Every year, Cracking the Cover compiles a list of books that make great additions to your holiday library. All synopsizes are provided by respective publishers. Scroll down for the complete list or click or tap the following links to directly visit a section BOARD BOOKS • AGES 2 AND UP • AGES 3 AND UP • AGES 4 AND UP • AGES 5 AND UP • AGES 6 AND UP • AGES 8 AND UP • AGES 9 AND UP • YOUNG ADULT
BOARD BOOK
CROCODILE CHRISTMAS, by J. D. Forester, Reshu Lakra, Grosset & Dunlap, Oct. 21, 2025, Board Book, $7.99 (ages 0-3)
A festive and humorous seasonal board book perfect for Christmas!
It’s Christmas Eve, and the animals of the jungle have come out to play…dress up!
Guess who’s under Santa Claus’s iconic outfit—Crocodile, Monkey, Giraffe, Elephant, Toucan, or Lion? —Synopsis provided by Grosset & Dunlap
Rhythmic text makes for a joyful read-aloud friendly jungle animals make it fun for everyone.
TINY BEAR’S CHRISTMAS PRAYER, by Lorie Ann Grover, Little Shepherd, Oct. 7, 2025, Board Book, $9.99 (ages 0-3)
Celebrate the joy and peace of the Christmas season with Tiny Bear as he thanks God for all of the special blessings that fill his heart during the most magical time of the year!
On a joyful, winter night,
Tiny Bear feels all is right.
Fire’s warm as snow drifts by,
sweeping white across the sky.
In this new holiday board book, celebrate the joy of the Christmas season with Tiny Bear as he thanks God for each blessing that fills his heart. From singing Christmas carols, to sharing a special meal with his family, Tiny Bear is reminded that the true gift of the Christmas season was the birth of baby Jesus! —Synopsis provided by Little Shepherd
This gentle read combines the excitement for the season with traditional Christian celebrations. Warm colors and sweet characters make for an inviting read.
MY LITTLE DEER, by Hannah Eliot and Jennifer A. Bell, Little Simon, Sept. 9, 2025, Board Book, $7.99 (ages 0-3)
Cozy up with your little dear and share this sweet, rhyming board book that’s perfect for wintertime snuggles.
My little deer,
we’re cozy together,
no matter the time or place
or the weather.
This board book with a padded cover is the perfect read-aloud for your little dear. —Synopsis provided by Little Simon
Though not specifically a Christmas book, My Little Dear celebrates the spirit of the season. Set in a snowy forest this tender picture book is sure to become a favorite with little ones.
A MERRY LITTLE MYSTERY: An Interactive Christmas Board Book with Flaps and Mirror! (Peek, Seek, & Solve), by Layla Sutton and Noël Clark, Sourcebooks Wonderland, Sept. 2, 2025, Board Book, $9.99 (ages 0-3)
Introduce your little one to the most wonderful time of year with this holiday board book filled with lift-the-flaps, rhyming riddles, and a merry little mystery to solve!
It’s the best time of year
With joy all around!
Let’s go explore…
There are clues to be found!
Team up with the charming detective duo of Little Sherlock and his clever pup, Watson, as they collect festive clues to determine what holiday it is. —Synopsis provided by Sourcebooks Wonderland
Follow clues and discover the joys of Christmas with this interactive picture book. Rhythmic text and friendly illustrations, and sturdy flaps make this a good option for little ones.
JOLLY RIDDLES: A CHRISTMAS LIFT-THE-FLAP BOOK, by Victor Escandell, Chronicle Books, Sept. 23, 2025, Board Book, $12.99 (ages 2-4)
A Christmas-themed guessing game in a book: Consider the clues, then lift the flaps to discover the spirited answers!
Toddlers will delight in guessing the festive surprise hiding beneath each flap? Adorable and humorous illustrations fill each page with helpful hints, and then it’s up to clever little minds to guess the correct answers. What keeps your feet cozy? What is sweet and crunchy? What lights up your tree? Lift each flap to find out! —Synopsis provided by Chronicle Books
Simple riddles are paired with fun illustrations for this interactive board book. Sturdy construction means this book will hold up to a lot of use.
