We’ve had lots of fun reading books about St. Nicholas and Santa Claus! And a St. Nicholas and Santa Claus theme can be very adaptable according to a specific family’s or classroom’s traditions. Today, I’m sharing favorite books from our unit.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links (at no cost to you).
Just choose books based on your child’s age and what you think will engage your child’s interest. I recommend checking out the “Read Sample” feature on Amazon and reading reviews there. Another place to learn about a book is on YouTube. You can typically see the entire book there.
Montessori-friendly books use photos or realistic illustrations. They don’t have talking animals or a lot of fantasy. But many books that have fantasy and talking animals are wonderful books, and I love sharing them with children who understand the difference between fantasy and reality.
For toddlers and preschoolers, about ¾ of the books I use are typically Montessori friendly (focusing on reality without smiling or talking animals or smiling or talking vehicles). Of course, more than ¼ of the books in this unit aren’t Montessori-style books.
Books for a St. Nicholas and Santa Claus Theme
I’m featuring books here for a St. Nicholas and Santa Claus theme for preschoolers through elementary-age kids.
Here’s a fun Instagram reel:
Books for a St. Nicholas and Santa Claus Theme
Books on Top Shelf of Themed Shelves:
- The Night Before Christmas: The Classic Edition (includes a four-page fold-out)
- The Legend of Saint Nicholas is a lovely book telling the legends and traditions about Bishop Nicholas of Myra, who became a saint and was known for his generosity and many acts of kindness.
Top Shelf of Forward -Facing Display:
- The Legend of Saint Nicholas is a lovely book telling the legends and traditions about Bishop Nicholas of Myra, who became a saint and was known for his generosity and many acts of kindness.
- The Baker’s Dozen
- Saint Nicholas (Beautiful book!)
2nd Shelf:
- The St. Nicholas Day Snow (I like that the book has a lot of historical information about St. Nicholas Day along with a natural depiction of one of the girls using a wheelchair and crutches.)
- The Night Before Christmas: The Classic Edition (includes a four-page fold-out)
- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (The original story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer—written in verse by his creator, Robert L. May)
3rd Shelf:
- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (I have an old version from when my now-adult children were little, but there are many versions other than the original version written in verse.)
- The Polar Express
- Pete the Cat Saves Christmas
This book is totally unrealistic … and lots of fun. It has a wonderful message and song that runs through the book:
“Give it your all, give it your all.
At Christmas we give,
so give it your all.”
4th Shelf:
- A Little Spot of Christmas: A Story About Santa’s Helper
- Richard Scarry’s Best Christmas Book Ever
- The Berenstain Bears Meet Santa Bear
Bottom Shelf
I love but don’t have The Truth About Santa: A Warm and Honest Story Based on Saint Nicholas’ Life on display because it’s for a specific group. It’s a perfect book for families who want to have a gentle and honest conversation with their child about Santa without ruining their child’s experience of Christmas. It’s also great for children who have always been taught that Santa is just a fun story. The book focuses on the origins of Santa based on the generosity and kindness of St. Nicholas (Bishop Nicholas of Myra). It encourages children to share the magic of kindness through love and kindness.
Santa’s Favorite Story: Santa Tells the Story of the First Christmas is a sweet story for Christian families and Christian schools. In it, Santa tells the story of the first Christmas.
You can see many St. Nicholas and Santa Claus books here: St. Nicholas and Santa Claus Books for Kids (including books as they’re published)
Free Montessori-Inspired St. Nicholas and Santa Claus Pack
Montessori-Inspired St. Nicholas and Santa Claus Pack for DIY Cards and Counters, Number or Letter Matching, Number or Letter Basket, Bead Bar Work, Hands-on Math Operations, Number or Letter Salt/Sand Writing Tray, Letter Tracing, DIY Movable Alphabet, and Creative Writing (subscriber freebie, so just sign up for my email to get the link and password – or check your inbox if you’re already a subscriber).
