Christmas Storytime: 5 Festive Children’s Books for 2024

November 27, 2024

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It’s Christmas time and we’ve got a sleighful of stories to recommend! In this blog, the BooksForTopics team has selected five books to read to children during Christmas storytimes in 2024. From snowmen and sleighrides to community and kindness, these book recommendations will help to fill your storytimes with Christmas spirit.

Five recommended children’s books for Christmas 2024

‘Tis the season to be jolly… and to read some wonderful stories!

As we countdown to Christmas, we’re excited to share our top five picks for festive fun. These Christmas-themed children’s books for 2024 are chosen especially for storytime, making them the perfect way to enjoy the festive season together.

Whether you are looking for talking snowmen, the land of Christmas-every-day, santa visits, toy workshops or community spirit, we’ve chosen five top children’s book recommendations. The books we’ve picked are among our favourites here at BooksForTopics HQ and can also be found among our Christmas Booklists and Printable Gift Guides.

So, grab a cup of cocoa, snuggle up and let the Christmas cheer begin!

1. The Snowman Code by Simon Stephenson & Reggie Brown

A festive chapter book telling a tender-hearted story about the magic of kindness

The Snowman Code is one of our top book recommendations for Christmas 2024, Suitable for Key Stage 2 (ages 7-11), this is a tender, wintery tale characterised by excellent storytelling and heartwarming themes.

Blessing lives in a world of eternal winter. The weather is ‘broken’ and communities can only reminisce about sunshine and flowers. For Blessing the never-ending winter brings with it a very personal problem; the lack of sunshine and beautiful roses makes Blessing’s mother sad and when mum gets sad, Blessing has to be sent away. Blessing doesn’t want to be sent away; she doesn’t want the winter to make her mum sad and she doesn’t want to trouble her already troubled mum with additional worries. And so Blessing keeps quiet about the bullies. Blessing has been bullied by the ‘Driplet Triplets’ for so long that she has given up going to school. Her only way to cope with her unhappy existence is to remove herself from the situations that sadden her and so every day, she puts on her school uniform, says goodbye to Mum and then wanders the parks, streets, cinemas and museums until it is time to return to her dark, sad house.

On one of Blessing’s visits to the park, she encounters a snowman. Not particularly unusual, as snowmen are prolific during this time of endless winter. But, what is unusual is that this is a snowman who can talk and move. Blessing and Albert Framlington (the snowman) strike up a somewhat unconventional friendship. Albert is bound by the ‘Snowman Code’ – a series of rules to which he must adhere (even if a few of those rules seem to be made up on the spot!). The most important code of them all is rule number 2: a snowman must help a child in need.

Albert Framlingon recognises that Blessing is very much in need. Together, Blessing and Albert confront the bullies who are making Blessing a shadow of herself. They take trips to the cinema and form a friendship which despite being unconventional, is one built on trust and genuine affection. Albert confides in Blessing that he is carrying a personal sadness; he and the love of his life were separated when snow thawed and he has been on a quest for centuries to become reunited with his beloved Clementine. Blessing offers to help and relentlessly scours the streets of London so that Albert might find his happiness once more. It is during this mission that Blessing discovers the truth behind the endless winter and has some tough decisions to make.

This is a tale of love, loss and identity. It has magical sparkles of light and humour amongst the serious themes of depression and separation. The mental health struggles of Blessing’s mother are dealt with sensitively but with realism; this provides a powerful insight into the worlds of all those afflicted by depression and seasonal affective disorder. Blessing also struggles; she struggles with bullies and her sense of not fitting in because she is an intelligent, well-behaved student. Young readers will learn from or perhaps empathise with Blessing and feel less alone.

The Snowman Code is a book about the magic of kindness. It may be set in the longest, coldest of winters but it is warm and tender and would melt even the iciest of hearts. Share it and enjoy its message of love, kindness and togetherness.

For more snow-themed middle-grade stories, we recommend The Snowman, The Snow Girl, The Ice Children or The Good Bear. You can also find more wintery stories for primary children on our Frozen Worlds booklist.

