Favorite Christmas Picture Books (Catholic Family Read Alouds)

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In this post, I’m sharing our favorite Christmas picture books. Some of these books are new and some are classic reads.

But, they have been a wonderful part of our family’s Christmas tradition. This list contains nearly 40 books!

Most of all, they have beautiful pictures and most are religious themed.

I hope that you find something new for your family to cherish and enjoy in read-aloud time together.

christmas picture books on a white book ledge on the wall.

Favorite Christmas Picture Books

This list of books can easily be found on Amazon – and I’ve put together this list of all of them for you to easily browse there.

However, some books are out of print and may end up becoming unavailable. In that case, I recommend searching for these favorite Christmas picture books on Thriftbooks or Abebooks.

These books are perfect for celebrating the Twelve Days of Christmas.

Advent and Christmas Read-Aloud Books + Mother Culture

Stack of Christmas picture books on the table.

St. Nicholas and Sancta Lucia Picture Books

A Gift from Saint Nicholas – by Carole Kismaric

The Legend of St. Nicholas: A Story of Christmas Giving – by Dandi Mackall

The Baker’s Dozen: A Saint Nicholas Tale – by Aaron Shephard

Saint Nicholas: The Real Story of the Christmas Legend – by Julie Stiegemeyer

Lucia, Saint of Light – by Katherine Bolger Hyde

stack of St. Nicholas picture books on a table.

Nativity & Religious Themed Christmas Books

St. Francis and the Christmas Donkey – by Robert Byrd

The Little Drummer Boy – by Ezra Jack Keats

Babushka: A Christmas Tale – by Dawn Casey

The Christmas Story (Little Golden Book) – by Jane Werner Watson

The Nativity – by Ruth Sanderson

The Christmas Mouse – by Stephanie Jeffs

Stack of a variety Christmas picture books on the table.

Christmas in the Manger – by Nola Buck — this is a great board book for the littles.

The Birds of Bethlehem – by Tomie dePaola

The Spider Who Saved Christmas – by Raymond Arroyo

Joy to the World: Tomie’s Christmas Stories – by Tomie dePaola

The Clown of God – by Tomie dePaola

The Legend of the Poinsettia – by Tomie dePaola

My Golden Christmas Book – by Thomas J. Donaghy

My Golden Christmas Book standing up on a table top.

Good King Wence slas – by John M. Neale

Wenceslas – by Geraldine McCaughrean

A new book to us this year, My True Love Gave to Me: A Children’s Catechism for the Twelve Days of Christmas by Katie Warner. Tan Books recently sent us a copy of this book for review and it’s simply beautiful.

This lovely book is one that we will cherish for many years to come! If you’re on the hunt for a Catholic Christmas book that also pairs as catechism, this book is a must have. The artwork is really stunning too.

“My True Love Gave to Me teaches children and adults alike about God’s lavishing love for us, and the gifts He bestows on us through His Church. Through memorable rhyme and captivating artwork, numeric symbols help uncover foundational aspects of the Catholic Faith, from the theological virtues to the beatitudes to the twelve doctrines of the Church.” — Taken from part of the book description on the website.

Grab your copy of My True Love Gave to Me here.