Board books are the perfect way to engage babies and toddlers in a story.
We love their chunky form and sturdy pages that are easy to hold, explore… and keep in tact! They make excellent stocking fillers too.
Here are 16 that we think every tiny child should find under the tree…
1. Jane Foster’s Christmas. £6.99 (board book), Templar
This gorgeous festive version of the textile designer’s distinctive first concept books introduces all the symbols of the season, from the classic Christmas tree and presents to reindeer, mittens and hot cocoa.
As with all her beautiful books, the artwork is brightly coloured and has bold black outlines to really grab your baby’s attention. We just love the Sixties feel of the artwork too. Buy from Amazon
Read our review of Jane Foster’s books for babies
2. Elmer’s Christmas by David McKee. £6.99 (board book), Andersen Press.
The much-loved patchwork elephant teams up with Papa Red to give the young elephants a Christmas surprise to remember.
They travel to see snow for the first time and get to spot someone special flying in, but in return for this magical experience, the children learn a valuable lesson about the importance of giving to others. It has a gorgeous sparkly cover too. Buy from Amazon
Read about David McKee’s favourite five books
3. Baby’s First Slide and See Christmas. Illustrated by Stella Baggot, designed by Josephine Thompson. £7.99 (board book), Usborne
Encourage those fine motor skills with this chunky slider book that reveals exciting secrets when your little one interacts with it.
The primary colours are bold and festive, and each scene has a cast of animal characters doing all sorts of Christmassy activities, like lighting the tree, going sledging and building a gingerbread house. The big man also make an appearance by popping up the chimney. Buy from Amazon
4. Dream Snow by Eric Carle. £7.79 (board book), Puffin
When a farmer falls asleep on Christmas Eve, he wakes to find his dream of snow has come true. But he needs to get his presents to his animals, so he pulls on his warmest clothes (which leave him looking suspiciously like Father Christmas…) and sets off through the white world to deliver them.
With flaps to explore, numbers to learn and Carle’s signature collage illustrations, this book is made for curious little fingers and minds. There’s also a musical version with a song at the end. Buy from Amazon
Read about why we love Eric Carle’s classic books
5. Usborne Nativity Flap Book. £5.99 (board book), Usborne
The Christmas story is told in a simple and interactive way in this clear book with lots of flaps to lift. All the main scenes are included, from Mary and Joseph arriving in Bethlehem to the arrival of the Three Wise Men.
The artwork is also sweet and engaging, with a host of cute animals and a star-filled night sky. The pages are nice and durable too. Buy from Amazon
6. Stick Man by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler. £6.99 (board book), Scholastic Press
The humble stick is elevated to a literary action hero in this joyous and smart rhyming tale by the children’s book dream team.
In a plot that’s like a mash up of Planes, Trains and Automobiles and Home Alone, Stick Man must overcome and avoid danger and death, travelling far and wide to try and get back to his Stick Lady Love and their stick children three. Will he make it home in time for Christmas? Buy from Amazon
Julia Donaldson reveals which of her many characters is her favourite
7. Where’s Santa Claus? by Ingela P Arrhenius. £6.99 (board book), Nosy Crow
Set out on a search for Santa with this hide-and-seek board book which introduces your baby to a cast of Christmas characters. The artwork is stunningly stylish, with hints of gold and eye-catching fluorescent to really grab your little one’s attention.
What’s especially neat are the flaps behind which Mrs Polar Bear, Mr Snowman and co are concealed – they’re made from soft felt, making it easy for tiny hand to grab them (and less risk of ripping too). There’s an exciting surprise at the end in the form of a mirror so your little explorer can also seek themselves. Buy from Amazon
8 of the best books about Father Christmas
8. That’s Not My Elf by Fiona Watt. £6.99 (board book), Usborne
This elf-themed edition of the celebrated ‘That’s Not My…’ board book series will let the youngest members of your family to join in with Christmas story time.
The textured patches, repetitive language and simple drawings are just made to grab your baby’s attention. And there’s a lovely sparkly bell at the end to enjoy. Buy from Amazon
That’s Not My Lamb was one of our 10 best books of baby’s first year – what others made the list?
9. A Tiny Little Story: Christmas by Lisa Jones and Edward Underwood. £10.99 (cloth book), Nosy Crow
The tiniest little children will adore this stylish cloth book, which follows a baby enjoying his very first Christmas. He sees a birdie in the tree, makes a snowman and then Santa Claus brings a present when he is fast asleep.
