Christmas Books for Kids and Teens: Our Picks for 2026

Estimated reading time: 9 minutes | Last updated: September 2026

A dinosaur who wants to fly with Santa, a wombat hunting for carrots, a Christmas murder mystery or a snowy teenage romance: festive reading can take plenty of different forms.

Our Christmas book list brings together stories for younger children, independent readers and teens. Start with the kind of story they already enjoy, whether that is silly humour, magical adventures or a mystery to solve.

These are our picks to read in 2026, including established favourites rather than only new releases. We have also noted where we found each book in ePlatform’s UK, Australian and New Zealand shared collections.

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Key Takeaways

• Choose by interest as well as age: comedy, fantasy, mystery and romance all have a place in Christmas reading.
• Picture books offer stories to share, while chapter books and teenage fiction give independent readers more to explore.
• Check the edition when borrowing, particularly for The Christmasaurus, which has both a novel and a picture-book adaptation.
• Availability and formats vary between shared collections. Check your school’s library for the edition you would like.

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Table of Contents

• Christmas picture books and stories to share
• Christmas chapter books, comedy and adventure
• Christmas mysteries for older children
• Christmas books for teens
• Take a Christmas story into the holidays
• FAQs
• Final Thoughts

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Christmas picture books and stories to share

For younger children, sharing a Christmas story can be part of the fun. These choices offer different ways to join in, from spotting silly mistakes to following a familiar cat through the Christmas preparations.

1. Christmas Wombat by Jackie French, illustrated by Bruce Whatley

Christmas brings some unexpected competition for Wombat’s favourite food: carrots. Reindeer and a surprise journey turn an ordinary search for something to eat into a festive adventure.

The appeal is the animal’s view of events. While everyone else is busy with Christmas, Wombat has more practical priorities. It is a playful choice for children who enjoy animal characters and adults who appreciate a little dry humour at storytime.

Choose this for: Younger children who love animals and funny picture books.

Find it in: Australia primary shared collection as an eBook. You may also see this story published under the title Diary of a Christmas Wombat.

2. This Is an Elf by Beck and Matt Stanton

In this book, the grown-up gets things wrong, and the children get to point it out. Even the title invites an argument: is that really an elf?

Rather than asking children to sit quietly, the book gives them a reason to look closely and speak up. Read the deliberately incorrect statements with a straight face and leave a pause for the response. It could make a lively choice for a small group, a classroom storytime or a family read-aloud.

Choose this for: Children who enjoy joining in and correcting the grown-up.

Find it in: Australia and New Zealand primary shared collections as an eBook.

3. Mog’s Christmas by Judith Kerr

Christmas preparations are confusing when you are a cat. With unfamiliar sights, sounds and activity filling the house, Mog retreats to the roof while the family gets ready for the celebrations.

Mog’s perspective gives younger children a different way to look at familiar Christmas routines. This is Mog’s Christmas, a separate story from Mog’s Christmas Calamity, so check the title when searching.

Choose this for: Younger children who enjoy pets, family stories and familiar characters.

Find it in: UK and New Zealand primary shared collections as an audiobook.

4. The Christmasaurus (Picture-Book Adaptation) by Tom Fletcher

A dinosaur dreams of flying with Santa’s reindeer. There is just one problem: getting into the air is much harder than he expects.

This rhyming picture-book adaptation brings the Christmasaurus to younger readers through a shorter adventure about an unlikely ambition. It is a natural starting point for a child who already loves dinosaurs.

Check which version you are borrowing. The picture-book adaptation and the original chapter-book novel share a title, but they are different reading and listening experiences.

Choose this for: Younger dinosaur fans looking for a festive adventure.

Find it in: UK, Australia and New Zealand primary shared collections as an audiobook of the picture-book adaptation. The longer novel audiobook is also available in the UK primary shared collection.

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Christmas chapter books, comedy and adventure

Some children want a Christmas story full of magic. Others would rather laugh at a family disaster or explore a ridiculous treehouse. These books offer several routes into a longer festive read.

5. Judy Moody and Stink: The Holly Joliday by Megan McDonald, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds

Judy has a long Christmas wish list. Her younger brother Stink wants something much harder to arrange: snow.

Sibling comedy and the anticipation of Christmas give this story its appeal. It is a good option for children who prefer recognisable family situations to a large fantasy world, particularly if they already enjoy Judy or Stink’s adventures.

