Encourage reading as a form of entertainment this holiday season as kids spend more time indoors. Check out these holiday books that explore multicultural traditions and learn new ways to celebrate the holidays!
Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama by Selina Alko
Sadie’s family celebrates Christmas and Hanukkah every holiday season. This book tells the story of this mixed family celebration, which embraces more than one holiday tradition.
Tree of Cranes by Allen Say
This story, set in Japan, is about a young Japanese boy who has caught a bad cold just before the holidays. He watches his mother decorate the house with origami cranes, infusing their culture into the American Christmas tradition.
The Night Before Christmas by Rachel Isadora
This traditional Christmas poem is reinvented with African themes by Caldecott winner Rachel Isadora. Set in Africa, the poem tells of African toys, Christmas excitement, and holiday cheer in a new culture.
The Night of Las Posadas by Tomie dePaola
The tradition of Las Posadas, the procession of Joseph and Mary, is almost derailed when Lupe and Roberto (Joseph and Mary) get caught in a snowstorm! Two strangers step up to take their place, but mysteriously disappear after the procession! The town witnesses a Christmas miracle that night.
Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto
This Christmas Eve, Maria gets to help make the tamales for Christmas dinner! When her mom left the kitchen for a moment, Maria decided to try on her mom’s diamond ring. But the ring gets lost in the tamales, and Maria has to find a way to solve the problem!
Everett Anderson’s Christmas Coming by Lucille Clifton
This story brings an urban take on Christmas joy, telling the story of Everett, a young boy who lives on the 14th floor of his building. Everett loves Christmas and everything about it, just like all the other kids in the city.
An Angel Just Like Me by Mary Hoffman
Tyler loves to decorate the tree with his family, but notices all the angles have pale skin and blonde hair, and don’t look like him and his family. Tyler sets out to find an angel that looks like him.
La Noche Buena: A Christmas Story written by Antonio Sacre, illustrated by Angela Dominguez
Nina spends this Christmas in Miami, visiting her grandmother, which is a very different experience than the white Christmases she is used to in New England. Nina gets to learn about Cuban Christmas traditions from her father’s side of the family.
N Is for Navidad by Susan Middleton Elya
This alphabet-style book introduces different Spanish words to children, all about the Christmas season! It is also beautifully illustrated with vibrant pictures.
Tracks in the Snow by Wong Herbert Yee
This little girl sees tracks outside her window in the fresh snow and decides to follow them. She discovers that the tracks are her own from yesterday, and they lead her back home.
Amadi’s Snowman: A Story of Reading written by Katia Novet Saint-lot and illustrated by Dimitrea Tokunbo
Amadi doesn’t want to learn to read, despite his mother’s insistence that he attend his reading lessons. He runs off to the market instead, where he discovers a picture book about a snowman that inspires him to learn to read.
Mama Do You Love Me? written by Barbara M. Joosse and illustrated by Barbara Lavellee
In this story, a child asks her mother all kinds of questions about how much her mother loves her. The arctic setting is perfect for the holidays, a time for family to come together.
Immi’s Gift by Karin Littlewood
A girl sits with her fishing rod in the arctic, but is surprised when, instead of a fish at the end of her line, she has caught a wooden bird. More surprises follow, so the girl drops a wooden bear into the water. Far, far away, a little boy stands on the hot sand and throws colorful things into the water, only to find a small wooden bear washed upon the shore.
Check out these books as a fun way to incorporate other cultures into your holiday season! Children will love the books about winter adventures, especially those that explore other cultures in a fun and colorful way. Happy holidays, and happy reading!
For more holiday activitites from around the world checkout: 10 Holiday Activities from Around the World
Christine Wooler has experience working with children as a youth soccer coach and summer camp counselor. She is currently studying English Literature and journalism in college. She enjoys exploring educational topics that help students have fun while learning.