More Advent and Christmas Resources
Advent
Christmas
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- Free St. Nicholas and Santa Claus Printables and Montessori-Inspired Activities
- Activity of the Week – Montessori-Inspired Decorating the Christmas Tree Activity
- Activity of the Week – Gift Wrapping Work
- December Family Activities
- Turning Christmas Crafts into Montessori-Oriented Activities
- Montessori-Inspired Christmas Activities
- 50+ December Family Activities
- Montessori-Inspired Christmas Activities (Part 2)
- Holiday Manners
- How to Prepare a Special Kids’ Table for Holiday Gatherings
- Homeschool Christmas
- Montessori-Inspired Christmas Playdough Activities
- Montessori-Inspired Christmas Crafts
- Montessori-Inspired Nativity Activities
- Christmas Around the World: Scotland
- Montessori-Inspired Christmas Activities and Free Christmas Printables
- 40+ Christmas Sensory Tubs
- Montessori-Inspired Christmas Scavenger Hunt
- Montessori-Inspired Kids’ Gift Wrapping Activities
- Hundreds of December Holiday Activities for Kids
- Using Variations of Elf on the Shelf to Encourage Kindness
- Montessori-Inspired Christmas Cards and Crafts
- Montessori-Inspired Set-Ups for Christmas Playdough Activities
- Christmas Gingerbread Man Fine-Motor Activity or Craft
- Montessori-Inspired Christmas Craft – Painted Wooden Ornaments
- Free Christmas Tree Printables and Montessori-Inspired Christmas Tree Activities
- Using Kindness Elves to Encourage Kindness {Ideas and Free Printables}
- Using the Christmas Angel to Encourage Kindness
- Free Nutcracker Printables and Montessori-Inspired Nutcracker Activities
- Montessori-Inspired Christmas Activities with Spielgaben {Free Printables}
- 20+ Christmas Phonics Activities
- Free Christmas Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Baby or Toddler Handprint or Footprint Keepsake Ornament
- Free Gingerbread Printables and Montessori-Inspired Gingerbread Activities
- Christmas Bell Basket for Babies and Toddlers
- Christmas Box and Bag Treasure Basket for Babies and Toddlers
- Montessori Christmas Tree Decorating Activity
- Simple Snowman Sensory Bin {A Fun Way to Work on Essential Skills for Toddlers and Preschoolers
- The Ultimate Guide to Having Kind Kids This Christmas
- Our Favorite Montessori Fine-Motor Christmas Tree Activity
- Christmas Book Basket for Those of Us Who Just CAN’T Do a Christmas Book Countdown
- Kid-Made Sparkly Craft-Stick Christmas Tree Ornament {Montessori-Inspired Learning Activity Included}
- Simple Godly Play for Toddlers during Advent
- Quick and Easy Christmas Playdough Activity
- DIY Christmas Dot Wrapping Paper … Simple Enough for a Toddler to Make
- Simple and Sweet Craft Stick Photo Frame Gift Kids Can Make
- 20+ Acts of Kindness Advent Calendars and Christmas Countdowns {Free Printables}
- Where to Get the Best Kindness Elves with Options for Skin, Hair, and Clothing Color
- How to Make the Switch to Kindness Elves from Elf on the Shelf
- The Ultimate Guide to Kindness Elves
- Best Gifts for Kids: Montessori-Friendly Toys for Preschoolers
- Free Bell Printables and Montessori-Inspired Bell Activities
- Holiday Bell Sensory Bin with Scavenger Hunt
- Free Christmas Bell Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)
- 40+ Free Resources for a Christmas Around the World Unit
- Free Bell Do-a-Dot Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)
- Cinnamon Stick Christmas Tree Ornament with Sensory Activities
- Pouring Jingle Bells: A Simple, Fun Practical Life Activity
- Christmas Craft-Punch Wrapping Paper and Fine-Motor Activity
- How to Have a Kind Classroom with Kindness Elves {for Teachers and Parents}
- Using Kindness Elves to Encourage Acts of Kindness in the Family
- Using Kindness Elves and Pete the Cat in a Food and Toy Drive
- Holiday-Themed, Editable Name and Word Tracing Pack
- The Ultimate Guide to Having Kind Kids This Christmas
- The Ultimate Guide to Kindness Elves
- Montessori-Friendly Ornaments and Cards Kids Can Make
- Kid-Made Sparkly Craft-Stick and Jingle-Bell Christmas Tree Ornament
- How to Make Simple, Sparkly Wrapping Paper {Craft Project for Toddlers on Up)
- The Best Free Kids’ Songs for the Holidays {Traditional Holiday Songs + Character Education Songs}
- Teaching about Hunger and Poverty through a Food and Toy Drive
- Promote Peace with Montessori Holidays Around the World Resources
- Free Peace Printables and Montessori-Inspired Peace Activities
- Scrap Ribbon Christmas Tree Ornament {and Practical Life Activity}
- Small Gift Bags Kids Can Make Using Free Printables
- Best Christmas Quotes for Everyone
- The Kindness Elves and Pete the Cat Join Our 5th Annual Family Food and Toy Drive
- You Don’t Have to Believe in Santa Claus to Love NORAD Tracks Santa
- Our Online and Curbside Family Food and Toy Drive
- Free Gingerbread Printables and Activities for a Montessori-Inspired Gingerbread Uni
- Free Gingerbread Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Decorate Do-a-Dot Phonics Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)
- Free Gingerbread Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)
- The Kindness Elves, Pete the Cat, and Our 7th Annual Family Food and Toy Drive
- The Kindness Elves, Pete the Cat, and Our 8th Annual Family Food and Toy Drive
- The Kindness Elves, Pete the Cat, and Our 9th Annual Family Food and Toy Drive,
- Kids’ Christmas Activities Pinterest Board
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