AGES 2 AND UP
CAT’S CHRISTMAS, By Alison Murray, Bloomsbury Children’s Books, Sept. 23, 2025, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 0-5)
Meet Cat, an adorable grumpy cat who thinks Christmas is the worst!
Cat hates the food. He hates the silly presents. And he hates the noisy visitors stealing his favorite spot.
But when Cat looks up at the beautiful night sky, he starts to think that maybe . . . Christmas isn’t ALL bad. And just maybe, the magic of Christmas can melt this grouchy cat’s cold heart. —Synopsis provided by Bloomsbury Children’s Books
Kids will fall in love with this grumpy cat who can’t seem to find anything good about Christmas. He’s cute, he’s charming, he’s adorably cantankerous. And as much as we want to think that the holiday season is all full of happiness, we can all relate to a little humbug. This one is lots of fun.
AGES 3 AND UP
STEAM TRAIN, DREAM TRAIN: NEXT STOP, CHRISTMAS! by Sherri Duskey Rinker and AG Ford, Chronicle Books, Oct. 7, 2025, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 3-5)
All aboard the dream train as the crew prepares for its next stop—Christmas!
’Tis the season for sharing delicious treats, singing Christmas carols, dazzling the world with sparkly decorations, wrapping gifts, delivering packages, and so much more. On the dream train, the workers know their tasks by heart, for when each new December starts, the Christmas Train takes to the air, transporting magic everywhere.
Setting off on an epic journey of holiday cheer, the crew goes full steam ahead celebrating Christmas, inviting little readers to say goodnight to their favorite animals before tucking in for sweet holiday dreams. —Synopsis provided by Chronicle Books
Rhyming text invites readers to join a train full of animals as they spread Christmas cheer around the world. Vibrant colors, especially yellow, light the way through a Christmas Eve night. Created by Sherri Duskey Rinker and AG Ford — the author-illustrator team behind many of the bestsellers in the Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site series — this merry read is sure to become a family favorite.
CUPIG SAVES CHRISTMAS, by Claire Tattersfield and Rob Sayegh Jr., Flamingo Books, Oct. 14, 2025, Hardcover, $14.99 (ages 3-7)
Cupig loves love. She loves love more than chilly hands love fuzzy gloves. On a chilly December night, Cupig receives an urgent call from a sick and sniffly Santa Claus. After thorough instruction, she’s ready to fill in for Santa Claus and don the red hat and suit.
But when delivering presents proves to be harder than she thought, Cupig will have to learn about the real meaning of Christmas if she’s going to fix her mistakes and save the day! —Synopsis provided by Flamingo Books
Cute Cupig is ready to help Santa, but she doesn’t quite understand all the holiday traditions. What ensues is a silly set of events that will set kids giggling. Rhythmic text makes for a fun read-aloud and festive illustrations will get you in the holiday spirit.
HIDE-AND-SEEK WITH SANTA CLAUS, by Carolyn Fabris and Yen Abis, Workman Kids, Oct. 7, 2025, Hardcover, $12.99 (ages 3-5)
Discover the magic of Christmas at Grandma’s house as two children seek out a hiding Santa!
When a sister and brother arrive at Grandma and Grandpa’s house on Christmas Eve, they can’t wait to see Santa, who’s hiding somewhere inside.
But where IS he?
Follow along as the kids search high and low, indoors and out, until that secret Santa gets revealed! —Synopsis provided by Workman Kids
This simple picture book is a great idea for families who celebrate traditions with grandparents. Its basic text and friendly illustrations make it a fun surprise perfect for young readers.
JAN BRETT’S THE NUTCRACKER, by Jan Brett, G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, Aug. 19, 2025, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 3-7)
Jan Brett’s Christmas classic now features an invitation to access music from the ballet performed by the Boston Pops!
When Marie and her brother Fritz receive a special Christmas nutcracker from their uncle, Marie immediately feels something magical. “He looks like a real boy,” she mused. “A real boy with a secret, who came from far away.”
