While my kids are bigger now, I still haul out our Christmas picture book collection. You’re never too old to enjoy a picture book. Here are six of our favorites – we have read these many many times. 

Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson, Jane Chapman (Illustrator)

“Bear’s friends are determined to keep Bear awake for Christmas! So they wake Bear up and have him help them find a Christmas tree, bake cakes, hang up stockings, and sing Christmas songs. Bear stays up — by discovering that giving is one of the best Christmas presents!” 

Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree by Robert E. Barry

“Christmas is here and Mr. Willowby’s tree has arrived. There’s just one big problem: The tree is too tall for his parlor. He cuts off the top so it will fit, and soon the top of that tree is passed along again and again to bring holiday cheer to all the animals in the forest.” 

Santa Duck by David Milgrim

“Nicholas Duck loves Christmas, and he is happy to try on the new Santa hat that’s mysteriously delivered to his house. But when his friends see him and immediately launch into their Christmas lists, he doesn’t know what to do . . . until he runs into Santa himself.”

Little Blue Truck’s Christmas by Alice Schertle, Jill McElmurry (Illustrator)

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Little Blue Truck is spreading cheer by delivering Christmas trees to his animal friends. Can you help count each green tree from one to five and back again? Don’t forget to save one for Blue! Beep! Beep!”

Olivia Helps with Christmas by Ian Falconer

“Christmas is coming, and Olivia is incredibly busy. She has to wait for Santa, make sure dad sets up the tree, wait for Santa, watch mom make the Christmas dinner, wait for Santa, oversee the care with which the stockings are hung and, of course, OPEN HER PRESENTS!”

When Santa Was a Baby by Linda Bailey, Geneviève Godbout (Illustrator)

“Santa’s parents think their little one is absolutely wonderful, even though he has a booming voice instead of a baby’s gurgle, loves to stand in front of the refrigerator, gives his birthday presents away, trains his hamsters to pull a matchbox sleigh … and has an unusual interest in chimneys.”