from all-time Christmas classics to beautiful new books…
Christmas stories and tales are a magical part of the holiday season and a special book always has a place in any Christmas Eve box or sack. This collection of books includes stories about Christmas that are unusual, interactive, beautifully presented, or all three.
From clever cutouts to fabulous pop-ups, through a book carousel or interactive flaps and pockets, there are so many books that are perfect for holiday reading and mini stocking stuffers. Here’s our selection of some of the most magical holiday tomes, both newly released classics and those of yesteryear, for you and the whole family to enjoy.
You are reading: Christmas pop up books
Christmas is coming! an advent book by katie hickey (chronicle books)
- ideal for ages: 3+
- published: 2019
This beautiful keepsake advent book features an advent calendar on the front cover with die-cut flaps. Each of the 24 flap windows reveals a clue to a festive activity that can be found inside. This could be a recipe for a delicious homemade treat, instructions for a cozy craft, a game to play, a Christmas carol to sing, or a beautifully illustrated story to read with the whole family. As inviting as the content, the illustrations offer festoons of evergreens and ornaments, depictions of tidy houses and little sweet shops nestled together in snowy landscapes, to be enjoyed year after year.
The Crayons’ Christmas by Drew Daywalt with pictures by Oliver Jeffers (Harper Collins)
- ideal for ages: 3+
- published: 2019
if you love the day crayons went out of use and the day crayons came home, and to be honest who doesn’t, then christmas has come early with a new book of crayons from the duo by author/illustrator drew daywalt and oliver. Jeffers It’s the season for all of us to write our holiday wish lists, but everyone knows, even crayons, that the best gifts are the ones you give. In this one-of-a-kind book, join Duncan, the crayons, and their families as they celebrate the holiday season in this fun, interactive book featuring real folded letters to pull out of their envelopes, games, snap-on ornaments, a poster, and even a pop-up Christmas tree. This is a book that all children will want this Christmas.
The Jolly Christmas Postman by Janet and Allan Allberg (Puffin Books)
- ideal for ages: 3+
- published: 1991
Fans of the merry postman will love this festive take on the Janet and Allan Alberg classic, though it would be fair to say that this holiday version is also a classic in its own right! It’s Christmas Eve and the jolly Christmas Postman is delivering greetings to everyone’s favorite fairy tale characters everywhere. he pedals up hill and down valley to make sure little red riding hood gets a present from mr. wolf (a game appropriately named watch out) and hospitalized humpty dumpty get a recovery puzzle. With his interactive cards and gifts, and the cast of familiar fairy tale characters, this clever book never fails to enchant. Who can resist opening those little packets?
Christmas Street by Jonathan Emmett and Illustrated by Ingela P Arrhenius (Nosy Crow)
- ideal for ages: 3+
- published: 2021
This beautiful lift-up flap Christmas alphabet story is a book, a fold-out game scene and a beautiful festive frieze to decorate your little ones table or room. everyone is busy on christmas street. who’s baking gingerbread? who is wrapping presents? And who is that coming down the chimney? Kids can find out in this playful rhyming text gift book that follows another favorite, Alphabet Street.
How Winston Delivered Christmas: A Christmas story in 24-and-a-half-chapters and How Winston Came Home for Christmas both by Alex T. Smith (Macmillan Children’s Books)
- ideal for ages: 5+
- published: 2019/ 2021
The story of the brave little mouse named Winston who has a very important mission! You see, on Christmas Eve, he finds a letter for Santa that didn’t make it to the mailbox, so with no time to lose, he sets out to deliver it himself in time for Christmas Day! With beautiful color artwork and Christmas activities to do and do anytime (including writing a letter to Santa, making mince pies, designing your own Christmas cards, making gifts, creating decorations, and much more), you can enjoy a chapter from this beautiful book each day, sure to become a holiday family tradition enjoyed year after year.
See Also: Helpful Local&039s Guide to Powell&039s Book Store | Portland Guide
this year sees the festive sequel how winston came home for christmas. It’s five days until Christmas and Winston has a very curious mystery to solve! he has confused memories of another mouse, and only knows that someone very important to him has been lost. After promising Oliver that he’ll be back in time for Christmas no matter what, Winston embarks on an exciting adventure around the world to find the missing mouse, helped along the way by wonderful old friends and charming new ones as well. the new title also features more lovely holiday assets to do with the whole family.
Santa’s Christmas Handbook by Chris Edge (Templar)
- ideal for ages: 5+
- published: 2019
A clever Christmas-themed book written by his elves for Santa to keep him on track on Christmas Eve! It looks like Santa really needs this book, as one of the best kept secrets about Christmas is that Santa is very accident prone and doesn’t take well to gadgets and gadgets. Packed with new features, exciting tabs to open and discover, and a fun board game in the penultimate issue, this fun, interactive, and beautifully illustrated book has something new on every page that will appeal to readers young and old.
The Nutcracker: A Papercut Pop-up Book by Shobhaa Patel (Thames & Hudson)
- ideal for ages: 5+
- published: 2017
tchaikovsky’s classical ballet gets a stunning retelling in this charming book featuring a new emerging technique invented by the author called paperscope. As Clara’s toy nutcracker takes her on a magical journey at midnight, through a world of dancing candy canes and mouse soldiers, each chapter is marked by an intricate laser-cut illustration, which is revealed by pressing down. down at the top of the page, which acts as a stage. simply stunning and a book to treasure forever.
Let it Glow: A Winter’s Walk by Owen Gildersleeve (Wide Eyed Books)
- ideal for ages: 3+
- published: 2017
Set in a winter wonderland, this book follows a young boy on his journey home through a snowy landscape. the lights are revealed by die-cuts everywhere, which become illuminated shop windows, carol singer candles, stars in the sky, and finally a star on the tree. Narrated in verse, this gift book will delight the little ones and will bring a little of that Christmas magic into everyone’s home, year after year.
