Deck the Halls Preschool Book Picks

Deck the Halls Preschool Book Picks

When the holiday season begins, preschoolers start tuning in to all the decorations, music, and excitement around them. It’s a great time to bring that interest into your reading time with a Deck the Halls theme. The books in this list keep things easy, fun, and age-friendly, giving you simple ways to connect the season to your everyday routines. Here are a few that fit really well for this time of year.

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Deck the Halls Books Your Preschoolers will Love..

The Biggest Christmas Tree Ever 
By: Steven Kroll
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Clayton and Desmond set out to find the perfect Christmas tree and discover that working together makes the holiday even better. A fun, easy read that preschoolers stay engaged with

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A Wish to be a Christmas Tree
​By: Colleen Moore
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A tree that’s never chosen wishes for a family of its own. Forest animals come together to help, creating a gentle story about kindness and belonging.

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Maple & Willow's Christmas Tree 
By: Lori Nichols
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Sisters Maple and Willow have big plans for the holiday, but things don’t go perfectly. A relatable story about sibling moments and problem solving.

Merry Christmas, Mouse!
By: Laura Numeroff 
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Mouse counts holiday decorations while getting ready for Christmas. Short, rhythmic, and great for practicing counting with your preschool students!

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The Littlest Christmas Tree
By R.A. Herman
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A tiny tree wonders if it will ever be picked. The ending gives a simple reminder that even small things can have a special place.

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Christmas Parade
By Sandra Boynton
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Silly animals, and sound effects the Sandra Boynton books are always a favorite among preschoolers. And, this one is a must-read in your class.

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Green Is for Christmas
By Drew Daywalt
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Little Green crayon steps up to show he should be the star of the season. Light, funny, and easy to enjoy as a quick read-aloud. If you love the Crayon series your students will love this one, too!

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How the Grinch Stole Christmas
By Dr. Seuss
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A classic for a reason. The Grinch’s plan to steal Christmas leads to a bigger realization about what the holiday actually means. This story allows for great conversations on kindness and  community, and noticing how others feel. It’s longer, but still manageable for a whole-group read-aloud.

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Llama Llama Holiday Drama
By Anna Dewdney
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Llama Llama gets overwhelmed by all the waiting, shopping, and noise that come with the holidays. Mama steps in to help him slow down and enjoy the moment. Preschoolers relate to the overstimulation and impatience, and this book gives you an easy way to talk about big feelings during a busy season.

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Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree
By Robert Barry
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When Mr. Willowby’s giant Christmas tree arrives, it’s just a bit too tall. As the top keeps getting trimmed, each piece finds its way into a new home—from the upstairs maid to the forest animals. Kids love the repeating pattern, the growing chain of characters, and the idea that one tree can be shared by so many. It’s a great pick for sequencing and predicting what might happen next.

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There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bell
By Lucille Colandro
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This holiday twist on the classic rhyme brings the Old Lady into full silliness as she swallows a bell, some bows, a sack, and more. The repetition keeps preschoolers engaged, and they love guessing (or yelling) what she’ll swallow next. It’s light, fun, and great for days when you want something high-energy and easy.

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How to Catch a Reindeer
By Alice Walstead
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Part of the popular “How to Catch” series, this book follows kids who try to trap a reindeer with creative (and totally unrealistic) ideas. The illustrations are bright and busy, and the story gives kids plenty to look at on each page. If your group is into building, creating, or STEM-style thinking, this book opens the door for fun conversations about what might actually work and what definitely wouldn’t.

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Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh
By Mo Willems
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Pigeon is back and determined to take over Santa’s sleigh, and kids get to tell him no again and again. The direct interaction pulls preschoolers right in, and the humor lands every time. If your group already loves Pigeon books, this one slides right in as a holiday favorite without needing much introduction.

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Dasher
By Matt Tavares
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Dasher is a young reindeer who dreams of a life beyond the traveling circus her family is stuck in. One night, she follows the North Star and meets Santa, who needs help pulling his sleigh. The story feels magical without being too much, and preschoolers connect with Dasher’s curiosity and bravery. 

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Little Red Sleigh
By Erin Guendelsberger
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Little Red Sleigh has one big dream: to someday help Santa deliver gifts. The problem is she’s too small, too young, and not built for long journeys. Along the way she meets new friends, faces setbacks, and eventually discovers that dreams can come true in unexpected ways. A great story of determination, and the message about believing in yourself is easy for them to understand.

These books make it easy to bring a little holiday excitement into your read-alouds without adding extra work to your day. Whether you’re building a themed week or just pulling a few new titles for circle time, any of these stories fit right into a Deck the Halls theme and keep your preschoolers engaged. Happy reading!

Deck the Halls Activity Pack

$7.00

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Dear Santa Pre-K Book Companion

$3.00

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A New Sleigh for Santa Book Companion-Build a Sleigh for Santa STEM Activity

$3.00

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