can combine your child’s favourite characters with the festive season. For young children, the popular touch/feel book series "That's Not My…." also has a fun Christmas selection, including That's Not My Reindeer and That's Not My Christmas Tree.

2. Mrs Wishy Washy's Christmas by Joy Cowley

New Zealand author Joy Cowley's beloved character, Mrs Wishy Washy, wants her animals to be tidy for Christmas, but she doesn't bargain on them borrowing her bath!

3. How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr Seuss

Children of all ages will love following the Grinch as he tries to steal Christmas from the residents of Who-ville. Once you've read the book, enjoy a Christmas movie night and watch the Jim Carrey-led adaptation or the later animated version with Benedict Cumberbatch as the Grinch.

4. The Snowman by Raymond Briggs

There are no words in The Snowman, just beautiful illustrations done simply with coloured pencils. Despite this, it has become a firm favourite at Christmas time. The lack of words allows you and your child to create your own version of the story as the boy builds a snowman who comes to life. If you enjoy The Snowman, you might also like Briggs' Father Christmas, which portrays Father Christmas as a down-to-earth working man.

5. Don't Let Pigeon Drive the Sleigh by Mo Willems

In a festive take on Pigeon's adventures, Pigeon really really wants to drive the sleigh. But that might not be such a good idea!

6. The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

You've probably seen the movie with Tom Hanks, but have you read the book? The Polar Express tells the story of a boy who takes a train ride to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. It's a lovely read combined with wonderful illustrations.

7. Slinky Malinki's Christmas Crackers by Lynley Dodd

Another Kiwi favourite, in this Christmas edition, Slinky Malinki can't stop playing with the decorations on the tree. Lynley Dodd's lively rhymes make this a great book to read aloud.

8. A Pukeko in a Ponga Tree by Sir Kingi M Ihaka

This traditional Kiwi version of the 12 Days of Christmas was adapted by Sir Kingi M Ihaka, a respected translator and the country's second Māori Language Commissioner and has been sung in Aotearoa for over 40 years. The book comes with illustrations by famed artist Dick Frizzell making it a true Kiwi classic.

9. What the Ladybird Heard At Christmas by Julia Donaldson

Who doesn't love a Julia Donaldson book? In this festive story, the crime-solving ladybird rescues the children's Christmas presents. Just like Slinky Malinki, the fab rhymes make this another fantastic book to read aloud.

10. A Kiwi Christmas Carol by Chris Gurney

If the full A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is a bit beyond your child's attention span, then try this Kiwi version, which is just as entertaining (and a good deal shorter). It tells the story of Jerry from the corner dairy, who needs to find some Christmas spirit and has fantastic illustrations featuring many Kiwi favourites like Tip Top ice cream.

11. Christmas Stories Michael Morpurgo

School-age children will enjoy Christmas Stories, a collection of short stories by popular author Michael Morpurgo. The stories are illustrated by several famous illustrators, including Quentin Blake.

12. Twas The Night Before Christmas

On Christmas Eve, there's nothing better to read than this classic! Actually titled A Visit from St Nicholas, this poem was written in the 1800s but remains a staple of any Christmas reading list. Reading it just before bedtime will get any child (and adult!) in a festive mood.

Still looking for that perfect Christmas gift?

Treat someone (or yourself) to a Book Box subscription and give a gift that keeps on giving. We offer 3, 6 and 12-month subscriptions as gift options. As well as our children's and young adult subscriptions, which are perfect choices for families, we also offer adult and new release boxes.

Our book selections are based on interests, favourite genres, and the age of the children. But if you aren't sure what they like, don't worry - you can buy a gift voucher and the recipient can let us know their preferences when they redeem it.