This feeling is only the beginning of the epic adventure she goes on with the Nutcracker—into the cabinet, through the battle with the mice, and finally to the magical land of the Sugar Plum Fairy. —Synopsis provided by G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
There have been many versions of The Nutcracker in book and stage forms over the years, all with their own twists. In Jan Brett’s version, the story is set in Russia. Animal musicians play form the wings (aka Brett’s fabulous borders). And the Land of Sweets is really a snowy forest with filled with dancing animals. It’s an adaptation as only Brett can craft. Every page is full of detail — you could spend an hour just looking through the pictures.
The book also includes an invitation to watch a video with Jan’s art paired with music by Tchaikovsky from the Boston Pops performance of “A Christmas Tale: Suite from The Nutcracker.”
AGES 4 AND UP
THE CHRISTMAS SWEATER, By Jan Brett, G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, Nov. 25, 2025, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 4-8)
It’s Christmas morning, and Theo’s Yiayia has knitted his dog, Ari, a special red sweater. But when Ari shows his disinterest in the gift, Theo steps in to show his grandmother just how much they appreciate her kindness. He proposes a hike to Echo Lake, just him and Ari, where he can use his new snowshoes and Ari can sport his new sweater!
The woods are a winter wonderland, and more snow swirls as they hike. But just when they reach the lake, Theo realizes Ari’s sweater has disappeared, along with their tracks and every familiar landmark. Could they have lost Yiayia’s gift and the way home?
Luckily, Ari spots something in the snow that turns out to be a surprising solution to their predicament. And when they get home, they find an even bigger surprise from that amazing Christmas sweater. —Synopsis provided by G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
You can’t go wrong with Jan Brett. Her warm stories of friendship and love have charmed readers for more than 40 years. The Christmas Sweater features a sweet puppy, a friendly kid and Brett’s signature side panels and border details. It’s a delightful tale.
THE OLD SLEIGH, by Jarrett Pumphrey and Jerome Pumphrey, Norton Young Readers, Nov. 4, 2025, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 4-8)
Caldecott Honorees Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey deliver heart, hope, and holiday cheer in this magical companion to The Old Truck and The Old Boat.
On winter nights, an old sleigh delivers firewood, bringing warmth and light to a small town. But small towns get bigger and families grow. When the old sleigh is overwhelmed, a new sled and a new generation carry on the custom and ensure the town is warm and bright. —Synopsis provided by Norton Young Readers
Though not specifically a Christmas book, this gentle picture book celebrates hard work and the joy of giving. The stylized illustrations are full of charm and really bring this simple, but effective, story to life.
THE GIFT OF WORDS (A HOLIDAY PICTURE BOOK), by Peter H. Reynolds, Orchard Books, Oct. 7, 2025, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 4-8)
So many words, strung together, shimmering and dreamy. So many people, connected, together, hopeful and united. And that was the power of the gift of words. A gift for all.
Jerome is looking forward to collecting words this holiday season! Words of hope, love, and joy to share with his loved ones. But as he begins his search, he discovers that inspirational words are hard to come by. In the end, Jerome finds a way to connect with his community and join together in sharing the greatest gift of all: the gift of words. —Synopsis provided by Orchard Books
If you can only purchase one book this holiday season, The Gift of Words should probably be it. In a time where people are increasingly focused on material items and all that’s going wrong with the world, Peter H. Reynolds asks readers to focus on the power of words to lift and unite and usher in the holiday season with positivity.
HOLLY JOLLY KITTY-CORN: A PICTURE BOOK, by Shannon Hale, LeUyen Pham, Harry N. Abrams, Sept. 23, 2025, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 4-8)
This festive kitty-corn tale features Christmas decorations, gingerbread houses, one (almost) perfect tree—and the magic of true friendship.
The best part of Christmas is the merry music! No, it’s the gingerbread! No, it’s definitely decorating the tree!
Kitty and Unicorn can’t wait to spend their first Christmas together! But try as they might, they can’t seem to agree on their favorite festivities.
