Recently, I had the pleasure of spending some time in the newly located Porter Square Books in the University’s building. As I wandered through the aisles, I found myself drawn to the children’s book section, where a festive display of holiday books caught my eye. What delighted me the most was the diversity of stories celebrating not just Christmas but also Hanukkah, Kwanza, Eid, and the winter solstice, offering a vibrant glimpse into the many ways people celebrate the season. It was a heartwarming reminder of the richness of shared traditions. The collection of books reminded me of the importance of bringing such diversity into the classroom because the holiday season is an opportunity to celebrate togetherness through stories that honor the many ways people around the world find joy and meaning in their traditions.
Here are some fantastic books about holidays to bring diversity into your classroom this season:
1. The House Without Lights by Reem Faruqi, illustrated by Nadia Alam (Henry Holt and Co.,2024).
The House Without Lights is a picture book that is a perfect marriage between Reem Faruqi’s storytelling and Nadia Alam’s illustrations that make the book sparkle! Written from the perspective of a house, this book introduces Eid through a unique lens. House longs to be adorned with lights just like the other homes in the neighborhood during the winter holidays. When a family moves in that celebrates Eid, the house’s time to shine comes later. This book helps children understand that not every family celebrates holidays in the month of December, and that families celebrate togetherness in their own way. Included at the back of the book is an author’s note about how the lunar calendar is used to determine the two Eids of the year. Its theme of community and the beauty of diversity make it an ideal addition to your classroom collection.
2. An Anishinaabe Christmas by Wab Kinew, illustrated by Erin Hill (Tundra Books, 2024).
An Anishinaabe Christmas is a picture book for grades PK-1 that combines Wab Kinew’s story with Erin Hill’s joyous artwork to depict a First Nations family returning to the “Rez” (reservation) to celebrate both the winter solstice and Christmas in a traditionally Anishinaabe way. The reader will learn Anishinaabe words and phrases as Baby’s parents teach them about traditional stories as they travel to the “Rez”. As an extension, there is a short glossary and pronunciation guide included. This book will delight young readers as they learn about Anishinaabe heritage and beliefs. The wisdom shared by Baby’s parents is wonderful for anyone; we are one family, giving is better than receiving; and home is where you are from. This is a wonderful book that will put you in the holiday spirit.
3. Hanukkah Upside Down by Elissa Brent Weissman, illustrated by Omer Hoffman (Harry N. Abrams, 2024).
Hanukkah Upside Down infuses Elissa Brent Weissman’s humorous voice along with Omer Hoffman’s vibrant cartoon-like illustrations that will have children giggling with joy! This picture book tells the story of two cousins who live on opposite sides of the world from one another. Nora celebrates Hanukkah in New Zealand in the Summer and Noah celebrates in New York during Winter. The cousins begin a friendly competition about who can celebrate the best Hanukkah. This book is rich in Hanukkah customs and children will delight in the friendly rivalry between cousins as they share their Hanukkah celebrations through phone calls, text messages, and emails. The reader will come to understand there are different seasons in different hemispheres by comparing how the two cousins celebrate the same holiday. This sweet story of family and celebration is a great addition to your holiday book collection.
4. Winter Solstice Wish by Kate Allen Fox, illustrated by Elisa Paganelli (Beaming Books, 2024).
Winter Solstice Wish is a beautiful combination of Kate Allen Fox’s lyrical writing with Elissa Paganelli’s magical illustrations that perfectly capture a winter sunset. This picture book will have children dazzled by its beauty. The winter solstice may be the shortest and darkest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, but a group of diverse community members gather on the beach to share in this special night. This book informs the reader of winter solstice celebrations around the world, and the back matter contains information on the science of the winter and summer solstices. Kate and Elissa have done an outstanding job of connecting the human experience with science and nature. This book is scientific, lyrical, and hopeful in its message.
5. Rachel Friedman And Eight Not-Perfect Nights of Hanukkah by Sarah Kapit, illustrated by Genevieve Kote (Henry Holt and Co., 2024).
Rachel Friedman And Eight Not-Perfect Nights of Hanukkah is an illustrated chapter book great for grades 1-3. Rachel is determined to prove that Hanukkah is the best holiday after a classmate makes her feel like she is “missing out” because she doesn’t celebrate Christmas. Rachel makes a plan with her best friend to create a list of eight fun things to do for the eight days of Hanukkah; however, everything goes sideways! Can Rachel experience eight perfect nights of Hanukkah? This book has everything from a Lego Menorah to a Snowman Macabee. Sarah Kapit has written a chapter book that is easy to follow whether you are knowledgeable about Hanukkah traditions or not, and Genevieve Kote’s illustrations bring the characters to life. At a time when the whole world seems to be celebrating Christmas, this book is a fun way for readers to experience the joys of Hanukkah.
6. Let it Glow by Marissa Meyer and Joanne Levy (Feiwel & Friends, 2024)
This parent-trap style middle grade chapter book is a great holiday read for your child or student in grades 4-6. Aviva and Holly are 12-year-old twins that were separated at birth. Neither knows the other exists until one fateful day when they meet and discover they look identical, share the same birthday, and are adopted. The only difference is one celebrates Hanukkah and the other celebrates Christmas. The girls devise a plan to swap homes for the holidays to learn more about each other’s traditions. This book has a great cast of diverse characters, and the “switching places” plot design is masterfully crafted. Written in alternating point of views, readers will experience both Christmas and Hanukkah, and their hearts will be warmed by the unbreakable bond these characters create while exploring their own identity.
Hopefully you’ll find a book you’d like to add to your classroom library so you can help children celebrate the season with a sense of understanding and inclusivity. This December let’s light up our students’ imaginations with stories that reflect the beauty of our global community. Happy reading and happy holidays!
