The Book Lover’s Countdown to Christmas

Christmas is coming, and an advent calendar is a fun way to build anticipation. It’s like watching the ball drop in Times Square, but in December! There are about 1,390,689 ways to make an advent calendar, but if you love books as much as we do, there’s only one way to count down the days: with heart-happy holiday picture books! Use our list to inspire your own literary advent calendar. Wrap each book in plain craft paper, number it, and secure with a simple bow. The good stuff is inside.
24 Days and Counting…How the Grinch Stole Christmas, by Dr. Seuss
Bitter hearts beware. This holiday classic will melt yours and leave you singing “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!”
23 Days and Counting…Bear Stays Up for Christmas, by Karma Wilson
Bear can sleep with the best of them. Every year he takes a big, long winter nap. But this year, he stays up to learn what Christmas is all about!
22 Days and Counting…Babar and Father Christmas, by Jean de Brunhoff
If it’s good enough for people, it’s good enough for elephants. At least that’s what Babar and the other elephants think when they hear about Father Christmas and the presents he brings!
21 Days and Counting…Olive the Other Reindeer, by Vivian Walsh
Zippity zany reindeer/dog Olive joins Santa’s team to help deliver presents. Bark on, Olive! Bark on!
20 Days and Counting…Snowmen at Christmas, by Caralyn Buehner
Travel to another world where they celebrate Christmas with icy flair—the snowman way!
19 Days and Counting…If You Take a Mouse to the Movies, Laura Joffe Numeroff
If you take a mouse to the movies, you can be sure holiday hijinks will ensue. This book also include songs, activities, and recipes to get you in the Christmas spirit.
18 Days and Counting…It’s Christmas, David!, by David Shannon
Let’s be real. If any kid is going on the naughty list, it’s David. This book reminds us why. But it also reminds us why we love Christmas.
17 Days and Counting…Olivia Helps with Christmas,  by Ian Falconer
Olivia loves everything about Christmas as passionately as she loves everything else—except the part where she has to wait for it to come!
16 Days and Counting…Shall I Knit You a Hat, by Kate Klise
This one’s for all those who have vowed to DIY their gifts this year. Like this book, handmade gifts are beautiful. And strange. And perfectly filled with Christmas spirit!
15 Days and Counting…Eloise at Christmastime, by Kay Thompson
What’s better than Christmas in New York City? Christmas at the Plaza, darling!
14 Days and Counting…Letters from Father Christmas, by J.R.R. Tolkien
This collection of letters that J.R.R. Tolkien wrote and illustrated for his children as an ancient and idiosyncratic Santa will be treasured by children of all ages.
13 Days and Counting…Santa Clause, the World’s Number One Toy Expert, by Marla Frazee
It’s a hard job, but someone’s got to play with all those toys. This adorable take on Santa is a keeper.
12 Days and Counting…Winter’s Tale, by Robert Sabuda
Sabuda has given the beautiful picture-book treatment to “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” “America the Beautiful,” and more. Like his others, Sabuda’s latest pop-up book is crisp, creative, and intriguing for all ages.
11 Days and Counting…The Velveteen Rabbit, by Margery Williams
This book is a classic because it speaks to our universal need to be loved, and reminds us that love is the gift that matters most.
10 Days and Counting…Auntie Claus, by Elise Primavera
Find out what it really means to be on the naughty list, what you need to know to stay off it, and who exactly Auntie Claus is in this beautifully illustrated and laugh-out-loud-funny tale.
9 Days and Counting…The Little Fir Tree, by Margaret Wise Brown
The author of Goodnight, Moon wrote this lovely meditation on what it means to be a tree and the true meaning of Christmas spirit.
8 Days and Counting…Madeline’s Christmas, by Ludwig Bemelmans
Madeline is as plucky as ever in this story, and there’s holiday magic in the Paris air this season.
7 Days and Counting…Snow, by Cynthia Rylant
This book isn’t quite as Christmasy as the others, but it’s peaceful and filled with awe all the same.
6 Days and Counting…Angelina’s Christmas, by Katharine Holabird
Like all the Angelina stories, this one stays with you and reminds us that we’re all connected.
5 Days and Counting…Christmas Cookies, by Amy Krause Rosenthal
I’ll read pretty much anything Rosenthal writes, and this book is no exception: it hews to her usual delightful formula of heartwarming wisdom + wildly creative twists = unforgettable, inspiring read.
4 Days and Counting…Stick Man, by Julia Donaldson
Stick Man just wants to be with his family this Christmas. Santa to the rescue!
3 Days and Counting…A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens
This Christmas classic always feels fresh, especially with the addition of Brett Helquist’s wry illustrations.
2 Days and Counting…The Lump of Coal, by Lemony Snicket
Also illustrated by Brett Helquist, but as different from A Christmas Carol as rapping is from chanting.
1 More Day! The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg
This story is filled with wonder and will have kids begging to go to bed at 7 p.m. After all, it’s Christmas Eve, and Santa’s almost here!