Will the magical best friends pull off the perfect Christmas, or will all their plans come tip-timber-crashing down? —Synopsis provided by Harry N. Abrams
Holly Jolly Kitty-Corn is a joyful look at Christmas through the eyes of two friends who don’t always see things the same way. Playful illustrations are paired with bright text, making this a heartwarming holiday story for fans new and old.
JINGLE BELLS, by James Lord Pierpont, Antonio Javier Caparo, Little Simon, Sept. 9, 2025, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 4-8)
Jingle bells, jingle bells,
Jingle all the way.
Oh! what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh. Hey!
These familiar lines from the classic Christmas song take on a new meaning as two elves race sleighs through the snow-covered North Pole—all while Santa Claus prepares for his big trip! —Synopsis provided by Little Simon
Two rambunctious elves get into all sorts of fun mischief as they race to help Santa get ready for his big night. Colorful illustrations that are full of movement are perfectly paired with rhythmic text that you can’t help sing along to the classic tune.
A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS DELUXE EDITION WITH SLIPCASE (PEANUTS), by Maggie Testa, Charles M. Schulz, Vicki Scott, Simon Spotlight, Sept. 9, 2025, Hardcover, $26.99 (ages 4 and up)
This special sixtieth anniversary edition of A Charlie Brown Christmas comes with a beautiful slipcase and a sheet of wrapping paper that can be used to wrap this beautiful gift set!
Christmastime is here. There’s snow and ice-skating, and the sweet sound of carols fills the air. Everyone is happy…everyone except Charlie Brown. He can’t seem to find the holiday spirit. Come along with Charlie Brown and his friends and discover the true meaning of Christmas in this beautiful anniversary edition of the holiday classic. —Synopsis provided by Simon Spotlight
I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love Charlie Brown, especially at Christmas. This fun book features carols in the endpapers and wrapping paper. It’s beautifully packaged and well-constructed. The colors are vibrant and the entire story you know from the tv version is there. It’s a great addition to any holiday library.
INTERRUPTING CHICKEN SAVES THE NUTCRACKER, by David Ezra Stein, Candlewick, Sept. 9, 2025, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 4-8)
It’s winter vacation for the little red chicken and, with promises of best behavior, she’s on her way to see The Nutcracker with Papa. She can’t wait! In fact, she’s so excited that Papa is worried she might get a little carried away . . . Take your seats and get ready to giggle as a certain irrepressible audience member dances onstage at key moments, determined to save the nutcracker from that bully Fritz and the sword-wielding Mouse King. But what happens when a revered classic has its storyline turned on its head? In this special holiday tale, David Ezra Stein moves the meta from page to stage as Chicken gleefully breaks the fourth wall. —Synopsis provided by Candlewick
This hilarious take on The Nutcracker is sure to delight fans of the story old and new. Kids will get a kick out of the little red chicken’s antics as she tries to make the story “right” at every turn. Bright colors and lots of action bring this joyful tale to life.
WHEN SANTA WROTE BACK! by Nathan Christopher, Pablo Pino, Sourcebooks Wonderland, Sept. 2, 2025, Hardcover, $12.99 (ages 4-6)
It’s the holiday season, and Jake is determined to have the best Christmas ever, which of course means getting lots of presents! When he writes letters to Santa that include his never-ending gift requests, some speedy shipping suggestions, and a reminder for St. Nick to kindly reply, will Jake get all that he hopes for? Or will Santa teach him a valuable lesson in this delightfully charming story about the Christmas…when Santa wrote back! —Synopsis provided by Sourcebooks Wonderland
When Santa Wrote Back is a entertaining twist on the holiday writing tradition. The bouncy text pairs perfectly with cheerful illustrations. And the book encourages kids to focus less on the gifts they receive and more on the spirit of giving. Letter-writing tips at the end provide a fun interactive element.
THE GIVING FLOWER: THE STORY OF THE POINSETTIA, by Alda P. Dobbs and Emily Mendoza, Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, Sept. 2, 2025, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 4-8)
A lyrical picture book about the Poinsettia flower and the holiday traditions it has inspired.
