Holiday Book List
With the holiday season upon us, we are excited to display these delightful titles and celebrate the holidays across many cultures and traditions. From Diwali to Lunar New Year, we hope to diversify your reading list into the new year.
Happy Diwali! by Sanyukta Mathur and Courtney Pippin-Mathur; illustrated by Courtney Pippin-Mathur
Ages 4-8
A radiant picture book celebration of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. For readers who enjoy the Celebrate the World board books.
This joyful family story follows a little girl from dawn to dusk as she draws rangolis to welcome guests, prepares food with her family including pani puri and chana masala, dresses up in colorful clothing, participates in the puja, and lights the diyas in honor of Diwali: the Hindu festival of lights. Excitement, history, and traditions abound in this vibrant celebration of Diwali, complete with a glossary, and delicious recipes for mango lassi, sukhe aloo, and puri.
Tomorrow is New Year’s Day by Aram Kim
Ages 4-8
From Korean American author-illustrator Aram Kim, Tomorrow is New Year’s Day follows a little girl sharing the fun customs of Seollal—the Korean Lunar New Year—with her classmates.
Seollal, the Korean Lunar New Year, is Mina’s favorite day of the year.
Mina can’t wait to share the customs of Seollal with all of her friends at school. She will show her classmates her colorful hanbok, demonstrate how to do sebae, and then everyone will make tasty tteokguk in the cooking room. Yum! Her little brother may even join in on the fun… if he can find a way out of his bad mood.
In this joyful book about sharing age-old cultural celebrations with new friends, Aram Kim has created a must-have book for the New Year’s season. A glossary of Korean terms, with pronunciation guide, is included.
Friends are Friends, Forever by Dane Liu; illustrated by Lynn Scurfield
Ages 4-8
A picture book based on the author’s own immigration story, the infinite impact of friendship, and passing on love and kindness around the world.
On a snowy Lunar New Year’s Eve in Northeastern China, it’s Dandan’s last night with Yueyue. Tomorrow, she moves to America. The two best friends have a favorite wintertime tradition: crafting paper-cut snowflakes, freezing them outside, and hanging them as ornaments.
As they say goodbye, Yueyue presses red paper and a spool of thread into Dandan’s hands so that she can carry on their tradition. But in her new home, Dandan has no one to enjoy the gift with—until a friend comes along.
Lunar New Year Love Story by Gene Luen Yang; illustrated by LeUyen Pham
Ages 14-18
Graphic novel superstars Gene Luen Yang and LeUyen Pham join forces in this heartwarming rom-com about fate, family, and falling in love.
She was destined for heartbreak. Then fate handed her love.
Val is ready to give up on love. It’s led to nothing but secrets and heartbreak, and she’s pretty sure she’s cursed—no one in her family, for generations, has ever had any luck with love.
But then a chance encounter with a pair of cute lion dancers sparks something in Val. Is it real love? Could this be her chance to break the family curse? Or is she destined to live with a broken heart forever?
Lunar New Year (Bright Baby Touch & Feel) by Roger Priddy
Ages 1-3
Children can celebrate and learn about Lunar New Year with this new title in the Bright Baby Touch & Feel series from Priddy Books.
With a mixture of interesting photographs and charming illustrations, this book is a first introduction to the Lunar New Year festival. Babies will love to explore the touch-and-feel tactiles on every spread as they turn the pages of this bright and vibrant book.
Each page features a word and image associated with Lunar New Year, making this the perfect gift for any young child celebrating with their family.
My First Kwanzaa by Karen Katz
Ages 2-5
A simple way to get acquainted with Kwanzaa.
“Hooray! Hooray!
It’s time to get ready for Kwanzaa.”
During the seven days of Kwanzaa, we celebrate the importance of family, friends, and community. This warm and lively introduction to a very special holiday will help even the youngest children join in!
Author and illustrator Karen Katz’s wonderful series of picture books for the very young offer a simple and fun way to get familiar with the traditions of holiday celebrations from different cultures.
Oskar and the Eight Blessings by Richard Simon and Tanya Simon; illustrated by Mark Siegel
Ages 4-8
A young immigrant from Nazi Germany receives small acts of kindness while exploring New York City in this heartwarming, timeless picture book, Oskar and the Eight Blessings.
A refugee seeking sanctuary from the horrors of Kristallnacht, Oskar arrives by ship in New York City with only a photograph and an address for an aunt he has never met. It is both the seventh day of Hanukkah and Christmas Eve, 1938. As Oskar walks the length of Manhattan, from the Battery to his new home in the north of the city, he passes experiences the city’s many holiday sights, and encounters it various residents. Each offers Oskar a small act of kindness, welcoming him to the city and helping him on his way to a new life in the new world.