Choose this for: Readers who like funny sibling stories and Christmas wishes.

Find it in: UK and Australia primary shared collections as an eBook.

6. The Naughtiest Unicorn at Christmas by Pip Bird, illustrated by David O’Connell

Christmas at Unicorn School promises festive excitement, including a school show. With Dave the unicorn involved, there is also plenty of room for things to go wrong.

This is a choice for readers who want their magic mixed with silliness. The school setting and troublesome unicorn offer a different flavour of Christmas adventure from stories centred on Santa’s workshop.

Choose this for: Children who enjoy magical creatures, school mishaps and mischievous characters.

Find it in: UK, Australia and New Zealand primary shared collections as an eBook.

7. The 156-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton

The title might not give it away, but this Treehouse adventure is a Christmas story. Andy and Terry are celebrating in a treehouse packed with increasingly absurd additions, including a mind-reading sandwich machine.

Comic-style illustrations are part of how the story unfolds, making this a useful pick for children who enjoy moving between pictures and text. It is the twelfth book in the series, so it may be particularly welcome for an existing Treehouse fan.

Choose this for: Readers who love visual humour, ridiculous inventions and over-the-top adventures.

Find it in: Australia and New Zealand primary shared collections, and the Australia secondary shared collection, as an eBook.

8. A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig, illustrated by Chris Mould

Before he was Father Christmas, he was a boy called Nikolas. This story imagines his beginnings through an adventure involving elves, snow and seemingly impossible things.

It is the first book in Matt Haig’s Christmas series and a useful starting point for readers who want a longer magical journey. There is danger and difficulty alongside the wonder, so it offers more than a gentle bedtime tale.

Choose this for: Children who enjoy fantasy adventures and discovering how a familiar legend might have begun.

Find it in: UK primary shared collection as an eBook.

9. The Girl Who Saved Christmas by Matt Haig, illustrated by Chris Mould

Christmas magic is fading, and Amelia Wishart is trapped in a workhouse. Father Christmas must find her if the celebrations are to be saved.

The second book in Haig’s festive series combines an adventure with themes of hope and belief. Its workhouse setting also brings hardship into the story. If a reader is new to the series, introduce A Boy Called Christmas first; this gives them a clear next book to explore.

Choose this for: Readers who enjoyed A Boy Called Christmas and want to return to its world.

Find it in: UK, Australia and New Zealand primary shared collections, and the New Zealand secondary shared collection, as an eBook.

10. The Completely Chaotic Christmas of Lottie Brooks by Katie Kirby

Lottie’s Christmas comes with family chaos, embarrassing moments, presents and crushes. Her diary brings the festive season into the everyday world of growing up.

This offers a change of pace for readers who have moved beyond Santa adventures but still enjoy a Christmas setting. The attraction is Lottie’s account of everything going wrong, making it a good fit for fans of diary-style comedy.

Choose this for: Older children who prefer relatable mishaps and family humour to fantasy.

Find it in: UK primary shared collection as an eBook and audiobook.

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Christmas mysteries for older children

A festive setting does not have to mean a peaceful story. For children who enjoy clues, suspects and surprises, these books add mystery to the Christmas reading list.

11. The Greek Who Stole Christmas by Anthony Horowitz

Christmas finds the Diamond Brothers short of money and facing a new case. A famous Greek celebrity has received death threats, and the brothers are hired to investigate.

The combination of detective work and comedy distinguishes this from the magical adventures elsewhere in the list. The publisher places it in the 8–12 age range, although its threats and danger are worth keeping in mind when choosing for an individual reader.

Choose this for: Older children who enjoy funny detectives and a mystery to untangle.

Find it in: UK, Australia and New Zealand primary shared collections as an eBook.

12. Mistletoe and Murder by Robin Stevens

A Christmas visit to Cambridge turns into a murder investigation for Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong. The festive university setting provides the backdrop for suspects, secrets and detective work.

This is the fifth book in the Murder Most Unladylike series. It is a particularly relevant recommendation for readers who already know Daisy and Hazel, and it involves a murder rather than a harmless Christmas puzzle.

Choose this for: Confident mystery readers who enjoy suspense and following an investigation.

Find it in: UK primary shared collection as an eBook and audiobook. The audiobook is also in Australia and New Zealand primary collections, and UK and New Zealand secondary collections.

