When it comes to Christmas, Santa Claus gets most of the credit, but we know that he gets a lot of help from his elves. Here are some great books about elves to share with your kids. I hope you’ll find a new book your kids will love!
You can click on any of the covers below to learn more about each book or find all of these elf picture books on my Amazon page. I know that Scholastic often has great deals on these books during the holiday season, too!
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Books About Elves
How to Catch an Elf
Written by: Adam Wallace
Illustrated by: Andy Elkerton
You’ve been waiting all year long, and now it’s finally Christmas Eve! Is this the year you’ll finally catch an elf?
“It’s Christmas Eve! Hip hip, hooray!
Yes, Santa’s coming ’round.
He’s bringing toys to girls and boys
in every house in town.”
“Some kids have tried to catch him,
but Santa’s fast, you see!
So they’ve set their eyes on a smaller prize,
and now they’re after me!”
The Littlest Elf
Written by: Brandi Dougherty
Illustrated by: Kirsten Richards
Oliver may be the littlest elf in the North Pole, but he has a big desire to discover his very special job in Santa’s workshop! But after getting lost in the toy shop, making a mess at the book shop, and falling in the mixing machine at the bakery, is the littlest elf just too little?
This book is part of a series written by Brandi Dougherty. Click on any of these titles to find resources to pair with her books: The Littlest Valentine, The Littlest Leprechaun, The Littlest Pilgrim
Memoirs of an Elf
Written by: Devin Scillian
Illustrated by: Tim Bowers
It’s Christmas Eve and Spark Elf has the very important job of keeping Santa Claus on schedule as he travels the globe in 24 hours delivering presents. Small in stature with pointy ears and stopwatch in hand, Spark lets Santa know it’s time to go. He programs the GPS while the other elves secure the toy bag and check the Nice list. Little known fact: We don’t even bring the Naughty list with us. Six hours into the trip Santa, sleigh and crew begin to fall behind–so many cuddly doggies to pet and extra cookies to eat. The jolly group makes up time in Brazil and soon find themselves back at the North Pole. Their work is done. But wait, there’s something left in the bag–but it isn’t a present at all–it’s a family dog! Well known fact: Santa gives things away. He does not take things! Momma Claus comes to the rescue with a plan to get the dog back to his family. Can Santa return the family’s beloved pooch in time to keep their Christmas merry?
Pig the Elf
Written and Illustrated by: Aaron Blabey
No one loves Christmas more than Pig. And the world’s greediest pug will stay up all night to get his presents! When Pig yips at Santa and finds himself joining in on the flying sleigh ride, things quickly get out of hand in a way that is pure Pig pandemonium.
The Little Red Elf
Written by: Barbara Barbieri McGrath
Illustrated by: Rosalinde Bonnet
The elf cleans up and organizes Santa’s workshop all by herself, but when she asks for help planting a pinecone, nobody wants to pitch in! So she plants it herself, and waters it herself, and brings the Christmas tree indoors herself, and decorates it all by herself. She even puts out the milk and cookies for Santa herself. When the morning comes and it’s time to open presents, the elf knows just how to reward her friends. This story is a clever retelling of “The Little Red Hen”.
How to Trick a Christmas Elf
Written by: Sue Fliess
Illustrated by: Simona Sanfilippo
Legend has it that the only way to find out if you’re on Santa’s naughty or nice list is to trick an elf into letting you sneak a peek! But be careful: elves are tricky themselves! To get a look at the list, you’ll need to be clever in crafting a distracting craft to catch the elf’s attention. So, grab some Christmas supplies like ribbons, twinkle lights, bows, and candy canes, and get prepared for your sly holiday visitor!
There’s an Elf in Your Book
Written by: Tom Fletcher
Illustrated by: Greg Abbott
Do you have what it takes to make Santa’s Nice List? An elf is here to test you in Tom Fletcher’s newest participatory read-aloud. Don’t let the elf trick you into being naughty! Just follow his instructions to sing a Christmas carol, clap, burp… Hey, wait a second!
Tom Fletcher has written several other books in this series, as well!
The Little Christmas Elf
Written by: Nikki Shannon Smith
Illustrated by: Susan Mitchell
Nina doesn’t finish the teddy bear she’s making in time for it to get loaded onto Santa’s sleigh-but, encouraged by Santa Claus himself to not give up, she works far into the night to finish it. While Santa is out delivering presents, a baby is born. Santa comes back for Nina’s now-finished bear—and guess who he takes along to deliver it?
Elf on the Shelf
Written by: Carol V. Aebersold
Illustrated by: Chanda A. Bell
Each Christmas, Santa uses his scout elves to help him manage his naughty and nice lists. When the elves visit at Christmastime, their job is to watch during the day and report to Santa every night. When the elves return from their nightly North Pole journey, they hide in a new spot and wait for you to find them!
Elf in the House
Written by: Ammi-Joan Paquette
Illustrated by: Adam Record
Jingle-jingle!
There’s a girl in the house on this snowy Christmas Eve.
Creeping down, step by step, here she comes.
But what’s going on?
Santa’s snacks are gone,
And the only thing that’s left is . . . CRUMBS!
Follow a child on a most magical night as she looks for the source of the sound that woke her up. In a lively, cumulative story full of page-turn reveals, all is not what it seems. While the little girl searches the house, she encounters some unexpected new friends. But the biggest surprise is sure to come last!
12 Little Elves Visit … Series
Written by: Jess Smart Smiley and Trish Madson
Illustrated by: Sadie Han
12 Little Elves discover some of the most unique and interesting places in different locations and what each place has to offer. You should check to see if they have one for your state or area!
Don’t forget to check out this list of Reindeer Books for Kids!
You can find all of my book lists by topic here.
Do you have a favorite elf book that didn’t make the list? Let me know so I can check it out!
Happy Reading!
I LOVE all your book collections. You should consider adding Shmelf the Hanukkah Elf by Greg Wolfe to your collection of Elf books. One of my students shared the book and brought her Shmelf for a visit. He enjoyed teaching us about Hanukkah.