Favorite Children’s Santa Books (Winter Holiday Unit Study)

If your kids are anything like mine, they could read Santa books any time of the year. Shoot, even in July my boys can talk about Santa! That jolly old man is always in style.

In addition, I’ve partnered up with fellow bloggers to offer some terrific winter holiday unit study resources you can use in the classroom, your homeschool or just enjoy with your child.  You can find these Santa books at your local library or purchase through the affiliate links provided for your convenience.

Favorite Children’s Santa Books

Polar Express 30th anniversary edition: A young boy, lying awake one Christmas Eve, is welcomed aboard a magical trip to the North Pole. Through dark forests, over tall mountains, and across a desert of ice, the Polar Express makes its way to the city atop the world, where the boy will make his Christmas wish. For millions of readers worldwide, this mysterious journey to the North Pole has become a beloved classic.

The Night Before Christmas: Wonderful new version of the classic poem every family should own. Lavishly illustrated by renowned artist Charles Santore, the critically acclaimed illustrator of The Wizard of Oz, Snow White, The Little Mermaid, and others. An oversized heirloom edition with a four-page gatefold. Includes embossed and foil cover.

The Christmas Wish: Long ago, a brave little girl named Anja wanted to be one of Santa’s elves. So she leaves a note for her family and helps her elderly neighbor prepare for the holiday, then she straps on her skis, and heads out into the snowy landscape. From a red bird to a polar bear to a reindeer, a menagerie of winter animals help Anja make her way to Santa. A generous trim-size, matte cover, and foiled title make this a special book for the holiday season.

How to Catch Santa: After waiting for days and days and days, it’s finally Christmas Eve. And that’s when you can try to catch Santa… From Jean Reagan and Lee Wildish, creators of the bestselling HOW TO… series, comes a delightful new offering, written again in a hilarious instructional style. Two sibling narrators give clever tips for “catching” Santa (be crafty! be clever! be gentle!) on Christmas Eve. Filled with humor and holiday warmth, this is a jolly read-aloud for the whole family to enjoy!

Pete the Cat Saves Christmas: In this rockin’ spin on the traditional tale The Night Before Christmas, Pete the Cat proves that giving your all in the spirit of Christmas is the totally groovy thing to do. This updated edition of Pete the Cat Saves Christmas, a New York Times bestseller by James Dean and Eric Litwin, features a foil jacket and includes a free sticker sheet!

Stick Man: Stick Man lives in the family tree. With his Stick Lady Love and their stick children three. But one day, Stick Man is carried off by a mischievous dog who wants to play fetch! Things go from bad to worse as Stick Man is carried farther and farther away from home. Lonely and lost, Stick Man wants nothing more than to be home with his family for Christmas. And when he helps Santa Claus out of a bind, he finds the perfect ticket home!

Dream Snow: It’s December 24th, and the old farmer settles down for a winter’s nap, wondering how Christmas can come when there is no snow! In his dream he imagines a snowstorm covering him and his animals—named One, Two, Three, Four and Five—in a snowy blanket. But when the farmer awakens, he finds that it has really snowed outside, and now he remembers something! Putting on his red suit, he goes outside and places gifts under the tree for his animals, bringing holiday cheer to all. Clever lift-the-flaps reveal the animals hidden under the snow in the farmer’s dream, making this board book edition a treat for all ages.

Dear Santa: From Rod Campbell, the bestselling creator of the beloved classic Dear Zoo, Dear Santa is a lift-the-flap novelty book being reissued in time for Christmas! In this delightful tale, Santa is looking for the perfect present to send to a special child. Lift the flaps to reveal a big kite, a bouncy ball, and a mask! But nothing seems quite right…until Christmas Eve, when Santa finds the perfect gift to leave under the tree. With lift-the-flaps throughout and a touch and feel element on the last page, this holiday tale is perfect for parents to read with their little ones.

