One of my lovely readers asked if I could put together a list of Christmas chapter books for kids in grades 1-2 and I was happy to oblige! I love Christmas books, no matter what age they’re intended for. I’ve read several of these books with my children over the years. They’re fun to read aloud together during the winter break or around Christmastime. It’s also a great way to get those good holiday vibes going!
Most of the early chapter books about Christmas are part of a popular series. Kids will love reading these holiday books that feature characters from some of their favorite stories like Magic Treehouse and Junie B. Jones. If you know of any other books that I should add to this reading list, please leave me a comment and let me know.
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Christmas Chapter Books for Kids in Grades 1-2
The Reindeer Girl (Winter Journeys #2) by Holly Webb
This is the second book in the series of early chapter books about winter animal adventures. It’s about a little girl who finds herself magically transported to the wintry world of Norway. She must keep her reindeer safe from the harsh weather and figure out how to get home again. This sweet chapter book is the perfect book to snuggle up with this holiday season!
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Magic Christmas by Sue Bentley, illustrated by
I think it’s a requirement for every little girl to love Sue Bentley’s books. My girls bought dozens of these books at the school book fairs. They’re magical, sweet, and perfect for growing readers who want a cozy story that makes them feel good inside. This book contains three Christmas stories for kids in grades 1-2 in the Magic Kitten, Magic Puppy, and Magic Reindeer series. Kids that love magical animals will adore these holiday stories!
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Magic Tree House Merlin Mission #1:Christmas in Camelot by Mary Pope Osborne
The Magic Tree House series is a staple for kids this age, and they’ll love traveling with Jack and Annie to Camelot on Christmas Eve. But when they get there, the siblings discover that all the noble knights have failed to save Camelot. Now it’s up to Jack and Annie to rescue this legendary city just in time for Christmas.
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Happy Narwhalidays (A Narwhal and Jelly Book #5) by Ben Clanton
My kids absolutely adore this series and they went nuts when they found this holiday installment. Like the previous Narwhal and Jelly books before it, this story is jam-packed with laugh-out-loud humor and an easy-to-read story. Kids that love graphic novels and comics will get a kick out of this under-the-sea Christmas book.
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Dragon’s Merry Christmas (Dragon #5) by Dav Pilkey
Calling all Captain Underpants and Dog Man fans! This is the Christmas book for you. Dav Pilkey has created a loveable and funny book for kids who are starting to read independently. This holiday story has full-color pictures throughout and will keep young readers captivated from cover to cover.
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Junie B. First Grader: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells! (P.S. So Does May) by Barbara Park, illustrated by Denise Brunkus
An oldie but goodie, Junie B. First Grader is always a hit with kids in grades 1-2. In this classic Christmas story, Junie B. is loving all the fun things her class is doing for the holiday. But when she draws the name of a tattle-tale for Secret Santa, Junie B. will have to come up with a special gift to keep them both in the holiday spirit.
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My Weird School Christmas 3-Book Boxed Set by Dan Gutman, illustrated by Jim Paillot
Join A.J. and his wacky elementary school for three Christmas chapter books for kids that love to laugh! This bestselling series is perfect for kids who enjoy weird, bizarre, and downright hilarious holiday stories. From mistletoe-loving teachers to child rappers, these books have enough laughs to carry your kid through the holiday season and beyond.
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Amelia Bedelia Wraps It Up by Herman Parish, illustrated by Lynne Avril
My girls have all loved the Amelia Bedelia chapter books, and this Christmas story is no exception. Amelia doesn’t have enough money to buy presents, so she and her friends start a gift-wrapping business. It quickly expands to include other festive activities like tree decorating and carol singing. With her signature humor and wordplay, Amelia navigates the tricky business of being in business during the holidays. The book even comes with a tree ornament for your young reader!
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Nate the Great and the Crunchy Christmas by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat and Craig Sharmat, illustrated by Marc Simont
This is another classic series that has entertained kids for generations. Introduce your growing reader to the wonderful world of mystery novels with Nate the Great in this Christmas story. When a dog’s Christmas mail goes missing, it’s up to Nate and his trusty pup to find out what happened.
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Heidi Heckelbeck and the Christmas Surprise by Wanda Coven, illustrated by
This is another book that my own kids enjoyed. Heidi is a little witch that loves Christmas. But when she takes her mom’s bracelet without asking and ruins it, she’s worried that Christmas is ruined. Not even magic will help her get out of trouble. Growing readers that want a little magic in their holiday stories will adore this installment of Heidi Heckelbeck.