First, the flower grew wild―a yellow blossom with bracts that turn brilliant red in winter. The ancient Nahuas cultivated it; then it inspired Mexico’s most famous Christmas legend. After the flower caught the eye of Mexico’s first US ambassador, it became known as the Poinsettia. Yet it has many more names and traditions―and even more colors! —Synopsis provided by Sourcebooks
This beautiful nonfiction picture book traces the origins of the Poinsettia and how its symbolism has changed over the centuries. Vibrant illustrations are paired with a warm text emulates the Poinsettia’s importance throughout modern-day Mexico and around the world. This would make an excellent addition to any holiday library.
THE BIRDS OF CHRISTMAS, by Olivia Armstrong, Mira Miroslavova, Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, Aug. 12, 205, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 4-8)
A stunning folktale about the Nativity, set on a chilly night in Bethlehem.
“Wake up, wake up, birds!” croaks Raven one December night. “A child is born!” Each bird longs to bring a gift to the newborn baby in the manger. Nightingale sings a sweet song; Rooster caws a special call; Stork plucks her feathers to make a pillow. “I have nothing to give,” thinks little Robin. But as the night grows colder, the fire keeping the stable warm burns lower and lower. Maybe even a tiny bird has her own way to show her love for the newborn Prince of Peace… —Synopsis provided by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
This quiet picture book is an adaptation of a Nativity folktale that explains how robins got their red breasts. Beautiful stylized illustrations are paired with warm text as birds fly from one page to the next celebrating the birth of the Prince of Peace.
AGES 5 AND UP
HOW SIX FOUND CHRISTMAS, by Trina Schart Hyman, Holiday House, Oct. 14, 2026, Hardcover, $15.99 (ages 5 and up)
Once upon a time there was a little girl who had never heard of Christmas and therefore did not know what it was. So she sets off into the snowy woods in search of it, gathering a memorable troupe of animal companions along the way: a curious cat, a sad-faced hound, a regal hawk, a wise old fox, and an amusing nightingale.
Each of her companions has questions: What does Christmas feel like? Is it comfortable and warm? What does it sound like? Does it laugh? Does it shriek? But beneath the gently falling snow, they discover a different answer to their questions than expected: Christmas is how Christmas feels.
A timeless classic, this cloth-bound, luxurious new edition of Caldecott Medalist Trina Schart Hyman’s gentle, introspective holiday tale, leaves readers with the greatest Christmas story of all: that Christmas is not only where you find it; it’s what you make of it. —Synopsis provided by Holiday House
How Six Found Christmas is a lovely little story about finding Christmas in the unexpected. It’s an understated tale with big impact. The simple illustrations are beautifully rendered and the story is one that’s bound to become a family tradition.
Though the publisher’s suggested age range is 4-8, I don’t know many 4-year-olds who would have the attention span for the book’s text to illustration ratio. I suggest ages 5 and up.
THE 13TH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, by Adam Rex, Neal Porter Books, Sept. 9, 2025, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 5-8)
A partridge in a pear tree? Ten lords a-leaping? Now who would want such gifts? And more importantly—why would they be given?
Adam Rex investigates in this hilariously heart-warming tale based on one of the best-loved Christmas carols.
Our hero is having a lonesome Christmas away from his true love. So when she sends him a gift, of course he loves it—even if a partridge in a pear tree wasn’t exactly on his wishlist.
Twelve days later, his home is crowded with more birds, milkmaids, pipers, and other guests than he can possibly make sense of. Why would his true love think he’d like this?!
His search for answers transforms the disaster into a source of joy for the whole town—complete with a parade, a circus, and a fundraiser for the school library. By the time his true love gets home, the man finally understands what she’s given him: the true meaning of Christmas.
But she has no idea what he’s talking about— the whole thing was a wacky online shopping mixup. All she’d meant to buy was a pair of gold engagement rings. She meant to propose! —Synopsis provided by Neal Porter Books
The Thirteenth Day of Christmas is a delightful change up from the repetitive carol we all know (and sometimes love or hate). Adam Rex approaches the subject with humor and heart making you really think about the source material and how things would play out were it real. Families will get a kick out of this one.
