Three Kings Day, also known as the Epiphany, is celebrated on January 6th. It marks the official 12th day of Christmas and ends the Christmas season. Three Kings Day is a Christian feast day that honors a Biblical story. The Magi, also called the Wise Men, were three kings who followed the star of Bethlehem to bring gifts to baby Jesus. This is the story of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Therefore, it is a vastly celebrated feast day. Although Three Kings Day is a Christian celebration, it is highly observed in certain cultures. For example, the Hispanic community commemorates and values the day with special traditions and festivities. For example, they eat Rosca de Reyes, which translates to King’s Cake in English.
Fortunately, everyone can join the feast day’s colorful celebrations! You can try a sweet slice of Rosca de Reyes or simply read a book. Some little ones are still learning or beginning to understand what Three Kings Day is. So, an educational and eye-catching book is perfect to help them properly celebrate the special day!
Hooray, It’s Three Kings Day!: A Picture Book for Epiphany by Annette M. Clayton and Jone Leal
Sofia has a special Three Kings Day tradition with her abuela. Abuela brings her wooden santos all the way from Puerto Rico. Sofia basks in the beauty of the holiday as Abuela tells her the story of the Wise Men following a star in hopes of seeing Baby Jesus.
Annette M. Clayton wrote this book with her own experiences in mind. She was inspired by her Puerto Rican abuela and wrote Sofia’s story. In addition, Jone Leal is a Venezuelan illustrator who brought this book to life with rich colors and vibrant patterns. Clayton features traditional recipes, a Spanish glossary, and details about how Three Kings Day is celebrated in different nations around the globe!
We Three Kings: Hang Me on Your Tree! By Janet Samuel
This is the perfect book to celebrate the Christmas season and Three Kings Day. It is a mini book that features the beautiful story of the Magi on their journey to Baby Jesus. Not only does it depict the Biblical story, but it can also be used as an ornament! This mini book has a gold ribbon loop that will hang perfectly on your Christmas tree. It also has gold foil stars that will brighten your tree even more!
Once Christmas is over and Three Kings Day approaches, you can take it off your tree and read about the Magi. This mini-book features radiant illustrations and a lyrical story that can create a festive sing-a-long! With this book ornament, your little loved ones will celebrate Three Kings Day by singing this beautiful and memorable story.
The Last Slice: A Three Kings Day Treat by Melissa Seron Richardson and Monica Arnaldo
This Three Kings Day is extremely special because Marta is finally old enough for her own slice of la Rosca de Reyes. Marta is so tempted by the colorful crown of sweet bread, but she must resist the temptations. This is because she knows the truth – a baby is hiding in the dessert. She can’t help but wonder what will happen if she accidentally eats the little figurine of el Nino Dios. Marta decides that she will do whatever it takes to avoid eating the last slice of la Rosca de Reyes. No matter how badly she wants a bite!
This book follows Marta’s lighthearted story of overcoming her fears and exploring Three Kings Day traditions. She also discovers the importance of family and faith while struggling with the highs and lows of eating the most special dessert of Three Kings Day.
La Noche Before Three Kings Day by Sheila Colon-Bagley and Alejandro Mesa
Three Kings Day is right around the corner, and everyone is preparing to celebrate! The adults arrange a large meal, and the kids construct their shoe boxes for Los Reyes to arrive later at night. They are determined to stay up late enough to wish the Kings a Feliz Dia de los Reyes. Can they keep themselves awake, or will the magic pass them by? Join them in singing along as a great big familia as they fill up their platos, play their favorite juegos, and wait for the three kings to arrive with regalitos!
Sheila Colon-Bagley was inspired to feature this enchanting celebration of a beloved feast day through the lively rhyming and dual-lingual text in this book. The festive illustrations from Alejandro Mesa also bring Three Kings Day to life and add to the magic of this perfect festive tale!
Dreams of Green: A Three Kings’ Day Story by Mariel Jungkunz and Monica Paola Rodriguez
It’s eleven days after Christmas, and Lucia is usually in Puerto Rico celebrating Dia de los Reyes with family and friends. However, this year is a bit different. Instead of dancing and singing in her lush Puerto Rican neighborhood, she is stuck in the silent, cold, and snow-blanketed state of Ohio. She has no idea how she will guide the three kings to her new home in the middle of the frosty Midwest.
This picture book features the celebration of Puerto Rican culture and heartwarming family traditions on Three Kings Day. A girl and her family will discover new ways to celebrate their heritage in a new place they call home. This book is a reminder that we all carry a piece of home with us wherever life may take us.
Now that you have these five Three Kings Day children’s books, you have plans for January 6th! These books can teach them all about the feast day or expand their existing knowledge of the festivities. Celebrate this upcoming Three Kings Day by grabbing one of these colorful and detailed books and reading it to (or with) a special little loved one in your life!
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