Christmas books for older children
When picture books feel too small, these Christmas chapter books fill the gap. Read one a night in December, or curl up with one on a rainy afternoon.
Older children still love Christmas stories. They just need ones with a bit more bite: more plot, more laughs, more of a lump in the throat. A chapter book is also a perfect December project, because you can read one chapter a night and arrive at Christmas Eve at the end.
Here are some favourites, from comic adventures to old classics.
Chapter books and novels
A Boy Called Christmas
By Matt Haig, illustrated by Chris Mould. Roughly ages 8–12.
An imaginative origin story for Father Christmas, following a brave young boy who sets out for the far north. It is funny and moving, with short chapters. A very good family read-aloud.
The Christmasaurus
By Tom Fletcher, illustrated by Shane Devries. Roughly ages 6–10.
A boy who loves dinosaurs is hoping for a special present, and Father Christmas has a surprise in store. Silly and fun, with plenty of pictures and jokes.
The Christmas Pig
By J. K. Rowling, illustrated by Jim Field. Roughly ages 7–11.
On Christmas Eve, a boy’s favourite toy goes missing, and his replacement sets out on an adventure to find it. It is a longer, more emotional story, best for children who like adventure with heart.
Letters from Father Christmas
By J. R. R. Tolkien. All ages as a read-aloud.
Every December, Tolkien wrote letters to his own children from Father Christmas, complete with drawings, stories about the North Polar Bear and tales from the North Pole. The collection is full of humour and warmth, and it works wonderfully dipped into a day at a time.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
By C. S. Lewis. Roughly ages 8–12.
Narnia has been in the grip of a never-ending winter “but never Christmas”, and when Father Christmas finally appears, it is a turning point in the story. C. S. Lewis was born in Belfast. A good winter read, though not strictly a Christmas book.
A Christmas Carol
By Charles Dickens. Roughly ages 9 and up, abridged or illustrated for younger readers.
Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve. The language is richer than most children’s books, so many families read an abridged or illustrated edition first, or read the original aloud.
The Nutcracker
By E. T. A. Hoffmann. Roughly ages 7–11, in retellings.
A girl’s Christmas present, a toy nutcracker, comes to life and leads an army of toys against the Mouse King. Look for a retelling that suits your child’s age, and enjoy the ballet afterwards if you can.
A December reading plan
A chapter book is a lovely way to count down to Christmas. Here is a simple way to do it:
- Choose the book in late November. Check the number of chapters, so you can match them to the number of nights.
- Pick a regular time. After dinner, after the bath or at bedtime. Lights low and a warm drink is a nice touch.
- Read one chapter a night. If a chapter is long, split it or read it faster. If it is short, read two.
- Leave it on a cliffhanger. A good place to stop builds anticipation for tomorrow.
- Finish on Christmas Eve. Choose a book that ends in the right place.
For a wrapped version of this tradition, see our book advent calendar.
If your child is a reluctant reader
Short chapters, funny stories and lots of pictures help. The Christmasaurus is a good place to start. Audiobooks are also a great option for car trips and quiet times. See our guide to helping a reluctant reader for more ideas.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best Christmas chapter books for 7-year-olds?
The Christmasaurus and A Boy Called Christmas are good choices to read aloud at this age, and strong readers can try them alone. Short chapters and pictures help.
Is A Christmas Carol suitable for children?
The original has long sentences and some frightening scenes, so many families read an abridged or illustrated edition with younger children and the full book with those aged around ten and older.
Are the Narnia books Christmas stories?
Not really, but The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe has a famous scene featuring Father Christmas and a wintery setting, which makes it a good winter read.
How can I make Christmas reading special for older children?
Choose a book together, give it a special time each night and keep the books in a festive basket. A shared story is something older children often treasure, even when they claim to be too old for it.