In Iceland, books are given as gifts, families read together and enjoy cookies on Christmas Eve.

Books at the Christmas season are great to share!

Here’s fun children’s books about Christmas around the world, from snowy Scandinavia to beach weather Australia, Paris, New York City, recipes for holiday treats and details of Christmas celebrations worldwide.

The Christmas Wish by Lori Evert, Per Breiehagen

Anja, who lives in the far north, dreams of becoming one of Santa’s Elves.

Anja sets off on her skis, wondering if she’ll get lost, but a bright red bird shows the way. A giant horse offers to take her further on, as night falls they watch the northern lights together. She rides on the back of a polar bear who takes her across the snow covered tundra. On the last leg of her journey, a reindeer carries her up in the sky …. to Santa Claus. Fabulous photos! (Board Book)

Joy to the World by Kate DePalma, Sophie Fatus

Beautifully illustrated Christmas celebrations in different countries – Colombia, India, Egypt, Mexico, Ethiopia, Philippines, Canada, Lebanon, Italy, Australia, Serbia, Iceland.

For example, in Colombia, Day of the Little Candles (Dia de las velitas) December 7, people light candles and make wishes. Goan communities in India bake kuswar holiday pastries. On Christmas, it’s summer so families in Australia celebrate with a picnic on the beach and game of cricket. In Mexico is Las Posadas, a play about Mary and Joseph with no place to stay. In Iceland, books are given as gifts, and families read together and eat cookies on Christmas Eve. (Picture book)

The Christmas Owl by Ellen Kalish, Gideon Sterer, Ramona Kaulitzki

Every year a huge Christmas tree is brought from upstate New York, and set up in Rockefeller Center.

Based on a true story, Little Owl accidentally stows away in the tree going to New York City. When Little Owl wakes, she realizes this isn’t her home, but the owl is rescued and taken to a wildlife center to be cared for. (Picture book)

Christmas Comes to Moomin Valley story by Tove Jansson, Alex Haridi, Cecilia Davidsson, Filippa Widlund

It’s winter and Moominvalley is covered in snow and ice.

But this year a neighbor stops by and wakes up the Moomin family, announcing “Christmas is coming, and nothing is ready!” Then he disappears. The Moomins go to sleep in October and wake up in spring, so they don’t know about Christmas.

Other friends stop by to give them advice, so the Moomins go out and get a fir tree, “dress” the tree with beautiful shells, beads and crystals, make buttermilk and blueberry pie, gather up presents.

As dusk falls, the Moomins light candles, but still aren’t sure what will happen at Christmas. Tiny woodland creatures come to wish them “Merry Christmas” – the Moomins offer them food and presents. And the biggest star is in the sky, right above their tree. (Picture book)

Carla and the Christmas Cornbread by Carla Hall, Cherise Harris

It’s Christmas Eve. Carla helps Granny make the cornbread for dinner, she bakes it in a cast iron skillet, they pop it in the oven. Grandpa reads stories to the girls, they wonder where Santa Claus is right now.

After dinner, Carla see’s a big sugar cookie on the dining table – she take a bite. Oop’s this big sugar cookie was a snack for Santa. So Carla and Granny make a special cornbread snack for Santa instead.

Plus plus delicious cornbread recipe to make. (Picture book)

A World of Cookies for Santa by M.E. Furman, Susan Gal

Take a sweet trip about the world, to discover tasty treats for Santa in 32 different countries – crispy kulkuls and chai in India, Spanish turron nougat candy, Norwegian rice pudding, Philippines puto seko cookies, Christmas bread in Chile, plus recipes for cookies to bake. (Picture book)

Madeline’s Christmas by Ludwig Bemelmans

It was the night before Christmas, and not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. Madeline’s school friends and Miss Clavell are all sick in bed with a cold, only Madeline is up and about to take care of everyone.

There’s a knock at the door, it’s a rug merchant with twelve warm red rugs. Madeline buys them all, but soon she needs to take care of him too. And then he works his magic.

Suddenly the girls are floating on their carpets above Paris, on the way to surprise their parents on Christmas Day. (Board book)

Bluey and Bingo’s Christmas Cookbook by Penguin Young Readers

Hop to the kitchen to create 13 different Christmas treats, Australian style.

Make a Christmas Swim Jelly Cake (blue jello is perfect), party crowns with Gingerbread Biccies, Bartlebee Toast (apricot jam and blueberries), Chocolate Pony Poo, Veranda Santa Hats with strawberries and white chocolate, and more. (Cookbook)

Another fun Bluey book, Christmas Eve with Veranda Santa.

‘Twas Nochebuena by Roseanne Greenfield Thong, Sara Palacios

A story in English and Spanish, it’s Nochebuena (Christmas Eve), and all through the casa, everyone is making tamales, a holiday tradicion. The arbol is decorated, and there’s a nativity scene with los Reyes wise men. Guests arrive, everyone plays games, pinatas are filled with candies.

After midnight mass and fireworks, it’s time for cena (feast), bunuelos for dessert, and opening regalos (presents) with many abrazos (hugs). (Picture book)

Feliz Navidad!

Babar and Father Christmas by Jean De Brunhoff

In the kingdom of the Elephants, children wish Father Christmas would visit their country.

Babar goes on a delightful journey to find Father Christmas. Lost in a snowstorm, Babar accidentally finds Father Christmas in his warm underground palace. Father Christmas is touched by Babar’s request, and from then on, every year he returns to the land of the elephants.

A multi-generational family favorite, by French author Jean De Brunhoff. (Picture book)

How Kids Celebrate Christmas Around the World by Pavla Hanackova, Karolina Medkova, Maria Neradova

Find out about holidays celebrations in 14 different countries – Spain, Germany, Mexico, USA, Australia & New Zealand, Greece, Ethiopia, Italy, Israel, Russia, Venezuela, Finland, France.

In Austalia, Santa’s sleigh may be pulled by kangaroos, New Zealand, holiday tree is a pohutukawa covered with red flowers. Santa is called, Jolupukki in Finland, and he lives with his elves helpers in Lapland. Every home has an advent calendar and Christmas is celebrated on December 24 in Germany. El Nino Jesus brings presents on Christmas Eve, gifts are opened on Christmas Day in Venezuela. (Picture book)

Winter Solstice Wish by Kate Allen Fox, Elisa Paganelli

On the longest night of the year, families get together on the beach. They make a wish:
a wish for light
a wish for hope
a wish for renewal.

With a single match, a bonfire is lit, the flame grows, and expands around the globe – to hands reaching out, holding one another. (Picture book)

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