Santa’s Favorite Story: Santa Tells the Story of the First Christmas: Discover the true meaning of the holidays as Santa Claus retells the story of the first Christmas in this sweet picture book from Hisako Aoki and Ivan Gantschev. When Santa Claus tells the forest animals that he is not looking forward to delivering all those heavy packages, they are worried that there won’t be a Christmas anymore. To help everyone understand that Christmas would still come even if he didn’t, Santa tells the story of the first Christmas, and they all learn a good lesson about the meaning of this special holiday.

It’s Christmas, David!: Readers of all ages will vividly remember trying to peek at hidden gift packages; writing scrolls of wish lists to Santa; and struggling to behave at formal Christmas dinner parties. Always in the background, we know Santa Claus is watching, soon to decide if David deserves a shiny new fire truck or a lump of coal under the tree. From playing with delicate ornaments to standing in an endlessly long line for Santa, here are common Christmas activities–but with David’s naughty trimmings. A surefire hit that is destined to be an annual classic.

The Little Christmas Elf (Little Golden Book): Nina, the littlest elf in Santa’s workshop, doesn’t finish the teddy bear she’s making in time for it to get loaded onto Santa’s sleigh-but, encouraged by Santa Claus himself to not give up, she works far into the night to finish it. While Santa is out delivering presents, a baby is born. Santa comes back for Nina’s now-finished bear—and guess who he takes along to deliver it?

The Christmas Boot: Lonely Hannah is delighted to discover a warm black boot as she gathers kindling in the forest. A poor woman, she doesn’t have proper shoes on her cold feet. “Glory be! I only wish I had your mate,” she says to the boot, and the next morning, to her great surprise, there is not just one boot but two sitting by her bed! More wishes bring even better gifts—but the best is still to come: A visitor arrives at her door—a man with a big white beard, wearing a red suit and only one boot. Who could this magical visitor be? Santa Claus, of course! And he has one more surprise in store for Hannah: She wakes up the next morning to find a new puppy waiting for her!

Click, Clack, Ho! Ho! Ho!: Santa comes to the barnyard in this holiday addition to the award-winning Click, Clack series from the New York Times bestselling and Caldecott winning team who brought you Click, Clack, Moo and Click, Clack, Peep! It’s the night before Christmas and all through the farm, not a creature is stirring, not even a…duck? Farmer Brown is busy decorating his home in preparation for Santa’s arrival on Christmas Eve! All seems calm in the barnyard, but Farmer Brown isn’t the only one who is getting ready… Once again, Duck has gotten the whole barnyard STUCK in quite a predicament! Will anyone be able to un-stuck Duck and save Christmas?

The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition Book Only: This tradition has captured the hearts of children everywhere, who welcome a scout elf each holiday season. Elves are magical helpers that help Santa Claus manage his naughty and nice lists by reporting back to him at the North Pole nightly. The Elf on the Shelf brings the spirit of the season to life. Book only.

Santa Claus: The Magical World of Father Christmas: Come visit the magical world of Santa Claus! This enchanting book whisks children to the North Pole. Kids can enjoy a glimpse of Santa’s house; his workshop, where all the toys are built; Elf Village; and, of course, the mailroom, where all the letters from good girls and boys get sorted. Every secret is revealed, from how Santa chooses and trains his reindeer to how his sleigh spans the globe fast enough to bring gifts to everyone in time for Christmas morn.

Like these Santa books? Find even more engaging book lists for kids with more than 100 book-themed reading lists!

Winter Holiday Unit Study

In addition to recommending our favorite children’s Santa books, I’ve teamed up with some fellow bloggers to offer you homeschool and in-class resources to teach kids about winter holidays!

Elf on the Shelf Stationary {9 Page Free Printables Pack} from Playdough & Popsicles

Festive Christmas Scavenger Hunt {Free Printable} from Crafty Mama in ME

Holiday Learning Activities from iGameMom

Books about Christmas Elves for Kids from CraftCreateCalm

My Favourite Winter Holidays from Tales of Education at Home

Printable Christmas Cards to Color from Mrs. Karle’s Sight and Sound Reading

STEM Gifts for Kids from Schooling a Monkey