The Best Christmas Book Advent Books for under 5’s

Planning a Christmas Book Advent? The prospect of finding 24 Christmas Books for under 5 year olds for your book advent can be a little bit daunting to say the least. In this house, we are HUGE fans of Christmas, and with two daughters, the eldest of whom has just turned 5, I have read my fair share of Christmas stories!! If you are planning a Book advent this year and you want some inspiration of Christmas books to add to your selection, read on to hear my views on the ones you should add into the mix!

Please note – for ease of purchase I have included links – these are affiliate links, meaning that should you go on to buy any of my recommendations, I receive a small commission fee from Amazon for my time, at no extra cost to you. 

The Jolly Christmas Postman – As a child I absolutely loved the original, turning the pages and opening up the envelopes to see what little surprises lay inside. I even made my own version. This Christmas themed version of the classic children’s book does not disappoint, with the Jolly Postman delivering letters on Christmas Eve to a wide range of fairy-tale characters. With little treats like a jigsaw and a book inside a book, there are lots of magical elements to this interactive book that will make them want to read it again and again.

The Dinosaur that Pooped Christmas – If you haven’t read any of Tom Fletcher’s classics, then trust me, you will want to read them all after reading this one. Tom has such a fab writing style, and a way of bringing a story to life with such enthusiasm that you can’t help but get sucked in! This story is a fun and humorous story of a dinosaur who eats an entire Christmas… (family members included). We all know as parents however that what goes in has to come out!! A little bit gross, and ideal for those who love a bit of toilet humour!!

I love you Father Christmas – We are huge fans of Giles Andreae in this house, having fallen in love with his I love my Mummy and I love my Daddy books. This time with a festive twist. this lovely rhyming book tells the story of a little boy who wants to let Father Christmas know just how special he is.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas – No book advent would be complete without an appearance from Dr Suess. This rhyming classic is perfect for reading out loud, and is one you’re likely to be asked to read time and time again.

Is it Christmas yet?  – The ideal read for Christmas Eve, Is it Christmas yet tells the story of a little bear named Ted who is so excited and impatient waiting for Christmas Day to arrive. A relatable and adorable story.

Mr Men – The Christmas Party – You didn’t think I’d make it through a post about books without including my absolute favourite books of all time did you? Whilst the storylines aren’t perhaps as gripping as they used to be (in my opinion at least), this modern Mr Men spin off tells the story of what goes down when Little Miss Shy is invited to Mr Happy’s Christmas party. Will she make it or will the snow pay havoc to the party plans? Sticking on the Mr Men theme there is also Mr Christmas – the nephew of the big guy himself who is called in to help his uncle deliver all the presents on Christmas Eve.

We’re going on an Elf Chase – four bunnies set off on an adventure to find ten little elves, hidden under lift up flaps which little ones will love lifting to reveal the festive frolics hiding inside. With lots of obstacles along the way, can you find them all?

Dear Santa – anyone who grew up in the 80’s must have had the original Rod Campbell classic that is Dear Zoo. Dear Santa is another classic that in my opinion should be a toddler rite of passage. Lift the flaps to see what gorgeous gifts Father Christmas has in his sleigh, before revealing the perfect gift at the end (although it hopefully won’t give them any ideas!!)

For a story to give even a cold hearted grinch a warm and fuzzy feeling, the story of The Christmas Eve Tree is one that Phoebe Buffet would be totally at ease with – an ugly tree that no body wants to buy is rescued by a homeless boy and both are given the magical Christmas they truly deserve.

Another one that’s bound to raise a giggle is Father Christmas needs a wee! – it’s inevitable really given all the milk and cookies he eats at all the houses he visits, that at some point on Christmas Eve, the big guy is going to need a wee! With a fun rhyme and counting from 1 to 10, this is another great one to read out loud.

I absolutely loved the John Lewis advert about the Bear who kept missing Christmas because he fell asleep (into hibernation). This loveable board book The Bear Stays Up tells the story of how Bear’s woodland friends help him enjoy his first ever Christmas by quite literally keeping him awake. Great to read aloud with the repetitive “and the bear stayed up” – which will encourage little ones to talk along with you as they become familiar with the text.

If I didn’t include Peppa somewhere Neve would be having a bit of a strong word – Peppa’s Christmas Wish is a lovely board book for Peppa fans. Peppa makes a wish when making Christmas Pudding with Grandma Pig, and when she thinks Father Christmas has forgotten her on Christmas morning, her Christmas wish amazingly comes true!

Ten Little Elves (from the same author as Ten Little Princesses and Ten Little Pirates) is a fun counting book with lots of things to spot on every single page. Great for encouraging counting down to zero, and adorable illustrations too.

We have a few of the books from the Fairytale Hairdresser range – but the Fairytale Hairdresser and Father Christmas is probably Erin’s favourite – Its Christmas Eve  but all the presents have been STOLEN! Can Kitty help Father Christmas and save the day?

Another lift the flaps classic, Fancy Dress Christmas, is a fab one to read together. It’s the annual Christmas party, but everyone is in fancy dress – little ones will love lifting the flaps to remove the festtive outfits to reveal the characters hidden inside!

From the author of Alien Loves Underpants, Alien loves Panta Claus is another funny (if not slightly random) story to entertain the little ones on Christmas Eve. Erin’s favourite part of the book? Picking which of the brightly coloured underpants she would chose for Christmas – bless!

For a traditional story with an interactive twist – Touchy Feely Nativity, is ideal for little ones who want to touch and explore as they learn about Baby Jesus and his arrival in the stable. With fluffy donkeys, woolly sheep and a glittery angel this tactile hard back book is a lovely read with adorable illustrations.

Featuring adorable illustrations from the illustrator of The Gruffalo, Alex Scheffler, The Christmas Bear is a rhyming story of a bear who gets left behind in the workshop on Christmas Eve. Lift the flaps, turn the cogs and pull the tags to follow his journey chasing after Father Christmas.

The magic of Frozen hasn’t worn off in our house yet, and if your little ones are the same, they will love A Frozen Christmas, with the familiar characters and glitter on every page!

For babies and toddlers the That’s Not My… books are again a rite of passage – they will love touching Santa’s fluffy beard in That’s Not My Santa… with That’s Not My Elf, and That’s Not My Snowman as fab Christmas options too.

Finally for the eve of Christmas itself, No Book advent would be complete without The Night Before Xmas – with a rhyming lilt that is perfect for helping excited little ones settle down to sleep, and with captivating illustrations to boot.

PHEW. So there we have it. My round up of the Best Christmas Books for under 5’s, and the perfect additions to your Book Advent this December. If you’re looking to reduce the cost of Christmas books, there is also a great range of lesser known Christmas books in The Works 10 for £10 deal, ideal for bolstering up the selection when aiming for the full 24.