Richard and Tanya Simon’s text matched with Mark Siegel’s elegant illustrations makes for a wonderfully heartfelt read.
Rachel Friedman and Eight Not-Perfect Nights of Hanukkah by Sarah Kapit; illustrated by Genevieve Kote
Ages 5-9
Join our hilarious Jewish heroine Rachel Friedman as she embarks on a quest to reignite her family’s Hanukkah spirit in the second book of this chapter book series
Rachel is determined to make this the happiest Hanukkah ever. She’s carefully planned eight awesome activities for eight perfect nights. But her brother Aaron insists on being a Hanukkah humbug, and his attitude threatens to ruin the holiday. When Aaron’s grumpiness leads to a big accident, Rachel has to figure out how to save her family’s Hanukkah from disaster.
Rachel has plenty of determination, creativity, and holiday spirit—will it be enough to restore the joy of Hanukkah?
Let It Glow by Marissa Meyer and Joanne Levy
Ages 8-12
Twin sisters separated at birth meet by chance at tryouts for a holiday pageant, and set out to make a love match for their single grandparents, in this enchanting middle-grade novel
When Aviva Davis and Holly Martin meet at the holiday pageant tryouts for their local senior’s center, they think they must be seeing double. While they both knew they were adopted, they had no idea they had a biological sibling, let alone an identical twin! The similarities are only skin deep, though, because while Aviva has a big personality and even bigger Broadway plans, Holly is more the quiet dreamer type who longs to become a famous author like her grandfather.
One thing the girls do have in common is their curiosity about how the other celebrates the holidays. What better way to discover the magic of the holidays than to experience them firsthand? The girls secretly trade lives, planning to stage a dramatic reveal to their families. Two virtual strangers swapping homes, holidays, and age-old traditions–what could possibly go wrong? Find out in this sweet as a sugarplum and satisfying as a latke middle grade novel by Marissa Meyer, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of The Lunar Chronicles, and Joanne Levy, award-winning author of Sorry for Your Loss and several other books for tweens.
Sticker Countdown: Hanukkah by Odd Dot; illustrated by Sarah Green
Ages 4-8
Open a window each night of Hanukkah to pop out a candle sticker plus a surprise, then place them anywhere inside the tri-fold Hanukkah home. Explore every magical apartment and celebrate with all the families! Designed to fit on a mantel, table, or shelf next to a menorah, this book also becomes holiday décor. A unique countdown calendar to celebrate the Hanukkah miracle this year!
Count down the days to your favorite holidays with Sticker Countdown. Packed with dozens and dozens of holiday-themed surprise stickers, and designed to pop-up, play, and display as a holiday decoration!
Happy Hanukkah, Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen; illustrated by Dan Hanna
Ages 1-3
Deborah Diesen and Dan Hanna’s Happy Hanukkah, Pout-Pout Fish is a short and sweet mini-adventure created to introduce the youngest guppies to the New York Times bestselling Pout-Pout Fish series.
Celebrate Hanukkah with Mr. Fish and his friends—it’s eight nights of fun! From a delicious meal to lighting the menorah, Hanukkah is a time of joy. Toddlers will love swimming along with the pout-pout fish as he turns little pouts into big smiles in this original board book.
Bright Baby Touch and Feel Hanukkah by Roger Priddy
Ages 1-3
Bright Baby Touch and Feel Hanukkah, from bestselling children’s book author Roger Priddy! A touch-and-feel board book for babies and toddlers introducing Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights
This is an ideal first board book to share with your baby or toddler as a first step to discovering Hanukkah traditions.
The pages feature familiar Hanukkah images, such as lighting candles, eating latkes and playing dreidel, and there are lots of different touch-and-feel textures, which little fingers will love to explore.
With clear photography, bright colors, and simple text labels, Bright Baby board books help babies and toddlers to develop and build early vocabulary through the introduction of first words and pictures.
Let It Glow by Marissa Meyer and Joanne Levy
Ages 8-12
Twin sisters separated at birth meet by chance at tryouts for a holiday pageant, and set out to make a love match for their single grandparents, in this enchanting middle-grade novel
When Aviva Davis and Holly Martin meet at the holiday pageant tryouts for their local senior’s center, they think they must be seeing double. While they both knew they were adopted, they had no idea they had a biological sibling, let alone an identical twin! The similarities are only skin deep, though, because while Aviva has a big personality and even bigger Broadway plans, Holly is more the quiet dreamer type who longs to become a famous author like her grandfather.
