10+ Best Christmas Books for 1-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect Christmas books for 1-year-olds? Finding that special book that captures the magic of the season and is just right for your little one can be a delightful challenge. Whether you're looking for a cuddly bedtime story or something interactive to engage their growing curiosity, we've got you covered. Keep reading to discover our handpicked lists of Christmas books perfect for 1-year-olds, and make this holiday season one to remember with a gift that opens the door to a lifelong love of reading!

Fun Christmas Books for 1-Year-Olds

• Dear Santa by Rod Campbell
  • Genre(s): Lift-the-Flap, Holiday
  • Synopsis: A young child writes to Santa, asking for the perfect Christmas gift. Each page reveals a new possible present hidden behind a flap.
  • Why we recommend this book: The interactive flaps encourage motor skills development and keep little ones engaged. It's a delightful way to introduce the concept of Christmas gifts.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who love interactive reading and discovering surprises.

• That's Not My Reindeer by Fiona Watt, illustrated by Rachel Wells
  • Genre(s): Touch-and-Feel, Board Book
  • Synopsis: This book is part of a popular series that lets little ones explore different textures as they search for their reindeer.
  • Why we recommend this book: It supports sensory development with its varied touch-and-feel elements, making reading a tactile experience.
  • Perfect for: Babies and toddlers who enjoy sensory play and are getting to know Christmas characters.

• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Winter
  • Synopsis: A little boy named Peter explores his neighborhood after the first snowfall, experiencing the simple joys and adventures of a snowy day.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its beautiful illustrations and gentle narrative capture the magic of winter, making it a timeless read.
  • Perfect for: Young children who delight in snow and exploring the world around them.

• Merry Christmas, Curious George by Margret & H.A. Rey
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Holiday
  • Synopsis: The curious little monkey, George, gets into holiday mischief and ends up at the Christmas tree farm, leading to a series of festive adventures.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines the spirit of Christmas with the playful antics of George, teaching lessons about curiosity and joy.
  • Perfect for: Curious toddlers who enjoy fun stories and mischievous characters.

• Baby Touch and Feel: Christmas by DK
  • Genre(s): Touch-and-Feel, Board Book
  • Synopsis: This book provides a sensory exploration of Christmas with various textures like a scratchy reindeer or a sparkly Christmas tree.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's great for sensory development and helps familiarize little ones with Christmas themes in a tactile way.
  • Perfect for: Infants and toddlers ready to explore the world through touch.

Educational Christmas Books for 1-Year-Olds

• Christmas in the Manger by Nola Buck, illustrated by Felicia Bond
  • Genre(s): Board Book, Holiday
  • Synopsis: This sweet rhyming story introduces the youngest readers to the Nativity story with simple text and serene illustrations.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Recognition of rhyming patterns, introduction to the Nativity story, vocabulary development
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a gentle introduction to the story of Christmas with soothing rhymes that are easy for little ones to listen to.
  • Perfect for: Babies and toddlers beginning to learn about the Christmas story.

• Where is Baby's Christmas Present? by Karen Katz
  • Genre(s): Lift-the-Flap, Board Book
  • Synopsis: A playful and colorful book where a baby searches for the hidden Christmas present. Each page has flaps for little hands to lift and explore.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Fine motor skills, object permanence, curiosity and exploration
  • Why we recommend this book: The interactive flaps make reading a fun, engaging activity that encourages babies to be active participants.
  • Perfect for: Very young children who enjoy interactive play and are just beginning to understand the concept of Christmas.

• Little Blue Truck's Christmas by Alice Schertle, illustrated by Jill McElmurry
  • Genre(s): Board Book, Holiday
  • Synopsis: Little Blue Truck is spreading cheer by delivering Christmas trees to his animal friends. Count along as the number of trees decreases from five to one.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Counting skills, friendship themes, holiday spirit
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines counting practice with a story of giving, making it both educational and heartwarming.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who love trucks and animals, and are learning to count.

• Llama Llama Jingle Bells by Anna Dewdney
  • Genre(s): Board Book, Holiday
  • Synopsis: With short and simple rhyming text, Llama Llama and his friends give gifts, sing songs, and decorate cookies. It's a fun, festive read.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Rhyming and rhythm, understanding holiday traditions, social skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a quick, joyful read that captures the excitement of Christmas through the eyes of beloved character Llama Llama.
  • Perfect for: Young Llama Llama fans and any child getting excited for Christmas activities.

