The Elves and the Shoemaker
A poor shoemaker and his wife are down to their last piece of leather when their fortunes change thanks to help from talented elves.
Children's Christmas Stories
Hand-picked classic holiday tales for young readers
We read and reviewed over 100 Christmas Stories. We felt that younger children would get the most enjoyment from the 30 titles we selected below. We hope you enjoy reading them to your children, grandchildren, or to students in your classroom.
Thomas Nast's Santa Claus, 1881
The Velveteen Rabbit
"When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."
Twas the Night Before Christmas
A must-read on Christmas Eve!
The Fir-Tree
A young fir tree dreams of growing tall and achieving greatness, only to discover too late the beauty of living in the present moment.
The Last Dream of Old Oak
An unlikely conversation between and old oak and a mayfly that delightfully illustrates the wonder of perspective.
The Tailor of Gloucester
Similar to The Elves and the Shoemaker, these lovely mice take over sewing for an aged tailor at Christmas time, but have to 'paws' for his cat!
Christmas Greetings from a Fairy to a Child
A festive holiday poem (forgetting fairy tricks and elfish play for a moment) from the beloved author of Alice in Wonderland
A Letter from Santa Claus
Twain treats us to his playful, dry wit, in his Santa's response to children's letters.
The Sprig of Holly
A dwarf demands a year of the children's lives in exchange for the last piece of holly. Will they agree?
The Night After Christmas
A play off the "Twas the Night Before" verses, there's lots of recovering after the year's biggest holiday.
Christmas Every Day
After reading, young children might rethink their wish to have Christmas all the time.
The True Meaning of Christmas (recited by Linus)
In this unforgettable scene, Linus recites scripture to explain what Christmas is all about in A Charlie Brown Christmas.
The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus
The whole story: youth in the Burzee forest, manhood when he starts his journey with the reindeer, and old age to the mantle of immortality.
Jimmy Scarecrow's Christmas
This scarecrow gets recruited by Santa to scare away polar explorers and spread joy at Christmas time.
Christmas; or, The Good Fairy
A precious story about the joy of thoughtful gift-making and giving to appreciative recipients.
The Birds' Christmas Carol
"A real Christmas baby was not to be lightly named, the whole family agreed on that."
Cousin Tribulation's Story
A heartwarming story about an oatmeal parade and "angel-children" who help a family in need.
The Brownie's Xmas
The children give a brownie Christmas for the first time in one thousand years!
A Snow Man
Nothing more fun than making a big snow man!
Little Jack Horner
We couldn't leave out this classic nursery rhyme featuring Christmas pie!
Papa Panov's Special Christmas
A lonely cobbler awaits a promised visit from Christ on Christmas Day, only to discover the divine in acts of everyday kindness to strangers.
The Christmas Ball
A toe-tapping story about children and fairies dancing under the shade of the Christmas tree.
Goody Santa Claus on a Sleigh Ride
Mrs. Claus is the narrator of this poem by the author best known for America the Beautiful
The Snowflake Tree
A beautiful winter poem describing a snow-kissed tree.
A Christmas Dream, and How It Came to be True
A children's take on Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, Alcott shares a delightful story from a young girl's point of view.
The Little Thief in the Pantry
During this season where pantries are full of goodies, here's a charming story about a little girl's compassion for a mouse who learns the difference between stealing and giving.
The Pony Engine and the Pacific Express
Who doesn't love a story about trains at Christmas time?
The Christmas Masquerade
What will the parents do when their children get "stuck" in Christmas holiday costumes and become the characters they were only pretending to be?
Turkeys Turning the Tables
A word of caution: after reading, your children might want to set free, rather than eat, turkeys this holiday!
The Pumpkin-Glory
This story is in season anytime between Thanksgiving and the New Year.
Christmas in Seventeen Seventy Six
Set during the Revolutionary War, a family anxiously awaits their captain-father's return after the surprise Christmas Day attack crossing the Delaware River.
A Christmas Hamper
A couple clever poems fit for the season.
A Kidnapped Santa Claus
Santa is simply ruining their business, and something must be done at once!
Little Bun Rabbit
Dorothy and a bunny have a discussion about Santa.
The Legend of Babouscka
A Russian tale of an old lady who got lost on her way to visit the Christ Child. Legend has it, she's still looking, and delivering presents on her way.
How Christmas Came to the Santa Maria Flats
The building lease forbids peddlers and agents from entering the Santa Maria Flats, creating a holiday dilemma for the apartment children: how will Santa Claus, the world's most famous toy peddler, make his deliveries?
Round the Yule-Log: Christmas in Norway
This Norwegian folk tale is about mischievous trolls who invade the farm every Christmas Eve.
A Child's Christmas in Wales
Even young children can reminisce about simpler days of Christmases past.
Christmas at Fezziwig's Warehouse
A raucous Christmas Eve ball featuring characters from A Christmas Carol.
Uncle Richard's New Year Dinner
Nothing melts an old family feud like a home cooked dinner from the heart to start the year off right. By the author of Anne of Green Gables.
William's New Year's Day
Imagine if you were eleven years old and got to manage a candy store on New Year's Day!
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