Recommended Reads

Celebrate the Latine traditions of Christmas Eve with this joyful story that counts down from twelve to one.

This charming, bouncy text alternates between English and Spanish and pairs perfectly with its illustrative context clues. Children will count holiday elements like clock chimes, plates of delicious food, and tired musicians from midnight--when Christmas Eve turns to Christmas and presents are opened!--to one. In this story, family members young and old gather in their best festive clothes to celebrate Nochebuena, a Christmas Eve celebration for Latine people around the world. Simple yet lyrical text inspired by the author-illustrator's Cuban American heritage combines with a warm art style perfect for celebrating the holiday.

High five! It's winter! For one spirited little puppy, winter means romping in the snow, birds to chase, fragrant evergreen trees, and joy, joy, joy! Then again, winter also means . . . oddly unfriendly deer? Millions of little lights? Contorting inflatable snowmen? Wait, what? If this is all winter too, then winter is kind of . . . weird! Helen Yoon's fresh and hilarious take on the winter season--part of a quirky new series of picture books--is a blend of bumbling affection and slack-jawed wonder.

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.

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.

Al Rosen, a Jewish man, takes on the jobs of his Christian neighbors on Christmas Eve and day so they can spend the holiday with their families, starting a tradition that lasts for decades.

A mitzvah, as Al explains, is a good deed, especially apt on holidays. A strong cross-over read, this warm story is about kindness and differences bringing people together.

No one gets into the spirit of the Christmas season like YouTube sensation Blippi! Celebrate with him in this fun, festive paperback book that comes with stickers!

Experience all the joys of the Christmas season with YouTube sensation Blippi as he selects and decorates just the right tree, receives and sends holiday cards and presents full of good cheer, goes caroling, spends time playing in the snow with his dog, gets ready for a visit from Santa Claus, and much more.
 

The Gingerbread Palace takes readers on a magical trip down the rabbit hole to a place where sugar and spice make everything nice: Alice's Wonderland Bakery. Based on the holiday special of the Disney Junior series, this gorgeously illustrated picture book follows Alice, the 8-year-old great-granddaughter of the original Alice, after she inherits her great-grandmother's enchanted bakery in the wacky, wonderful world of Wonderland.

With a sprinkle of creativity, a dash of curiosity, and a can-do attitude, Alice is ready to confront any kitchen challenge, from catering a mad tea party to baking a gingerbread house big enough for the entire Wonderland community to celebrate Christmas together.
 

This beautifully illustrated book explores the traditional treats that children across the globe leave out for Santa on Christmas Eve—includes recipes!

A World of Cookies for Santa takes readers on a journey to discover holiday traditions and beloved Christmas cookies from cultures around the world. Head to the Philippines, where children leave out puto seko cookies and ginger tea for Santa; jet to Russia for a honey-spice cookie; then set out for Malawi for a sweet potato cookie!

And the journey continues in your own home kitchen, as author M. E. Furman provides recipes for children to bake some of Santa’s cookies for themselves.


 

An enchanting and timeless winter tale from one of today's most celebrated picture book stars.

From award-winning and bestselling picture book creator Benji Davies, comes a brand-new Christmas classic...

High, high up in the clouds a tiny snowflake is made. Perfectly small, fluffy, crystal and white, it tumbles and bounces inside the cloud. But then she begins to fall...

Exquisitely told and beautifully illustrated, The Snowflake tells the tale of one snowflake and one little girl - both longing for something and looking for their own special place in the world. The Snowflake is an utterly unforgettable and classic picture book from the multi-award winning and internationally bestselling picture-book creator, Benji Davies.

Twice winner of Oscar's Book Prize


 

From the amazing mind of author and illustrator Bill Cotter comes one of this year's best Christmas books for children!

Larry the lovable monster from Don't Push the Button! is back for the holidays with another hilarious, interactive adventure in this toddler Christmas book!

It's almost Christmas and Santa is coming! You don't want to end up on the naughty list, do you? With no elves in sight, Larry thinks he can get away with some last-minute holiday mischief before Santa arrives. Whatever you do--DON'T PUSH THE BUTTON!!

Well, maybe just once can't hurt...uh oh!

Here's the newest twist on the familiar tale of There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly.There was a cold lady who swallowed some snow.I don't know why she swallowed some snow.Perhaps you know.This time, the old lady is swallowing everything from snow to a pipe, some coal, a hat, and more! With rollicking, rhyming text and funny illustrations, this lively version will appeal to young readers with every turn of the page. And this time, there's a surprise at the end no reader will be able to guess!