• You're My Little Christmas Cookie by Nicola Edwards, illustrated by Natalie Marshall
  • Genre(s): Board Book, Holiday
  • Synopsis: A sweet story celebrating the warmth and joy of Christmas with adorable illustrations and affectionate, rhyming text.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional bonding, rhythm and rhyme, festive vocabulary
  • Why we recommend this book: The loving message and cute illustrations make it a cozy read for little ones during the holiday season.
  • Perfect for: Young children and their parents looking for a cuddly, heartwarming storytime experience.

Challenging Christmas Books for 1-Year-Olds

• Olivia Helps with Christmas by Ian Falconer
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Holiday
  • Synopsis: Olivia the pig is back in this festive tale, where she's busy preparing for Christmas, from setting up the tree to waiting for Santa.
  • Why this book is challenging: The text integrates humor and more complex narrative structures, which are great for advanced young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and engaging story that captures the excitement of Christmas through the eyes of a beloved character.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who enjoy lively stories and are ready for more detailed narratives.

• Dream Snow by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Holiday
  • Synopsis: A farmer dreams of snow covering him and his animals, and when he wakes up, he finds that it has really snowed, leading to a Christmas surprise.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features a dual-layered story with a dream sequence that introduces abstract thinking and interpretation.
  • Why we recommend this book: Eric Carle's unique illustrations and the magical, layered story encourage imagination and a sense of wonder.
  • Perfect for: Young children who enjoy dreamy, imaginative stories with a touch of mystery.

• Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Jane Chapman
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Holiday
  • Synopsis: Bear's friends keep him awake for Christmas, and they all experience the joys of friendship and giving.
  • Why this book is challenging: The story uses more complex sentence structures and a larger vocabulary than typical books for this age.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches valuable lessons about friendship and the joy of giving, all wrapped up in a sweet, engaging narrative.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who are developing their listening and comprehension skills through more complex stories.

• Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale by Martin Waddell, illustrated by Jason Cockcroft
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Holiday
  • Synopsis: This gentle tale tells the story of Kind Ox who invites other animals into the stable on a cold winter night, eventually making room for Mary and Joseph.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces historical and biblical contexts in a simplified form, which are concepts beyond typical toddler books.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its message of kindness and inclusion is beautifully conveyed through a simple yet profound story.
  • Perfect for: Young children who are being introduced to the Nativity story and the values of kindness and hospitality.

• The Twelve Days of Christmas by Laurel Long
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Holiday
  • Synopsis: This book is a visually stunning adaptation of the classic Christmas carol, featuring elaborate and detailed illustrations that capture the spirit of the song.
  • Why this book is challenging: The intricate illustrations provide a visual feast that requires attention to detail, encouraging visual literacy.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a beautiful rendition of a classic song that enhances the holiday spirit through its detailed artwork and festive theme.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy visually rich books and parents who wish to introduce traditional Christmas songs in a visual format.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Introducing your 1-year-old to the joys of reading through Christmas books is a magical way to bond and develop their early literacy skills. Here are some fun and educational exercises that will not only make reading time special but also beneficial for their growth. Let's dive in!

• Interactive Reading Sessions
  • What it is: Read aloud from Christmas books, using expressive voices and gestures.
  • How it helps: Enhances language development and helps in understanding emotions and storytelling.
  • Tips: Use different voices for different characters to make the story more engaging.

• Point and Name
  • What it is: Point to and name different pictures and objects in the book.
  • How it helps: Builds vocabulary and recognition skills.
  • Tips: Encourage your child to point to objects themselves as they become familiar with the words.

• Sing Along With Christmas Carols
  • What it is: Incorporate Christmas carols that relate to the story or theme of the book.
  • How it helps: Improves memory and rhythm, and makes reading a fun, multisensory experience.
  • Tips: Choose books that include songs or can be easily paired with well-known carols.

• Simple Story Retelling
  • What it is: After reading, help your child retell the story in their own words using the book's images.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and narrative skills.
  • Tips: Prompt them with questions about the story to guide their retelling.

• Touch and Feel Books
  • What it is: Use books with different textures to explore while reading.
  • How it helps: Stimulates sensory interaction and fine motor skills.
  • Tips: Let your child explore each texture on their own and describe what they feel.

Reading with your little one is not just about storytelling; it's about creating experiences that they will cherish and learn from. These exercises are tailored to make reading a dynamic part of your child's daily routine, fostering a love for books right from the start. Happy reading and happy holidays!