16 New Christmas Books for Preschoolers to Read With Your Kids in 2026

Christmas is one of my favorite times to bring out the blankets, find a cozy spot, and settle down with a stack of Christmas picture books for little ones.

I especially love finding new holiday books that make children laugh, introduce them to different Christmas traditions, or remind them that the best parts of the season often have nothing to do with presents.

This year’s selection has plenty to look forward to, from a tiny reindeer hoping to join Santa’s sleigh team to a dragon delivering cookies during a snowstorm.

I’ve also found stories about Jamaican Christmas food, the Three Kings, family traditions, and the little acts of kindness that make the holidays memorable.

If you’re looking for new Christmas books for preschoolers, festive read-alouds for toddlers, or picture books to share during the weeks leading up to Christmas, these 16 titles deserve a spot on your reading list.

1. Christmas Is in the Little Things by Stella J. Jones, Illustrated by Jane Massey

Publication date: September 1, 2026.

Sometimes, the sweetest Christmas celebrations are made up of ordinary moments, and I love that this picture book focuses on exactly that.

The story follows a child and a bear as they prepare for Christmas by writing cards, making treats, decorating, and enjoying time together.

Rather than focusing on expensive presents or elaborate festivities, the book celebrates the small gestures that help people show love and create lasting memories.

I’m looking forward to sharing this one with preschoolers because its gentle approach could make an ordinary evening of baking cookies or decorating the tree feel just as special as Christmas morning.

With its warm illustrations and rhythmic text, this sounds like a lovely choice for families hoping to create meaningful holiday traditions with their little ones.

2. Jingle by MacKenzie Cadenhead, Illustrated by Erin Kraan

Publication date: October 13, 2026.

I have a soft spot for children’s books about little characters with big dreams, so Jingle immediately caught my attention.

Jingle is a tiny reindeer who wants to earn a place on Santa’s sleigh team, but she must compete against bigger and stronger reindeer in the annual Reindeer Games.

Her size puts her at a disadvantage, yet she has determination, ingenuity, and plenty of heart as she works toward her goal.

With her loyal pup, Holly Jolly, by her side, Jingle faces a series of festive challenges that test her in unexpected ways.

I’m excited about this Christmas picture book because it gives parents an opportunity to talk with young children about perseverance, believing in themselves, and recognizing that being different doesn’t mean they cannot accomplish something wonderful.

3. Momma’s Christmas Gift by Kao Kalia Yang, Illustrated by Jaqueline Tam

Publication date: October 6, 2026.

Not every family has the money to make Christmas look like the celebrations children see in advertisements, and I appreciate books that make room for those different experiences.

Momma’s Christmas Gift follows a Hmong family whose finances are limited, with a mother who works hard to provide for her children.

Even when money is tight, Momma finds a way to make Christmas meaningful for her family, showing how love and generosity can shape a holiday without an expensive pile of presents.

I’m looking forward to reading this one because it offers an opportunity to talk with preschoolers about family, sacrifice, and the many ways people show they care.

It sounds like a thoughtful choice for families who want a Christmas story with an emotional heart and a reminder that meaningful celebrations aren’t measured by how much money someone spends.

4. Santa Loves Snow Cones by Ben Okon, Illustrated by Komal Sharma

Publication date: October 6, 2026 (hardcover edition; the ebook was published on November 3, 2025).

I never would have guessed that snow cones could become such an important part of Santa’s Christmas preparations, which makes this playful picture book sound like a fun read-aloud.

Santa enjoys icy treats while delivering presents around the world, topping his snow cones with sweet additions but avoiding colorful syrups that could stain his pristine white suit.

Unfortunately, an accident involving cherry-lime syrup leaves him covered in color, creating a messy situation just when he needs to get on with his Christmas duties.

I’m curious to see how the story turns this sugary disaster into a cheerful adventure for young readers.

With its silly premise, festive illustrations, and opportunity for plenty of giggles, this sounds like a good choice for preschoolers who enjoy humorous Santa stories and books that encourage them to try something new.

5. Duck the Halls: A Rhyming Christmas Story by Laura Lavoie, Illustrated by Teresa Martínez

Publication date: October 27, 2026.

I’m always happy to find Christmas books that combine silly animal characters with a message about looking after others, and Duck the Halls sounds like a lovely fit.

Duck, Duck, and Goose are ready to decorate for Christmas when they discover that their friend Chicken is sick and cannot join the celebrations.

Instead of carrying on without her, the three friends organize a festive surprise filled with decorations, cookies, carols, and other holiday treats.

The rhyming text and snowy setting should make this a fun book to read aloud, especially for children who enjoy playful language and familiar animal characters.

I particularly like the idea of using this story to help preschoolers understand that kindness sometimes means changing our plans so that someone else can feel included.

6. Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas…According to Max! by Alastair Heim, Illustrated by Aristides Ruiz

Publication date: September 1, 2026.

Anyone who loves the original Grinch story may be curious about seeing that famous Christmas adventure from a different perspective.

In this picture book, Max, the Grinch’s dog, gets an opportunity to share his side of the events surrounding the Grinch’s plan to steal Christmas.

I like the idea of revisiting a familiar holiday tale through the eyes of a character who doesn’t usually get to tell the story himself.

For children who already enjoy the Grinch, this could be a fun way to revisit the Christmas classic while giving parents and little readers something new to discuss.

I’m looking forward to seeing how Max’s perspective changes the way young readers think about the familiar events, particularly those who have always wondered what the loyal dog might have been thinking during the Grinch’s Christmas escapade.

7. The Twelve Days of Jamaican Christmas by Zalika Reid-Benta, Illustrated by Mariyah Rahman

Publication date: October 6, 2026.

I love children’s books that introduce young readers to holiday traditions beyond the ones they might experience at home, and this Jamaican Christmas picture book sounds especially inviting.

Inspired by the familiar song The Twelve Days of Christmas, the story celebrates the season through the delicious dishes that a grandmother shares with her family.

The food includes Jamaican favorites such as saltfish and ackee, plantains, beef patties, and other treats that help bring the family’s festive gathering to life.

Alongside the cooking, the family decorates their home and prepares for Christmas together, making the book a celebration of both food and togetherness.

I’m excited about this one because it could introduce preschoolers to Jamaican culture through a familiar musical structure, while also encouraging conversations about the special meals and traditions that different families enjoy during the holidays.

8. It’s Not Easy Being an Elf by Marilyn Sadler, Illustrated by Stephanie Laberis

Publication date: September 29, 2026.

I can imagine preschoolers having a wonderful time with a story about an elf who decides that making toys all day isn’t quite the job for him.

Quin spends his days building toy trucks in Santa’s workshop, but even though everyone else appreciates his work, he longs to try something different.

He experiments with other jobs around the North Pole, including helping with reindeer-related duties, but his attempts don’t go quite as planned.

When a crisis threatens Santa’s ability to deliver toys on Christmas Eve, Quin discovers that the skills he already has might be exactly what everyone needs.

I’m looking forward to this one because its funny mishaps offer a gentle way to talk with little readers about self-acceptance, teamwork, and finding creative solutions when things go wrong.

9. The Bakery Dragon and the Giant Cookie by Devin Elle Kurtz

Publication date: October 6, 2026.

A little dragon, a snowy Christmas Eve, and a giant who doesn’t like Christmas sound like the ingredients for a cozy holiday adventure.

In this installment of The Bakery Dragon series, Ember is busy delivering cookies when a winter storm blows him off course and into the home of a grumpy giant.

The giant isn’t interested in Christmas cheer, but Ember decides to make the best of his unexpected stop by attempting to bake a special treat in the giant’s enormous kitchen.

I’m particularly drawn to the idea of a small character finding a way to make someone else feel cared for through something as simple as a homemade cookie.

This sounds like a lovely Christmas picture book for preschoolers who enjoy magical creatures, baking adventures, and stories that show how kindness can help people connect, even when they seem to have very little in common.

10. What Does Santa Want for Christmas? by Sahar Shams

Publication date: October 20, 2026.

Most children spend plenty of time thinking about what they would like Santa to bring them, so I find the premise of this book especially charming.

A young boy named Dorim decides that he wants to give Santa a present of his own and asks his friends to help him create something special for the man who usually does all the giving.

That simple change of perspective makes this sound like a sweet way to introduce preschoolers to the joy of giving during the Christmas season.

I’m looking forward to seeing how Dorim and his friends approach their mission, especially because the idea could inspire little readers to think about thoughtful gifts they can make for the people they love.

With its heartwarming premise and picture-book format, this sounds like a lovely addition to a family Christmas read-aloud collection.

11. And a Partridge in a Pear Tree by Jono Ganz

Publication date: October 6, 2026.

I’ve always thought the gifts in The Twelve Days of Christmas would make for a rather chaotic holiday if they all turned up at once, and this picture book plays with exactly that idea.

At the beginning, Partridge is perfectly content enjoying a quiet Christmas in a pear tree, but the arrival of the other gifts soon changes the situation.

As turtle doves, calling birds, gold rings, and more begin appearing, Partridge’s peaceful home becomes increasingly crowded.

I’m excited about this one because it takes a familiar Christmas song and turns it into a humorous story that young children can follow and enjoy.

It also sounds like a fun book for parents to read with expressive voices, particularly if their little ones already recognize the song and will enjoy spotting how each new arrival changes Partridge’s Christmas plans.

12. Merry Christmas, Sleepy Sheepy! by Lucy Ruth Cummins, Illustrated by Pete Oswald

Publication date: October 6, 2026.

