These are NOT Your Typical Christmas Books (Fun Holiday Read Alouds)

Instead of reading the same traditional stories to your family, why not try reading something a little different this Christmas? While these chapter books may not be your typical holiday reads, they still have a winter holiday vibe that warms hearts and fuels imaginations.

Check out these non-traditional Christmas books that are perfect for a family read-aloud at Christmas!

Parents have been reading holiday stories like The Night Before Christmas aloud to their children for generations. Family read-alouds can be a wonderful tradition for any time of the year… but something about the winter holidays seem to make it extra special.

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Our family loves to reread certain traditional Christmas stories every year. But we also enjoy discovering new books.

And now that my children are getting older, we find we really enjoy discovering new chapter books to read aloud as a family. While we enjoy a good Christmas tale, we also like to branch out to non-traditional books that tie into the holidays.

Here are three non-traditional chapter books our family has found fun to read aloud at Christmas.

 

Chapter Books to Read Aloud As a Family at Christmas

While these books are not your traditional holiday stories, they still have a winter holiday vibe that will warm your family’s hearts and fuel your child’s imaginations.  Check out these non-traditional chapter books that are perfect for a family read-aloud at Christmas!

 

The Vanderbeekers of 141^st Street

As I turned the final page of The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser, I found myself sighing contentedly and saying “God bless us, everyone” aloud.

I absolutely fell in love with the Vanderbeeker family who accepts anyone and everyone exactly as they are. This Christmas, I invite your family to fall in love with them as well.

In this endearing story, you follow the five quirky and affable Vanderbeeker children as they try to save their home. Can they win over the heart of their scrooge-like landlord before Christmas?

BONUS! This author recently published a sequel to this book. The Vanderbeekers and the Hidden Garden sounds like it would be a wonderful read-aloud for springtime.

 

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

I think we could all benefit from a little magic and wonder during the holidays.  Reading the Harry Potter books as a family is always a magical experience but I especially enjoy reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone at Christmas.

RELATED ARTICLE:  The Differences Between a Muggle Christmas and a Wizarding Christmas – Pottermore

I mean… can you imagine how magical Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry would be at Christmastime??? Wouldn’t your family love to experience a Christmas Feast and Yule Ball at Hogwarts? To see the festoons of holly and mistletoe? To stand amidst the towering Christmas trees decorated with icicles?

But it’s not just the magic of wizardry that makes Harry Potter a special read for the winter holidays. It is so heartwarming to follow Harry’s amazement as he receives real gifts for the first time ever.  Imagine this poor boy who has received oversized hand-me-downs all his life and was forced to live under the stairs at the home of intolerant muggle relatives… and now, here he is, in this magical school with friends who accept him and love him and give him heartfelt gifts. Now, that is the true spirit of Christmas!

Oh, and don’t get me started on how awesome it would be to receive an invisibility cloak for Christmas!

BONUS TIP:  After reading the book aloud, extend the family fun by watching the Harry Potter movie for a family movie night! In fact, turn your movie night into an entire Harry Potter themed party.

 

Greenglass House

What happens when several suspicious guests arrive at a smugglers inn over the Christmas holiday? Find out in Greenglass House by Kate Milford!

Milo had been looking forward to a quiet holiday with his parents when a bunch of unexpected guests show up at their family’s inn. And then, things start turning up missing. Milo and his friend take it upon themselves to discover the identity of the thief (or thieves) and return the missing items.

With a surprising twist that no one will see coming, bad guys are revealed and new friendships are formed. Milo just might get the happy (and quiet) Christmas he was hoping for all along.

This book is rich with regional folklore and interesting characters. It is suspenseful, intriguing and delightful. It may not be your typical Christmas read, but it’s definitely worth reading this holiday season.

BONUS! This book has an equally-intriguing sequel that is also set around the winter holidays and delves even deeper into folklore.

 

Other Family Read Alouds for Christmas

Of course, our family enjoys reading some traditional Christmas books during the holiday season as well. Here are a few traditional classics that we find ourselves reading year after year:

Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg – We love this book so much that our family has an entire tradition built around reading this book, watching the movie, and then going on our own Polar Express adventure.

The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore – I start reading this book aloud to my children when they are just infants. At this point, they all have the story memorized which makes it even more fun to read aloud during the holiday season!

Where Would Santa Go? by Julia Inserro – What child hasn’t dreamed of touring the world with Santa? Your children will enjoy tagging along with brother-sister duo, Lucy and Max, on a worldwide Christmas Eve tour aboard Santa’s magical sleigh. My children love this book! And, as a travel enthusiast and former child with dreams of flying with Santa, I love it as well.

The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams Bianco – I love reading this book to my children during the season of new toys. Using a child’s love for a cherished toy, this book teaches children (and adults) about love and loss and relationships. This heartfelt story is a classic for good reason, and its lessons tie in well with the overall spirit of the holiday.

Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder – I received a new set of Little House books for Christmas last year, and I plan to start reading these books aloud to my children this winter. I am intentionally waiting until the winter holiday season because I know that the first book, Little House in the Big Woods, has a delightful chapter dedicated entirely to Christmas.

Little Women  by Louisa May Alcott – This well-read classic opens with the March family celebrating Christmas. So while the book is not technically a Christmas story, it definitely has a Christmas feel to the story and is often read by older children, teens and adults during the holiday season. Additionally, the Little Women movie is a Christmastime favorite in many households.

MORE CHRISTMAS READ ALOUD IDEAS:

• Top 20 Christmas Chapter Books – Well Read Kid
• Magical Christmas Chapter Books to Read Aloud – What Do We Do All Day

 

What Will Your Family Read This Holiday Season?

What books will your family read this Christmas? What books do you find yourself reading year after year during the winter holidays? Let me know in the comment section below.

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