AGES 6 AND UP
THE CHRISTMAS CONTEST: AN ADVENT NOVEL, by Maxime Gillio and Benedetta Capriotti, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Sept. 30, 2025, Paperback, $16.99 (ages 6-9)
Santa Claus has a problem. There are too many kids on the nice list this year, and he’s worried he won’t be able to deliver all the presents by himself! The only solution is to recruit an apprentice for the first time in his long career—to be chosen through a carefully crafted competition. Soon, the North Pole is buzzing with excitement as contestants come forward to show they’ve got the Christmas spirit and know-how to help jolly old St. Nicholas himself.
There are elves who think they deserve a promotion, children from the village, a gnome who only says “groumf,” and even a stuffed monkey! As Christmas Eve draws closer and Santa Claus tasks the hopefuls with more and more creative tests, who will come out on top?
With this book’s unique advent calendar format, each of the twenty-four chapters is sealed by its own perforated enclosure that readers can gently tear open—by hand or with the help of a ruler—to read a chapter a day in the weeks leading to Christmas! —Synopsis provided by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
This is such a fun idea for an advent calendar. And even though you can only “open” the pages the first time through, the book can easily be reread a chapter each day the following year. It’s this reusability aspect that makes it worth the purchase. On top of that, it’s a fun story that’s highly illustrated and features age-appropriate text and Christmastime fun.
AGES 8 AND UP
TWELVE CLASSICS OF CHRISTMAS (The Essential Christmas Classics Collection), by Various, Aladdin, Sept. 9, 2025, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8 and up)
Usher in the holidays with this collection of twelve classic short stories and poems from renowned authors. Many of these classics are full of hope, humor, and holiday magic have been staples of the season for generations. With each one brief enough to be read in one sitting, these tales from Christmases past are the perfect way to welcome the holiday.
This cozy collection includes:
“A Kidnapped Santa Claus” by L. Frank Baum
“The Elves and the Shoemaker” by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
“The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry
“Tilly’s Christmas” by Louisa May Alcott
“Squeaky and the Scare Box” by Georgene Faulkner
“Papa Panov’s Christmas Special” by Ruben Saillens, translated by Leo Tolstoy
“The Christmas Masquerade” by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman
“A Christmas Inspiration” by L. M. Montgomery
“A Luckless Santa Claus” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
“The Legend of the Babouscka” by Anonymous
“The Story of the Goblins Who Stole a Sexton” by Charles Dickens
“A Visit from St. Nicholas” by Clement C. Moore
—Synopsis provided by Aladdin
This charming collection is perfect for readers young and old. At only a few pages each, these stories and poems set the tone for the holidays in little bite-size nuggets.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL (THE ESSENTIAL CHRISTMAS CLASSICS COLLECTION), by Charles Dickens, Aladdin, Sept. 9, 2025, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8 and up)
In one of the most popular holiday stories of all time, meet Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly old man who hates Christmas and all the people asking for money that the holiday brings. One fateful Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his former business partner, who warns him about the consequences of his path of greed. This visit is followed by appearances from the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come, bearing their own messages for the hardhearted man.
Brimming with the Victorian festive spirit and introducing many memorable characters, Dickens’s tale of redemption, generosity, and the true essence of Christmas helped popularize many modern holiday traditions and has often been adapted for film and stage. This holiday staple from one of the great masters of literature is the perfect way to celebrate the Christmas season. —Synopsis provided by Aladdin
With as many adaptations of The Christmas Carol as there are, it’s nice to return to the source material, which, quite honestly, is better than most of the movies/tv shows/plays. Sometimes, the freshest version is the original. And, at approximately 130 pages, it’s an accessible length for readers 8 and up.
THE NUTCRACKER (The Essential Christmas Classics Collection) by E. T. A. Hoffmann, Aladdin, Sept. 9, 2025, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8 and up)
E.T.A. Hoffmann’s whimsical novella, originally titled Nutcracker and Mouse King and the inspiration behind Tchaikovsky’s ballet, now has a festive new look in this beautiful edition.