The Christmas Princess is an unforgettable holiday classic tale, told by Mariah Carey herself alongside Michaela Angela Davis and featuring beautiful illustrations by Fuuji Takashi.

The Queen of Christmas introduces . . . Little Mariah!

There was one time unlike any other,
when everyone pitched in and helped one another . . .

CHRISTMAS TIME!

Mariah Carey, adored by fans around the world, has brought forth a unique, heartwarming, and modern fairy tale with The Christmas Princess, starring Little Mariah! Like her record-breaking, globally adored song “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” this story is an instant and inclusive family holiday classic. While firmly placed in the tradition of Christmas storytelling, The Christmas Princess is infused with her one-of-a-kind festive Mariah magic and musicality.

Little Mariah doesn’t have much and doesn’t want a lot, but there is just one thing she longs for: a peaceful and joyous holiday season. Feeling outcast and alone, Little Mariah sets off on a wintry, wondrous journey, ultimately discovering the healing power of her voice to spread the spirit of Christmas at home and all around the world.

Celebrate Christmas with Bluey and her family!

Based on the wildly successful animated series Bluey, as seen on Disney+

Bartlebee is Bluey's new toy, and he will be celebrating his first Christmas with the Heeler family! But during their annual Christmas Swim, Bluey is worried her family is playing a little rough with Bartlebee. Can they all learn how to play together?

A wacky new Christmas version of the classic "There Was an Old Lady" song!This time, the hungry old lady swallows a bell, bows, gifts, a sack, a sleigh, and some reindeer! She's about to swallow a candy cane for dessert, when she hears a jolly "Ho! Ho! Ho!" Santa Claus is waiting for a ride! Watch what happens when she whistles, with amazing results!With rhyming text and funny illustrations, this lively version of a classic song will appeal to young readers with every turn of the page--a fun story for Christmastime!This is a wonderful companion to Colandro and Lee's other Old Lady books!

Bienvenidos! to a celebration of Christmas, Latino-style! From the ngel (angel) hung above the door to the zapatos (shoes) filled with grass for the wise mens camels, each letter in this festive alphabet introduces children toa Spanish word, and each colorful page takes them through another joyous aspect of the 22 days of the traditional holiday. Vibrant art from acclaimed illustrator Joe Cepeda beautifully complements the lively, rhythmic text to bring the reader a wealth of heritageand a season of light! Feliz Navidad!

Tomie dePaola's glorious paintings are as luminous as the farolitos that light up on the Plaza in Santa Fe for the procession of Las Posadas, the tradition in which Mary and Joseph go from door to door seeking shelter at the inn on Christmas Eve.This year Sister Angie, who is always in charge of the clebration, has to stay home with the flu, and Lupe and Roberto, who are to play Mary and Joseph, get caught in a snowstorm. But a man and a woman no one knows arrive in time to take their place in the procession and then mysteriously disappear at the end before they can be thanked.That night we witness a Christian miracle, for when Sister Angie goes to the cathedral and kneels before the statue of Mary and Jospeh, wet footprints from the snow lead up to the statue.

"Un día llegó un camión con un envío especial: el árbol de Navidad del señor Viladomat. Era grande y frondoso, de un verde muy llamativo. Era el árbol más inmenso que él jamás había visto."--Page [2] of cover.

In this beloved classic picture book, Tomie dePaola retells and illustrates an Italian Christmas folk tale, breathing warmth and humanity into the character of the lonely Old Befana and her endless search for the Christ Child.

Every morning and every afternoon, Old Befana sweeps with her broom. “Cranky old lady,” the children say. “She is always sweeping!” Sweep, sweep, sweep.

But when a brilliant star glows in the eastern sky one night, and Old Befana encounters the glorious procession of three kings on their way to Bethlehem, her little world will never be the same.

Many stories are told about Saint Nicholas -- stories about his generosity and his miracles, stories about the concern he showed for those in poverty. This warm, inviting books tells many of these stories, both familiar and lesser-known. It recounts how he ended a famine by multiplying grain from a merchant ship and how he walked on water to rescue sailors from a terrible storm. And, of course, it tells the story of how Nicholas gave his inheritance to prevent a desperate man from selling his daughters into slavery.
 

The classic story of the night before Christmas gets a humorous twist in this engaging holiday picture book filled with die-cuts from the acclaimed and beloved picture book creator, Lois Ehlert.

It was a cold, wintery night, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring…except a small mouse!

