With Christmas and the start of both Kwanzaa and Hanukkah only days away, it’s a perfect time to look at the newest holiday releases in children’s literature! Not only would any of these books make excellent last-minute gifts to little ones, but they are also perfect for cuddling up with together to enjoy during family celebrations.
Santa’s First Christmas by Mac Barnett, Illustrated by Sydney Smith
Beloved children’s author Mac Barnett is back with another Christmas classic-in-the-making. When it comes to making Christmas magical for others, nobody works harder than Santa himself. He works so hard that he’s never really gotten to enjoy the holiday festivities himself, a fact that his elves are going to remedy this year. Utter holiday charm and warmth exude from every page as Barnett’s amusing text and Sydney Smith’s rich illustrations remind us that it’s okay to slow down and enjoy ourselves — and our loved ones — during the holidays (a lesson that overworked caregivers may especially appreciate).
A Dragon for Hanukkah by Sarah Mlynowski, Illustrated by Ariel Landy
For the first night of Hanukkah, Hannah receives a gift that would make any kid jealous: her very own dragon named Nerry. As the nights continue, more incredible gifts are given and received: a chest full of golden coins, three unicorns, and a time machine! As pleased as she is with her bounty, Hannah never forgets the best part of Hanukkah: sharing and celebrating with friends and family. Mlynowksi and Landy offer a delightful and touching look at the Festival of Lights with an ending that features such a clever twist that readers of all ages can’t help but grin.
Socks: A Kid’s Christmas Lament by JD McPherson, Illustrated by Anika Orrock
Based on McPherson’s hilariously tongue-in-cheek holiday song of the same name, this silly title captures the evergreen disappointment of receiving “practical” Christmas gifts. Orrick’s adorable retro illustrations and McPherson’s sly lyrics follow a child’s surreptitious early-morning trek down to open his Christmas gifts… only to find socks. Lots and lots of socks. Expressing extreme displeasure — especially after all the wheeling and dealing he did to earn “good” gifts — he prepares to lead a march of equally crestfallen kiddos until he realizes that he might have acted a tad hastily. As the final pages show, maybe socks as gifts aren’t all that bad, especially if your loved ones are wearing some to match.
The 13 Days of Swiftness: A Christmas Celebration for Fans by Tiffany Garland, Illustrated by Brooke O’Neill
Another musically-inspired holiday book for children, this book is a must-pick for the little Swiftie in your life. Counting down the thirteen days of “Swiftness,” fans will recognize Christmas-themed versions of all the things that Taylor loves: bejeweled boots, glittery guitars, festive friendship bracelets, and three very familiar-looking kitty cats (if you know, you know!). Garland’s playful text pairs perfectly with O’Neill’s illustrations, which offer plenty of clever and inclusive details, making this a title that will delight any young reader in their “festive era.”
Kwanzaa by Hannah Eliot, Illustrated by Andrea Pippins
This wonderful board book, the latest in the Celebrate the World series by Eliot and various illustrators, is a picture-perfect way to introduce the seven days of celebration that make Kwanzaa. Featuring charming illustrations by Pippins, the littlest of readers can learn about the key items of Kwanzaa such as the mkeka, kikombe cha umoji, and kinara, as well as what each of the seven days represents and how they are celebrated. Whether celebrating Kwanzaa for the first time or learning more about a familiar yearly tradition, this sweet book will leave readers with excitement and pride for the holiday.
Chicka Chicka Ho Ho Ho by William Boniface, Illustrated by Julien Chung
A fantastic holiday take on an old favorite, Boniface and Chung skillfully reimagine the classic children’s book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by John Archambault, Bill Martin Jr., and Lois Ehlert into a festive treat for early readers. Swapping the coconut tree for a decked-out Christmas conifer, follow the letters of the alphabet as they trek to the top to place a star. This version works both as a complement to the original and as a standalone and even offers other early-learning themes such as presents in preschool-friendly basic shapes.
