Baby's First Christmas Booklist
Get Dressed, Santa! is a classic Christmas book by Tomie dePaola, perfect for baby’s first Christmas.
We all know how important it is to read aloud to our children everyday. Getting some quality reading time in with an active, curious baby can be a challenge, and finding quiet time to cuddle up and read together can be even more difficult during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. As much as you may want to share some of your favorite classic Christmas stories with your child on their first Christmas, chances are they don't have the attention span to sit through a reading of How the Grinch Stole Christmas or other lengthy holiday tales (but if they do, have at it! Build those rich language skills - and then please tell me how you got your baby to sit still for so long!). I've rounded up some tried and true Christmas picture books that are perfect for children from birth to 12 months - and beyond!
Some things I like to look for when choosing a book for newborn-12 month readers:
Bright, colorful illustrations. Bonus points if the illustrations are in high contrast colors
Board books hold up well to little hands - and mouths! Trust me, I have many books with gnawed corners. Go for the board book!
An interactive element, such as textured pages, lift-the-flap, or picture sliders
Rich language, but short reading length. Think of a book that you can read in five minutes or less!
Get Dressed Santa by Tomie dePaola
It's no secret here that I love Tomie dePaola's work. In this story, Santa is scrambling to get dressed and ready for his big Christmas Eve flight. Little ones will love his bright, soft illustrations and rhythmic text. It's a great introduction to the big guy - Santa!
One Night In Bethlehem by Jill Roman Lord, Illustrated by Paige Keiser
A little boy imagines what job he would have done on the night of Christ's birth. The textures on each page of this touch-and-feel book will engage the tiniest of readers.
Nativity Flap Book by Usborne Books
I can't say enough wonderful things about Usborne and their catalog of books. There are so many nativity stories out there, but I love the bright, simple illustrations of this book. Each page features a flap to lift, or a picture window to the next page, so little eyes will constantly have something visually interesting to catch and keep their attention. The simple retelling of the nativity story should be one of the first Christmas stories your little one hears.
Our Little Deer by Sandra Magsamen
Sandra Magsamen is a woman of many talents, but parents will immediately recognize her sweet outline drawings. Magsamen is an art therapist, and her message of love and connection is evident in this story that shares affirmations between the reader and the "little deer" nestled in their lap. My youngest loves the little plush antlers on the top of this book (remember when I mentioned much-gnawed books? This is one of them!). A wonderful stocking stuffer to be read again and again!
Here Comes Christmas by Caroline Jane Church
We have almost every book in Caroline Jane Church's catalog, so of course I had to pick up this title a few years ago. A little boy imagines what Santa will leave under the tree on Christmas morning. This touch-and-feel and lift-the-flap book is the perfect book to add to your collection (or for Santa to leave under your tree!)
Do you have a favorite first Christmas book that you've shared with your little one? I'd love to hear about it! Happy Holidays, and happy reading!