Cosy Christmas Stories For Children And Young Readers
By Sian Thomas
Hi, I’m Sian! I normally share books about fantasy, romance, and whatever new book has swept me off my feet, but I also have 2 little children (6 and 3) who have inherited my reading genes. So when Bluehouse Bookshop invited me to share something Christmassy on their blog, I had so many ideas! We have an entire box of children's Christmas books in the loft that comes out and gets added to every year.
We pick out Christmas classics, hunt down modern favourites, and look for anything with snowy adventures, warm endings, and that unmistakable sparkle that belongs only to Christmas Eve. There is something about festive tales that captures the true spirit of Christmas better than anything else.
Children’s books usually have some kind of magic to them, but Christmas ones just feel especially magical.
I've rounded up some Christmas stories for children, tweens and early teens. Some are set in magical worlds, some in small towns, and some offer familiar Christmas scenes that readers of all ages can enjoy. All of them make lovely holiday season reads or thoughtful gifts, perfect alongside cold snow (my two have their fingers crossed for that this week!)) and hot cocoa.
The Magic Faraway Tree: A Christmas Adventure by Jacqueline Wilson
My daughter's favourite book in the entire world is The Enchanted Wood, and has been for the past 3 years. We discovered last year that Jacqueline Wilson had continued the story with a couple more books, including a Christmas book set in the world of the Magic Faraway Tree! We were so excited to return to a favourite magical world with a festive twist. There is adventure, friendship and just enough mischief to keep readers turning the pages. A lovely choice for fans of traditional stories with a sprinkle of magic.
Reading age: 6-9
The Christmas Pig by J. K. Rowling
This is a full-length novel set in a world of lost things. The story of a boy searching for his treasured toy on Christmas Eve has heart, adventure, and that feeling of stepping into a magical world at just the right moment. It’s ideal for confident young readers who want something big and absorbing to read in the run up to the arrival of Father Christmas.
Reading age: 6+
A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig
This is a modern classic. It calls you to believe in the impossible - a tagline I absolutely love! This is the true story of Father Christmas as a young boy. There are tough moments, but the message is full of hope and warmth. Children who enjoy the Polar Express, the story of Ebenezer Scrooge or tales about the true meaning of Christmas will love this one.
Reading age: 7-10
How Winston Delivered Christmas & How Winston Came Home for Christmas by Alex T. Smith
These two books both follow Winston, a little mouse, on a Christmas adventure: the first follows him trying to personally deliver a lost letter to Father Christmas; the second book follows what people say is one of Alex T. Smith's most memorable characters solving a Very Curious Mystery. What's unique about these is that they're written almost as an advent calendar, with a chapter to read every day in the run up to Christmas.
There are also Christmas carols and activities included with these books, which is a lovely touch to add to the beloved festive tales that may become a family tradition.
Reading age: 5-8
The Christmas Carrolls by Mel Taylor-Bessent
This is a bright, bouncy, much fun middle grade read about a family who celebrate Christmas every day of the year. It’s chaotic in the best way, full of humour, and perfect for children who want something light, warm and cheerful.
Reading age: 8-10
The Clockwork Crow by Catherine Fisher
Not strictly a Christmas book, but absolutely perfect for winter. A mysterious house, an old couple with secrets, a strange mechanical crow and a main character determined to uncover the truth. It has the atmosphere of a classic festive tale and works wonderfully for slightly older readers for a gothic winter read on dark nights.
Reading age: 9-12
The Grinch Who Stole Christmas by Dr Seuss
No Christmas story list feels complete without the Grinch. This short story is perfect for younger readers and still has one of the best messages about the true magic of Christmas. My two are obsessed with this one!
Reading age: 3-7
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
For older readers, the opening chapters set at Christmas are unforgettable. The March sisters face a hard time, but their kindness creates some of the most memorable Christmas scenes in literature. A gentle seasonal read that suits ages twelve and up, and one you'll love to sit down and read with your older little ones.
Reading age: 12+
The Snow Girl by Sophie Anderson
A wintery tale inspired by folklore, with just the right blend of wonder and chill. Not set in the North Pole, but it carries that same feeling of enchantment. A great story for children who love slightly more atmospheric books. And just look at that gorgeous cover!
