It's time to grab your Christmas read alouds and deck the halls in your kindergarten and first grade classrooms with a little holiday cheer! Head to your local library to reserve this Christmas book list of 15 stories. They're sure to bring some magic to your lesson plans this month. Take a look below at my list of favorite December read alouds to help you get ready for the holiday season this year.
December And Christmas Read Alouds For Kindergarten & 1st Grade
1. Santa Claus
2. The Gingerbread Baby
December is always a perfect time to add a gingerbread unit to your lesson plans. We read this story every year and then, magically, a little tray of gingerbread babies is delivered to our classroom for the students to care for. They get to name their baby, give it a birth certificate and make it a baby book. Head over here to read more about the activities we do in this charming lesson. This is truly one of my favorite children's books to read in December.
3. The Christmas Wish
You'll love the beautiful photos in this wonderful Christmas story. It's a great story about a little girl who wishes to be one of Santa's elves and decides to travel to the North Pole. She travels through a winter wonderland and has lots of help along the way from different woodland creatures. Makes a great opening to children writing about their own wishes and the spirit of Christmas.
4. Mr. Willoughby's Christmas Tree
This is another of my absolute favorite December read alouds. This circle story tells the tale of Mr. Willoughby who gets a Christmas tree but it's a little too tall so he chops off the top. The upstairs maid finds the treetop and takes it home but alas it's a bit too tall for her house….so she chops the top off.
And so goes the tale until the teeny tiny tip ends up back under Mr. Willoughby's Tree with the mice who live in his house.It's a really fun story for this time of year. Head over here to read how we use this mentor text with our writing lesson – how to decorate a Christmas tree!
5. Santa Mouse
This is a sweet little book for December. It's about a lonely little mouse who becomes Santa's special helper. One of the great children's Christmas books for the month of December. Definitely, a cute book to add to your December read alouds!
6. The Polar Express
The classic picture book of The Polar Express is one that every teacher should have on their bookshelf. I remember buying my first copy for my son when he was a baby and was lucky enough to meet the author Chris Van Allsburg and had him sign my copy.
This is the story of a little boy who gets a surprise visit from the Polar Express and gets to visit Santa at the North Pole. It's truly one of the best Christmas books with beautiful illustrations and a heartwarming story you're sure to love. It's a beloved book that comes out every Christmas in our house and classroom! It's truly one of the best picture books for kids and one you should add to your December read alouds.
7. The Christmas Selfie Contest
This is a super cute book about a little elf who enters a contest for the perfect Christmas selfie! Its a fun book with so many possibilities for crafts and writing activities in the classroom! Head over here to read about some of the elf activities we do in our room, including becoming one of Santa's elves for the day!
8. How Santa Got His Job
Have you ever wondered what Santa did….before he was Santa? This adorable book tells the tale of all the jobs that Santa had including a chimney sweep, a postman, and a circus performer! Teachers and students will love this story and it's sure to become one of your favorite Christmas books. It will soon become a fun tradition to add to your December read alouds!
9. Santa's Stuck
What would you do if Santa was stuck in your chimney? In this cute book, poor Santa has a few too many cookies and gets stuck! He gets some help from his reindeer, a dog, a cat, and even a tiny mouse! Another great December read aloud for young children.
10. The Gingerbread Girl
If you have a gingerbread unit in your December lesson plans, you must add the tale of The Gingerbread Girl to your December read alouds! In this cute story, she runs off just like her brother, but she outsmarts the fox! Kindergarten and 1st grade kids will love this sequel to the classic tale of The Gingerbread Man.
11. Gingerbread Friends
This wonderful story is a sequel to Jan Brett's The Gingerbread Baby. In the story, he gets a little lonely and goes to search for some friends. The irresistible images will make your mouth drool with a surprise entire page pop-up spread at the end!
12. How To Catch An Elf
Imagine it's Christmas eve and an elf has gotten loose in your house? How will you catch him? This adorable book is a perfect to add to your December read alouds. It's a great book if you want to make elf traps in your classroom this month!
13. Mistletoe
This is a sweet story about a little mouse, an elephant, and the perfect Christmas gift! A great one to add to your holiday book collection and your December read alouds. Young kids will love this one!
14. Gingerbread Mouse
This is a great Christmas book and another good choice to add to your gingerbread unit, especially if you have your students make gingerbread houses! This is a cute tale of a little mouse who is in search of a new home and she finds a perfect little candy house! Younger kids will love reading this cozy holiday story.
15. The Story Of Santa Claus
This is a sweet little story of how an old woodsman came to be Santa Claus. It weaves all of our most beloved traditions like the first Christmas tree, the elves, and the toy shop into this magical story of Santa Claus. A sweet book to add to your December read alouds.
Love all these book suggestions? Save time and money with this ultimate list of free online books and videos that you can use in your classroom. Click here to grab it today.
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