Books Lists
10+ Best Christmas Books for 7-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)
Are you on the hunt for the perfect festive read for your little one? Look no further! Our carefully curated list of Christmas books for 7-year-olds is packed with magical stories that capture the spirit of the season. Whether you're looking for a cozy bedtime read or something to spark that holiday excitement, we've got you covered. Keep reading to discover our top picks for Christmas books that are sure to delight any 7-year-old!
Table of Contents
Fun Christmas Books for 7-Year-Olds
- The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Christmas
- Synopsis: A young boy embarks on a magical adventure to the North Pole on the Polar Express. During his journey, he learns about bravery and the spirit of Christmas.
- Why we recommend this book: Its enchanting story and beautiful illustrations captivate young readers, fostering a love for reading through its engaging narrative.
- Perfect for: Children who love magical adventures and Christmas stories.
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Holiday
- Synopsis: The Grinch, who hates Christmas, plans to ruin it for the village of Whoville by stealing all their presents and decorations. However, he learns a valuable lesson about the true spirit of Christmas.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and rhythmic story that teaches about the importance of community and the true meaning of Christmas, making it a perfect holiday read.
- Perfect for: Kids who enjoy rhymes and a good moral lesson.
- Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Jane Chapman
- Genre(s): Animal Stories, Christmas
- Synopsis: Bear’s friends decide to keep him awake for Christmas. Together, they find a Christmas tree, sing songs, and exchange gifts.
- Why we recommend this book: This book is great for reading aloud and helps build social skills through its themes of friendship and sharing.
- Perfect for: Young readers who love stories about friendship and animals.
- Olivia Helps with Christmas by Ian Falconer
- Genre(s): Family, Holiday
- Synopsis: Excited for Christmas, Olivia the pig tries to help with preparations, with her usual humorous mishaps along the way.
- Why we recommend this book: It's funny and relatable, showing the joys and chaos of family holidays through the eyes of a charming character.
- Perfect for: Children who enjoy humorous stories and festive family fun.
- The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski, illustrated by P.J. Lynch
- Genre(s): Christmas, Classic
- Synopsis: Known as the best woodcarver in the valley, Jonathan Toomey is grumpy and alone until he is asked to carve a set of nativity figures and gradually opens his heart to the Christmas spirit.
- Why we recommend this book: This touching tale with beautiful illustrations teaches kindness and the healing power of love.
- Perfect for: Kids who appreciate heartwarming stories and the true spirit of Christmas.
Educational Christmas Books for 7-Year-Olds
- The Tree That's Meant to Be by Yuval Zommer
- Genre(s): Christmas, Nature
- Synopsis: A small, crooked fir tree is left behind at a Christmas tree lot. It finds a new life with the help of the forest animals.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Environmental awareness, empathy, community building
- Why we recommend this book: It teaches children about acceptance and the beauty of nature through a heartwarming Christmas story.
- Perfect for: Kids who love nature and stories about underdogs.
- The Little Reindeer by Nicola Killen
- Genre(s): Christmas, Adventure
- Synopsis: On Christmas Eve, a little girl named Ollie meets a lost reindeer and embarks on a magical journey through the snowy landscape.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Friendship, imagination, adventure
- Why we recommend this book: The book's charming illustrations and adventurous plot captivate young readers, sparking their imagination.
- Perfect for: Young adventurers and animal lovers.
- The Twelve Days of Christmas by Britta Teckentrup
- Genre(s): Christmas, Picture Book
- Synopsis: This book presents the classic Christmas carol with beautiful, modern illustrations, featuring a new gift on every page.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Counting, pattern recognition, traditional songs
- Why we recommend this book: It’s a visual and interactive delight that introduces children to a classic Christmas song while helping them learn to count.
- Perfect for: Kids who enjoy singing and vibrant, engaging artwork.
- Santa Claus the World's Number One Toy Expert by Marla Frazee
- Genre(s): Christmas, Humor
- Synopsis: Santa shares his secrets on how he knows exactly which toys to give to each child.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, decision-making, holiday traditions
- Why we recommend this book: It offers a humorous behind-the-scenes look at Santa’s job, making it a fun and festive read.
- Perfect for: Children curious about Santa Claus and lovers of funny stories.
