Christmas Books for Kids: Two Wonderful Holiday Reads from Raincoast Books

Finding the right Christmas gift for a child can be a delightful challenge. While toys and games often top holiday wish lists, a children’s book offers something a little different: an opportunity to explore new worlds, discover memorable characters and spend time together as a family. A Christmas story can become part of a holiday tradition, returning to the bookshelf each December and bringing back memories of evenings spent reading together.

For parents, grandparents and anyone shopping for young readers, Christmas books are a thoughtful way to encourage a love of reading while celebrating the magic of the season. From lively adventures filled with humour and imagination to gentle stories about friendship and kindness, there are books to suit a wide range of ages and interests.

Raincoast Books, a Canadian book distributor based in Vancouver, British Columbia, represents a range of publishers and titles for readers across Canada. Among the children’s books featured in this article are The 12 Sleighs of Christmas by Sherri Duskey Rinker and Penguin’s Christmas Wish by Salina Yoon. Although very different in style, both offer families an opportunity to share a festive story and enjoy a little Christmas reading together.

The 12 Sleighs of Christmas: A Creative Christmas Adventure

If you have a child who loves trucks, construction equipment, unusual vehicles or imaginative inventions, The 12 Sleighs of Christmas by Sherri Duskey Rinker is a Christmas picture book worth exploring.

Rinker is also known for the popular Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site series, which celebrates the world of construction vehicles through rhythmic storytelling and engaging illustrations. In The 12 Sleighs of Christmas, she brings that enthusiasm for machinery and imaginative design to Santa’s workshop, giving young readers a festive story with plenty to look at and talk about.

What Is The 12 Sleighs of Christmas About?

Santa has a problem: his familiar sleigh needs attention, and Christmas cannot wait. The elves set out to come up with alternative designs, turning the challenge into an opportunity to show off their creativity. Their ideas become increasingly imaginative, introducing children to a variety of unusual vehicles and inventive possibilities.

The premise is particularly appealing to children who enjoy asking questions about how things work. As the elves experiment with different designs, young readers can look at the illustrations, compare the vehicles and imagine what they might build if they were given the chance to design a sleigh for Santa. The story provides a playful starting point for conversations about problem-solving, engineering and the importance of trying different ideas when something does not work as expected.

The rhyming text gives the story a lively read-aloud quality, making it a good option for families who enjoy sharing picture books rather than leaving children to explore them alone. Parents can pause along the way to examine the different sleigh designs or ask children which invention they like best. These little conversations can make a book more interactive and give children a chance to express their own ideas.

Colourful Illustrations and Imaginative Designs

Jake Parker’s illustrations add energy and personality to the story. The workshop setting and imaginative vehicles give children plenty to discover on each page, while the cartoon-inspired artwork complements the playful nature of the text.

For children who are drawn to big machines, fast vehicles and unusual inventions, the illustrations are an important part of the appeal. They can spend time studying the details, identifying familiar types of vehicles and imagining how the elves might have put their creations together. The book may also appeal to young readers who enjoy drawing, building with blocks or coming up with their own designs.

One consideration for parents is that the story may feel lengthy for children who prefer very short picture books, and some adults may find that not every rhyme flows equally smoothly. Reading aloud at a comfortable pace and allowing children to enjoy the illustrations can help keep the experience relaxed. Children who love the subject matter may be more interested in the imaginative designs and humorous situations than in the technical details of the writing.

The 12 Sleighs of Christmas is a festive option for families looking for a Christmas book that combines holiday fun with creativity. It may be especially appealing to young vehicle enthusiasts who enjoy stories that encourage them to imagine, invent and think beyond the ordinary.

Penguin’s Christmas Wish: A Heartwarming Story About Friendship

For a gentler approach to Christmas reading, Penguin’s Christmas Wish by Salina Yoon offers a different kind of holiday experience. Yoon is known for her illustrated children’s books and the lovable characters in her Penguin series. Her work often combines simple storytelling with expressive artwork, making it accessible to younger readers and enjoyable for adults sharing the story with them.

Christmas is an exciting time for children, but it can also be an opportunity to talk about friendship, kindness and the importance of spending time with the people we care about. A story that encourages these conversations can be a meaningful addition to a family’s seasonal reading collection.

