What is the TRUE spirit of Christmas?
If you are an educator or a parent like me – and looking for some seasonal stories that can inspire kids to think about what Christmas is really all about – you’ve come to the right place!
Today you will find an incredible list of kids Christmas books that focus on spreading kindness and love and the true spirit of Christmas.
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Kids Christmas Books About Kindness and Love
When I created this list, I really wanted to stay away from books that focused on gift-giving – and instead find those that shared stories of simple expressions of kindness and love. That being said, some of these books involve gift-giving, but ALL of them emphasize thoughtful and meaningful gifts.
To help you find appropriate books for your children or students, I’ve divided them up roughly by approximate grade level as a guide. However, some books will be appropriate for other grades/ages – it completely depends on student reading level, group dynamics, and maturity, etc.
Christmas Stories for Early Elementary Aged Children (Kindergarten to Grade 2)
My all-time favourite Christmas book for kids. A beautifully written and charmingly illustrated story of characters who use leftover scraps of material to make handmade and thoughtful gifts for their loved ones.
Check out this really cute Christmas ornament inspired by this story!
A little girl counts down the days to Christmas by making cards and cookies for others, decorations, and in the end – creating an outdoor snack-filled tree for her wintertime forest friends.
Christmas Tales for Lower Elementary Aged Children (Grades 3-5)
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey
A beautiful story of a man who loses his wife and family long ago at Christmastime and becomes sad and withdrawn until he meets a very special widow and her son.
An Invisible Thread Christmas Story: A true story based on the #1 New York Times bestseller
The picture book version of the true story of a friendship that grew between a woman and a boy in need. A timeless tale about the importance of helping others who are less fortunate.
Hugs & Kisses in a Bottle: The Best Christmas Gift Ever!
A sweet story and activity book to inspire kids to create gifts from the heart for loved ones that they are unable to see on Christmas day (perfect for kids whose families are separated or divorced) – includes instructions to make an adorable bottle craft filled with hugs and kisses.
A wonderful story of how a family celebrates Christmas each year by decorating an outdoor tree for forest friends. Beautifully written by master storyteller Eve Bunting.
If you’re not familiar with why it is lucky to place a spider on your Christmas tree, you will want to read this folktale of friendship and being a good neighbour.
Children’s Book: Kara’s Christmas Smile
A lovely pay-it-forward story of how one little girl’s smile triggers a series of kindnesses during the Christmas season.
A heart-warming story of a son who has no money to buy his father a Christmas present, and how he comes up with the best gift of all – his love.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (Classic Seuss)
The classic Seussian tale of a Christmas-hating grinch who is touched by the kindness and love of children.
The Spirit of Christmas: A Giving Tradition
A beautifully illustrated story of a boy who decides to start a new tradition of giving to children whose families are less fortunate.
Christmas Kindness Books for Upper Elementary Students (Grade 6-8)
A Christmas Carol (Illustrated Classics)
A classic story of kindness and love that all children need to read! This version is adapted for kids ages 11 and up and includes colourful pictures and retains some of Dicken’s beautiful language while being accessible to today’s generation of pre-teens.
An incredibly touching and bittersweet story of a little homeless girl who freezes to death from exposure over the holidays, but who is happy to join her loving grandmother in heaven. It highlights the sad reality of many in need today, and may inspire your child/students to make a difference for those less fortunate in their community.
Do you have a favourite Christmas book that you read to your kids? Tell me about it! Please leave a comment below – I’d love to hear from you!
Lots of love,
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What great suggestions! WE love to pull out our Christmas books and read as part of the excitement of the season and I like that the books you suggest promote the message of kindness and love, which is really the message of Christ.