With Christmas coming up we all love settling down to watch a nice festive movie, but Christmassy books are a lot of fun too for getting you in the mood for the festive season. There are books for all ages with a Christmas theme so I asked you for your favourite, for any age and here we have your top 20 favourite festive books and there’s quite a selection!
From books to poetry you suggested over fifty festive reads, we’ve added them all up and trimmed the list to the top 20.
A Christmas Carol – Charles Dickens
Maybe unsurprisingly it’s the classic A Christmas Carol in the top spot and I have to be honest I never get bored of this, it’s wonderful and suitable for all ages too.
The Night Before Christmas – Clement C. Moore
Next is the popular poem, represented often as a children’s book. It’s an absolute favourite and again appeals to all ages, secure its place in the list!
The Polar Express – Chris Van Allsburg
The book and movie The Polar Express are classics by far and a favourite with many of you, taking third place on our list. Recommended for 4 to 7 year-olds, it makes perfect festive reading.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas – Dr Seuss
It just had to be there didn’t it? A Christmas classic and a favourite of my own children, How the Grinch Stole Christmas takes fourth place on our list. Recommended for ages 4+, everyone loves the Grinch!
How the Grinch Stole Christmas US
How the Grinch Stole Christmas UK
Little Women – Louisa May Alcott
Another classic and while not traditionally a Christmas book, Alcott’s Little Women couldn’t fail to get you feeling a bit festive. Although recommended for reading age 12+, this is a real family favourite and takes fifth place on our list.
The Nutcracker – E. T. A Hoffman
Another classic for all ages with many of you making preference for the version illustrated by Maurice Sendak, The Nutcracker takes sixth place in our 20 books.
Hogfather – Terry Pratchett
Bless you, Sir Terry! If you’re looking for a chuckle this Christmas then make sure The Hogfather is in your stocking! The Hogfather is likely to appeal to adults and children alike and is recommended for reading age 8+
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever – Barbara Robinson
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is a classic book, guaranteed to get you in the festive mood! Recommended for ages 8-12 years but loved by all ages.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever US
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever UK
The Gift of the Magi – O. Henry
Originally published over 100 years ago, The Gift of the Magi is a short story about a married couple and how they deal with the challenge of buying secret Christmas gifts for each other with very little money. Although this is suitable for reading ages 9+, it’s written for adults.
The Littlest Angel – Charles Tazewell
I used to read this most adorable book to my own children at Christmas and they loved it! Recommended for 4 to 8 years, they still like to hear it now, keeping the magic of Christmas alive.
11. A Child’s Christmas in Wales – Dylan Thomas
12. The Little Match Girl – Hans Christian Andersen
13. Skipping Christmas – John Grisham
14. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – C. S Lewis
15. Nos4a2 – Joe Hill
16. The Gift – Cecilia Ahern
17. Let it Snow – John Green
18. Call me Mrs Miracle – Debbie Macomber
19. The Stupidest Angel – Christopher Moore
20. Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares – David Levithan
We hope our readers have offered some inspiration for your Christmas reads, covering pretty much every age from 0 to 100!
10 of 2024’s Most Anticipated Reads
The For Reading Addicts Book of the Year 2023
Are You Willing to Unite Against Book Bans?
Roald Dahl Censorship Creates Grotesque Versions of Classics
For Reading Addicts Book of the Year 2022
oh my goodness ‘angel Bright’ published in 2015, I’m sure it will become a Christmas favourite for adults and children, the sub-title says it all,
‘It’s Christmas Eve and one little angel is lost and far from home’ the lump in my throat is already starting.