When Maria is given a nutcracker by her mysterious Godfather Drosselmeier, it seems like an ordinary gift. But as the clock strikes midnight on Christmas Eve, she finds her nutcracker embroiled in a fight with a sinister Mouse King—no ordinary toy after all, but a cursed hero. Together, they embark on a fantastical journey, encountering a host of charming characters.
Filled with Christmas magic and festive scenes full of presents, sugarplums, and gingerbread, this imaginative classic has been a part of annual holiday celebrations for generations. —Synopsis provided by Aladdin
Until now, I’ve never read The Nutcracker. As a dancer, it was a ballet tradition every year, but I never understood where the story came from until now. This would be a fun gift for any dancer in your life. They’ll get a kick out of how far the story has been transformed while some of the key elements remain.
AGES 9 AND UP
CLUEDLE: THE CASE OF RUDOLPH’S REVENGE (Book 4): Crack the Case by Solving 80 Christmas Mystery Puzzles, by Hartigan Browne, Workman Kids, Sept. 30, 2025, Paperback, $12.99 (ages 9 and up)
Can you figure out Cluedunnit at Christmas?
Set in a remote mansion called Mistlehurst Hall, the reader—under the watchful eye of world-famous Private Investigator Hartigan Browne—must tackle 80 clever Christmas puzzles, each of which holds a clue to solving the larger mystery of where Sir Rudolph Hollygrove-Winterton hid the family ruby. Who poisoned Ruth Toppler? What does the mystery key unlock? Can anyone escape the curse? Packed full of codes to crack, evidence to evaluate, clues to unravel, and maps to navigate, Cluedle: The Case of Rudolph’s Revenge is chockful of puzzling fun!
The Cluedle series combines all the best elements from your favorite games, puzzles, and yes—books—to create an engaging, active read that pairs well with the likes of Sudoku, crosswords, logic puzzles—even Murdle Jr. These crime solving series are perfect companions, because kids can’t get enough of clever crooks and mild mayhem! —Synopsis provided by Workman Kids
If you haven’t already seen the Cluedle series (you can find the first book of 4 here: CLUEDLE: THE CASE OF THE DUMPLETON DIAMOND), now is your chance. These puzzle books are perfect for mystery-loving kids and teens. The Case of Rudolph’s Revenge adds a little Christmas fun to the mix. An included answer key helps if readers get stuck, but they’ll honestly have so much fun with the puzzles, kids will likely only check their work. These books are a great no-screen option.
YOUNG ADULT
A HEART FOR CHRISTMAS: ADVENT ROMANCE, by Sophie Jomain, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Sept. 30, 2025, Paperback, $22.99 (ages 14 and up)
A teen reclaims her independence and opens her heart to Christmas with the help of a handsome ski instructor in this swoon-worthy young adult holiday romance told in a groundbreaking advent calendar format, with chapter-a-day reading making it a true slow-burn!
When eighteen-year-old April heads to the foothills of Mont Blanc in the Alps to spend her first Christmas at her father’s chalet, she’s hoping for a change. Ever since her heart operation two years ago, she’s lived as carefully as possible. Supervised exercise, green tea, rice cakes, focusing only on her studies. But now, she’s healthy and there’s a world out there that she’s missing.
When April’s ski instructor turns out to be her best friend’s older brother, Augustin, it feels like a sign. As Augustin encourages April to build up her strength, April feels drawn to him in ways she wasn’t expecting. Augustin is daring and gorgeous, and April doesn’t want to let her life pass her by any longer. But is her just-healed heart ready for a Christmas miracle?
With this book’s unique advent calendar format, each of the twenty-four chapters is sealed by its own perforated enclosure that readers can gently tear open—by hand or with the help of a ruler—to read a chapter a day in the weeks leading to Christmas! —Synopsis provided by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
This 24-chapter romance novel sets just the right tone for a cozy Christmas. There’s enough of a hook in the first chapter to get interested, and the fun plays out each following day. It’s perfect for young adults as well as new adults and adults who appreciate younger main characters.
Copyright © 2025 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.
