Reindeer are a fairly central character to the secular (i.e. not Jesus connected, where I read a surprising number of books about donkeys...) story. Really, the main character outside of Santa Claus himself. It's not surprising that there are many books dedicated to them. There are the classics about the star reindeer - Rudolph (my 5 year old gets upset about any reindeer book that doesn't have Rudolph) but also a good number of others just about reindeer in general. I don't think my kids have ever seen one in real life. We should correct that one of these years. For now, books will do.
The other Christmas Picture Book Flights I've done are: Christmas Carols, Mice & Christmas, Christmas in New York, Saints, Cookies & Treats, Christmas Trees, Animals Celebrating, Santa Stories, The Nativity Story, and Historic Christmases. As well as just a list of {25} Christmas Picture Books (no guarantee of no overlap between those lists!).
Note: Affiliate links abound below, I make a small (very small) commission off items if you purchase through those links, at no extra cost to you. I appreciate your understanding and support! Of course I fully support utilizing the library or shopping used or from an independent bookstore!
Dasher by Matt Tavares
A top 5 favorite Christmas book for me so has to be where we start this list. And it was a favorite of my older son a few years ago so we read it A LOT. Dasher works for a circus, hauling the circus carts between stops but he longs to return to his true home, the North Pole, a place he's only heard about from his mother. So when his cage opens one night, he makes his way north, following the North Star until he gets lost and runs into his future employer (can we consider reindeer employees of Santa???)
Dasher Can't Wait for Christmas by Matt Tavares
A new, this year, follow-up to Dasher's story. Dasher is living her best life at the North Pole but just can't wait until Christmas. My kids can relate to this problem, although I am content to just soak in all the Christmas spirit for nearly 2 more weeks.
The Little Reindeer by Nicola Killen
A little seasonal series (I think in another book the little girl is a bunny?) where a girl in a reindeer costume has a little magical journey one night. Very quick read but sweet.
Last Stop on the Reindeer Express by Maudie Powell-Tuck, illustrated by Karl James Mountford
This is another favorite of mine, especially in the Reindeer book sub-Christmas book genre. A young girl is missing her Grandfather this Christmastime because they won't get to be together. She spies a mysterious mailbox when out running errands with her Mom. Going through the mailbox she finds the Reindeer Express and a reindeer who will fly her to see her far away Grandfather without her mother notices (she's back in seconds, in the real world). Beautiful cutouts too.
Santa's Story by Will Hillenbrand
One Christmas Eve Santa is getting ready to make his annual trip when he cannot find the reindeer. Turns out they just want their annual story before making the journey.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer by Robert Lewis May, illustrated by Antonio Javier Caparo
The classic Rudolph story with beautiful pictures, told in verse (I do always love a rhyming book, no matter the number of words, they seem to read faster).
Rudolph Shines Again by Robert Lewis May, illustrated by Antonio Javier Caparo
A follow-up where Rudolph has lost his nose's glow! But Santa needs him!
Tiny Reindeer by Chris Naylor- Ballesteros
Tiny Reindeer is too small to be one of the reindeer pulling Santa's sleigh. Will he find another way to help out before Christmas Eve?
Who Will Pull Santa's Sleigh by Russ Willms
We just read this last night! Before the reindeer get the job, Santa is on the hunt for some animal that can help him with his sleigh, magic will be provided. He tries out many teams but they all have a problem (elephants are too heavy to land on the roof, puppies get distracted, etc.). Turns out reindeer were the best solution.
Rudolph and the Reindeer Games by Joe Troiano
The Rudolph story but copying the style of the 1960s tv special. It's told in a few "chapters", one of them being the tv special summarized but then expands the story in the other chapters. We watch it every year so my kids appreciate this one.
Olive, the Other Reindeer by J. Otto Seibold and Vivian Walsh
Olive is a dog who, upon hearing the Rudolph song incorrectly, thinks she is the other missing reindeer so, obviously, she must fly with them.
Happy Reindeer reading!
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