Festive New Holiday Books for Kids 2025
When nighttime rolls around, your kids probably like to be tucked in with their favorite stories. As the holidays approach, keep things festive with some new but sure to be timeless tales. From Christmas to Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, there are holiday books for every kid to treasure – maybe even for years to come.
Psst… check out 22 NYC Christmas Tree and Holiday Tree Lightings 2025
Merry Grinchmas, Baby! with Dr. Seuss Babies
By Random House, Illustrated by Paul Roberts
Ages 0-3
Learn the true meaning of Christmas with baby Grinch, Cindy-Lou Who, and Max in this adorable board book that shines with foil and glitter, and will capture the hearts and attention of the youngest Dr. Seuss fans.
Llama Llama: A Gift for Mama
By Anna Dewdney, Illustrated by JT Morrow
Ages 2-5 years
Llama Llama is determined to find the perfect gift for Mama in this charming Christmas installment of the beloved Llama Llama picture book series! Complete with short, simple text, festive illustrations, and a reassuring message, this holiday installments is sure to be a Christmas classic that readers can enjoy again and again.
Bluey’s Night Before Christmas
Written by Lauren Holowaty, Illustrated by Kiara Hankinson, Jemma Bayley, and Costa Kassab
Ages 3-5
Experience the magic of Christmas Eve with Bluey and the Heeler family in this sweet spin on the classic, The Night Before Christmas.
Hide-and-Seek with Santa Claus
By Carolyn Fabris, Illustrated by Yen Abis
Ages 3-7
Discover the magic of Christmas at Grandma’s house as two children seek out a hiding Santa! This charming book is a fun read for grandparents and grandkids together.
Cupig Saves Christmas
By Claire Tattersfield, Illustrated by Rob Sayegh Jr.
Ages 3-7
A hilarious and sweet Christmas adventure starring the adorable New York Times bestselling Valentine’s Day pig Cupig and set with clever rhyming text and comically expressive art.
Dr. Seuss’s Horton Hears a Hanukkah Party!
By Leslie Kimmelman, Illustrated by Tom Brannon
Ages 3-7
Horton’s enchanting new adventure blends together the timeless charm of Dr. Seuss with the rich traditions of this beloved Jewish holiday. Written and illustrated in the iconic style of Dr. Seuss’s Horton Hears a Who!, this read-aloud is great for learning about Hanukkah traditions such as eating fried latkes and spinning dreidels, and it celebrates the Jewish Festival of Lights, making it the perfect gift this holiday season.
Twinkle, Twinkle, Hanukkah
By Talia Benamy
Ages 3-8
To the tune of Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star comes Twinkle Twinkle Hanukkah. This charming lyrical picture book celebrates the history of Hanukkah while engaging little ones in a fun sing-song read aloud.
Christmas Under Construction
By Frank Tupta, Illustrated by Josh Cleland
Ages 4-6
Santa must use his construction vehicles and crew to save Christmas in this delightful and festive new picture book for families to enjoy reading each holiday season.
Once Upon a Kwanzaa
By Nyasha Williams and Sidney Rose McCall, Illustrated by Sawyer Cloud
Ages 4-8
Kids will enjoy this celebration of the beauty, power, and faith of the African-American community as reflected in the principles of Kwanzaa.
Dasher and the Polar Bear
Written and Illustrated by Matt Tavares
Ages 4-8
In this all-new Christmas tale, Dasher the reindeer discovers that the only thing better than making Christmas magic is making a new friend to share it with.
The Old Sleigh
by Jarrett Pumphrey and Jerome Pumphrey
Ages 4-8
Caldecott Honorees Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey deliver heart, hope, and holiday cheer in this magical companion to The Old Truck and The Old Boat.
Banana Menorah
By Lee Wind, Illustrated by Karl West
Ages 4-8
When Skylar’s family discovers they forgot to pack a Hanukkah menorah for their winter vacation, Skylar’s creative thinking saves the celebration with unusual and silly replacements.
The Christmas Sweater
Written and Illustrated by Jan Brett
Ages 4-8
This is a snowy adventure about a boy, his adorable pug, and the Christmas sweater that saves the day. Filled with stunning art from #1 New York Times bestselling artist Jan Brett, this picture book is the perfect gift for not only the children in your life, but also dog lovers and knitters of all ages.
When Santa Wrote Back
Written by Nathan Christopher, Illustrated by Pablo Pino
Ages 4-8
In this hilarious holiday adventure, sure to become one of your child’s favorite holiday books, a precocious young boy writes a letter to Santa full of outrageous requests and gets more than he bargained for when Santa writes back!
The Big Cheese Presents: Have Yourself a Cheesy Little Christmas
By Jory John, Illustrated by Pete Oswald
Ages 4-8
From the #1 New York Times bestselling creators of the Food Group series comes a deluxe paper-over-board Christmas picture book featuring the ever-popular character the Big Cheese. To make things extra fun, the book includes a tear sheet of twelve holiday cards.
The Elf on the Shelf Santaverse: The Rise of Nicholas the Noble
By Chanda A. Bell, Illustrated by Michael Austin
Tweens & Teens
From the beloved creator and bestselling author of the iconic holiday brand The Elf on the Shelf, comes an original and enchanting middle grade novel featuring an epic holiday adventure. Readers will discover the marvelous origins of young Saint Nick and the magical creatures of One True North as they battle to save the spirit of Christmas from an ominous force whose sole purpose is to spread hate and fear.
Eight Dates and Nights
By Betsy Aldredge
Age 12 and up
From menorahs to moments of magic, teens will fall in love with this cozy holiday romance about a New York teen snowed in a small Texas town for Hanukkah.
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