It’s not hard to find Christmas books this time of year, but Christmas isn’t the only winter festival. Here are some books to help kids learn about other winter holidays and traditions.
Lights of Winter: Winter Celebrations Around the World (4/5 stars, currently priced at $5.99)
Lights of Winter is a children’s picture book about winter celebrations around the world: Solstice, Yule, Christmas, Kwanza, Hanukkah, Teng Chieh, Diwali, Soyal, Las Posadas, Zagmuk, Saturnalia.
For ages 3-9. Thirteen color illustrations.
All About Hannukah (5/5 stars, currently priced at $6.29)
The story of Hanukkah complete with candle blessings, rules for playing dreidel and other games, recipes, songs, and thoughts on miracles, giving, and more.
This is a fixed-format ebook, which preserves the design and layout of the original print book.
Age level 4-8.
Seven Spools of Thread: A Kwanzaa Story (4.5/5 stars, currently priced at $4.99)
In an African village live seven brothers who make family life miserable with their constant fighting. When their father dies, he leaves an unusual will: by sundown, the brothers must make gold out of seven spools of thread. If they fail, they will be turned out as beggars. Using the Nguzo Saba, or “seven principals” of Kwanzaa, the author has created an unforgettable story that shows how family members can pull together, for their own good and the good of the entire community. Magnificent and inspiring linoleum block prints by Daniel Minter bring joy to this Kwanzaa celebration.
This is a fixed-format ebook, which preserves the design and layout of the original print book.
Age level 7-10.
The Legend of the Poinsettia (5/5 stars, currently priced at $6.99)
In Mexico, the poinsettia is called flor de la Nochebuenao flower of the Holy Night. At Christmastime, the flower blooms and flourishes, the quite exquisite red stars lighting up the countryside.
A Mexican legend tells how the poinsettia came to be, through a little girl’s unselfish gift to the Christ Child. Tomie dePaola has embraced the legend using his own special feeling for Christmas. His glorious paintings capture not only the brilliant colors of Mexico and its art, but also the excitement of the children preparing for Christmas and the hope of Lucida, who comes to see what makes a gift truly beautiful.
Ages 4-8.
The Return of the Light: Twelve Tales from Around the World for the Winter Solstice (4.5/5 stars, currently priced at $9.22)
The winter solstice, the day the “sun stands still,” marks the longest night and the shortest day of the year (it occurs either on December 20 or 21). Celebrations honoring the winter solstice as a moment of transition and renewal date back thousands of years and occur among many peoples on every continent. Now The Return of the Light makes an ideal companion for everyone who carries on this tradition, no matter what their faith. Storyteller Carolyn McVickar Edwards retells twelve traditional tales-from North America, China, Scandinavia, India, Africa, South America, Europe, and Polynesia-that honor this magical moment. These are stories that will renew our wonder of the miracle of rebirth and the power of transition from darkness into light.
For tweens and up, or for parents to share with younger children.
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