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Amy’s Very Merry Christmas (The Critter Club #9) by Callie Barkley, illustrated by
Christmas chapter books for kids don’t get cuter than this. With large text and illustrations on every page, The Critter Club series is perfect for kids in grades 1-2. In this holiday story, kids will fall in love with Amy as she finds homes for some guinea pigs and spreads Christmas cheer to the lonely Mrs. Sullivan.
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Judy Moody & Stink: The Holly Joliday by Megan McDonald, illustrated by
Snow goes with Christmas like candy canes and hot chocolate. But for Judy and her brother Stink, snow seems like an impossible Christmas wish—at least, until they get a new mailman named Jack Frost. This sweet and funny chapter book is perfect for kids that love playing in the snow during the holidays.
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Christmas Stories: Reillustrated Edition (Little House Chapter Book) by Laura Ingalls Wilder
I love the Little House series! I read the books several times as a child and my own kids have read them multiple times as well. They’re warm and comforting peeks into life on the American frontier. This chapter book compiles the Christmas stories from each book into an easy-to-read format for young children. Kids who enjoy the series will love spending their holiday season with Laura and her family.
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Geronimo Stilton Special Edition: Christmas Catastrophe by Geronimo Stilton
This is another chapter book series for kids in grades 1-2 that my children adore. Geronimo Stilton’s stories are funny, adventurous, and sometimes spooky. In this Christmas adventure, Geronimo and his friends go skiing. Of course, nothing goes as planned and Geronimo lands in the hospital. He’s certain that Christmas is ruined. It’s a good thing his friends have a plan to save the holiday! If you like this book, there are even more Christmas chapter books for kids starring Geronimo Stilton.
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A Very Babymouse Christmas by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm
Babymouse is a wildly popular graphic novel series for kids in grades 1-2. If your child hasn’t discovered these books yet, now is the time to introduce them to them. While everyone else is enjoying the holiday season, eating good food, and hanging out with family, Babymouse has only one thing on her mind—presents! She’ll do whatever it takes to get the presents she wants, even if that means she has to outsmart Santa himself.
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EllRay Jakes Rocks the Holidays by Sally Warner, illustrated by Brian Biggs
Introduce your child to the lovable and relatable EllRay Jakes. He’s a young boy with one wish—to blend in. But when EllRay accidentally offends the only other boy in his class with brown skin, he becomes the center of attention (and not in a good way). This heartfelt holiday story is a great way to introduce children to playground politics and race.
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Princess Ponies: Season’s Galloping by Chloe Ryder
Young horse lovers will be thrilled to get their hands on this magical holiday story. It’s Christmas, and someone has stolen the silver horseshoe ornaments from Chevalia’s Christmas tree. Pippa rushes to Chevalia to see if she can solve the crime. But when pointing fingers starts to drive a wedge in between the ponies, they realize there are more important things than missing decorations. This book comes with a collectible horseshoe charm.
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Hailey the Hedgehog (Fairy Animals of Misty Wood) by Lily Small
This charming holiday story is about a hedgehog spreading Christmas cheer to her friends. Hailey loves the Christmas parade, but some of the other animals aren’t feeling very happy. She decides to help them feel as good as she does. This delightful story shows young readers that small acts of kindness can make a big difference.
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Puppy Pirates Super Special #3: Race to the North Pole by Erin Soderberg
Go on a wintry adventure to the North Pole with your favorite puppies! These warm-weather pirates are competing in the Great Ice Race for a chance to win an amazing treasure. Dog lovers and snow enthusiasts will love snuggling up with this snowy story. If your child loves this book, they’ll enjoy the rest of the Puppy Pirates series, too.
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Isle of Misfits #4: The Candy Cane Culprit by
What better way to spend the holiday than with a group of misfits trying to save Christmas? The misfits are on their way to the North Pole, where candy canes and toys have gone missing and been mysteriously broken every night. The elves think a monster is to blame and Santa is worried he won’t have enough toys for Christmas. It’s up to the misfits to find the culprit and save the big day.
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Squishy McFluff: Secret Santa by Pip Jones, illustrated by Ella Okstad
Children with big imaginations will love this adorable Christmas chapter book. It’s about a little girl named Ava who blames all her mischief on her (invisible) cat. Every day is an adventure with Ava around, and this holiday story is just as sweet and fun as the rest of the series. With rhyming text and energetic illustrations, this is the perfect holiday book to give your growing reader.
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