Start a tradition: 6 books to read together

Do your family’s Christmas traditions include stories and reading? Do you have some special books you pull out and read together year after year?

We’ve listed six of our favourite Christmas picturebook stories to read aloud together, as a family.

Slinky Malinki’s Christmas Crackers by Lynely Dodd

One of our favourite Lynley Dodd feline characters gets up to mischief with the Christmas tree. With reindeers, baubles, and bells, Dodd’s characteristic bouncing rhyming text is a complete joy to read aloud! Ages 3+

The Stick Man by Julia Donaldson

In a winning tale of peril, the Stick Man is torn away from his loving family and caught up in a whirlwind of adventures. From being thrown to a dog to be used as a pooh stick and becoming part of a bird’s nest, can the Stick Man find his way home for Christmas, with the help of Santa? Ages 3+

Wombat Divine (25th Anniversary edition) by Kerry Argent and Mem Fox

Wombat Divine is a gorgeous Australian take on the traditional nativity play. Can you guess which part in the play is just perfect for a sleepy wombat? So charming, it makes us tear up – just a little bit. Ages 4+

Merry Christmas, Blue Kangaroo by Emma Chichester Clark

Lily and her beloved toy, Blue Kangaroo, go on a Christmas Eve gift-giving journey. With milk and cookies prepared, decorations, and presents under the tree, this heart-warming festive tale is one you’ll want to read aloud with the whole family by the tree. Ages 2+

The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore and Karen Erasmus

The Night Before Christmas is a traditional story and rhyme. There are many editions of this classic tale, it’s featured here in its original form, beautifully illustrated with Australian-centric watercolour images by Karen Erasmus. See how much of the poem you and the family can recite both this year and the Christmases to come! Ages 3+

The Nutcracker by Niroot Puttapipat 

Through his beautiful illustrations, Niroot Puttapipat captures the excitement of Christmas Eve and the magic of Clara’s journey with the Nutcracker Prince. This classic story that’s part of Christmas celebrations worldwide is a much-loved favourite and the perfect retelling of Marius Petipa’s classic ballet. Ages 7+