Follow this mischievous mouse on his late-night holiday adventure. The snow is falling, the tree is decorated, and the cookies are ready for nibbling. Just be sure to keep an eye out for Santa!

From Inside Edition’s national correspondent Megan Alexander comes a sweet picture book celebrating the joys, wonders, and traditions of a small-town Christmas in the spirit of her show, Small Town Christmas.

In the town of Heartbeat Falls, where skies are crystal clear, the magic of Christmas is celebrated in many different ways: from picking the perfect tree to decorating it with glittering ornaments; from ice skating to eating yummy gingerbread cookies; from hanging handmade stockings to sharing a homecooked meal. Here, the residents know the beauty of a small town doesn’t come from its size, but from the love shared by its people, shining brightly in their eyes.

Have you heard? A baby is coming! Our baby is here?

When Mary and Joseph’s child was born, the good tidings spread from the animals in the manger, to the shepherds in the fields, to the kings in distant lands, and even to the angels in the heavens! Now every time a baby is born, we celebrate and people travel from far and wide to greet the new baby—because every new baby is a small miracle.
 

Hooray! It’s time to decorate the tree! Can you help? Clap to turn on the lights. Twinkle your fingers to add some ornaments. Shake to add some more. (But not too hard; you don’t want to break one!) This interactive picture book allows little helpers to trim the tree again and again, all season long.

A fresh retelling of a Christmas legend, told through joyful song by the first witnesses to the baby in the manger: the animals.

Long ago and even today, the story is told of how all the animals in the world, at the stroke of midnight on Christmas Eve, speak. With their newfound power of speech, the animals rejoice at the birth of Jesus, born humbly in a manger and surrounded by animals. Singing in treetops, braying in stables, barking in yards--the animals all rejoice and proclaim, "The Child is come."

With rich illustrations and lyrical text, Newbery Honor Award-winner Marion Dane Bauer delights readers of all ages with this fresh telling of a classic Christmas legend.

It's a Christmas catastrophe! Or is it? A unique, heart-warming story about community spirit and togetherness.

"Just as we were about to eat our Christmas spaghetti, the doorbell rang."

Emma can't wait for Christmas - the tree, the presents, the delicious dinner!

Her dad and stepmom Susan want Christmas to be perfect, but things aren't going to plan - and then their turkey disappears! Will Christmas be ruined?

As Emma encourages her parents to appreciate what they have, their neighbors come knocking to share their own festive traditions and help the family have a very merry Christmas.

The holidays are just around the corner and Anna, Queen of Arendelle, can't imagine celebrating without her sister, Elsa the Snow Queen.


With the help of Kristoff, his best friend Sven the reindeer, and everyone's favorite snowman, Olaf, they head to the Enchanted Forest to decorate and celebrate the holidays in a way that can only be done with the spirits of nature and the Snow Queen.

Over the course of eighty years a spruce tree grows, along with the little boy who first selected it at a tree farm. As the tree grows from sapling to magnificent evergreen, the child matures as well, becoming a father and then grandfather. Now at the end of its life, the glorious tree is chosen to be the centerpiece of a city's holiday celebration. The tree journeys from rural countryside to big city center, where everyone, young and old, comes together to celebrate a tree for all; everybody's tree.

Bunny searches for and finds the perfect Christmas tree in this perennial holiday tale

Bunny is looking for the perfect Christmas tree. Her forest friends tell her that the perfect tree is one that is just her size, bushy as Squirrel’s tail, perfectly pointy on top for a star, the greenest green, and smells like Christmas. But sometimes the perfect tree is the one surrounded by friends.

A festive follow-up to There's a Bear on My Chair and There's a Mouse in My House

Bear and Mouse have finally overcome their differences and are living together in perfect harmony . . . until it's time to decorate the Christmas tree! Bear wants dazzling lights, while Mouse prefers gigantic ornaments. Did Mouse just put a manatee on the top of the tree? After Bear attempts an upside-down tree, it looks as if Christmas might be ruined for the pair. But maybe, just maybe, Bear and Mouse can reach a compromise in the spirit of the season.

From the author of the New York Times bestselling Can I Be Your Dog? series comes a picture book about a snazzy Christmas ornament who tries to find the tree on which he can shine the brightest.

Otto is an ornament. He's glittery, he's colorful, he's full of Christmas pizzazz! Otto wants to be at the top of the tree, not in the middle with all of the regular ornaments! Doesn't he deserve to shine at the top? Will Otto be able to find the tree he dreams of and learn about kindness and chosen family along the way? Full of Troy Cummings's clever puns, wordplay, and humor, wrapped up with a heartfelt message.
 

