Winter is upon us, and so are the holidays! There are so many holidays to celebrate this time of year, including Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa! In this list, you’ll find books about these holidays as well as the winter solstice and winter fun! All books on this list are available to check out at the Free Library of Philadelphia.
Board Books
“Hanukkah (First Festivals)”
by Kathryn Selbert
This board book is a great introduction to Hanukkah for your littlest ones! With bold text, colorful illustrations and lift-the-flaps throughout, this book will keep your little ones engaged through many readings!
Picture Books
“The Night Before Christmas: A New Christmas Tradition”
by Candice Bradley and
For those who know the original poem by Clement C. Moore, you’ll find some similarities but also fun surprises! In this retelling of a classic, we see a young Black girl not-so-patiently waiting for Christmas to arrive. With easy-to-read text and warm illustrations, this retelling is sure to be a new classic.
“The Littlest Solstice Tree”
by Lisa Varchol Perron and Ahya Kim
Every year, one evergreen is crowned “Tree of the Year,” decorated with lights to light up the darkness of the forest. This picture book is told from the perspective of Sapling, a little tree who hopes to be picked! With gentle rhyming text and beautiful illustrations, this book is a great reminder that even the small and overlooked can make a big impact.
“Once Upon a Kwanzaa”
by Nyasha Williams, Sidney Rose McCall and Sawyer Cloud
This colorfully illustrated book introduces children to the celebration of Kwanzaa! With rhyming text, we learn about the history of Kwanzaa, the meanings and the celebrations. The illustrations reflect a diverse community of celebrants. It’s a great introduction to Kwanzaa for your little ones.
“Winter is Wonderful”
by Emma Dodd
It’s time to celebrate winter in the forest! Follow along with a family of foxes as they explore their winter wonderland. The colorful red foxes stand out against the white snow and dark woods, accompanied by simple rhyming text perfect for your older toddler. This book is a fun celebration of winter and snow!
“Lost and Found Hannukah”
by Joy Preble and Lisa Anchin
Nate has recently moved apartments with his dads, and now his beloved menorah is missing! How can he celebrate Hannukah without it? As he goes on a search for a new one, he realizes that celebrating together as a family is more important than his lost menorah. This is a wonderful modern Hannukah story set in a city, with a happy ending, of course!
“The Giving Flower: The Story of the Poinsettia”
by Alda P. Dobbs
Ever wonder why you may see poinsettias during the Christmas season? This nonfiction picture book tells the tale of a wild yellow flower that turns red in winter and how it became a symbol of Christmas in the United States. Although there are many names for this flower, as well as traditions, many in the states decorate for Christmas with the beautiful poinsettia!
Chapter Books
“Marya Khan and the Abominable Ski Trip”
by Saadia Faruqi and Ani Bushry
Marya is ready for winter break and plans to do nothing but hang out with her friend Hanna. That is until her frenemy Alexa invites her and Hanna to a luxurious ski resort with her aunt! Marya isn’t too sure about this, so to make things more exciting, she’s determined to prove the existence of the Abominable Snowman. Follow Marya and her friends along on this winter adventure in the sixth book in the Marya Khan chapter book series.
Middle Grade Books
“My Little Pony: Holiday Collection”
by Katie Cook (author), et al. and Agnes Garbowska (illustrator), et al.
Get ready to celebrate the holidays with the inhabitants of Ponyville. Collecting six holiday stories, follow along as the ponies celebrate Hearth’s Warming Eve, deal with a flying reindeer and more! With colorful illustrations and funny stories, this middle grade graphic novel collection is sure to brighten your day and put you in the holiday spirit.
“The Kwanzaa Story: Celebrating Culture Through Community”
by Alliah L. Agostini and Olivia Smith H.
This in-depth middle grade picture book explores the history of Kwanzaa and how it’s celebrated today. With easy-to-read text and colorful illustrations, this book will capture your older children’s attention while helping them learn about Kwanzaa. The seven guiding principles feature greatly, along with how it’s celebrated!
