As the holidays near, reading about certain traditions and holidays becomes part of your regular reading routine. When you first think of the holiday or winter season and what to read, Christmas and New Year’s books are the first that come to mind. Matching the season, these books are equally cozy, warm, comforting, and colorful. These books bring the holidays to life and get you ready to celebrate with family.
Nevertheless, there are many different holidays celebrated around the world during December that you might never have ever heard of, that can be added to your yearly family traditions. Holidays like Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Three Kings Day, Las Posadas, and many more have books that can help steer you in the right direction in understanding each holiday, and give you a chance to join in on the celebrations. Whether it is a new bedtime story during the winter season or a book to read to make a new holiday tradition, these 10 selected books are must-reads for this holiday season.
Audrey and the Winter Holidays Around the World by Matthew Prunty, Illustrated by Tooba Imtiaz
The first book that should be on your list of must-read Children’s Holiday books is Audrey and the Winter Holidays Around the World by Matthew Prunty, and illustrated by Tooba Imtiaz. This book covers winter holidays from all around the world, allowing readers to learn about new cultures. Inside the book, children from diverse backgrounds come together to talk about their unique holiday traditions and learn about each other’s cultures from one another.
Audrey and the Winter Holidays Around the World is a colorful and interactive book that will make reading about different holidays a fun experience. With its vivid artwork and tales from around the world, this book is sure to become a new holiday nighttime classic. Create a special reading time to share and connect with other cultures with this chosen book.
Kwanzaa by Hannah Eliot, Illustrated by Andrea Pippins
Learn about the traditions of Kwanzaa in the board book Kwanzaa by Hannah Eliot, illustrated by Andrea Pippins. This book is part of the Celebrate the World series, which highlights special occasions and holidays around the world. Kwanzaa is a festive board book that helps teach readers about the celebrations and the importance of the holiday.
Pippins and Eliot create such a brightly illustrated book that matches the celebrations shared with readers. It is the perfect introduction to Kwanzaa for children, allowing them to carry through the season what they have learned. Gather up the family and learn about the holiday Kwanzaa through this vibrant and modern board book.
Yalda Night Celebration by Anahita Tamaddon
If you have never heard of Yalda Night, the book Yalda Night Celebration by Anahita Tamaddon is a perfect introduction to the holiday. This book is a delightful story from the My Persian Family series that shows a little girl, Dina, celebrating winter celebrations with her family. Learn about the different traditions of Yalda Night and become a part of the stories told by Dina and her family.
Yalda Night Celebration is a fun and educational book that is perfect for teaching you about Persian culture and is full of love and family. Take part in the celebration and experience a piece of Persian culture with stories from Shahnameh and read Hafez. So grab the book and create a new tradition for you and your family that you have never done before.
The Story of Hanukkah by David A. Adler, Illustrated by Jill Weber
Continuing our journey through December holidays, The Story of Hanukkah by David A. Adler, illustrated by Jill Weber, is perfect for Hanukkah. This story is set up with simple and accessible text, accompanied by brilliant illustrations that bring the excitement of the holiday to life. The Story of Hanukkah tells the story of the courageous Maccabees in a simple yet dramatic text.
Designed as a family-oriented book, it imparts the unique traditions to its readers and gives them insight into the holiday. Included as a bonus are a traditional recipe for latkes, directions for the dreidel game, and other traditions outlined in the book. Share the story of Hanukkah and celebrate the festivities at home with this book.
Lucia Morning in Sweden by Ewa Rydaker, Illustrated by Carina Stahlberg
Get ready to learn about the Swedish holiday of Lucia Day with this book, Lucia Morning in Sweden by Ewa Rydaker, illustrated by Carina Stahlberg. This book tells the story of Santa Lucia through the eyes of children in modern-day Sweden. It covers the history of why we celebrate the holiday, as well as how we celebrate it today, and sheds light on Saint Lucia Day.
Rydaker and Stahlberg bring to life the activities of the holiday with colorful full-page illustrations along with sheet music, recipes, and sewing patterns. Lucia Morning in Sweden is a delightful story that helps children understand holiday traditions and is a perfect addition to St. Lucia festivities. Bring to life the festivities and traditions of Saint Lucia Day with this book and introduce Swedish culture into your life.
