The best children’s Christmas books to read as a family

"Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse." This classic Christmas verse is well known to every parent and child preparing for Christmas, and Mother&Baby's Group Editor, Maria Martin, reads this with her two children every year as part of their Christmas traditions. This beautifully illustrated new edition is the perfect Christmas gift for young and old. The pop-up design makes it fun for children, while the story is as charming as ever for all the family.

Both Mother&Baby's Hub Editor, Stephanie Spencer and Digital Writer, Rebecca Lancaster have a soft spot for The Jolly Postman. It's a classic that's been delighting children for over 30 years and is still a firm favourite. The imaginative tale sees the Jolly Postman out on his delivery round on Christmas Eve, with a sackful of cards for everyone's favourite fairy-tale characters.

He has a card for Baby Bear, a game for Red Riding Hood, a get-well jigsaw for poor Humpty Dumpty and lots more packages to deliver! The envelopes and interactive design is as magical today as it was 30 years ago and it's a charming story to read while little ones get to open up the cards and letters the postman delivers.

This personalised Christmas book comes highly recommended by Mother&Baby's Hannah, and is part of her family's Christmas traditions. It can star up to 3 kids and 1 or 2 adults who can be designed to look like you and your family, with their names and characters appearing throughout the story. You can add your surname to the title, and choose from four jolly cover colours to personalise it even more. A free dedication message inside the cover makes this a special book you can bring out year after year.

Follow Clara on a magical Christmas adventure in this interactive retelling of the classic ballet story. Watch the Nutcracker battle the Mouse King, meet the Sugar Plum Fairy and journey to the Land of Sweets, where wonder and excitement await...

Including music from: 'The Dance of the Reed Flutes', 'The Waltz of Flowers' and 'The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy', this classic children's Christmas book was recommended by Mother&Baby's Keya Modessa whose daughter asks for it every Christmas.

This large format Santa's Christmas Countdown children's board book tells a fun rhyming tale of Santa, who is getting ready to deliver presents around the world. Toddlers will love the large touch and feel, especially his curly beard and velvet hat while reviewers also commented that "it's refreshing to see a Black Santa", in this book that celebrates diversity.

With a laugh-out-loud text full of witty rhymes and silly scenarios from Ian Whybrow and illustrations by Axel Scheffler, illustrator of The Gruffalo, that are bursting with funny details, The Christmas Bear is a children's Christmas book with a difference – and there's a flap to lift on every page, so children can join in the fun!

Help Peter Rabbit count down to Christmas with a story and activity for each day of Advent! Featuring 24 brand new stories and an activity to enjoy every day of Advent, including a story for Christmas Eve, this beautiful book makes the perfect Christmas gift and will become a festive tradition for Peter Rabbit fans, young and old.

A brilliant one for younger children, part traditional counting rhyme, part fun-filled story, Ten Little Elves is perfect for sharing together.

Count from ten to one and back again as the Little Elves disappear and then reappear. Spot and count the details on each page and join in with all the great sound words!

This timeless Christmas classic has been updated for Peppa Pig in a brand new, fully rhyming story! It's the most magical night of the year... Christmas Eve! Maybe Peppa and George will meet a special visitor. It's a favourite for Mother&Baby's Hannah Carroll's three sons and is sure to be a welcome stocking filler for any Peppa Pig fan.

Winston the Mouse is on a very important mission. On Christmas Eve, he finds a letter that has gotten lost on its way to Father Christmas – so, with no time to lose, he sets out to deliver it himself in time for Christmas Day! He has a lot of very exciting adventures on his very important mission and makes some wonderful friends along the way.

The timeless children's Christmas book from the iconic Dr. Seuss is one that comes out every year for Mother&Baby's Digital Writer, Rebecca. It's a fun read for children and grown-ups alike! Read this favourite story of joy, love and acceptance anytime, anywhere. With hilarious rhymes and beautiful illustrations, this classic seasonal story has become a favourite for good reason and teaches readers the true meaning of Christmas.

Toddlers will love lifting the flaps to open the presents and find out what Santa has sent – and finding the perfect present at the end.

This special 15th-anniversary edition has an updated cover with extra gold foil, making it the ideal Christmas gift for fans of Dear Zoo.

A beautiful personalised children's book featuring Mistletoe, the magical Christmas Eve mouse and your child(ren) on a quest to save Christmas Eve! This lovely book can feature up to 4 children, all of whom are magically transformed into mice for the story and embark on an adventure. The child(ren)'s name(s) and place where they live also feature in this exciting book, as well as a chance to put the name of the giver of the book at the start.

Your little one is the star in this story as you can add their name and choose their adventurer as well as four wishes to give them, from Strength, Adventure, Compassion, Wisdom, Joy, Friendship, Laughter, Wonder and Patience. You can add your own free dedication to the first page to make this one of the best personalised Christmas children's books and a truly special keepsake.

In this book by bestselling author and musician Tom Fletcher, an elf is here to test your little one in this participatory read-aloud. But will your child let the elf trick them into being naughty? This fun, interactive children's Christmas story book will make them laugh, get them moving, and make them even more excited for the big day (if that's possible)! It's a firm favourite with Group Digital Editor, Maria Martin's daughter and is sure to make your child smile too.

While we know reading isn't at the top of young babies' agendas, this adorable book will be sure to be a big hit. Every page is soft and tactile and there are peekaboo flaps, a mirror and squeaky press buttons for little hands to enjoy. Hang from their playmat, pushchair or car seat.

Four little bunnies set off on an exciting lift-the-flap adventure. However, there are lots of Christmassy obstacles along the way that your youngster will love, including reindeer, polar bears and penguins. It's full of festive frolics to keep kids entertained and get them in the Christmas spirit.

Acorn Wood is covered in snow and Squirrel wants to build a snowman but will she find everything she needs with the help of her friends?

This adorable book is another charming option from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler with a Christmas theme. It's a lift the flap book which is fun for kids and adults alike so you can share a story over the festive season.

Digital Writer, Rebecca Lancaster bought this for her niece and nephew for Christmas and it's been a favourite all year but they're particularly looking forward to reading it over the Christmas period.

This is one of Yours' Senior Digital Writer, Becky's favourite children's Christmas books. It's a heartwarming story of the familiar black and white cat, Mog, and is a classic from Judith Kerr, complete with her charming illustrations.

Join Santa, Maurice and his brave moose friends on a spectacular festive adventure! When Santa crashes his sleigh, Maurice and his friends put their 'moose-taches' to good use, along with a sprinkle of festive magic to save Christmas. It's a quirky, fun story that Digital Writer, Rebecca says brings all the charm of Christmas but with a cute twist.