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The holiday season is officially in full swing, and with this excitement comes the conundrum of what to do with the kids while they’re out of school. To help out all the harried parents, we’ve compiled a list of the best children’s books to read this holiday season!

Christmas

1. The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

This iconic Christmas classic tells the story of a young boy who is welcomed aboard a magical train en route to the North Pole. After the boy is gifted the first gift of Christmas from the big man himself, he boards the train for the voyage home. But just as the night seems too good to be true, he discovers a hole in his pocket through which he has lost this special gift. Will the boy be able to reclaim this irreplaceable present? Pick up your copy to find out!

2. How to Catch Santa by Jean Reagan and Lee Wildish

An adorable holiday addition to the New York Times Bestselling HOW TO series, this silly story narrated by a sibling duo offers young readers that tips generations of children have been seeking: how to catch Santa! Accompanied by beautiful illustrations, this whimsical holiday tale will quickly become a household holiday favorite!

3. How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

Yet another classic thrown in for good measure, this iconic Seuss tale details the Grinch’s journey on the path to goodness. At first cold and selfish, the Grinch’s journey into the heartwarming Who-Ville and his encounters with the innocent Cindy-Lou quickly turns this Dickens-esque antagonist into an example of warmth and kindness. A must-read for all ages looking to celebrate the true spirit of Christmas.

4. Olive, the Other Reindeer by Vivian Walsh and J. otto Seibold

As far as this blogger is concerned, no holiday book list is complete without this gem. Olive tells the story of a young pup who realizes that she is, in fact, a reindeer (we all know that famous line in “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” that goes “Olive, the other reindeer” right!?) After explaining her realization to Santa and the other reindeer, the befuddled Christmas crew happily accept the help of this unusual companion. However, the whole team will soon learn that Olive has her own set of skills that make her an indispensable member of Santa’s sleigh.

Hanukkah

5. An Adventure in Latkaland: A Hanukkah Story by Karen Fisman and Thomas McAteer

This charming book tells the story of Jacob Stern and his enchanting Hanukkah adventure. After a mysterious stranger leaves him with a golden dreidl, Jacob is delighted when a simple spin of the toy brings him on a journey into the enchanting Latkaland. Armed with courage and an enormous sense of adventure, Jacob and his tour guide, Sarah, delve into this charming world filled with history and magic.

6. Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric A. Kimmel and Trina Schart Hyman

This holiday classic tells the story of Hershel of Ostropol, who is traveling to a nearby village in search of latkes and holiday joy. Upon arrival, however, Hershel learns that the town is being tormented by goblins dedicated to ruining the village’s Hanukkah traditions. For seven nights, Hershel is able to defeat each goblin that awaits him. However, defeating the final goblin proves to be an especially tricky task, as it is determined to put an end to Hershel. Will good triumph over evil? You’ll have to read to find out!

7. Latke the Lucky Dog by Ellen Fischer and Tiphanie Beeke

A perfect choice for young readers, Latke tells the story of a young dog adopted on the first night of Hanukkah. What follows is a creative and charming introduction to the Festival of Lights as Latke learns about the customs and traditions of this colorful holiday.

Kwanzaa

8. Together for Kwanzaa by Juwanda G. Ford and Shelly Hehenberger

Kayla is thrilled for the arrival of Kwanzaa, as it marks the homecoming of her big brother, Khari. But when a big winter storm threatens to prevent Khari’s trip home, Kayla can’t help hiding her disappointment. Will this storm prevent the family from coming together to celebrate this special holiday? Pick up your copy to find out!

9. Seven Spools of Thread: A Kwanzaa Story by Angela Shelf Medearis and Daniel Minter

Set against the backdrop of an African village, this story tells of seven brothers who must figure out a way to put aside their differences in order to honor their father’s last wish: that they make gold out of seven spools of thread. The catch? If they don’t succeed, they will become beggars.

Seven Spools is a beautiful holiday tale that emphasizes the importance of strong family bonds.

10. Li’l Rabbit’s Kwanzaa by Donna L. Washington and Shane W. Evans

Li’l Rabbit is having a tough holiday season. His grandmother’s illness prevents her from taking part in the huge Kwanzaa feast, Karamu. To save the day, Li’l Rabbit is determined to find a special treat so that she can feel a part of the celebration. But with the feast quickly approaching and no new leads on the special treat, our little hero is feeling the pressure. Will he find something in time?

A heartwarming adventure with whimsical illustrations, Li’l Rabbit’s Kwanzaa underscores the importance of supporting family through tough times, and the magic that can happen with the support of your loved ones

We hope these books will make the holidays extra special for your little ones. Happy holidays, everyone!

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About Christi Sheehan

Christi Sheehan joins the ranks of Bibliocrunch from her previous position as an Assistant Editor at Oxford University Press. She was graduated from Marist College with a degree in English (with a concentration in Writing) in 2012. Since then, Christi completed a number of social media and editorial internships. She currently works as a book reviewer for TeenReads.com. In her free time, Christi enjoys reading (primarily books in the mystery, literary fiction, and poetry genres), writing, singing, unabashedly watching the Real Housewives series on Bravo while on the elliptical, teaching swim classes at her local Y, and kicking her boyfriend’s butt in P90X classes at her local gym. You can follow her daily musings about life and books at her twitter handle, @ChristiShee.