The Night of Las Posadas by Tomie dePaola
Looking to experience a luminous tale of cultural traditions? Then, The Night of Las Posadas by Tomie dePaola is the book for you. This book is a bright tale of faith and wonder that brings the Hispanic Christmas spirit to life. This story features paintings that are as luminous as the farolitos that illuminate the Plaza in Santa Fe during the Las Posadas procession.
The Night of Las Posadas is a story full of miracles and explores a cross-cultural Christmas tradition. DePaola writes and illustrates a compelling, spiritual story that carries the reader through a magical and unexpected ending. This book is a perfect addition to holiday reading and offers a religious story to help you embrace this holiday season.
The Yule Tomte and the Little Rabbits: A Christmas Story for Advent by Ulf Stark, Illustrated by Eva Eriksson, and Translated by Susan Beard
For a non-secular twist, The Yule Tomte and the Little Rabbits: A Christmas Story for Advent, by Ulf Stark, illustrated by Eva Eriksson, and translated by Susan Beard, is a magical book for your little one’s shelves. This book follows a grumpy Swedish elf and hopeful little rabbits and is set up to span the 25 days of Advent. It features large and expressive illustrations, along with a whimsical, nostalgic story that envelops readers in the holiday season.
Each of the main characters has a vivid personality and is filled with wonder and friendship. The Yule Tomte and the Little Rabbits: A Christmas Story for Advent is the perfect book to share in the lead-up to Christmas, capturing the spirit of the holiday season. Discover Swedish traditions and make this book a new family Christmas classic. Follow this adorable picture book story and celebrate the 25 days of Christmas through reading.
Under the Bodhi Tree: A Story of the Buddha by Deborah Hopkinson, Illustrated by Kailey Whitman
Finding information on the holiday Bodhi Day might feel next to impossible, but with Under the Bodhi Tree: A Story of the Buddha by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by Kailey Whitman, it becomes that much easier. This children’s book is a great story with illustrations that bring the story of Buddha to life.
The content is suitable for regular Buddhists as well as families of other religions or those who are non-religious. Hopkinson does a great job of introducing meditation and Buddhist concepts to kids in everyday language. Discover a piece of history and get ready to celebrate Bodhi Day with this introductory story.
Hooray, It’s Three Kings Day! by Annette M. Clayton, Illustrated by Jone Leal
A must-have for Latinx families is the book Hooray, It’s Three Kings Day! by Annette M. Clayton, illustrated by John Leal. This book offers a relatable and heartwarming story that reflects the Latinx heritage and culture. Created from her own personal journey, Clayton shares the beauty of Three Kings Day with her own children, which adds an inspiring element to this story. The story is charmingly entertaining and a perfect fit for a family to read together during the holiday season.
In addition to the story, readers are provided with pages filled with recipes, a Spanish glossary, and details about the holiday celebrations in various countries around the world. This story is guaranteed to be a holiday favorite with a charming story of a child connecting with her heritage and colorful illustrations that bring the festivities to life. Hooray, It’s Three Kings Day! is the perfect holiday gift for any child and is a great introduction to a new tradition for your family.
Joy to the World!: Christmas Around the Globe by Kate De Palma, Illustrated by Sophie Fatus
To finish off the December holiday book recommendation list is the book Joy to the World!: Christmas Around the Globe by Kate De Palma, illustrated by Sophie Fatus. This book is a journey through 13 countries globally, showcasing how families celebrate Christmas. Each page is filled with vibrant illustrations and borders that represent traditional fabrics and colors from each country. Readers feel a part of each culture and family as they celebrate their unique holiday traditions. Featured countries include Ethiopia, Colombia, Australia, Italy, Mexico, India, Iceland, Egypt, Argentina, the Philippines, Lebanon, and Canada.
To end the book, there are pages of educational endnotes that dive deeper into each tradition and culture talked about in the book. Joy to the World!: Christmas Around the Globe is the perfect gift for the holiday season and will help you get into the holiday spirit while learning about different cultures around the world. Experience Christmas around the world with this book by Kate De Palma and Sophie Fatus.
And with that, I challenge you this holiday season to experience another culture’s holiday through reading. Choose any holiday that excites you and makes you want to join in on the festivities. Experience a culture outside of your own and create a new holiday tradition with your family that you will never forget. Start your holiday reading with something special and dive into a story you may never have imagined.
Want to learn more about holiday picture books? Click here.
Find these books and more on our Young Reader’s and Children’s Holiday Recs on Bookshop.org.
