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It’s the perfect time to bring festive cheer into your classrooms with a good book. While classics like “The Polar Express” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” are always a hit, plenty of lesser-known Christmas books can make storytime even more magical in December. I have a list of delightful Christmas books you might not have heard of but will enchant your students and add a special touch to your holiday celebrations. Ready to discover some new favorite Christmas books?
Christmas Books for Upper Elementary
Patricia Polacco’s “The Trees of the Dancing Goats”
The heartwarming story of a Jewish family celebrating Christmas by helping their neighbors during a scarlet fever epidemic. The story highlights friendship, compassion, and the spirit of giving.
“Cobweb Christmas: The Tradition of Tinsel” by Shirley Climo
It shares the folklore tale of how spiders decorated a poor widow’s Christmas tree with beautiful webs, introducing readers to a charming holiday tradition from Ukraine.
“Great Joy” by Kate DiCamillo
The story follows a young girl named Frances who befriends a lonely organ grinder and his monkey during the holiday season. The book teaches lessons about empathy, kindness, and the true meaning of Christmas.
“The Baker’s Dozen: A Saint Nicholas Tale” by Aaron Shepard
Retells the Dutch legend of Saint Nicholas and the custom of giving cookies and treats during the holiday season.
“Silver Packages: An Appalachian Christmas Story” by Cynthia Rylant
A train delivers Christmas presents to children in the Appalachian Mountains. Inspired by the author’s childhood memories.
“The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey” by Susan Wojciechowski
Chronicles the transformation of a lonely woodcarver who rediscovers joy and love with the help of a widow and her son.
“Christmas Tapestry” by Patricia Polacco
It is the story of a young boy named Jason who learns about his classmates’ diverse holiday traditions while creating a Christmas tapestry in his classroom.
“The Christmas Menorahs: How a Town Fought Hate” by Janice Cohn
The true story of how the residents of Billings, Montana, came together to stand up against hate and discrimination by displaying menorahs in their windows during the holiday season.
“The Christmas Tugboat: How the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Came to New York City” by George Matteson
It tells the behind-the-scenes story of how a tugboat captain helped transport the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree to New York City, showcasing the teamwork and dedication in bringing holiday cheer to the city.
“The Cajun Night Before Christmas” by Trosclair
It is a humorous Cajun twist on the classic “Night Before Christmas” poem. It features colorful illustrations and a lively retelling of the beloved holiday tale with a Louisiana flair.
And there you have it—a collection of hidden Christmas treasures to share with your students this December. These lesser-known Christmas books offer unique stories and beautiful illustrations. Furthermore, I hope you and your students enjoy these festive Christmas books as much as my students do.
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