The holiday season is upon us, which means families around the world will begin to participate in cherished holiday traditions.
Whether taking a trip to the snow or gathering with family, families may want to consider reading holiday books to add to their yearly seasonal activities. Holiday books are wonderful opportunities to teach your child about world religions and legends.
No matter what holidays you celebrate, reading seasonal books will create special childhood memories that will last for years. Here are my favorite winter holiday books that I’ve come across.
For Christmas: “The Story of Holly and Ivy” by Rumer Godden is an endearing Christmas story about a young girl, a doll and a childless couple. Everyone has a wish they’re chasing after, but will all three wishes come true?
“The Legend of Poinsettia” by Tomie dePaola is a Mexican folktale of the origins of poinsettias and how they came to be synonymous with Christmas.
“The Nutcracker in Harlem” by T.E. McMorrow is a retelling of the classic holiday story of The Nutcracker. Set in the height of the Harlem Renaissance, this version offers an entirely new perspective.
For Hanukkah: “All-of-a-Kind Family Hanukkah” by Emily Jenkins and Paul Zelinsky follows five immigrant sisters on the lower east side of New York City in 1912 as their family prepares for Hanukkah.
“Latkes and Applesauce” by Fran Manushkin tells the story of the Menasche family. A blizzard covers their crops of potatoes and apples, making it impossible to harvest them in time to make latkes and applesauce in time for Hanukkah. Although they’re hungry, they invite a stray cat and dog into their home, and they make a miraculous discovery.
For other holidays: “Seven Spools of Thread: A Kwanzaa Story” by Angela Medearis tells the story of seven brothers in an African village who must use the seven principles of Kwanzaa to turn thread into gold.
“The Shortest Day” by Susan Cooper teaches about the traditions surrounding the winter solstice and discusses how our lives are “governed by the patterns of light and darkness.”
“Every Month is a New Year: Celebrations Around the World” by Marilyn Singer is perfect for learning about the deep-rooted traditions that different cultures hold regarding the celebration of the new year.