The artwork is really bold, with a simple bright colour palette, and we love the crinkly fabric pages and velcro buggy hook for taking it whenever you go during the festive season. It comes in a beautiful gift box too. Buy from Amazon
10. The First Christmas by Rod Campbell. £5.99 (board book), Macmillan
The bestselling Dear Zoo author gives the nativity story a simple retelling in this sweet book that will appeal to babies as much as older children.
The drawings are in Rod’s classic style, with distinct outlines and appealing faces, while the text is uncomplicated and easy to follow. It’s a great introduction to the main characters and events around the birth of Jesus. Buy from Amazon
11. Usborne Touchy-Feely Father Christmas by Fiona Watt and Rebecca Finn. £9.99 (board book), Usborne
Enjoy a sensory seasonal experience thanks to this chunky board book which follows the main man as he packs up his sleigh on Christmas Eve and heads out to deliver presents. The text is very simple to follow while the illustrations are full of festivities – and lots of sparkle too.
Your child will enjoy stroking Santa’s fluffy coat, peering through the windows and touching the textured wrapping paper. The book also features an army of elves and reindeers, and look out for a special little helper – the famous mouse from the That’s Not My… series. Buy from Amazon
12. Snow Dog by Raymond Briggs. £7.99 (board book), Puffin
This special edition dog-shaped book is the perfect introduction to the Snow Dog and Snowman characters for tiny children.
The rhyming story is very simple but beautifully coloured and the cover has a lovely flocked nose for little fingers to stroke. Baby Bookworm is very taken with his “doggie”. Buy from Amazon
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13. The Christmas Bear by Ian Whybrow and Axel Scheffler. £5.99 (board book), Macmillan
When Bear misses his ride on Santa’s sleigh and is left behind in the workshop, he gives chase to try and make it to Tom’s house in time for Christmas morning.
Your child needs to lift the flaps to see how our intrepid teddy journeys through ice-cold seas and snowy forest back to his beloved boy in a story reminiscent of Eighties movie Planes, Trains and Automobiles.
Ian Whybrow’s witty rhyming text combined with Axel Scheffler’s amusing artwork make for an entertaining adventure, with a host of crazy animal characters, lots of silly scenarios and a few sighting of Santa in the sky. Buy from Amazon
14. Listen to the Christmas Songs by Marion Billet. £7.99 (board book), Nosy Crow
We are hardcore fans of this glorious series of sound books by Marion Billet and this festive edition might actually be the ultimate one. Each of the six scenes see the cast of animals engaging in Christmassy fun, accompanied by an appropriate seasonal song and lyrics.
We Wish You A Merry Christmas, Jingle Bells and Santa Claus Is Coming To Town are all to be enjoying, activated with simple pressure buttons that it won’t take long for your child to master. Best of all, the tunes are not irritating at all (well, unless you hear them 100 times on repeat…) and there is a hidden off switch at the back! Buy from Amazon
15. Pip and Posy: The Christmas Tree by Axel Scheffler. £8.99 (board book), Nosy Crow
We love Axel Scheffler’s series about pals Pip and Posy, and their warm and funny friendship. In this seasonal edition, the duo get a Christmas tree and decide to decorate it with some tasty decorations.
But when greedy Pip can’t resist the gingerbread stars, candy canes and chocolate bells, their festive centrepiece is left bare – and he feels as sick as a dog. Will he tell Posy the truth – and what will she say? Available from Amazon
16. Dear Santa by Rod Campbell. £5.99 (board book), Macmillan
The classic Rod Campbell lift-the-flap book Dear Zoo gets a festive makeover. In this edition, Santa is trying his best to find the perfect Christmas present for the reader.
Poster paints, a trumpet and a kite are dismissed for being too messy, noisy and big before a sweet kitten is declared the ideal gift. Not very PC these days (a pet is for life, folks!) but lots of fun for babies and toddlers. Buy from Amazon
More magical Christmas reads…
Why Pick a Pine Tree is our favourite new Christmas story
8 of the best books about Santa Claus
The best snowy stories for children
10 of the best classic Christmas books for children
Perfect presents for babies and toddlers… 12 of the best interactive books
Watch out chiddlers! Roald Dahl board books are coming
Why we love Alice Melvin’s first concept books about a baby and his family
Teach baby ABC with Nosy Crow’s Early Learning at the Museum books
Books with Baby 
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