Have you started thinking about your holiday list? Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa are just weeks away, it’s time to start! What to get – kids/sisters/brothers/fill in the blank – who have everything? How about the gift of books?
Just like the magical season, I find Christmas books to echo that wonder and excitement too. From Santa to gingerbread men, there’s a book that’s sure to capture their imagination and indulge your child in their love of reading.
The Last Christmas Tree – by Stephen Krensky and Pascal Campion
Krensky is a well-respected picture book author with decades of experience. I have this soft place in my heart for books in which the Christmas tree is the central character. This one is so warm and gentle, capturing the perfect tone for Christmas.
Olive, the Other Reindeer -by J. Otto Seibold and Vivian Walsh
When Olive the dog hears the verse of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” that goes “All of the other reindeer / Used to laugh and call him names,” she decides that she must be “Olive, the other reindeer” and sets off for the North Pole to join Santa’s reindeer team.
The Not Very Merry Pout-Pout Fish – by Deborah Diesen
We follow the Pout Pout fish as he struggles to find just the right gifts. The story is written in verse and sing songs along until the gifting problem is all solved!
Celebrate Hanukkah with your children and a great book. You can learn about the story of Hanukkah while enjoying stories that are simply fun.
Latke the Lucky Dog –by Ellen Fischer
Latke is one lucky pup! A family adopts him from an animal shelter on the first night of Hanukkah — and names him after the golden potato pancakes that his scruffy fur resembles. Now it’s time for him to learn the rules of the house, as well as the traditions of the Festival of Lights
Esther’s Hanukkah Disaster – by Jane Sutton
Gorilla Esther tries to be a good friend for Hanukkah, but the gifts she picks out are all spectacular failures, from huge socks for her monkey pal, Sarah, to a jogging suit for slow turtle Josephine. Esther feels terrible — until on the last night of Hanukkah she throws a party at which everyone swaps his or her earlier present for one that suits them perfectly.
Mrs. Greenberg’s Messy Hanukkah – Linda Glaser
Mrs. Greenberg’s Messy Hanukkah tells the story of a little girl who helps her very tidy neighbor make latkes. Anyone who’s ever cooked with kids can guess what hilarity ensues!
Children are a huge part of Kwanzaa and its traditions, and these delightful reads will help teach them the story of Kwanzaa, why it was created, and what it means.
Li’l Rabbit’s Kwanzaa -by Donna L. Washington
Wanting to celebrate the feast of Karamu, L’il Rabbit searches for a gift for his grandmother when she is sick during Kwanzaa, but ends up surprising her with the best gift of all–the gift of togetherness.
My First Kwanzaa Book – by Deborah Chocolate
A vibrant picture book brings to life the Kwanzaa holiday during the last week of December as Grandma brings special food, Grandpa lights the candles, and the whole family celebrates their heritage.
Imani’s Gift At Kwanzaa – by Denise Burden-Patmon
Imani learns about Kwanzaa, the African American harvest festival, from her grandmother, and makes friends with Enna, a girl who has never been to a Kwanzaa celebration before.
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