Follow The Star – A Pop-up Christmas Journey by Amanda Wood and Illustrated by Andy Mansfield (Templar Books)
- ideal for ages: 4+
- published: 2019
This is an unusual pop-up book in that you need to turn it to the side to get the full pop-up effect on both pages. this tale is of the christmas star as it makes its way through the christmas story. The silver foil star complements the red foil cover and can be found on every page, above a Christmas tree, above the stable in Nativity Scene, and lighting up Santa’s path.
- Ideal for ages: 5+
- Published: 2019
This classic story follows Prince Siegfried, who is tricked into proposing to Odile, von Rothbart’s daughter, while attending her birthday party and returns to the lake to battle the evil sorcerer. Will the prince meet his swan princess? Children will not only discover the fascinating magic of Swan Lake, they will be enchanted by this interactive musical storytelling. Simply press the button on each beautiful scene to hear the vivid sound of an orchestra playing Tchaikovsky’s score; With 10 excerpts from the ballet music, the book and the story come to life.
Perfect for music lovers, as at the end of the book there is a short biography of the composer, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, with details on his composition of Swan Lake. Alongside this, you can play the musical excerpts and, for each one, read a discussion of the musical instruments, rhythms, and techniques that make them so powerful. we also love the story orchestra version of the nutcracker.
The Magical Book of Christmas Tales by Susannah Lockheart (Scholastic)
- ideal for ages: 3+
- published: 2009
See Also: 19 of the Best Books to Read on a Plane (2022) • Plan, Ready, Go
This unique sliding picture book is pure magic for little ones as they can change the pictures. The book comprises two Christmas classics; the nutcracker and the night before christmas, with turning pages of six scenes. the illustrations are really beautiful and the fold-out pages and cut-out cover give it a special souvenir touch. printed in 2009 by scholastic, definitely worth looking for a copy in excellent condition on the amazon market and secondhand bookstores.
jan pienkowski’s first christmas (mini edition) (penguin) and jan pienkowski’s first christmas
- ideal for ages: 8+
- published: 1983 / 2004
jan pienkowskis first christmas tells the story of the nativity beautifully illustrated, featuring black silhouettes and decorative silver highlights, against bright, jewel-like colors. the Christmas scenes in the story are acted out through various settings, time periods, and moods. they’re a little creepy and a little gory, which some kids love (and some don’t), but either way, it’s a beautifully crafted, imaginative book for families and collectors alike. The most recently published first novel features five exquisitely detailed and intricate cut-paper silhouettes to form a carousel-style book, turning the book on itself and tying the covers together to create a free-standing carousel. It is not a book to give to the little ones, but to enjoy with them. alternatively, place it high up as a holiday display and theme other decorations around it.
Snow by Walter de la Mare, illustrated by Caroline Rabei (Faber & Faber)
- ideal for ages: 4+
- published: 2014
the book is modern but the story, as they say, is a tale as old as time… this beautiful poem is by the georgian poet walter de la mare and has been lovingly and carefully brought to life by the glorious work art by carolina rabei, which is a strong mix of black and white imagery, with hints of red, orange, and brown tones, that really brings a touch of elegance to the classic poem. an enchanting winter wonderland of illustrations, really lets the words sing. a lovely book to read at bedtime or on christmas day, after a cool afternoon walk.
the night before christmas: a magic pop-up edition by clement c. moore and illustrated by niroot puttapipat (walker books)
- ideal for ages: 3+
- published: 2014
Bringing the classic Christmas poem to life with stunning black and white illustrations, cut-out pages, and a two-page pop-up ending. the story is told through scenes of a family home and feels festive, with beautifully observed characters and of course st. Nicholas himself. a lovely gift and its cute mini size (around 15cm wide) makes it the perfect stocking stuffer.
Collect all 3. Look for two more beloved classic holiday tales given the same beautiful cut-out treatment by illustrator Niroot Puttapipat featuring the Nutcracker and Jingle Bells.
>> The Nutcracker: A Magical Emerging Edition by E.T.A Hoffman and Illustrated by Niroot Puttapipat; jingle bells: a magical pop-up edition by james pierpont and illustrated by niroot puttapipat
The Christmas Story by Robert Sabuda (Walker Books) and The 12 Days of Christmas Anniversary Edition by Robert Sabuda (Simon & Schuster)
- ideal for ages: 7+
- published: 2016/2006
robert sabuda creates incredibly detailed, surprising and intricate pop-up books. If you love pop-ups, check out their full range, including classics like Alice in Wonderland, Beauty and the Beast, and The Little Mermaid, to name just a few of our favourites! His two most famous (and delightful) Christmas books are The Christmas Story: A Nativity Popup and The 12 Days of Christmas, which follows the lyrics of the song. both books hit the nail on the head between traditional and fun and make for an unusual and beautiful gift or two.
Little Christmas Tree by Ruth Symons and illustrated by Jessica Courtney-Tickle (Big Picture Press)
- ideal for ages: 3+
- published: 2016
little christmas tree is a glorious exploration of nature in the story of a snowy white night when a little christmas tree stands alone in the woods when everything is white and still. As the night progresses, there are signs of life: an orange fox, a robin, a cloud of fireflies… at the end of the book, the Christmas tree is transformed by nature and your little ones will be captivated from start to finish.
>> READ MORE CHRISTMAS BOOK: Why not check out Junior’s 24 of the best children’s books to get you in the Christmas spirit
(images: opening and main image: both by gettyimages)
See Also: The Hollow Earth Theory Isnt So Funny Anymore | WIRED