9 Christmas Picture Books for very young language learners

I've had a few requests recently from teachers, parents and local librarians on choosing picture for babies, pre-preschoolers and primary school aged children for the run up to Christmas.  So, here is my list based on tried and tested books that I have used over the years with both my girls, my English classes and my English holiday workshops.

1. The Snowman by Raymond Briggs

A children's classic narrated entirely through pictures. On Christmas Eve a snowman comes to life and an unforgettable adventure with a young boy begins. It can easily be adapted for all Primary ages and covers themes such as food, objects in the house, parts of the face and body, Christmas, time, clothes, can/can't. Don't forget the beautiful video either The Snowman animation


Gail Ellis has written some excellent resources that can be used with the story, including a written narration of the book, songs, games and writing activities

The Snowman Activity Book

The Snowman Teacher's Book

2. That's Not My Reindeer It's Body Is Too Furry Board book by Fiona Watt (Author) and Rachel Wells (Illustrator) 

I love all of Fiona Watt and Rachel Wells touchy, feely, That's Not my....books. This one book starts with "That's not my reindeer, It's body is too furry" and continues with describing other parts of the reindeer "That's not my reindeer, It's neck is too fuzzy" until the right reindeer is found. I wonder what its nose is like?! Children get to touch a variety of textures which helps makes the words even more meaningful. Suitable for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. 

3.Spot's Christmas Board book – by Eric Hill 

Join Spot as he prepares for Christmas by decorating the tree, putting up his stocking and preparing some snacks for Santa. Great for basic Christmas vocabulary. Suitable for Preschoolers and lower primary. 

4 Stick Man by Julia Donaldson 

I used this one only this morning with a group of 3 and 4 year olds. Although the text is quite wordy it can easily be adapted for younger children learning English.  It includes a lot of repetition which is great for EFL learners. 

Poor Stick Man leaves his family tree to go for a jog and all sorts of unfortunate things happen to him. "I'm not a pen/bow/mast/twig", he exclaims, "I'm Stick Man". Will he ever be rescued? Will he ever get back to his family tree? 

It covers nature, family and emotions vocabulary. It's a lovely book to compare Christmas in the UK with another country too. It introduces I'm and I'm not and it is just fabulous for imagining the uses of a stick. Sit your kiddies in a circle and pass the stick around. Get them to imagine what the stick could be. What is it? It's a.....

 Here is Stick Man read by Julia Donaldson on YouTube

5. The Gingerbread Man by Estelle Corke 

A well known traditional tale, this one has flaps!! Sharing books that children have already read or heard in their own language is reassuring for them. As they are quick to understand them, traditional tales and other familiar picture books help in building children's confidence as language learners too. This is another story with repetitive text "Run, run as fast as you can, you can't catch me I'm the Gingerbread man!" and covers animals and parts of the face and body vocabulary. It is a Christmas tradition in the UK and US to make gingerbread men over the Christmas period, so don't forget to make play dough or even real ones with your little ones too. Suitable for all ages.

6. Dear Santa Board book – by Rod Campbell 

Another classic. Following along the lines of Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell, but this time with presents. Each page has a gift-wrapped flap with a picture of a toy underneath and a short text describing it. Suitable for babies, toddlers and preschoolers.

7. Father Christmas Needs a Wee by Nicholas Allan. 

This book is Hilarious. Your children will love it! As Father Christmas is doing his rounds and helping himself to all the delicious snacks left out for him, he realizes that he really, really, really needs a wee…It is written in rhyme and is great for counting to 10 and back and of course food and Christmas vocabulary. Suitable for preschoolers and lower primary.

SANDIE MOURÃO from Picture Books in ELT also suggests Jesus' Christmas Party by Nicolas Allan . If you don't know about her blog, go and check it out right now! It's fabulous!

8. Twelve Days of Christmas (Ladybird Baby & Toddler) Board book 

This is a traditional Christmas song which has been made into a book. Great for counting to and backwards from 12 and ordinal numbers. Suitable for all Primary aged children depending on their level. You can find a paired, drawing on backs activity here that I have used with upper Primary school kids. 

9. That's Not My Santa: Touchy-feely Father Christmas Board book – by Fiona Watt (Author), Rachel Wells (Illustrator)

As we love these books so much, I couldn't help adding this one to the list. Great for parts of the face and describing textures.

I've included the UK Amazon links here as it is often cheaper to buy books from here compared to Amazon Fr, even after paying for postage

What Christmas picture books have you used? Please share your ideas below, I'd love to hear from you.