Christmas book recommendations for primary schools
The build up to Christmas is well underway in schools: performances and end of term activities adding to children’s excitement! Amidst all this, it can be enjoyable to find some quiet time to enjoy a Christmas story or two. Here are two of my favourites which can be explored as a class, or by children during reading for pleasure sessions. They are both super texts to simply enjoy and encourage book chat, or to provide stimulus for end of term activities.
Recommended Christmas read for younger pupils
‘The Grumpy Owl and the Joy of Christmas’ by Jonathan Maltz, Christopher Poch
This gently illustrated picture book offers a wonderfully warm and accessible way to bring the traditional nativity story to life for young children. By telling the tale through the eyes of a “grumpy owl” - an animal who just wants peace and quiet, but ends up returning in time for a heart-warming surprise - the story invites children to experience Christmas not as a distant tradition, but as a journey of understanding and belonging.
This book is ideal for the key stage one classroom: it’s short and engaging enough for reading aloud, yet rich enough to spark discussion about kindness, welcome, and change - themes that tie in beautifully with social and emotional learning. Because the nativity is framed in such a gentle, child-friendly way, it could work equally well for schools with mixed faith backgrounds — offering a chance to explore community, tradition, and moral values. This is a perfect seasonal read to share in class or during a class assembly.
Recommended Christmas read for older pupils
‘The Grumpy Owl and the Joy of Christmas’ by Jonathan Maltz, Christopher Poch
Winter Magic by Abi Elphinstone is a perfect addition to any primary classroom, offering a captivating collection of short stories from some of the best-loved children’s authors writing today. Each tale brings a different flavour of winter - mystery, wonder, adventure, and warmth - making the anthology ideal for sparking pupils’ imaginations during the colder months.
Winter Magic is not only an engaging read but can be used as a teaching tool. Its stand-alone stories make it easy to dip into during guided reading, whole-class read-aloud sessions, or as inspiration for creative writing. Themes such as bravery, kindness, and resilience lend themselves beautifully to PSHE links, while the atmospheric settings offer strong stimulus for vocabulary work. Winter Magic brings a sense of enchantment to lessons and opens the door to meaningful discussion and imaginative learning.
Happy Reading this Christmas time.
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