One thing the girls do have in common is their curiosity about how the other celebrates the holidays. What better way to discover the magic of the holidays than to experience them firsthand? The girls secretly trade lives, planning to stage a dramatic reveal to their families. Two virtual strangers swapping homes, holidays, and age-old traditions–what could possibly go wrong? Find out in this sweet as a sugarplum and satisfying as a latke middle grade novel by Marissa Meyer, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of The Lunar Chronicles, and Joanne Levy, award-winning author of Sorry for Your Loss and several other books for tweens.
Juniper’s Christmas by Eoin Colfer
Ages 8-12
From the acclaimed, mega-bestselling Eoin Colfer comes a joyful, heartwarming Christmas classic-in-the-making: the perfect gift for readers of all ages who believe in the power of hope, kindness, and holiday magic.
Eleven-year-old Juniper Lane is thrown into a Christmas adventure like no other when she seeks the help of a mysterious woodsman living in her local park, who she suspects is Santa himself, and accidentally gets exposed to North Pole magic. Join a boisterous cast of characters—including a neighbor who always believed in Santa, a young reindeer in training, and a cutthroat crime boss out to steal Santa’s magic—on an unpredictable journey bursting with Eoin Colfer’s signature exuberance and merriment. Complete with cheerful, festive illustrations, this is a beautifully packaged tale of wonder, sure to delight readers and inspire the Christmas spirit in the whole family.
Celebrate the holidays with a story of joy, magic, and saving Santa Claus, from a celebrated author beloved for his spirited storytelling. Juniper’s Christmas is the perfect holiday read, year after year.
Merry Christmas, Dear Mars by Penny Parker Klostermann; illustrated by Estrela Lourenço
Ages 4-8
An out-of-this-world remix of the classic poem “A Visit from Saint Nicholas”!
It’s Christmas Eve. The Martians have hung their stockings and decorated their trees in hopes that Santa will finally visit the red planet. But what are the excited Martians to do when Santa’s sleigh shudders and shimmies and stops? Then teeters and totters and drops? It’ll take a dose of Christmas magic and some help from the Outer Space Rescue Division to get this holiday back on track.
Humorous, rhyming text and vibrant illustrations combine to make a perfect winter read-a-loud, destined to become a classic.
The Christmas Book Flood by Emily Kilgore; illustrated by Kitty Moss
Ages 4-8
Start your own holiday tradition inspired by this bestselling Yuletide story. Based on a real Icelandic tradition where people gift books to their family and friends on Christmas Eve, The Christmas Book Flood brings all the sparkle and anticipation of the winter season―and of the joys of reading―to the page.
As northern lights dance and snow blankets the ground, a young girl searches for the perfect book to give her loved ones for their annual book exchange on Christmas Eve. When December 24th finally arrives, they gather together to share magical stories, curl up by the fire, and read all night long—so the Book Flood begins!
With gorgeous artwork, a lyrical text, and a diverse cast of characters, Emily Kilgore and Kitty Moss’s heartwarming picture book is a surefire holiday classic best enjoyed with a mug of hot cocoa.
Includes an author’s note explaining the book’s inspiration and the historical origins of the Icelandic tradition.
Season of Light: A Christmas Picture Book by Jess Redman; illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki
Ages 3-6
A luminous Christmas picture book about the traditions celebrating the story of Christ that make the season a time of joy, love, faith, and light.
We come to the stable, visit the manger. We are the angels singing out, “Glory!” This is a season of faith. A time to hear and believe.
From paper snowflakes to silver bells, reindeer to wise men, Christmas is a season of joy and song, giving and serving, loved ones and light that can last the whole year through. With Jess Redman’s beautiful poetic text and Ramona Kaulitzki’s luminous illustrations, Season of Light is sure to be a holiday favorite for years to come.
The Days After Christmas by Maggie C. Rudd; illustrated by Elisa Chavarri
Ages 3-6
With lyrical writing by Maggie C. Rudd and bright illustrations by Elisa Chavarri, The Days After Christmas is a joyful picture book that reminds us that magic and cheer can still be found even after the decorations are put away. Also features instructions for a post-holiday craft!
In the days after Christmas
When you wake up in your bed
And holiday memories
Float through your head…
After the bustle of the holiday season, grandparents wave goodbye and it’s time to pack up the sparkly ornaments. The house feels too quiet. What do you do when the excitement and festivities are over?
