One of the best ways to get children excited about reading is to introduce books with their favorite characters from other media, such as television, movies, and toys. In that spirit, we’ve gathered a guide of ten holiday-themed books starring the most popular children’s characters — from Bluey to Barbie to Spider-Man — that will make perfect gifts for young readers.
Bluey: 12 Days of Christmas by Sarah Jospitre
Count down the twelve days of Christmas with Bluey and Bingo in this adorable picture book with a decidedly Aussie twist. Fans of the show will be familiar with the offbeat items in the countdown, such as dollarbucks, bin chickens, and a fruitbat in a mango tree.
Christmas at Hogwarts by J.K. Rowling, Illustrated by Ziyi Gao
A cozy picture book remake of Harry Potter’s first Christmas at Hogwarts, little readers can delight in the magic of sparkling trees, tasty treats, and good friends. Join the dynamic trio of Harry, Hermoine, and Ron, along with friends like Hagrid and Professor McGonagall, to celebrate a truly spellbinding holiday.
PAW Patrol: Christmas Is Pawsome by Scarlett Wing, Illustrated by Beth Hughes
In this brand new title, your little ones can celebrate Christmas in Adventure Bay with all their favorite PAW Patrol pals. A great stocking stuffer for early readers, this board book boasts ten lift-a-flap elements and comes with over 50 reusable stickers.
12 Days of Princess by Holly P. Rice, Illustrated by John John Bajet
If your little one can’t get enough of the Disney Princesses, this one is sure to be a hit. Adorably illustrated and starring some favorite Princesses and their fairytale friends, kiddos can count down dinglehoppers, jazz players, and good fairies all the way to a familiar red rose in a bell jar.
Marvel Super Hero Adventures: Deck the Malls! by MacKenzie Cadenhead & Sean Ryan, Illustrated by Derek Laufman
This fully illustrated early chapter book is perfect for Spider-Man and Marvel fans. Follow along as Spidey and Spider-Gwen race to save Christmas from Venom — but is Venom out to steal Christmas, or is he after Spidey’s web-slinging powers?
American Girl: Happy Holidays! by Lauren Diaz Morgan, Illustrated by Romina Galotta
An exploration of several winter holidays, this lovely Little Golden Book features American Girl friends old and new, including Molly, Nanea, Felicity, and more! Learn how winter holidays were celebrated by different American cultures across history in this warm and inclusive title.
LEGO: 12 Days of Christmas by Margaret Wang, Illustrated by AMEET Studio
A genuinely delightful picture book for LEGO fans of all ages, this ridiculously fun version of the classic song is filled with creativity. Things may start off simple with cookies for Santa and Christmas stockings, but just wait until the dancing robots and playful pirates show up.
Barbie: Let’s Build a Snowman! by Kristen L. Depken, Illustrated by Dynamo Limited
Early-reader Barbie fans will enjoy this sweet and simple tale of Barbie and her three sisters working together to build the perfect snowman. The book is fully illustrated and features both bouncy rhyming text as well as thirty shimmery stickers.
Star Wars Life Day Treasury: Holiday Stories From a Galaxy Far, Far Away by George Mann & Cavan Scott, Illustrated by Grant Griffin
While it’s geared towards middle-grade readers, this collection of stories taking place during Life Day — the Star Wars universe equivalent of a winter-themed holiday — is a pretty fun read for Star Wars fans of any age. Wookiees, Jedi, droids, and all manner of familiar faces make surprise appearances in tales of kindness and love.
Disney Villains: How the Villains Ruined Christmas by Serena Valentino, Illustrated by Joey Chou
Why is it so much fun sometimes to watch the baddies be bad? For little ones who enjoy a bit of naughty in their nice, this hilariously mischievous holiday book brings the Disney villains together in their mutual hatred of one thing: everyone else’s Christmas joy!
Any of these books would make a lovely gift to curl up with during the holiday season, especially for little fans of these characters and franchises. So whether the kiddos in your life are into Star Wars, LEGO, Harry Potter, or all of the above, you’ve got our recommendations for the books that will make them smile come present time. Happy holidays!
For more holiday gift guides, check out this list of Illustrated Editions That Kids (And Kids at Heart) Will Love.
To see all of our holiday recommendations for young readers, check out our bookshelf on Bookshop.