The House Without Lights by Reem Faruqi, Illustrated by Nadia Alam
Parents and caregivers of children might be familiar with this question around the holidays: “Why doesn’t that house have any lights?” The house itself wonders this: the other houses in its neighborhood are festively decorated with lights for holidays like Diwali, Christmas, and Hannukah, but its new family hasn’t put any lights up by the end of the year. Yet when House overhears a conversation between young Huda and her Amma, it grows excited for a festive, fully-lit holiday to come: Eid. Faruqi and Alam tell a unique tale that encourages inclusive thinking and connectivity in many ways, appreciating various holiday celebrations from the perspective of Muslim families like Huda’s and non-Muslim families as well.
Bunnies in a Sleigh: A Chaotic Christmas Tale! by Philip Ardagh & Ben Mantle
A Christmas adventure filled with raucous fun and pure silliness. When Santa’s elves find themselves out of commission on Christmas Eve — too many candy canes — a dozen enthusiastic bunnies are up for the job of helping deliver presents. Soon it becomes apparent that the bunnies are as much of a handful as the presents, but it’s hard not to laugh at their relentless cheerfulness and positivity as they fulfill their delivery duties on land, sky, and sea. Third in the Sunny Town Bunnies series by Ardagh and Mantle, kids are sure to giggle at the antics of these “elves” and the story of how they saved Christmas.
Gingerbread Dreidels by Jane Breskin Zalben, Illustrated by Thai My Phuong
This particularly timely tale of interfaith holiday celebrations begins with Sophie and Max, who celebrate the start of Hanukkah and Christmas Day every year… but usually not on the same day! Unsure of how their family’s typically separate celebrations will be managed simultaneously, they are overjoyed as their parents and all four grandparents come together to merge traditions for one spectacularly festive night. Phoung’s illustrations are appropriately bustling yet soft and cozy, and Zalbin’s text is perfectly kid-coded — a main concern is how this will affect presents, naturally.
Mr. Santa by Jarvis
Every person who has spent some amount of time with a curious kiddo will relate to this one, as will any child who has dreamed of meeting the man with the bag. When a child awakes to find Santa in their home delivering presents, they have a million questions — and they ask them ALL. Poor St. Nick can’t get a word in edgewise as the inquisitive child follows him through the remainder of his deliveries and straight back to the North Pole, asking all manner of queries: Did you read my letter? Do you stop at traffic lights? Is your belly button an innie or an outie? Jarvis’s words and art create a hilarious fantasy from the start to a perfectly ambiguous end and will leave every kid wondering what they would ask Santa if given the chance.
Just Us by Molly Beth Griffin, Illustrated by Anait Semirdzhyan
Change can be hard for little ones, especially when the change is unexpected and keeps them from something they’d been looking forward to. The narrator of this book is one such child, who looks forward to their crowded, rowdy, family-filled holiday celebrations. Unfortunately, this year, the snow started and never stopped, and their extended family can’t make it through the winter weather. It looks like this holiday will only be the narrator, their brother, and their two moms — but how can they do their traditions without everyone they love around them? Griffin and Semirdzhyan combine gentle text and tender illustrations to impart the lesson that, even amid disappointment, joy and togetherness can be found as long as we keep gratitude in our hearts.
Nisha’s Just-Right Christmas Tree by Susan Lynn Meyer & Jaya Mehta, Illustrated by Parvati Pillai
Nisha doesn’t just want any old Christmas tree: her family’s Christmas tree has to be perfect. After all, it will be holding her family’s collection of ornaments, themselves a symbol of her family’s diverse history and origins. She begs for a tree that’s as tall as a camel and as wide as an elephant, but Baba encourages her to consider something that will fit a little better in their apartment. Another lovely exploration of interfaith celebrations, Pillai’s artwork is marvelous, while Meyer and Mehta’s text is jolly and heartfelt, pulling together Nisha’s Hindu-Christian family for a family celebration filled with love as well as traditions new and old.
We hope that these new releases help keep you and your little ones warm and well-read this holiday season. Happy holidays from all of your friends at Bookstr!
To see more of our children’s book recommendations, check out this article on our 10 Best Picture Books of 2024.
To check out all of our holiday recommendations for young readers, check out our Bookshop shelf.
