12 New Christmas Books for Kids in 2026 to Add to Your Holiday Reading List

One of my favorite ways to get children excited about Christmas is with a good holiday book, especially when it becomes something they look forward to reading together every year.

The 2026 Christmas books for kids include everything from interactive board books for little ones to imaginative picture books, funny graphic novels, and mysterious adventures for older readers.

I love having options for different ages because a toddler who enjoys lifting flaps and exploring colorful illustrations needs something different from a child ready to follow a longer Christmas mystery.

This year’s releases have caught my attention with their unusual characters and festive adventures, including a dragon who bakes enormous cookies, a reindeer that behaves differently from the others, and a family facing some very frightening Christmas visitors.

Whether you are looking for Christmas board books for babies, Christmas picture books for preschoolers, holiday graphic novels for children, or Christmas chapter books for middle-grade readers, these titles offer plenty of ideas for your family’s holiday reading list.

Here are 12 new Christmas books for children in 2026 that I would love to explore with the young readers in my life.

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

Publication Date: 2026

A dragon who bakes cookies for Christmas sounds like the kind of character children could easily become attached to, and I am particularly interested in seeing how this colorful picture-book series continues.

The third installment in the Bakery Dragon series follows Ember as he delivers cookies during the holiday season.

His Christmas preparations take an unexpected turn when a storm sends him tumbling down the chimney of a grumpy giant who would much rather enjoy some peace and quiet.

Ember must find a way to respect the giant’s wishes while continuing his baking, and his enormous cookies eventually become part of an encounter that could change the giant’s attitude.

I love the idea of a Christmas story that combines imaginative characters with a gentle reminder about kindness, particularly when the recipient of that kindness is not especially welcoming at first.

The illustrations by Devin Elle Kurtz also make this a title I would love to browse with younger children, especially those who enjoy colorful fantasy picture books and festive stories about unexpected friendships.

2. The Mysterious Reindeer by Natacha Godeau

Publication Date: September 29, 2026

A Christmas mystery set on a reindeer farm sounds like an exciting choice for children who enjoy solving puzzles, and I like that this book gives its young characters an unusual setting for their holiday adventure.

Elliot lives on his family’s reindeer farm and looks forward to spending Christmas with his cousin Flora.

However, strange occurrences begin soon after Flora arrives, frightening the animals on the farm and creating a mystery the children cannot ignore.

One reindeer behaves differently from all the others, making it an especially interesting part of the situation.

I am curious about what Elliot and Flora will uncover and how the unusual animal fits into everything happening around them.

The book also uses an advent-style format with sealed pages, which makes the experience particularly appealing for families who enjoy reading a little each day throughout December.

For children looking for Christmas mystery books with animal characters, festive suspense, and an interactive reading experience, this sounds like a lovely addition to the holiday bookshelf.

3. Cookies for Santa: A Spin-and-Slide Book by Workman Press

Publication Date: September 29, 2026

I love the idea of introducing babies to Christmas through a book they can actually interact with, rather than asking them to sit still while an adult reads every page.

Cookies for Santa is an interactive board book designed for very young children, with spin-and-slide features that help bring the festive activity to life.

The book invites little readers and their grown-ups to follow the process of preparing cookies for Santa, turning a familiar Christmas tradition into a playful reading experience.

I can imagine this being a sweet choice for parents who want to establish a holiday reading routine before their children are old enough to follow longer stories.

The sturdy board-book format is also suited to the hands-on exploration that makes books especially engaging for babies and toddlers.

For families searching for interactive Christmas books for babies, first Christmas books for toddlers, or festive board books to share during December, this title is one I would happily consider.

It could also make a thoughtful addition to a little one’s Christmas gift collection.

4. Yule Be Sorry by Christopher Krovatin

Publication Date: October 6, 2026

Not every child wants a gentle Christmas story filled with cheerful characters, and this middle-grade horror novel sounds like an interesting option for readers who enjoy being a little frightened.

Yule Be Sorry follows Farrah and her cousin Cedric after they discover a collection of metallic ornaments and decide to hang them on the Christmas tree.

Unfortunately, decorating the tree has consequences neither child expects, as the ornaments begin bringing strange and creepy creatures into their home.

Things become even more dangerous when a blizzard leaves the family trapped inside with the frightening visitors.

I am intrigued by the way this premise transforms an ordinary Christmas decoration into the source of a much bigger problem.

