While the kids are home from school this holiday season, keep their minds sharp with children's books about the holidays and traditions we celebrate in December. Melissa Jeffrey and her colleagues at the Arlington Public Library compiled this list of their favorite Christmas books, Hanukkah books, Kwanzaa books and books about winter in general. So head to your local library and check out a few of these titles to cozy up with over the winter break.
The Runaway Latkes by Leslie Kimmelman; illustrated by Paul Yalowitz
In this fun Hanukkah version of the gingerbread man, three crisp (and very sassy) latkes jump right out of Rebecca Bloom's frying pan, and the whole town tries to catch them. How will the chase end? Also try the included latke recipe. Ages 2–5
Dinosaur vs. Santa by Bob Shea
Dinosaur meets all the challenges of Christmas Eve with a ROAR, including decorating a tree and wrapping gifts. But what happens when he hears Santa stirring downstairs? Another hilarious installment in the clever Dinosaur vs. series that will have you giggling alongside your child. Ages 2–6
Mouse's First Christmas by Lauren Thompson; illustrated by Buket Erdogan
Mouse explores a house on Christmas Eve and encounters all the sensory wonders of the holiday – "sweet and sparkly" cookies, "jingly and glinty" jingle bells, "boxy and ribbony" presents – without understanding what they're all for. But then a "whiskery and jolly" guest shows up. Ages 2–6
A Pirate's Twelve Days of Christmas by Philip Yates; illustrated by Sebastiá Serra
"On the first day of Christmas, a gift was sent to me: a parrot in a palm tree!" You get the idea. Yates and Serra playfully reimagine the popular Christmas song, buccaneer-style. But as the cabin boy receives all these mysterious high-seas gifts, he can’t help but wonder who's sending them. Ages 3–7
Mameshiba Love Winter by Traci N. Todd; illustrated by Thomas Flintham
Join the Mameshiba (small dog-like beans – yes, you read that right) as they build a snow castle in this manga/sticker book combination. Includes stickers, punch-out characters and a pop-out play scene for interactive reading. Ages 4–8
K is for Kwanzaa by Juwanda G. Ford; illustrated by Ken Wilson-Max
A is for Africa, B is for bendera, C is for candle – so starts this colorful primer to the principles and traditions of the holiday Kwanzaa. The trip through the alphabet is accompanied by bold, beautiful illustrations, and a pronunciation guide is included for the African words. Ages 4–8
Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama by Selina Alko
Join Sadie as she celebrates Christmas and Hanukkah, with dreidels, candy canes, carols and latkes. This is the perfect book for families with blended traditions. Selina Alko’s collage-like illustrations bring both holidays alive. Ages 5–8
Winter According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney
Humphrey the hamster and the students in Mrs. Brisbane’s class get ready for the holidays and a special Winter Wonderland program. But all the preparations aren't going to plan. Can Humphrey help save the holiday? Be sure to look for other installments in the pun-filled, hamster-narrated novel series. Ages 6–9
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
The Herdmans, a family of incorrigible children, discover the Christmas story for the first time and help everyone else rediscover its true meaning – even if their interpretation of the Christmas story is a little … different. A true Christmas classic. Ages 7–12
Published December 2013