If your preschooler has ever tried to stay awake for a special occasion and struggled to keep their eyes open, Sleepy Sheepy might be a very relatable character.

In this Christmas installment, Sheepy is determined to stay awake long enough to see Santa arrive on Christmas Eve.

Unfortunately, the longer the night goes on, the harder it becomes for Sheepy to fight off sleep.

I’m looking forward to this one because the premise captures that familiar mix of excitement and exhaustion that can make Christmas Eve feel especially magical for young children.

The bouncy rhyming text and playful illustrations should also make it a good choice for reading together in the days before Christmas, whether your little one is counting down to Santa’s arrival or simply enjoying a funny story about a sleepy sheep.

13. A Very Mercy Christmas by Kate DiCamillo, Illustrated by Chris Van Dusen

Publication date: September 22, 2026 (2026 paperback edition).

For families who already know Mercy Watson and the other characters who live on Deckawoo Drive, this Christmas story offers another opportunity to spend time with a familiar cast.

Stella Endicott gets the idea to go Christmas caroling, but finding companions for her festive plan proves a little more complicated than she expects.

With Mercy and a collection of farm animals eventually joining the festivities, the neighborhood gets a dose of Christmas cheer that may not always be perfectly in tune.

I’m drawn to the combination of familiar characters, colorful illustrations, and the simple pleasure of singing together during the holidays.

This would be a lovely choice for preschoolers who enjoy humorous animal stories, especially families who want a cheerful Christmas read-aloud that celebrates community, friendship, and the little surprises that can make a holiday feel special.

14. Merry Christmas, Snickerdoodle! by J. D. Forester, Illustrated by Charlotte Love

Publication date: October 13, 2026.

Anyone who starts thinking about Christmas cookies as soon as the holiday season approaches may find this picture book particularly tempting.

Merry Christmas, Snickerdoodle! is a rhyming celebration of festive treats, with familiar favorites such as gingerbread, sugar cookies, peppermint swirls, hot chocolate, and gumdrops appearing throughout its pages.

The book also takes a sweet, affectionate approach to the bond between a parent and child, giving the Christmas-themed wordplay a warm family feeling.

I’m looking forward to sharing this one with little readers because food-themed picture books can be especially fun when the illustrations give children plenty of details to notice.

It sounds like a cheerful option for a bedtime story after a day of holiday baking, or for any preschooler who enjoys rhymes, silly food characters, and all the delicious traditions that come with Christmas.

15. Night of the Three Kings by Carmen Tafolla, Illustrated by Magaly Morales

Publication date: October 27, 2026.

Christmas books can also introduce children to traditions that extend beyond Christmas morning, and I’m excited about this retelling centered on the Three Kings.

The story follows a young boy who is too excited to fall asleep when the kings appear outside his window during the night.

Before long, he joins their journey across the desert, riding a camel toward the place where the baby Jesus awaits.

The nighttime setting and dreamlike adventure make this sound different from the Santa-centered Christmas books that often fill holiday shelves.

I especially appreciate that the book includes a note about Three Kings Day and its significance across Spanish-speaking cultures, giving families an opportunity to learn more about the celebration together.

For preschoolers, it sounds like a gentle introduction to a meaningful Christmas tradition, with a magical journey at its heart.

16. Hank Goes Ho Ho Honk by Maudie Powell-Tuck, Illustrated by Duncan Beedie

Publication date: September 1, 2026.

Hank the goose sounds like the sort of Christmas character who would have everyone laughing before the story is even halfway through.

He adores Christmas so much that he starts celebrating months early, decorating, enjoying festive treats, and getting into the holiday spirit long before the big day arrives.

His enthusiasm quickly becomes a problem when he gets the chance to help Santa’s elves, because his impatience threatens to cause chaos at the North Pole.

I’m looking forward to seeing what Hank gets up to in this Christmas adventure, especially because his over-the-top excitement could feel familiar to children who find waiting for Christmas almost impossible.

With its lively animal character and humorous mishaps, this sounds like a fun festive read-aloud that could also open a conversation about patience and making sure our excitement doesn’t spoil the fun for everyone else.

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Some books on this list lean into the silliness of Santa, elves, and impatient animals, while others make room for family traditions, cultural celebrations, and the quieter moments that bring people closer together.

I’m especially looking forward to the books that give children a new perspective on familiar Christmas ideas, whether that’s Max telling his side of the Grinch’s story or Partridge trying to make sense of an increasingly crowded pear tree.

If you’re building a Christmas reading basket for your preschooler, these titles offer plenty of options for bedtime stories, family read-alouds, and festive afternoons spent together.

I’d start by choosing a few that match your child’s interests, then keep the rest in mind for holiday gifts or a new book to unwrap in the weeks leading up to Christmas.