Staff Favorites: Christmas Books for Kids

There’s just something so cozy about gathering as a family around a fire or the Christmas tree and reading a book together. We asked some of our staff, family members, and friends of Pine Cove to share which books are current and perennial favorites in their homes during Christmas. We hope these inspire you to add one of these or another book to your yearly traditions. You might even find a last-minute gift idea among these titles!

Unwrapping the Greatest Gift
“Daily devotions with beautiful illustrations, Scripture reading, downloadable Jesse Tree ornaments, discussion questions, and intentional activities—all in one! We have tailored this to our younger kids so we’ve been able to grow with it as they’ve gotten older.” – Meg “Shell Shocked” Preston

If You Take a Mouse to the Movies
One we’ve been loving last year and this year is If You Take a Mouse to the Movies. The art is whimsical, fun, and prompts lots of questions as we follow Mouse and his owner through a scattered Christmas celebration.  – Jesse “Schmoe” Garner

The Tale of Three Trees
“When our kids were little, we loved this book. It pointed our kids back to the Gospel and the real reason we celebrate—which is Jesus.” – Wendy “Tidal Rave” Baker

“The Tale of Three Trees is about how our prayers are often answered in ways that are different that we expect but also better than we can hope for. I also really like woodworking, so imagining the in-between details of the trees being shaped into various uses is fun for me!” – Joe “Quatro” Dalton 

The Jesus Storybook Bible
“This is a great resource for the little hearts and minds of younger kiddos. The Jesus Storybook Bible is wonderful all year but we used it for Advent when our kids weren’t able to sit as long but we still wanted to be intentional with the season. They also have a downloadable guide and ornaments!” – Meg “Shell Shocked” Preston

The Jesus Storybook Bible: A Christmas Collection
“The content is awesome, but what we are really into is that there are buttons to push that play a few songs and someone reading parts of the story. Nash (our two-year-old son) is VERY into the buttons! He will sit and ‘read’ it to himself.” – Chelsea “Hive Impact” Connor

“Our family has been loving this book! It starts with a big-picture perspective of the Christmas story and ends with an Advent calendar that corresponds with our Jesus Storybook Bible! Our boys love the interactive buttons and the pictures match the ones in their Bible!” – McKenzie “Lil’ McThugget” Ross

Through the Animals’ Eyes
“This book helps restore humility in that we don’t always have the best perspective of what goes on in our own lives!”  – Joe “Quatro” Dalton

Song of the Stars
“Our family loves this book by Sally Lloyd-Jones. The story tells of creation’s response to the coming King. It’s beautiful and makes me cry every year. ‘The one who made us has come to live with us.’” – Ginger “Tuck-N-Whoa” Ciminello 

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
“The Hall children love this book! It’s a funny one. They love the story and the pictures. Always a good laugh for the kids.”  – David “Fumblerooski” Hall

Little Women
“When I was nine years old, one of my sisters read this novel to me around Christmas time. In this Christmas season, it’s easy to fall into a scarcity mindset. Whether there is a lack of money, lack of presents, or lack of time with family and friends, many of us are experiencing a loss. As a Christian, this book is  a beautiful reminder that each of us has something to give because of what (really, WHO) has been given to us.” – Julianne “Tripsies” Shivers

My Merry Christmas
“We would highly recommend My Merry Christmas by Sally Lloyd-Jones for families with preschoolers. The story explains the symbolism of the Christmas tree with the birth of Jesus Christ! It was a new book for our family this year, but has quickly become a favorite!” – McKenzie “Lil’ McThugget” Ross

All Creation Waits
“This has been fun for our kiddos that love nature and animals! It is unique from any other Advent we’ve done. It ties in how each animal waits and prepares for the winter with the waiting and anticipation of Christ’s birth. It gives an amazing picture of how the dark isn’t the end but the way in which a new beginning comes. It’s only a couple of pages a day with a picture of each animal. Really neat to have other perspectives on how ‘all creation waits.’”  – Meg “Shell Shocked” Preston