Holiday Picture Books
Recommended picture books for sharing with all ages
Our Favorite Day of the Year by A. E. Ali.
Four kindergartners who think they have nothing in common become friends after sharing traditions of their holidays, including Eid al-Fitr, Rosh Hashanah, Christmas, and Pi Day.
Christmas
Carla and the Christmas Cornbread by Carla Hall
In this heartwarming tale inspired by her childhood, superstar chef and TV host Carla Hall shares the story of young Carla, who eats a sugar cookie meant for Santa on the night before Christmas and tries to make things right.
Ming's Christmas Wishes by Susan L. Gong
Ming, the daughter of Chinese immigrants in 1930s California, wants to be like other children at school and celebrate Christmas with a tree, but after her father takes her to see a wise old friend, she discovers a way to honor her heritage.
The Real Santa by Nancy Redd
A child loves Santa but wonders what the "real Santa" looks like. There's no suspension of disbelief required and just a touch of magic.
Day of the Dead
Citlali and the Day of the Dead = Citlali y el Dia de Muertos by Berta de Llano
Text in English and Spanish. Citlali is excited to celebrate the Day of the Dead with her family! But first, she needs to find the perfect way to represent her grandmother on her school's ofrenda.
Dia de Los Muertos by Roseanne Greenfield Thong
Text mainly in English with some Spanish. Rhyming text and illustrations describe how and why the holiday Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is celebrated in Mexico and South America.
Celebrating Day of the Dead! by Marisa Orgullo
Day of the Dead is a very important holiday in Latin America. It is sometimes incorrectly thought of as a morbid holiday, or a Mexican version of Halloween. While the word dead or muertos is in the name, this holiday is the way that the people of Mexico honor the lives of ancestors, celebrate the joy of life, and connect with their Mexican heritage.
Diwali
Archie Celebrates Diwali by Mitali Banerjee Ruths
It's Archie's favorite holiday-Diwali. And this year she gets to share it with her friends and introduce them to the festival of lights!
Happy Diwali! by Sanyukta Mathur
Conveying both the excitement and the rich traditions of Diwali, this joyful family story follows a little girl from dusk to dawn as she prepares for the Hindu festival of lights.
Shubh Diwali! by Chitra Soundar
Diwali has arrived Rangoli art decorates the floor and strings of flowers hang around the doors. Now it's time to ring the bells, light the lamps, and welcome the new year with family and friends. A sweet introduction to the Hindu festival of lights.
Halloween
The Halloween Tree by Susan McElroy Montanari
Everyone knows most young saplings dream of becoming Christmas trees. But one grumpy, old tree who doesn't like lights, decorations, or people is determined to be different. Get ready to meet the Halloween Tree!
Halloween is Coming! by Cal Everett
Young ghosts Groana, Moana, and Shrieky must haunt three houses to pass their Halloween test, but residents of the third house do not scare easily.
How to Haunt a House by Carolyn Crimi Halloween is Coming! by Cal Everett
Illustrations and easy-to-read, rhyming text lead the reader through all the preparations for Halloween, from first noticing signs of autumn, through picking a costume, to trick-or-treating.
Hanukkah
All-of-a-Kind Family Hanukkah by Emily Jenkins
In 1912 New York, Gertie feels left out while Mama and her four older sisters cook Hanukkah dinner, but Papa comes home and asks her help with an important task.
There Was a Young Rabbi by Suzanne Wolfe
Join the rabbi as she makes festive preparations, spinning the dreidel, cooking a tasty meal, lighting the menorah and more-in this cumulative, rhyming story to remember the miracle from a long time ago.
The Hanukkah Magic of Nate Gadol by Arthur A. Levine
Nate Gadol can make anything last longer -- just as long as you need it. And his magical powers come in pretty handy during the harsh winters, when Hanukkah gifts for the children are hard to come by.
Holi
Festival of Colors by Kabir Seghal
Sibilings Chintoo and Mintoo collect flowers and press the petals into a fine powder as they prepare for Holi, the Indian springtime Festival of Colors.
Holi Hai! by Chitra Soundar
Gauri is excited to splash colors on everyone for Holi. But when she doesn't get her favorite color, Gauri gets mad. Will she find a way to overcome her anger and join in the festivities?
Holi Colors by Rina Singh
Kwanzaa
My Family Celebrates Kwanzaa by Lisa Bullard
Kwanzaa traces its origins to the American Civil Rights era. Critical thinking questions and fast facts prompt young readers to engage with this fun narrative and learn all about Kwanzaa.
