Cozy Christmas Chapter Books {plus Mom Reads!}

My favorite part of Christmas planning is deciding what novels I’ll read to my children, and that I’ll read myself. I have so many treasured memories of reading in front of the Christmas tree with my kids. While they’re snuggling  in anticipation of what’s to come, my mama heart knows these are the moments that matter.

Below are the novels we’ve enjoyed over the past years, and what we’re reading this year.

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How Winston Delivered Christmas by Alex T. Smith. We all adored this book! Initially I didn’t think we’d have time or opportunity to read this last year as it was out at the library and not due till too close to Christmas… but it came and we devoured it! Although it’s intended to be read a chapter per day through December, the chapters were too short and each one was a “cliffhanger” so we really couldn’t help ourselves! Adorable, pure hearted Winston finds a letter to Santa on Christmas Eve and realizes he must deliver it himself in order for it to reach the North Pole in time. The adventures he encounters as he completes his selfless mission are so fun! After each chapter is a fun activity for readers to try out– (although, truth be told, we did not) recipes, simple crafts. The illustrations are lovely as well!

How Winston Came Home for Christmas. This year we’ll be reading the sequel to the above! Yay! We are pumped! The same format and easy, fast paced story.

The Miracle on Ebenezer Street by Catherine Doyle. This story accompanied us on all of our Christmas errands in the car last year, keeping my boys content to run around doing less-than-fun tasks! Inspired by Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, this book doesn’t shy away from sadness– much of the story revolves around grief. My heart broke for the protagonist and his father as they processed the death of the boy’s mother the previous Christmas Eve. I’d like to revisit this in the future after my boys have read the Dickens original, as there were so many references and would be a great novel for comparing and contrasting.

Tumtum and Nutmeg: A Christmas Adventure. We just adore Tumtum & Nutmeg. This series is charming– centering on a mouse couple who live in the home of a single dad and two kids who could use some encouragement and looking after; Tumtum & Nutmeg are up for the job in each of their adventurous tales! Lots of excitement in this Christmas edition! We did listen to this on Audible (currently priced at $6!) with a really wonderful narrator! You can read my thoughts on Audible here: The Ins and Outs of Audible. 

The Twenty-Four Days Before Christmas by Madeleine L’Engle. I just had to track down an out-of-print copy of this one when I read the description… a family preparing for the birth of a new sibling around the holidays! I’ll always have sweet memories of reading this snuggled on the couch with my two boys as they felt for baby kicks of their little sister. It was an equally sweet story, a quick read (48 pages long) and old fashioned in the best way. I especially loved the simple advent activities the mother planned for her family with things she had laying around the house.

The Family Under the Bridge. I read this to my first when he was 4.5. While a classic and wonderful I may have jumped the gun at that age… We re-read it at age almost-9 and enjoyed it much more (and so did younger brother at newly 8). This is a classic for a reason.

Winterfrost. I read this myself several years ago and found it absolutely enchanting, and the year I pulled it out to share with my kids, my 6yo said he already knew the story… Apparently he listened to it in Audible without my remembering he did! A year later he retold most of the story to me! The story takes place in Denmark and centers on the “nisse” of folklore of the region.

The True Gift. This short novel is so sweet! I actually had sentimental goosebumps at the final scene of the book. Sensitive Liam and his sister arrive to their grandparents’ home for the Christmas season and discover that only one cow remains in their pasture, which Liam immediately senses is sad and lonely. The story follows his quest to remedy this situation.

The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street. Ah, the Vanderbeekers. The family you want to move in with, or at least visit quite frequently. The characters are so vivid, the family so real and endearing. In this, the first of the series, the family’s lease is not being renewed on their home in their brownstone in NYC. The kids band together to try to convince their curmudgeonly (misunderstood) landlord that he should let them stay. This all takes place in the 11 days leading up to Christmas. We’re re-listening to the audiobook this year at my kids’ request, after completing the newest in the series a few weeks ago (loved it! The Vanderbeekers On the Road)

The Nutcracker Mice. We adored this! My 6yo in particular is obsessed with the Nutcracker, and he’s been asking so many questions about the “backstory” of the mice… So, this story was a treat for him! We enjoyed the imaginative plot as well as the creative reworking of the Nutcracker ballet which made the mice the good guys. We all wished we could watch the alternate story as a ballet in person!

After having finished the Little House series this year (road trip survival guide, thanks to the brilliant narration of Cherry Jones), we adored re-reading the Christmas chapters from each book all in one volume. They have such a way of re-orienting our perspective! (Their Christmas gifts were a tin cup, a candy, and a penny??!) Note: there is a newly released adaptation with new illustrations which I have not read; I believe it is intended for a younger independent reading level.

I Saw Three Ships. This is one of our read alouds for this year! Originally published in 1969, this short novel sounds lovely and I can’t wait to report back on how it goes over with my kids! I have high hopes.

Excellent Books That Aren’t About Christmas But Have a Heartwarming Christmas Scene in the Story

A Place to Hang the Moon was on our list of favorite read alouds of the whole year last year.

Toaff’s Way is a perfect late-fall read aloud as it goes through the seasons of the year, and ends with Christmas (though not really Christmas since it’s told through the squirrel’s point of view, but we as the omniscient reader know the reason the evergreen tree grows lights for a bit each winter 😉

The Adventures of Geraldine Woolkins takes place in October-December and features both Thanksgiving and Christmas scenes.

Mama Reads

A few novels I’ve enjoyed for myself over the years, and what I’m reading this year. PSA: I like my Christmas stories to be light, or at least end on a happy note. * Indicates a particular favorite

• A Dog’s Perfect Christmas (novel)
• Catching Christmas (novel)
• *Giver of Wonders (novel, loosely based on the historical Saint Nicholas)
• *The Greatest Gift (devotional)
• Shepherds Abiding (novel, Mitford series)
• *Mr. Dickens and His Carol (fictionalized story about Charles Dickens)
• *Living the Season Well: Reclaiming Christmas (parenting/inspiration)
• Midnight in Everwood (novel- retelling of the Nutcracker. Reading this year!)
• Watch and Wait: A Guide for Advent and Christmas (devotional, reading this year!)
• Home for Christmas (novel- also hoping to read this year!)

I would LOVE to hear your personal recommendations for cozy books, for family read alouds or for me 🙂 Please help me build my TBR list! Connect with me in the comments below, or on my instagram or facebook accounts.