The holidays are here and we never pass up a good book to go with them! While Christmas books are abundant, we love reading with our kids about how different places and people celebrate. So, I rounded up this list of books to celebrate holidays around the world. It’s the perfect opportunity to get snuggled up with a good book that teaches your children about the world around them.
Holidays Around the World Books
Lansing Mom is here to share our tried and true favorites. This post does contain affiliate links that help support our small business but every product is something we love!
Christmas in Australia
An Aussie Night Before Christmas by Yvonne Morrison
Christmas in the middle of an Australian summer means Santa has to find new ways to deliver his presents. Every line of this traditional verse has been remodeled with Aussie references. Illustrations give a visual narrative to recreate the warm, comforting, family atmosphere that Christmas is all about.
Santa Lucia
Lucia Morning in Sweden by Ewa Rydåker
In the busy house of the Svennson family, everyone is getting ready for the Swedish holiday of Lucia Day which is on December 13. The book tells the story of Santa Lucia through the eyes of three children in modern day Sweden.
Chinese New Year
Ruby’s Chinese New Year by Vickie Lee
In this picture book celebrating Chinese New Year, animals from the Chinese Zodiac help a little girl deliver a gift to her grandmother.
Las Posadas
The Night of Las Posadas by Tomie dePaola
Las Posadas is the tradition in which Mary and Joseph go from door to door seeking shelter on Christmas Eve. Tomie dePaola’s paintings are bright as they light up on the Plaza in Santa Fe for the procession of Las Posadas.
Kwanzaa
My First Kwanzaa by Karen Katz
In this picture book, a girl describes how she and her family celebrate the seven days of Kwanzaa.
Diwali
Lighting a Lamp: A Diwali Story by Jonny Zucker
This delightful picture book is a simple introduction to the Diwali festival for the very young. It’s part of a pre-school series that introduces young children to world religions and focuses on the way the festival is celebrated today.
Christmas in America
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
The conductor invites a boy to board the Polar Express, a train filled with children on their way to the North Pole. The train takes the children to the center of the city, where Santa and the elves have gathered for the giving of the first gift of Christmas.
Hanukkah
The Story of Hanukkah by David A. Adler
Throughout the book, bright paintings help to retell the story of the courageous Maccabees and the miracle that took place in the Temple in Jerusalem.