The fireplace may be a perfect place to read new books with a cup of hot cocoa and some snuggles with Mom and Dad. And leftovers might still be pretty tasty. Upon reflection, the memories of the Christmas season can bring smiles, not sadness—and a hopefulness that there’s still so much to look forward to.
Bad Kitty: Searching For Santa by Nick Bruel
Ages 2-5
In Bad Kitty: Searching for Santa, by bestselling author/illustrator Nick Bruel, Kitty’s back for another Christmas tale—this time involving Santa and complete with a colorful poster!
In this hilarious story, Kitty battles with Santa and loses. Or does she?
Kitty wants to write a letter.
Actually, she wants to write a letter to Santa.
But has Kitty been good this year?
Hmmm . . . Kitty’s not so sure.
She writes the letter anyway and is soon on her way to meet Santa in real life at the mall!
Will she make it in time? Will Santa give Kitty what she’s asking for?
If Animals Celebrated Christmas by Ann Whitford Paul; illustrated by David Walker
Ages 2-6
Don’t miss the other books in this adorable series: If Animals Kissed Good Night, If Animals Said I Love You, If Animals Went to School, and If Animals Gave Thanks!
What if animals did what YOU do? This charming story describes how animals might celebrate the holidays!
If animals celebrated Christmas…how would they do it? Tortoise would hiss a holiday wish, Crane would croon joyful carols, and Mama and Papa Buffalo would kiss beneath the mistletoe. Across the animal kingdom, every creature would deck the halls for this magical season.
5 More Sleeps ‘Til Christmas by Jimmy Fallon; illustrated by Rich Deas
Ages 3-6
Host of NBC’s The Tonight Show and three-time #1 New York Times-bestselling author Jimmy Fallon returns with this sweet and spirited Christmas picture book.
Just 5 more sleeps ’til Christmas!
Can you believe it’s here?
I know that Santa’s coming soon
’cause I’ve been good all year.
Everyone who grew up celebrating Christmas remembers the excitement that built up to the most magical day of the year. But why not make the last week until Christmas more fun by counting how many sleeps until the arrival of Santa and his reindeer?
Accompanied by the beautiful and energetic artwork of Rich Deas, enjoy the humor of Jimmy Fallon as he prepares readers for the most exciting week of the year in this new holiday tradition for your family—5 More Sleeps ’til Christmas.
Night Night Books: Night Night Santa by Roger Priddy
Ages 1-3
Young children will love joining Santa as he delivers presents in this calming board book from Priddy Books.
Watch as Santa visits lots of different homes, then turn the shaped pages to see the presents he leaves behind. Perfect for settling your little one into bed and ending with your own, quiet, “Night, night.”
With irresistibly sweet illustrations and a magical sky of glow-in-the-dark stars, Night Night Santa is the perfect way to end the day.
Let It Glow by Marissa Meyer and Joanne Levy
Ages 8-12
Twin sisters separated at birth meet by chance at tryouts for a holiday pageant, and set out to make a love match for their single grandparents, in this enchanting middle-grade novel
When Aviva Davis and Holly Martin meet at the holiday pageant tryouts for their local senior’s center, they think they must be seeing double. While they both knew they were adopted, they had no idea they had a biological sibling, let alone an identical twin! The similarities are only skin deep, though, because while Aviva has a big personality and even bigger Broadway plans, Holly is more the quiet dreamer type who longs to become a famous author like her grandfather.
One thing the girls do have in common is their curiosity about how the other celebrates the holidays. What better way to discover the magic of the holidays than to experience them firsthand? The girls secretly trade lives, planning to stage a dramatic reveal to their families. Two virtual strangers swapping homes, holidays, and age-old traditions–what could possibly go wrong? Find out in this sweet as a sugarplum and satisfying as a latke middle grade novel by Marissa Meyer, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of The Lunar Chronicles, and Joanne Levy, award-winning author of Sorry for Your Loss and several other books for tweens.
The House Without Lights by Reem Faruqi; illustrated by Nadia Alam
Ages 4-8
In this heartwarming holiday picture book, House misses being decorated for the winter holidays . . . but is delighted to be lit up for Eid instead.
After seeing all of its neighbors’ twinkling lights for the winter holidays, House hopes to shine too. When Huda and her family move in, House thinks its time to sparkle has finally come.
But, Diwali, Hanukkah, and Christmas come and go without a shimmer. Quickly, House learns that every family celebrates joy and togetherness in their own way, no matter the season. And a few months later House will see that this new family has its own holiday to shine for.
This book is sure to be a holiday classic, complete with back matter about the holidays mentioned, including the one House lights up for—Eid.
