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It’s the most wonderful time of the year! We love December and seeing the houses all lit up and the holiday festivities beginning. The seasonal holidays are the perfect time to read about all the ways friends and family celebrate not only the winter season but also Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa with your children.

We rounded up some new children’s holiday book releases and some classics that have touched hearts for years for you to grab a copy of today in bulk! So put on your favorite seasonal sweater and grab your favorite holiday drink and get ready to explore these 16 children’s holiday books to ring in the holiday season!    

Holiday Books for All

From the colder weather rolling in to the winter festivities there are tons of things to get your kids excited for this time of the year. With different celebrations throughout December it can be fun to introduce your favorite holidays in these books that not only celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa but also the holiday season itself.

1. Happy All-idays! by Cindy Jin

It is time to send some holiday cheer to friends and family far and near! We all celebrate the season in our own special way. In this adorable new board book you can see how families prepare for each holiday. Whether it’s putting up the Christmas tree, lighting the menorah, or getting ready for Kwanzaa, this story proves that the holiday season is a special time for everyone and a great way to learn about different winter holidays and send cheer to everyone you know!

2. Twinkle, Twinkle, Winter Night by Megan Litwin

Celebrate winter with this magical twist on a beloved nursery rhyme that brings the shimmering season of lights to life. Whether it’s the moon in the crisp, cool sky, flickering candles in a neighbor’s window, or the dazzling lights strung up about town, winter is a time of glowing warmth and cozy closeness. Twinkle, Twinkle, Winter Night captures this charm, making it perfect for bedtimes and sing-alongs on days when the sun goes to sleep early—and winter wonders shine bright.

3. A Time to Celebrate 1 by Lonely Planet Kids

This beautifully illustrated lift-the-flap book explores and celebrates different people, places, cultures and traditions from across the world. Featuring eight festivals - at least one from each of the inhabited continents - this title provides a glimpse into diverse traditions, customs and beliefs. By lifting the flaps and reading the gentle, educational text, readers can find out about New Year in China, Christmas in Germany, Carnival in Rio, the Day of the Dead in Mexico and much more. Celebrate this wonderful time of the year around the world!

4. Dusk by Uri Shulevitz

One December afternoon,a boy and his grandfather take a walk to watch the sun begin to set over the river. When the sun drops low in the sky, they start home. Buildings grow dimmer. People are rushing. As nature's lights go out, one by one, city's lights turn on, revealing brilliant Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Christmas displays in streets, homes, and stores. A stunning picture book that celebrates the special time of the year it is.

Christmas Books

With so many ways to get into the Christmas spirit why not crack open a Christmas book! From a heartwarming story of a Christmas tree finding its way to a new home to a wild chase to catch one of Santa’s reindeer, these books will get you feeling holly and jolly just in time for Santa coming to town.

1. The Perfect Tree by Corinne Demas

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. This heartwarming and charming picture book is sure to put a smile on your face as you read it.

2. How to Catch a Reindeer by Alice Walstead

It's Christmas Eve and Santa's team is off to deliver presents when one of the trusted reindeer Comet decides to explore on her own. Come along on this fun Christmas adventure to see if you can catch Comet! This merry picture book is filled with silly rhymes and illustrations sure to delight young readers and educators alike with STEAM concepts and classic hilarity and chaos. Reindeer fly on Christmas Eve and bring us all good cheer. To catch one takes a special trap—will YOU meet one this year?

3. The Christmas Pine by Julia Donaldson

Deep in a snowy wood stands a little pine tree with a special destiny: when it grows up, it’s going to be a fabulous Christmas tree! The tree travels far across the sea to shine in a city square. Crowds gather to admire it, children sing carols around it, and the tree brings joy and the spirit of the season to all who pass by. Inspired by the annual journey of London’s Christmas Tree in Trafalgar Square, this story includes back matter detailing the tree’s history as a gift to the United Kingdom from the people of Norway in remembrance of the UK’s support during World War II – an enduring symbol of friendship and peace.

