12 Best Christmas Read Alouds For The Whole Family

Christmas is a special time of year, a season of joy, love, and togetherness. One of the best ways to get into the holiday spirit is by reading aloud with your family. There's something magical about gathering around the fireplace or a cozy reading nook, listening to a festive tale that brings everyone closer together.

Reading aloud is an excellent way to create lasting memories, stimulate imagination, and foster a love for reading in children. It's also a great way to slow down and appreciate the simple things in life, like spending quality time with your loved ones.

In this article, we'll explore the 12 best Christmas read-alouds for the whole family. From classic tales to modern stories, these books are sure to delight both kids and adults alike.

1. "The Night Before Christmas" by Clement Clarke Moore

This classic poem is a Christmas staple, and its rhythm and rhyme make it a joy to read aloud. The story follows the night before Christmas, when all is calm and bright, and Santa Claus makes his way to deliver gifts to children all around the world.

Why it's great for read-aloud:

• The poem's rhythm and rhyme make it fun to read aloud and engaging for kids.
• The story is short and sweet, making it perfect for a quick read-aloud session.
• The illustrations in many editions add to the magic of the story.

2. "Polar Express" by Chris Van Allsburg

This Caldecott Medal-winning book tells the story of a young boy's magical journey to the North Pole on the Polar Express train. With stunning illustrations and a captivating narrative, this book is sure to delight readers of all ages.

Why it's great for read-aloud:

• The story is full of imaginative and fantastical elements that will spark kids' creativity.
• The illustrations are breathtaking, making the story feel even more special.
• The themes of wonder, curiosity, and the magic of childhood make it a great choice for families.

3. "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" by Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss's classic tale of the grumpy Grinch and his attempts to ruin Christmas for the residents of Whoville is a holiday staple. With its signature rhymes and whimsical illustrations, this book is sure to delight kids and adults alike.

Why it's great for read-aloud:

• The story is full of humor, wit, and satire, making it a great choice for families with older kids.
• The themes of kindness, generosity, and community make it a great choice for teaching kids about the true meaning of Christmas.
• The rhymes and rhythms make it fun to read aloud and engaging for kids.

4. "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" by Barbara Robinson

This heartwarming story tells the tale of a group of mischievous kids who take over a church's Christmas pageant, leading to a series of hilarious and unexpected events.

Why it's great for read-aloud:

• The story is full of humor, wit, and satire, making it a great choice for families with older kids.
• The themes of kindness, generosity, and community make it a great choice for teaching kids about the true meaning of Christmas.
• The story is relatable and realistic, making it a great choice for families who want a more down-to-earth holiday story.

5. "The Snowman" by Raymond Briggs

This wordless picture book tells the story of a young boy who builds a snowman that comes to life on Christmas Eve. With stunning illustrations and a captivating narrative, this book is sure to delight readers of all ages.

Why it's great for read-aloud:

• The story is full of imaginative and fantastical elements that will spark kids' creativity.
• The illustrations are breathtaking, making the story feel even more special.
• The themes of wonder, curiosity, and the magic of childhood make it a great choice for families.

6. "The Little Drummer Boy" by Ezra Jack Keats

This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of a young drummer boy who learns the true meaning of Christmas through his interactions with the baby Jesus.

Why it's great for read-aloud:

• The story is full of imaginative and fantastical elements that will spark kids' creativity.
• The illustrations are breathtaking, making the story feel even more special.
• The themes of kindness, generosity, and community make it a great choice for teaching kids about the true meaning of Christmas.

7. "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry

This classic short story tells the tale of a young couple who sacrifice their most precious possessions to buy Christmas gifts for each other.

Why it's great for read-aloud:

• The story is full of emotional depth and complexity, making it a great choice for families with older kids.
• The themes of love, sacrifice, and generosity make it a great choice for teaching kids about the true meaning of Christmas.
• The story is a great way to explore complex emotions and themes with kids.

8. "The Tomten" by Astrid Lindgren

This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of a friendly tomten (a Swedish elf-like creature) who helps a farmer and his family on Christmas Eve.

Why it's great for read-aloud:

• The story is full of imaginative and fantastical elements that will spark kids' creativity.
• The illustrations are breathtaking, making the story feel even more special.
• The themes of kindness, generosity, and community make it a great choice for teaching kids about the true meaning of Christmas.

9. "The Great Reindeer Rebellion" by Lisa Trumbauer

This humorous story tells the tale of a group of reindeer who decide to go on strike on Christmas Eve, leading to a series of hilarious and unexpected events.

Why it's great for read-aloud:

• The story is full of humor, wit, and satire, making it a great choice for families with older kids.
• The themes of kindness, generosity, and community make it a great choice for teaching kids about the true meaning of Christmas.
• The story is relatable and realistic, making it a great choice for families who want a more down-to-earth holiday story.

10. "The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree" by Gloria Houston

This heartwarming story tells the tale of a young girl who helps her family find the perfect Christmas tree, despite the challenges they face.

Why it's great for read-aloud:

• The story is full of emotional depth and complexity, making it a great choice for families with older kids.
• The themes of love, sacrifice, and generosity make it a great choice for teaching kids about the true meaning of Christmas.
• The story is a great way to explore complex emotions and themes with kids.

11. "The Smallest Gift of Christmas" by Peter H. Reynolds

This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of a young boy who learns that the smallest gift can be the most meaningful of all.

Why it's great for read-aloud:

• The story is full of imaginative and fantastical elements that will spark kids' creativity.
• The illustrations are breathtaking, making the story feel even more special.
• The themes of kindness, generosity, and community make it a great choice for teaching kids about the true meaning of Christmas.

12. "Olive, the Other Reindeer" by J. Otto Seibold and Vivian Walsh

This humorous story tells the tale of a dog who thinks she's a reindeer and helps Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.

Why it's great for read-aloud:

• The story is full of humor, wit, and satire, making it a great choice for families with older kids.
• The themes of kindness, generosity, and community make it a great choice for teaching kids about the true meaning of Christmas.
• The story is relatable and realistic, making it a great choice for families who want a more down-to-earth holiday story.

As you can see, there are many wonderful Christmas read-alouds to choose from, each with its own unique charm and message. Whether you're looking for a classic tale or a modern story, there's something on this list for every family.

So why not gather around the fireplace or a cozy reading nook, and start a new holiday tradition with your loved ones? Reading aloud is a great way to create lasting memories, stimulate imagination, and foster a love for reading in children.

We hope this list helps you find the perfect Christmas read-aloud for your family. Happy reading!