- Red and Lulu by Matt Tavares
- Genre(s): Christmas, Animal Stories
- Synopsis: Red and Lulu, two cardinals, are separated when their tree is chosen to be the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. They embark on a journey to reunite in New York City.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Geography, resilience, animal behavior
- Why we recommend this book: It’s a touching story of love and determination, set against the backdrop of a famous holiday landmark.
- Perfect for: Children who enjoy heartfelt animal tales and Christmas in the city.
Challenging Christmas Books for 7-Year-Olds
- A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
- Genre(s): Classic, Fantasy, Holiday
- Synopsis: This timeless story follows Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly old man who is visited by ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. Through these visits, he learns the true meaning of Christmas.
- Why this book is challenging: The original Victorian English and complex narrative structure can be challenging for younger readers.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a classic that teaches important lessons about compassion, redemption, and the spirit of giving.
- Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy timeless tales and moral lessons.
- The Nutcracker by E.T.A. Hoffmann, illustrated by Maurice Sendak
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Fairy Tale, Holiday
- Synopsis: Young Marie Stahlbaum's favorite Christmas toy, the Nutcracker, comes alive and, after defeating the evil Mouse King in battle, whisks her away to a magical kingdom populated by dolls.
- Why this book is challenging: The intricate plot and rich, detailed descriptions provide a more complex reading experience.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a magical story that fuels the imagination with its vivid imagery and fantastical adventures.
- Perfect for: Children who love fairy tales and magical adventures.
- Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Christmas
- Synopsis: This book is a collection of letters written and illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien for his children, from the perspective of Father Christmas, detailing his adventures and misadventures at the North Pole.
- Why this book is challenging: The creative language and unique narrative style present a delightful challenge for advanced readers.
- Why we recommend this book: It offers a peek into the imaginative world of Tolkien, filled with humor and the charm of Christmas.
- Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy creative stories and fans of Tolkien's work.
- The Christmasaurus by Tom Fletcher
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Christmas
- Synopsis: A young boy named William Trundle embarks on a magical adventure with a dinosaur called the Christmasaurus on Christmas Eve.
- Why this book is challenging: It features a rich vocabulary and a fast-paced, intricate plot that keeps readers engaged and thinking.
- Why we recommend this book: It combines the excitement of dinosaurs with the magic of Christmas, offering a unique and thrilling reading experience.
- Perfect for: Dinosaur enthusiasts and children who love thrilling adventures.
- Winterfrost by Michelle Houts
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Folklore, Christmas
- Synopsis: When an heirloom Christmas ornament named Winterfrost disappears, 12-year-old Bettina is thrust into a magical adventure in the world of Danish folklore.
- Why this book is challenging: The integration of folklore with a contemporary narrative introduces complex themes and cultural elements.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a captivating story that blends tradition with fantasy, educating and entertaining at the same time.
- Perfect for: Readers interested in folklore and magical tales.
Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit
Hey there! If you're looking to make reading a festive and fun habit for your 7-year-old this Christmas, you've come to the right place. Here are some engaging exercises that can help your child develop good reading habits while enjoying some wonderful Christmas books. Let’s dive in!
- Create a Christmas Book Countdown
- What it is: Read a different Christmas book each day leading up to Christmas.
- How it helps: Builds excitement and anticipation for reading.
- Tips: Let your child pick the books to add a sense of ownership and excitement.
- Story Map Santa’s Journey
- What it is: Draw a map based on Santa’s journey in the story.
- How it helps: Enhances comprehension and helps in understanding the sequence of events.
- Tips: Use colors and stickers to make the mapping activity more engaging.
- Character Costume Day
- What it is: Dress up as a favorite character from a Christmas book.
- How it helps: Encourages deeper connection with the characters and story.
- Tips: Plan a small role-play session where your child can act out scenes from the book.
- Read and Craft
- What it is: Create crafts related to the theme of the Christmas book read.
- How it helps: Reinforces the story’s themes and details through hands-on activities.
- Tips: Choose simple crafts that can be completed with everyday household items.
- Book Gifting Tradition
- What it is: Encourage your child to pick a book to gift to a friend or family member each Christmas.
- How it helps: Promotes generosity and the joy of sharing stories.
- Tips: Discuss with your child why they think the chosen book would be appreciated by the recipient.
These exercises are not just fun; they're gateways to making reading a cherished part of your child's daily life, especially during the festive season. So, grab some hot cocoa, snuggle up, and watch your little one grow into a young reader this Christmas!