Purchase The Snowman Code from Amazon or BookShop.

2. Mr Santa by Jarvis

A beautifully gentle picturebook that will charm the youngest of readers with its simple curiosity

Jarvis, beloved by teachers and librarians for the iconic Bear and Bird books, brings his signature style to a picturebook for the youngest readers in Mr. Santa.

Renowned for his ability to convey profound meaning through simple words and story-enhancing illustrations, Jarvis again blends these elements to create a gentle Christmas story that resonates with both children and adults.

A young girl, filled with curiosity, has a face-to-face encounter with Santa Claus. The story captures the essence of a child’s mind, full of endless questions about the person in front of her and his apparent world of Christmas magic.

The young girl seizes the opportunity to ask imaginative questions about Santa Claus (Do you eat clouds? Do you stop at traffic lights?) while also remaining delightfully confident of his undoubted interest in her world too (Would you like to meet my fishes? Do you want to hear me play?) – he is, after all, a visitor to their home. The book’s strength lies in its authentic childlike voice, reflecting the endless stream of why and how questions that fill young minds as children move from moment to moment.

Perfect for EYFS classes, Mr. Santa encourages young minds to think creatively and question the unknown. The book’s illustrations, painted in various shades of blue, evoke a dreamlike and wintery atmosphere.

Santa never directly answers the girl and the story simply celebrates the joy of curiosity. It is the very act of questioning that is the star of the story, capturing the essence of childhood imagination. Please – implores the book of its readers – please spend a minute to let yourself become lost in wonder at Christmas time.

Jarvis’s unique style makes Mr. Santa a delightful read for the youngest readers. What Jarvis achieves so masterfully – once again – is to provide a text that will empower beginning readers to access for themselves while at the same time empowering the deepest thinkers to enter the space for creative contemplation provided by the text’s interplay with its illustrations. This is a book that will no doubt be a catalyst for more curious questions from EYFS children or simply make for a cosy shared read-together for young children, perfect for festive storytimes.

The book has also earned a spot on our 2024 Christmas Gift Guides for 3-5-year-olds.

Purchase Mr Santa from Amazon or BookShop. d

3. Sprouts by Sibéal Pounder

A laugh-a-minute festive romp of a story for children aged 7-11

Sprouts is a super-fun choice of Christmas story for KS2 readers who love a madcap adventure. With its fast-paced plot, quirky characters and imaginative premise, Sprouts is sure to be a Christmas hit if humour and lighthearted action are what you are looking for.

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to have Christmas 365 days a year, enter the world of Carols and Krampuses with Gryla, a witch who has been given great responsibility, and find out.

The year is 4042, and it really is Christmas every day. Christmas is everywhere – except for the Mince Pie Isles, where Christmas happens just once a year and exile Gryla resides, wishing she could join the festive world of everyday Christmasses instead. Before she knows it, Gryla finds herself embarking on a mission to restore the magic of Christmas along with Santa’s daughter, Merrilee Claus, and readers will be rooting for them every step of the way.

This chapter book makes for a fun, action-packed read-aloud for Key Stage 2 classes to enjoy the magic of Christmas. The story explores themes of friendship, family and the meaning of Christmas. There are plenty of clever twists and turns along the way as the characters explore what makes Christmas so special. Beyond the exciting plot and lovable characters, Sprouts also offers opportunities for discussion and critical thinking. The book encourages readers to question the idea of constant celebration and to consider the value of traditions and simplicity. It also highlights the importance of friendship, perseverance and believing in oneself.

Sprouts is a really enjoyable, festive read from Sibéal Pounder, who recently also visited our blog to provide some tips on writing funny festive adventures with primary children.

For more Christmas book recommendations for Key Stage 2, head to our Christmas booklist or our Christmas Gift Guides for Ages 7-9 or Ages 9-11.

Purchase Sprouts from Amazon or BookShop. d

4. Angelo and Angelino, the Christmas Angels by Anne Booth and Leanne Hatch.

A beautiful story exploring intergenerational relationships, community and kindness.

