Baby’s First Christmas Books
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Every year, the very first thing I do to prepare my house for Christmas is bring out our collection of Christmas books. There’s an incredibly tattered board book called “What Did Santa Bring?” which has survived since my son’s first Christmas over 30 years ago. There are four or five different versions of The Night Before Christmas, several editions of the story of the first Christmas, and an elaborate pop-up Christmas alphabet book that belongs in a museum which my beloved great-aunt gave us one year. There are books featuring snowmen, candy canes, woodland creatures, and Babar. There are big books and tiny books. There are more books than we can read in one holiday season—and I can’t get rid of any of them.
As soon as I had grandchildren, I started building their Christmas book collection. I try to limit myself to one book a year, knowing how quickly a collection grows. This year, they’ll be getting The Jolly Christmas Postman, which I actually bought three years ago and have been saving until they are old enough to appreciate it. It’s always so hard to choose!
In the hopes that you’ll start a Christmas book tradition for your grandbaby, we’ve sorted through the overwhelming number of titles to find the ones that will stand the test of time. Read on for all titles we recommend for baby’s first Christmas.
I firmly believe every home needs a copy of The Night Before Christmas. If this is your grandchild’s first Christmas, this is the perfect book to start their Christmas books collection. The classic edition is available as a beautiful hardcover, or as an oversized board book. For a fresh take on the story, the version from Mr. Boddington’s Studio, is sophisticated and modern, and still uses the words from Clement C. Moore’s famous poem.
Moo, Baa, Fa La La La La!
Ah, what would a list of best board books be without something from Sandra Boynton? She doesn’t disappoint with Moo, Baa, Fa La La La La!, which features her classic characters and signature bouncy rhymes. It’s impossible to read without smiling—and will elicit smiles from your grandchild. Buy it on Amazon.
The First Christmas
If you are looking for a story about the birth of Jesus, this is a perfect first book. It tells the story of the first Christmas in simple words and charming pictures that will captivate your grandchild. This will definitely become a favorite. Buy it on Amazon.
Mary Engelbreit’s A Merry Little Christmas Board Book: Celebrate from A to Z
The delightful Mary Engelbreit illustrations shine in this alphabetical Christmas story. The words themselves aren’t as lyrical as the original full-sized hardcover book, but that edition is no longer in print. The board book, with its sweet story about the mouse family’s Christmas, is still well worth buying for your grandbaby! Buy now on Amazon.
Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale
In this beautiful take on the nativity story, animals seeking shelter are welcomed into the manger, with Mary on the donkey’s back appearing last. The theme of kindness and sharing come through, and it will be a requested book for years to come. Buy it on Amazon.
Baby Touch and Feel: Merry Christmas Perfect for the youngest babies! This DK Christmas board book has pictures and textures that will fascinate your grandbaby. It’s sized for little hands, and designed to be handled roughly! It’s a perfect way to introduce the sights of Christmas while developing early motor and language skills. Buy it on Amazon.
Christmas in the Manger
The first Christmas is also the subject of this delightful book, which is told from the perspective of the animals in the manger. The illustrations are clean and bright, and the rhythmic words are a pleasure to read—and reread! Buy it on Amazon.
Dear Santa: A Lift-the-Flap Book
Rod Campbell’s lively drawings will delight your grandchild as Santa searches for the perfect gift for a special someone. Babies and toddlers love lifting the flaps to see what gifts are considered before the perfect one is revealed at the end. Buy it on Amazon.