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!
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.