The combination of supernatural creatures, a snowstorm, and a family forced to fight for survival makes this a very different kind of holiday read.

For older children who enjoy middle-grade horror books, creepy Christmas stories, and seasonal adventures with genuine suspense, this could be an exciting pick.

I would save it for readers who already enjoy spooky fiction rather than children looking for a cozy bedtime story.

5. Christmas Makes Me Happy by Eleanor Bowmer

Publication Date: September 24, 2026

For little children, some of the most enjoyable Christmas books are the ones that let them participate rather than simply listen, and this interactive board book sounds like a lovely example.

Christmas Makes Me Happy focuses on decorating for the festive season, giving young readers a chance to engage with a familiar activity through the book’s interactive features.

One particularly sweet detail is the inclusion of a small mirror, which adds another playful element for children to discover as they turn the pages.

I like the idea of a Christmas book that introduces babies and toddlers to the excitement of decorating while allowing them to explore at their own pace.

The board-book format also makes it suitable for shared reading with parents, caregivers, and older siblings who want to help little ones enjoy the holiday season.

For families looking for Christmas books for babies and toddlers, interactive holiday board books, or a small festive gift for a preschooler, this is a title worth considering.

It sounds especially suitable for children who enjoy recognizing familiar objects and seeing themselves included in their reading experience.

6. Hilo: The Holiday Special by Judd Winick

Publication Date: October 6, 2026

Children who already love the Hilo graphic novel series have a festive adventure to look forward to with this holiday special.

Hilo and his friends find themselves facing a new mystery involving a giant, grumpy snowman, and they must work out what the unusual figure wants.

I am curious about how the characters will approach this problem, especially because the premise leaves plenty of room for the humor and imaginative situations that make graphic novels appealing to young readers.

The book also offers a seasonal entry point for children who are familiar with the series and want something connected to the Christmas period.

I like having holiday books that appeal to children who might not immediately reach for a traditional picture book or a longer chapter novel.

With illustrations by Judd Winick, this Christmas graphic novel could be a fun option for readers who enjoy following a story through a combination of dialogue and visual details.

For children searching for funny Christmas graphic novels, holiday adventures featuring familiar characters, or festive books for readers aged eight to twelve, this is one to keep in mind.

7. Who’s There, Little Elf? by Teresa Bellón

Publication Date: September 29, 2026

A Christmas book that introduces little readers to familiar festive characters sounds like a wonderful way to build excitement for the season.

Who’s There, Little Elf? is an interactive board book featuring different Christmas-related faces and images, including a smiling elf, a twinkling Christmas tree, and Santa Claus.

I like the idea of a book that encourages young children to notice the different characters and decorations associated with Christmas while exploring each page.

Because Teresa Bellón also provides the illustrations, the book brings its visual elements together under one creative direction.

The interactive format makes it an appealing option for shared reading, particularly when an adult can help a child identify the different festive figures and talk about what they see.

For parents searching for Christmas board books for toddlers, interactive Christmas books for one-year-olds, or festive picture books for preschoolers, this title deserves a place on the list.

It could also work well as an introduction to Christmas reading for children who are only beginning to explore books independently.

8. The Snowmansion by Gideon Sterer

Publication Date: September 29, 2026

I am always interested in picture books that let children create their own interpretations of what is happening, and a wordless Christmas story offers plenty of room for imagination.

The Snowmansion follows a snowman who wonders what it might be like to experience life inside a house while a young boy watches him from indoors.

Their curiosity eventually brings them together at midnight, when they set off on a search for a home suitable for a snow person.

Since the book tells its story through illustrations rather than written narration, children can pay attention to the visual clues and invent their own descriptions of the characters’ experiences.

I especially like the idea of asking children what they think the snowman is feeling or what might happen next as the story unfolds.

The premise also offers an opportunity for adults and children to create different versions of the same adventure during repeated readings.

For families looking for wordless Christmas picture books, imaginative winter stories for preschoolers, or holiday read-alouds that encourage storytelling, this sounds like a lovely choice.

9. Karen’s New Year: A Graphic Novel by Ann M. Martin

Publication Date: October 6, 2026

New Year’s resolutions can be fun to make, but they become much less enjoyable when someone starts checking whether everyone else is following their plans.

In this thirteenth Baby-sitters Little Sister graphic novel, Karen decides that making resolutions should be a family activity rather than something she does alone.

Her enthusiasm soon gets out of hand, however, as she begins policing the resolutions made by the people around her.