13. The Very Merry Murder Club, edited by Serena Patel and Robin Stevens

This illustrated collection brings together winter mysteries from 13 authors. Instead of committing to one long investigation, readers can explore separate stories and discover different writing styles.

That makes it a useful choice for someone who enjoys finishing a story before starting another. It also creates an opportunity to find a new author to read after Christmas. The publisher recommends the collection for ages 8–12.

Choose this for: Older children who like mysteries in shorter bursts.

Find it in: UK primary and secondary shared collections as an eBook.

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Christmas books for teens

For teens who enjoy romance, Christmas provides a setting for unexpected meetings, complicated feelings and plans that do not quite work out. These two choices are YA fiction, distinct from the mysteries for older children above.

14. Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle

A Christmas Eve snowstorm connects three stories of teenage romance. As the stories overlap, different characters and encounters become part of a shared festive setting.

The interconnected structure is part of the appeal. Readers get several perspectives while gradually seeing how the stories fit together, making this a good choice for teens who enjoy an ensemble cast.

Choose this for: Teen readers who like romance, snowy settings and stories that connect.

Find it in: UK, Australia and New Zealand secondary shared collections as an eBook and audiobook.

15. Only for the Holidays by Abiola Bello

City girl Tia and country boy Quincy find themselves caught up in a festive fake-dating arrangement, with a Winter Ball adding to the complications.

This is a contemporary YA romance for readers who enjoy the tension between what characters pretend to feel and what might actually be happening. The publisher recommends it for ages 14 and above, making it our clearest older-teen choice.

Choose this for: Older teens who enjoy romantic comedies and the fake-dating trope.

Find it in: UK and Australia secondary shared collections as an eBook.

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Take a Christmas story into the holidays

A Christmas book can provide a starting point for holiday reading. Let children browse a few options and choose the story that interests them, even if their choice is different from the one you expected.

For schools and libraries, a short introduction can be enough:

• Offer a choice of moods. Introduce one funny book, one adventure and one mystery or romance suited to the group.
• Share a small taste. Read a short opening or listen to an available audiobook sample, then let pupils decide whether they want to continue.
• Check access before the break. Help students find their chosen title and check that they can sign in to their school’s digital library from home.
• Make room for listening. Where an audiobook is available, offer it as another way to enjoy the story.

For families heading into the Australian or New Zealand summer holidays, keep the emphasis on enjoyment. The National Library of New Zealand’s summer reading guidance encourages student choice, access to books and support from families, schools and libraries.

Audiobooks can also offer a route into stories. The National Literacy Trust’s research review explores their potential to support literacy engagement at home and in classrooms. For this list, the practical starting point is simple: check whether the reader would prefer to read, listen or try both.

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FAQs

Which Christmas books are good for reading aloud?

This Is an Elf invites children to spot mistakes and respond, while Christmas Wombat offers animal humour. The picture-book adaptation of The Christmasaurus uses rhyme. Choose according to the group, the time available and whether you want a lively, interactive story or a story to settle into.

What are some Christmas books for teenagers?

Let It Snow brings together three interconnected teenage romances. Only for the Holidays is a contemporary fake-dating romance recommended by its publisher for ages 14+. Both offer festive stories for readers who have moved beyond younger children’s Christmas adventures.

Are these all new Christmas books for 2026?

No. This is our selection for Christmas reading in 2026, combining established books with more recent titles. A good match for the reader matters more than the publication year.

Do children need to read the earlier books in a series?

Check the series information before choosing. The Girl Who Saved Christmas follows A Boy Called Christmas, while Mistletoe and Murder is the fifth Murder Most Unladylike mystery. Existing fans may enjoy returning to familiar characters; new readers may prefer to start with the first book.

Are all these books available through every ePlatform school library?

No. The collection notes reflect the shared collections checked for this article in September 2026. A school’s access depends on its subscription and collection, and formats and availability can change. Search your own school’s ePlatform library to see what is included and available to borrow. Titles included in a school’s shared collection do not require a separate title purchase by that school.

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Final Thoughts

The best place to start is with what the reader already enjoys. Offer a wombat adventure to an animal lover, a chaotic treehouse to a comedy fan or a snowy romance to a teen looking for their next love story.

Browse your school’s ePlatform library together, explore a few of these Christmas books and let the reader make the final choice.