Discovering the Joy of Christmas

In Penguin’s Christmas Wish, Penguin looks forward to celebrating Christmas with friends and loved ones. As the story unfolds, the celebration does not necessarily go exactly as expected, creating an opportunity to discover the happiness that can come from unexpected moments and connections.

Rather than focusing solely on presents and holiday excitement, the book invites readers to consider what makes Christmas special. Children can begin to understand that a meaningful celebration does not have to follow a perfect plan. Spending time together, appreciating the people around us and showing kindness can be just as important as the gifts under the tree.

These themes make the book a useful choice for parents who want to introduce conversations about generosity and friendship without turning reading time into a formal lesson. You might ask your child what they enjoy most about Christmas or talk about a time when a small act of kindness made someone happy. Keeping the discussion light and connected to the story allows children to explore its message in their own way.

A Charming Choice for Younger Readers

Salina Yoon’s illustrations are an important part of the Penguin series’ appeal. Expressive characters and appealing artwork help bring the story to life, giving younger children something to focus on as an adult reads aloud.

Children who already know Penguin from other books may enjoy seeing a familiar character in a Christmas setting. For those meeting Penguin for the first time, the holiday story can also provide an introduction to the series. Familiar characters can encourage children to explore additional books, particularly when they enjoy returning to a world they already know.

Penguin’s Christmas Wish is worth considering for families who prefer Christmas stories with a gentle tone and themes of friendship and connection. It can be shared during a quiet afternoon, added to a Christmas Eve book collection or given as part of a holiday gift for a young reader. As with any children’s book, checking the particular edition and its intended age range can help you decide whether it is suitable for your child.

Why Give a Children’s Book for Christmas?

A children’s book can be more than another present to unwrap. It can become an invitation to spend time together, a way to encourage curiosity and a story that children ask to hear again and again. Reading aloud also gives parents and children opportunities to talk about characters, discover new words and explore ideas together.

Books can be particularly thoughtful gifts because they do not need to be expensive or complicated to be enjoyed. A colourful picture book may delight a preschooler, while an older child may appreciate a story connected to a favourite interest. Choosing a book that reflects a child’s personality, whether that means trucks, animals, humour or friendship, can make the gift feel more personal.

Reading together does not have to be reserved for bedtime, either. You might share a story on a snowy afternoon, read while waiting for Christmas dinner or create a small collection of holiday books that comes out every December. Families can also borrow Christmas books from the library, revisit stories they already own or exchange favourite titles with relatives. The important part is making room for reading in a way that suits your household.

For parents searching for Christmas books for kids, the best choice is often the one that matches a child’s interests and invites them to return to the story. The 12 Sleighs of Christmas offers imaginative vehicle designs and lively holiday fun, while Penguin’s Christmas Wish provides a gentler opportunity to explore friendship and the meaning of Christmas.

Make Christmas Reading Part of Your Family Traditions

Christmas traditions do not have to be elaborate to become meaningful. Something as simple as choosing a festive book, getting comfortable together and reading a story can give children a moment to look forward to each year. Some families enjoy reading the same favourite every Christmas Eve, while others like introducing a new title each December.

If you are giving a Christmas book as a present, consider pairing it with a bookmark, a cosy blanket or a small reading light for an older child. You could also wrap the book separately and let your child open it before bedtime, making it part of a special evening routine. These small touches can help turn a book into an experience rather than simply another item beneath the tree.

Whether you choose a lively adventure such as The 12 Sleighs of Christmas or a warm story like Penguin’s Christmas Wish, sharing a book is a lovely way to celebrate the season. The right story can encourage imagination, prompt conversations and give families another reason to spend a little time together during the busy holiday period.

For more seasonal reading inspiration, explore our guide to Christmas books for kids, featuring additional children’s book ideas for the holiday season.

What Christmas books do your children enjoy reading each year? Share your family’s favourite holiday stories in the comments and help other readers discover books to add to their Christmas traditions.

About Raincoast Books

Raincoast Books is a Canadian book distributor based in Vancouver, British Columbia. The company works with publishers to distribute books to the Canadian market. To learn more about the company and its publishing partners, visit the Raincoast Books website.