23 Best Elf Books for Kids to Read This Christmas

Elf books for kids have become one of our favorite parts of the holiday season.

Every December, we build a little stack next to the cocoa station, and they somehow make even the busiest mornings feel a bit more magical.

Some of these stories tie right into our Elf on the Shelf antics, while others are just plain fun to read aloud before bedtime.

Whether you’re looking for silly elf adventures, sweet messages about kindness, or interactive books to keep little ones engaged, this list has been a hit both at home and in the classroom.

Collage of 4 holiday book covers for kids including How to Catch an Elf, There's an Elf in Your Book, Elves Are the Worst, and Plume the Christmas Elf, with bold text reading "23 Elf Books for Kids."

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Top Elf Books for Kids

These elf books for kids have become a favorite in our house during December. Some are silly, some are sweet, and a few tie in perfectly with our Elf on the Shelf fun.

They’re great for keeping the magic going, especially on cozy evenings or rushed mornings when a quick story helps set the tone for the day.

If you’re looking for read-alouds that get kids laughing or spark conversations about kindness and giving, this list has a bit of everything. We’ve used many of them at home and in the classroom, and they always bring that extra bit of holiday cheer.

How to Catch an Elf book by Adam Wallace

This one gets read on repeat in our house. After the first read, my son spent the whole afternoon designing his own elf traps, complete with yarn, LEGO bricks, and a cereal box. It’s silly, fast-paced, and a great excuse to get a little creative during the holidays.

The Elf on the Shelf

This is the book that kicked off our whole Elf tradition years ago. We still read it at the beginning of December as a kind of “Elf welcome back” ritual. It’s simple and magical, especially for kids experiencing Elf on the Shelf for the first time.

The Elf on The Shelf Night Before Christmas Book

This one’s become part of our Christmas Eve routine. It adds just the right amount of mischief to the classic poem, and it’s a nice way to wrap up the Elf’s visit. We usually read it after setting out cookies for Santa, kind of like a little farewell.

Elves Are the Worst!

My son couldn’t stop laughing at this book. The over-the-top elf antics and goofy expressions are a hit every time. If your kids like humor that leans into the ridiculous (and you’re okay with a bit of elf chaos), this one’s a solid pick.

The Christmas Elf Countdown!

We used this book last year as our nightly countdown to Christmas and it actually helped us slow down a bit during a busy season. The interactive parts were a big win, especially the mini activities and illustrations that gave us something to look forward to each day.

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Never Touch a Grumpy Elf!

This was an instant favorite purely because of the textures, my son couldn’t stop touching the bumpy, squishy elf parts! It’s the kind of book toddlers and preschoolers will want to “read” with their hands as much as their eyes. Fun, quick, and full of giggles.

Plume: Christmas Elf

This one surprised us, in a good way. Plume isn’t your typical North Pole elf, and the story takes some unexpected (and charming) turns. The penguins were a big hit, and the message about teamwork and helping others gave us something meaningful to chat about afterward.

Ellie the Tooting Elf

Okay, I hesitated with this one at first, but it had my son in stitches. If you’ve got a child in the “potty humor is hilarious” stage (we’ve all been there), this will be an instant winner. It’s goofy, lighthearted, and honestly kind of sweet.

My Teacher is an Elf

We gave this one to a teacher friend last year, and it quickly became a classroom favorite. It’s simple and silly with lots of room for kids to imagine what it would be like if their own teacher had secret elf powers. Great for a holiday school read-aloud.

The Elf Who Couldn’t Read

This one really stuck with us. The story follows an elf who struggles with reading, and overcomes it in such a warm, encouraging way. As a homeschool mom, I love when a holiday story blends fun with real-life encouragement like this.

Elf Pets A Reindeer Tradition

This book added a whole new layer to our Elf on the Shelf fun. My son loved the idea of adopting a reindeer to help spread Christmas cheer, and the story itself feels cozy and kind. We read it together while cuddling with the plush reindeer, and it’s become part of our December bedtime rotation.

The Elf on The Shelf: Letters to Santa

This one feels more like an experience than just a book. The mini paper and magic press made writing to Santa feel official, and my son was completely absorbed. If your kids love the Elf and are into “real magic,” this is a great way to make the tradition interactive.

Related: Letters to Santa printables

There’s an Elf in Your Book by Tom Fletcher

We can’t read this one without laughing. The interactive prompts, like shaking the book or shouting, make it perfect for high-energy moments when your child just needs to move and giggle. It’s playful, a little chaotic (in a good way), and always a hit.

The Littlest Elf

This story has such a gentle, encouraging message. It’s about finding your place and realizing even the smallest efforts matter. We’ve pulled this one out year after year, it’s just the right length for winding down in the evening, and the illustrations are sweet without being over-the-top.

Pig the Elf

If your kids already love Pig the Pug, this holiday version is just as ridiculous and funny. Pig’s selfishness turns into a teachable moment, but it’s told in such a silly way that it doesn’t feel preachy. It’s one of those books that sneaks in a lesson while making everyone laugh.

Silly Sam the Elf

Sam is pure chaos in the best way. This book reminded us of some of our own Elf on the Shelf mishaps, like the time ours got tangled in Christmas lights. It’s full of playful energy and perfect for younger kids who love silly characters and fast-paced stories.

Elfie the Elf

Elfie’s story leans into friendship and generosity, which made it a nice contrast to some of the more mischief-focused elf books. It sparked a conversation with my son about what it really means to be kind during the holidays. A sweet and simple read.

The Little Christmas Elf

This one has been on our shelf for years and still holds up. The message about perseverance really resonated when my son was younger and feeling discouraged about learning new things. It’s beautifully illustrated and always leaves us with warm fuzzies.

Elf: The Classic Illustrated Storybook

If your family loves the Elf movie, this illustrated version is a great way to revisit the story with younger kids. We usually read it after watching the film, it helps wind things down and gives us a few extra laughs before bedtime.

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Parker’s Elf

This one caught me off guard in a good way. It’s more emotional than most of the others on this list, and it gently opens up a conversation about handling big feelings. We read it together during a tough week, and it led to one of our best holiday talks yet.

How to Trick a Christmas Elf

My son couldn’t stop coming up with his own “traps” after this book. It’s silly and imaginative with a bit of mischief thrown in. If you’ve got a kid who’s into Elf on the Shelf shenanigans, this fits right in.

Memoirs of an Elf

This one’s become a fun little tradition for us to read on December 23rd or 24th. It follows the elf’s final holiday prep and adds a behind-the-scenes twist that kids love. The journal-style format gives it a fresh feel, and the illustrations are super playful.

Nutcracker

While not an elf story, this version of The Nutcracker is such a classic that we pull it out every December. The illustrations are beautifully detailed, and the story adds a magical, dreamlike feel to our holiday reading stack. It’s longer, so we usually read it in two sittings—perfect for winding down with hot cocoa in the evening.

Related: Free nutcracker coloring sheets.

Last Updated on 29 July 2025 by Clare Brown

Top Elf Books for Kids

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