Angelo and Angelina, the Christmas Angels is a heartwarming picturebook that celebrates the magic of Christmas and the power of human connection.

The story follows the perspective of two Christmas angel decorations that belong to Mrs. Lovely, an elderly woman. When she grows older and spends more time alone, the angels, along with a young girl who is her neighbour, work together to bring joy and companionship to her life.

Many children will have dressed up as angels in Christmas plays or have been drawn towards wanting to pick up angelic figurines and Christmas tree toppers. Much like their counterparts in the traditional nativity story, the angels in this picturebook bring a story of hope, joy and new life.

The theme of intergenerational relationships is drawn out with charming appeal. Readers are invited to witness the unfolding of a beautiful friendship between Mrs. Lovely and the young girl, called Mia. The angels (originally Christmas ornaments but here left out all year round because “the house feels very empty these days“) serve as a reminder that the essence of Christmas – that is, giving, community and kindness – should endure through all seasons. The story comes full circle and ends the following Christmas time, showing the impact that the year’s cycle of love and kindness has made. Mrs Lovely’s life has been regenerated by the newly formed companionship with her neighbours, and this new life is mirrored in the arrival of a baby sibling for Mia.

The book’s stunning illustrations, characterized by soft, muted colours and delicate line work, perfectly complement the gentle narrative. A rainbow of colour fills the spread in which the magic of Christmas takes hold. Like the girl in the story, children will undoubtedly be drawn to the charming depiction of the toy angels, who watch over Mrs. Lovely with a guardian-like stillness yet spring to life through Mia’s interactions.

Angelo and Angelina, the Christmas Angels is a delightful read-aloud book that will inspire young readers to appreciate the importance of looking out for one another during the holiday season and all year round.

For more stories with community values at heart, take a look at our new Community Themed Booklist. If you are looking for even more stories that feature nativity characters, try BooksForTopics favourite Leah’s Star, Brian Wildsmith’s beautifully illustrated and engaging recount of the nativity in A Christmas Story or, for a lighter touch, Nicholas Allan’s funny retelling of the nativity through the eyes of a grumpy innkeeper in Jesus’ Christmas Party.

Purchase Angelo and Angelino, the Christmas Angels from Amazon or BookShop.

5. Kid Christmas by David Litchfield

A charming take on the origins of St Nicholas, with rich and detailed illustrations that appeal to all across the primary age range

Celebrated author-illustrator David Litchfield offers a magical and festive picturebook of generosity and Christmas spirit, which could be enjoyed at different levels across the primary age range. I would just as happily use this witty and detailed picturebook with Key Stage 2 classes as I would with Reception and KS1, making it a super whole-school festive choice.

Kid Christmas of the Claus Brothers Toy Shop is a fresh take on the origin story of Santa Claus (St. Nicholas). It is heartwarming and charming while teaching about kindness, compassion and love.

The illustrations detail Victorian street scenes and the magic of a toy workshop, as well as capturing facial expressions of delight and joy that allow the magic of Christmas to shine through and mean that in the classroom this story would lend itself as a cross-curricular text to match with topics about Victorians or Toys or as a way into writing creative narratives about the backstory of Father Christmas or research into famous philanthropists.

When young Nicky discovers that young children are living on the streets and under bridges, he becomes determined to make sure that every child gets the toy they want for Christmas and to give them all a bit of joy in their lives. With the help of his uncles, he sets out on his mission and soon decides that every child in the world must get their most wished-for toy every year at Christmas. Thus the Legend of St. Nick was born.

Kid Christmas is a beautiful and enjoyable book with stunning, rich illustrations accompanying a unique and thoughtful story that will entertain and delight. Older readers in primary classrooms might go on to research the history of St Nicholas, while younger ones will enjoy all the magic of the toy workshop and present delivery drawn out through the generosity of David Litchfield’s superbly detailed style, which sees every spread filled with so much to spot.