Reading age: 7-12
My High School Christmas Boyfriend
A gentle YA holiday romance for older readers who want something wintry but light-hearted. Lovely for early teens who like contemporary stories.
Reading age: 12-18
The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse by Charlie Mackesy
A modern classic book with soft artwork and a beautiful tone. It’s peaceful, hopeful and perfect for reading slowly, page by page. Not every book that feels right for December has to mention Christmas at all. Some stories simply have that gentle winter magic: cold snow, hopeful journeys, woodland creatures and quiet, comforting moments that suit the darker evenings.
Reading age: 6+
Christmassy Books Inspired By Yorkshire
If you're local, you'll know that York feels like a Christmas story in real life at this time of year. The Shambles are decorated with tiny Christmas trees, the St Nicholas Christmas Fair is in full swing, and the warmth spilling from York bookshops and cafés when the evenings get dark just can't be beat! It’s no surprise that several children’s and teen winter books capture this same atmosphere. Here are a few Christmas books for children set around Yorkshire and the north of England:
The Elves of the Wild White Wolds by Lee Clark and Neil Clark
Inspired by a real life tree near their childhood home in the Yorkshire Wolds, brothers Lee and Neil Clark wrote and illustrated this gorgeous children's Christmas book about two mischievous elves who find themselves stranded in the Wolds at Christmas time. A lovely read for little ones.
Reading age: 4-6
Christmas Tales from the Farm by Amanda Owen
A lovely collection of stories straight from the farm at Christmas time. The author is something of a household name around Yorkshire, and readers say that this Christmas story collection throws you right back into the natural world and the working life at Ravenseat Farm.
Reading age: 7-11
Many winter books share this same mood even if they aren’t set in Yorkshire. Tales with old houses, snowy lanes, brave young heroes and magical moments feel very much like wandering through snowy Yorkshire on a December evening.
If you’re in York this December, there’s nothing better than picking up a festive middle grade or YA read from an indie bookshop. The Blue House Bookshop has the kind of cosy Christmas vibe that makes you want to stay and browse for far longer than you meant to. It really does feel like the setting of a Christmas story!
A Few More Cosy Christmas Classics You Can’t Miss
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
The artwork alone feels like stepping inside Christmas Eve. A magical train, a journey to the North Pole, and one of the best endings in children’s literature. (And the movie is pretty great too!)
Reading age: 3-6
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Older readers will know this story already, but experiencing the real text is something special. A short, powerful Christmas story about kindness, change and the true spirit of Christmas.
Reading age: 12-15
Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
Not a Christmas book, but often enjoyed around the festive period because of its themes of mischief, celebration and disguise. Suitable for teens with support or as a shared read.
Book Advent Calendars For December
A couple of years ago, we tried out a new tradition for the holiday season. Instead of a standard advent calendar, we made a book advent calendar for the children. Every time I spotted a lovely book during the year, sometimes a Christmas story, sometimes a classic, sometimes something second hand that I knew they’d love, I picked it up and put it aside. By the end of November we had a pile of twenty-four books ready to wrap.
We wrapped up each book individually and every morning in December, they got to unwrap one to read together. Some days it was a short story or a picture book we could enjoy straight away before nursery. Other days it was a longer book that we saved until bedtime. It was a much nicer treat than a chocolate advent calendar (which they still got at Grandma's house anyway!).
I'd suggest any parent to give this one a go. Kids love the idea of opening a little gift every day. It doesn't need to be expensive as you can spread the cost throughout the year and explore secondhand books or borrow favourites from your childhood too.
It’s a lovely way to revisit Christmas classics like A Christmas Carol or The Polar Express, discover new favourites and build a festive library that can come out year after year.
Christmas stories come in all shapes and sizes. Some take you to magical worlds, others show the joy of small towns, and some simply remind us that the best Christmas mornings are the ones spent together. Whether you are choosing a book for the first Christmas of a new reader or looking for something a bit special for a child who reads independently, there is something here for every family.
Merry Christmas, and happy reading!
Author Bio
Sian Thomas is a North Yorkshire-based book blogger and digital marketer. She writes about fantasy, romance, cosy reading, and the books that make her stay up far too late. On her blog Rebel Angel, she shares reading recommendations, bookshop discoveries and guides for book lovers of all ages.