7 Chapter Books That Celebrate the Holidays

Judy Moody and Stink: The Holly Joliday, by Megan McDonald
Stink’s a dreamer. And this year, the ONLY thing he wants for Christmas is snow, even though it hasn’t snowed on Christmas in Virginia for over a hundred years. Just like the rest of the series, this book includes the siblings’ playful banter and delightfully creative problem solving skills. With Judy’s help, this charming sister and brother duo just might have a white Christmas all their own.

Captain Awesome Saves the Winter Wonderland, by Stan Kirby
Nobody puts the holiday play in the corner. Not on my watch. And not on Captain Awesome’s watch either. Cue the Snowflake Symphony! When a big meanie threatens to take down the holiday show, the Sunnyview Superhero Squad is ready to fight back. Tons of illustrations and simple text make this is a great book for beginning readers who are looking forward to their own holiday show this time of year.

Junie B., First Grader: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells!, by Barbara Park
When you’re in first grade, Christmas is magical. It’s pretty much the biggest deal of the year. As she does year-round, beloved Junie B. Jones has strong thoughts on everything—especially Christmas. When she gets stuck with Tattletale May as her Secret Santa, she has a LOT of thoughts about Christmas, and they rhyme with Jah Jumbug! Will she find the holiday spirit in time to give May the perfect gift? If she doesn’t, her name isn’t Junie B. Jones!

Magic Tree House #29: Christmas in Camelot, by Mary Pope Osborne
There’s alliteration in the air, which must mean it’s Christmas in the Magic Tree House! Volume 29 in this epic series is a Middle Ages feast for the senses and a celebration of the power of imagination. King Arthur needs help to recapture the sense of joy that makes Camelot Camelot, and that’s where Jack and Annie come in. Readers who join Jack and Annie on their latest adventure will close the book excited about the holidays—and history.

Flat Stanley: Stanley’s Christmas Adventure, by Jeff Brown
You take Christmas for granted for just one minute and suddenly Santa refuses to deliver presents. Why does Christmas ALWAYS seem to need saving? Can’t we take a year off and enjoy it every so often? Obviously not. Especially not if you’re Flat Stanley. In this holiday-themed book, he is his usual kind self, asking that all his gifts be given to earthquake victims in South Africa. His selflessness convinces Santa to get back out there, and Christmas is safe once again—at least for this year.

Nate the Great and the Crunchy Christmas, by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat and Craig Sharmat
Winter break is the perfect time to sneak in a little extra reading practice. If your little ones prefer detective stories, invite them to solve a holiday mystery alongside Nate the Great. This time he’s on the hunt for a missing Christmas card. (Don’t worry, he finds it!) In a lovely bit of understated diversity, we also learn that Nate’s family celebrates Hanukkah. Yom Tov!

My Weird School: Deck the Halls, We’re Off the Walls, by Dan Gutman
Who doesn’t love this series? With a kid rapper named Cray-Z and a school called Ella Mentry, kids will be giggling too hard to notice they’re reading a “real book.” In this holiday-themed collection of stories, the kids do nothing less than save Christmas—or at least Santa’s appearance at the mall. With 32 pages of games and puzzles, this is also a great book for the backseat during that long drive to grandma’s.
What chapter books are your early readers digging into for the holidays?