4. Evie’s Christmas Wishes by Siobhán Parkinson

Evie can hardly wait for Christmas to arrive. There is lots of festive fun to be had, from rehearsing for the school play, to decorating the tree, to wrapping presents. As she prepares for the big day with her parents and classmates, she is wishing, wishing, wishing. Suddenly, her wishes begin to come true! Just not in the way she expects. This charming, fun book follows Evie as she continues to make Christmas wishes and you see how Christmas wishes can be answered in their own ways.

Hanukkah Books

With powerful themes throughout the Hanukkah season we rounded up some recent releases to get you in the Hanukkah spirit! Find below some great children’s Hanukkah books that will introduce your kiddos to not only the history of Hanukkah but also the traditions that come with this time of the year.

1. Latkes and Applesauce: A Hanukkah Story by Fran Manushkin

The Menashes love latkes and applesauce during Hanukkah. But a blizzard begins and erases any hope that they’ll harvest potatoes and apples in time. When a stray cat and dog show up, there’s not a lot of food to offer them, but kindness prevails, and they’re invited in. It turns out that the dog—Latke—and the cat—Applesauce—save the day! This adorable new Hanukkah picture book will capture your heart and your stomachs.

2. Puppy for Hanukkah by Golden Books

Will it take a Hanukkah miracle to get a puppy? A new puppy brings added delight during the holiday season in this charming story! The joys of eight nights of latkes, blessings, candles, and presents await in this Little Golden Book full of Hanukkah traditions and cheer.

3. Hanukkah, Here I Come! by D.J. Steinberg

The candles are lit and the latkes are frying – Hanukkah is here! Welcome in Hanukkah with poems – and a sheet of stickers! – from author D. J. Steinberg that highlights the family fun, dizzying dreidels, and mighty Maccabee stories that Hanukkah is sure to bring. This interactive book is sure to get your kiddos excited for the holiday! 

4. The Itsy Bitsy Dreidel by Jeffrey Burton and Chani Tornow

The itsy bitsy dreidel went for a little spin. Down came the snow so the party could begin. Dad was in the kitchen heating up the oil. For some doughnuts and some latkes, he brought it to a boil. This playful nursery rhyme style story follows the itsy bitsy dreidel as it gets ready to celebrate the Festival of Lights with the lighting of the menorah. 

Kwanzaa Books

What better way to teach children about Kwanzaa than through books? Share this beautiful observation celebrated around the world of African American culture and heritage. We compiled some books that will not only deepen their understanding of Kwanzaa but also get excited to celebrate this wonderful holiday!

1. My First Kwanzaa by Karen Katz

A simple way to get acquainted with Kwanzaa. During the seven days of Kwanzaa, we celebrate the importance of family, friends, and community. This warm and lively introduction to a very special holiday will help even the youngest children join in! Katz offers a simple and fun way to get familiar with the traditions of holiday celebrations from different cultures.

2. Li’l Rabbit’s Kwanzaa by Donna L. Washington

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. Celebrate the true meaning of Kwanzaa—coming together to help others with Li’l Rabbit on this fun introduction to the holiday.

3. My Family Celebrates Kwanzaa by Lisa Bullard

Want an informative and engaging book to introduce your kids to the history and significance of Kwanzaa? Well look no further. This picture book has critical thinking questions and fast facts that prompt young readers to engage with this fun narrative and learn all about Kwanzaa and trace its roots back to the beginning of this special holiday.

4. The People Remember by Ibi Zoboi

The People Remember tells the journey of African descendants in America by connecting their history to the seven principles of Kwanzaa. This is a story young readers can visit over and over again to deepen their understanding of African American history in relation to their own lives and current social justice movements. By turns powerful and revealing, this is a lyrical narrative that tells the story of survival, as well as the many moments of joy, celebration, and innovation of Black people in America.

    
Celebrate this holiday season with sharing some special stories with the ones you love! Whether you want to get some bulk Christmas books for your classroom or give the gift of a holiday book to your staff we want to help you. Request a quote today to connect with one of our account managers and ask about our discounted, wholesale pricing. And from your friends at BookPal we wanted to wish you a happy holiday season!