I am interested in how this situation develops because it gives young readers a familiar family dynamic to think about while exploring the difference between encouraging others and trying to control their choices.

The graphic novel format also makes the story an appealing option for children who enjoy visual storytelling and prefer illustrated books to traditional chapter novels.

With illustrations by DK Yingst, this title could be a fun seasonal choice for readers aged seven to ten who enjoy the Baby-sitters Little Sister series.

For families looking for New Year’s books for children, holiday graphic novels, or stories about family relationships and personal goals, Karen’s latest adventure is worth considering.

10. Christmas Are We There Yet? by Eric Geron

Publication Date: 2026

Some children start looking forward to Christmas as soon as the previous celebration ends, and I love the idea of a picture book that turns that excitement into an entire countdown.

Christmas Are We There Yet? follows a little boy who begins counting down to Christmas the day after the holiday has finished.

Rather than waiting until December, he tracks the months and then the days until the next celebration arrives.

Along the way, the story also acknowledges other festivities that happen throughout the year, making the wait for Christmas part of a much bigger calendar of celebrations.

The rhyming format sounds especially suitable for reading aloud, while the illustrations by Yana Kozak give young readers visual details to enjoy as the countdown progresses.

I am particularly drawn to the idea of a child who stays committed to Christmas even during the warmer months.

For parents searching for Christmas picture books for preschoolers, rhyming holiday stories, or books about waiting for Christmas, this sounds like a fun addition to a family reading routine.

11. The Legend of Mrs. Claws by Lance Bass

Publication Date: September 29, 2026

A cat who tries to frighten everyone but struggles to be scary sounds like a fun character for children who enjoy playful Halloween-style adventures with a Christmas twist.

The Legend of Mrs. Claws introduces readers to a cat from the Scary Street series who loves frightening others, even though her attempts do not always work as intended.

Her adventures take an unexpected turn when she wanders onto Pinecone Lane at Christmas and accidentally ends up in Santa’s sleigh.

I am curious about what happens when this supposedly spooky cat encounters the festive world she has stumbled into.

The premise creates an amusing contrast between Mrs. Claws’s frightening ambitions and the cheerful Christmas setting, which could make the book appealing to children who like slightly spooky characters without necessarily wanting a genuinely scary story.

With illustrations by Anémone Durhin, this picture book could be a fun choice for younger readers who enjoy animal characters and humorous seasonal adventures.

For families looking for Christmas picture books for children aged four to eight, funny holiday stories, or festive books featuring a mischievous cat, this title deserves a look.

12. Elephant & Piggie: Happy Holidays! by Mo Willems

Publication Date: September 26, 2026

Children who enjoy Elephant and Piggie’s early-reader adventures have another festive option to look forward to with this Christmas activity book.

Created and illustrated by Mo Willems, Elephant & Piggie: Happy Holidays! includes interactive stickers, pop-out ornaments, and other activities designed to give young readers something to do beyond turning the pages.

I like the idea of combining familiar characters with hands-on holiday activities, especially for children who enjoy making decorations and participating in Christmas preparations.

The book could also be a useful option for families looking for an activity to keep little readers entertained during the days leading up to Christmas.

Rather than introducing a new cast of characters, it builds on the appeal of a series that its young audience may already recognize.

For parents searching for Elephant and Piggie Christmas activities, holiday activity books for early readers, or Christmas gifts for children aged five to eight, this sounds like a cheerful possibility.

I would particularly consider it for a child who enjoys interactive books and wants to do something creative while getting ready for the festive season.

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I love how varied the new Christmas books for children in 2026 are, with options for babies discovering board books, preschoolers enjoying imaginative picture stories, and older children looking for graphic novels or something a little spooky.

For the youngest readers, Cookies for Santa: A Spin-and-Slide Book and Christmas Makes Me Happy sound like lovely ways to introduce festive reading.

Children who enjoy imaginative adventures might prefer The Bakery Dragon and the Giant Cookie or The Snowmansion, while older readers who like mysteries and suspense may find The Mysterious Reindeer and Yule Be Sorry more appealing.

I also like the idea of choosing one new Christmas book each year and making it part of a family tradition, allowing children to build a personal collection of holiday favorites as they grow.

If you are buying Christmas books for children this year, consider their age, reading ability, and favorite kinds of stories before choosing a title.

With so many different adventures to choose from, I would love to know which of these 2026 Christmas books you are planning to add to a child’s holiday bookshelf.