When a little girl finds out her family is planning a "simple" Christmas this year, she's not so sure about it. But soon she gets into the spirit of simplicity and generosity by making presents and Christmas decorations with her parents and grandparents on their family farm. She and her mama share Christmas cookies with friends they meet, inviting everyone to join them for Christmas in their little red barn.

Warm and heartfelt, this story invites children and families to imagine an inclusive Christmas, focusing on the simple pleasures of connection, community, and the care and generosity shared by making things by hand. Step-by-step directions for creating three handmade Christmas gifts are included at the end of the book.

Full of warmth and nostalgia, the Countryside Holiday series celebrates family, community, simplicity, and generosity.

Lucy Latke's family is just like yours or mine. Except that they're potato pancakes. And also, they are completely clueless. After lighting the menorah and gobbling the gelt, Grandpa Latke tells everyone the Hanukkah story, complete with mighty Mega Bees who use a giant dreidel to fight against the evil alien potatoes from Planet Chhh. It's up to the Latke family dog to set the record straight. (To start with, they were Maccabees, not Mega Bees...) But he'll have to get the rest of the Latkes to listen to him first!

Hanukkah is coming, and the dinos are all busy getting ready!

They make brisket and latkes, and the dino-kids play with a dreidel, act out the Hanukkah story, open gifts, and eagerly await their turn to light the menorah.

Dinosaurs big and small gather to decorate, eat, and even compete in party festivities like only prehistoric carnivores and herbivores would. Lisa Wheeler and Barry Gott—creators of the enormously popular Dino-Sports picture books—team up to create celebrations of epic proportions!

Kwanzaa traces its origins to the American Civil Rights era. Critical thinking questions and fast facts prompt young readers to engage with this fun narrative and learn all about Kwanzaa.

Happy Hanukkah! Count down each night with this gorgeous and fun holiday storybook.

Celebrate the eight nights of Hanukkah with this interactive, one-of-a-kind menorah and storybook set. The perfect Hanukkah gift for the entire family to enjoy!

Each night, open a candle-shaped book and follow a young Jewish girl and her family as they decorate their home, say blessings, enjoy traditional foods and games, and gather to hear about the brave Maccabees and their victory that brought light to all Jews.

Flip the book over to "light" the candle and place it back in the menorah to commemorate each night of the Festival of Lights!

Inspired by a true story, this is a tale of a community that banded together to spread light.

It's a holiday season that both Isaac, whose family is Jewish, and Teresa, whose family is Christian, have looked forward to for months! They've been counting the days, playing in the snow, making cookies, drawing (Teresa) and writing poems (Isaac). They enjoy all the things they share, as well as the things that make them different.

But when Isaac's window is smashed in the middle of the night, it seems like maybe not everyone appreciates "difference."

Li'l Rabbit is not having a very good Kwanzaa. Granna Rabbit is sick, and so his family won't celebrate his favorite part of Kwanzaa this year: a big feast called Karamu.

Li'l Rabbit knows what to do! He'll find Granna Rabbit a special treat for Karamu so she can celebrate anyway.

He looks under a pile of logs, in the field, and in the pond and along the way meets Groundhog, Momma Field Mouse, and the frogs—but he doesn't find anything for Granna Rabbit.

Maybe I'm just too little to help Granna Rabbit celebrate Kwanzaa, Li'l Rabbit thinks. Or maybe he just needs a little help from his family and friends.

Inspired by Brer Rabbit, a trickster character from the African-American folklore tradition, the story of Li'l Rabbit captures the true meaning of Kwanzaa—coming together to help others.

This charming tale tells the story of little Nicky Claus, who wanted to make every child happy, if only just for one day.

Nicky Claus works with his three uncles in the Claus Brothers Toy Emporium. Uncle Hanz makes the toys, Uncle Louis checks them and Uncle Levi adds the… what's the scientific term for it? Ah, yes. The magic! For each toy made at the Emporium has a special sparkle that means it will find the child it is perfect for. 

One day, Nicky notices a young girl with her face pressed up to the glass. When she disappears, he follows her and finds her living on the streets with lots of other children, none of whom can afford a toy. Nicky vows that for one night only, every child will have the toy of their dreams and—with the help of his uncles and some flying reindeer—the legend of Santa Claus is born.

This magical and heartwarming story from best-selling author–illustrator David Litchfield is a true festive treat centered on kindness, generosity and looking after each other.