Seven Spools of Thread: a Kwanzaa Story by Angela Shelf Medearis
When they are given the seemingly impossible task of turning thread into gold, the seven Ashanti brothers put aside their differences, learn to get along, and embody the principles of Kwanzaa. Includes information on Kwanzaa, West African cloth weaving, and instructions for making a belt.
Lunar New Year's
Nian, the Chinese New Year Dragon by Virginia Loh-Hagan
An illustrated retelling for young readers of the Chinese folktale about a dragon that threatens a village each spring and Mei, the young girl who is destined to defeat him.
Mindy Kim and the Lunar New Year Parade by Lyla Lee
Mindy is excited to go to the Lunar New Year parade in her new town with her father and her friend Sally.
12 Days of Lunar New Year by Jenna Lettice
This cheery addition to the 12 Days series celebrates tradition, culture, and family in the lead-up to Lunar New Year!
Memorial Day
A Day for Rememberin' by Leah Henderson
In Charleston, South Carolina, in 1865, ten-year-old Eli and other newly freed slaves gather to honor the memory of fallen Union soldiers, an event considered to be one of the first celebrations of what is now called Memorial Day.
Twenty One Steps : Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by Jeff Gottesfeld
With every step, the Tomb Guards pay homage to America's fallen. Discover their story, and that of the unknown soldiers they honor, through resonant words and illustrations.
Passover
Welcoming Elijah: A Passover Tale with a Tail by Leslea Newman
When it's time for the symbolic Passover custom of opening the family's front door for the prophet Elijah, both the boy and the cat are in for a remarkable surprise.
The Passover Mouse by Joy Nelkin Wieder
A mouse upsets villagers just before Passover by stealing a crumb of bread from one house and running into another, then brings neighbors together to finish preparing for the holiday.
Meet the Matzah: A Passover Story by Alan Silberberg
A zany retelling of the Passover story that depicts an earnestly elusive matzah who tells his class about how the Hebrews fled Egypt to freedom, while a heckling slice of sourdough cracks jokes.
Powwow Day by Traci Sorell
Powwows are celebrated throughout the year.
River wants so badly to dance at powwow day as she does every year. Follow River's journey from feeling isolated after an illness to learning the healing power of community.
Additional information explains the history and functions of powwows, which are commonplace across the United States and Canada and are open to both Native Americans and non-Native visitors.
Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr
The Gift of Ramadan by Rabiah York Lumbard
Sophie tries to fast for Ramadan for the first time, but her grumbling stomach and her little brother's cookies are too much and she must find a different way to celebrate.
Hannah and the Ramadan Gift by Qasim Rashid
Hannah learns the importance of the Ramadan holiday by helping her friends and neighbors as well as by showing kindness and generosity, acts that can make the world a better place.
Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
Is it Rosh Hashanah yet? by Chris Barash
As summer ends and fall settles in, a family prepares to celebrate Rosh Hashanah. It's time to pick apples, make cards, light the candles, and eat brisket to ring in the new year
Rosh Hashanah with Uncle Max by Varda Livney
Uncle Max comes to visit and together, a Jewish family lights the holiday candles, blesses the wine and grape juice, dips challah and apples in honey, eats other traditional foods, attends synagogue to hear the shofar, and enjoys a special cake to celebrate the birthday of the world.
Happy Roo Year It's Rosh Hashanah by Jessica Hickman
Join a kooky cartoon-y kangaroo family in the Australian outback as they celebrate Rosh Hashanah! Learn about the traditions of the Jewish New Year in this rhyming book, as a community of rambunctious 'roos celebrates the holiday.
Valentine's Day
Love by Stacy McAnulty
My Heart by Corinna Luyken
From moments of great joy and exuberance to necessary times of quiet contemplation, your heart is your guide.
World Kindness Day
When We are Kind = Niha'adaahwiinit'iigo by Monique Gray Smith
Text in English and Dine (Navajo). Looks at how the simple act of being kind to others and oneself affects all aspects of a child's life.
Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller
When a young girl named Tanisha spills grape juice all over her new dress, her classmate wants to make her feel better and remembers that Mom always says, "Be kind." But what does it mean to be kind? As the child ponders everything from asking a new girl to play to standing up for someone being bullied, this...story explores what kindness is, and how any act, big or small, can make a difference--or at least help a friend
Hot Pot Night by Vincent Chen
In this version of the classic Stone Soup tale, nobody in the apartment building has enough ingredients for dinner, so a Taiwanese child suggests that they have a community hot pot night. Everybody contributes something, bringing their diverse community together for a delicious meal. Includes a recipe for hot pot.
PBS's Holiday Videos
Scholastic's Resources for Teachers
National Geographic's Holidays
Titlewave Cart
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