Kids & Company Blog

A Children’s Holiday Reading List: Celebrating Diversity through Stories

As the holiday season approaches, it's a time for warmth, joy, and the celebration of diverse traditions. To kick off the festive season, our Director of Learning Environments, Kristine Grant, has carefully curated a holiday reading list that will introduce children to the different holidays celebrated this season; Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanza. 

1. "The Tree That's Meant to Be" by Yuval Zommer

In "The Tree That's Meant to Be," Yuval Zommer beautifully weaves a story that goes beyond tinsel and ornaments, delivering a message of kindness and the true meaning of Christmas. The story revolves around a small, imperfect tree that learns the true meaning of Christmas through the warmth and acceptance of others. This story reminds our children that the holiday spirit is about unity and love. "The Tree That's Meant to Be" beautifully conveys these messages, making it an ideal choice for our holiday reading list.

2. "Shmelf the Hanukkah Elf" by Greg Wolfe

Greg Wolfe takes us and our children on a delightful journey through the joys and traditions of Hanukkah with Shmelf, who becomes known as “the Hanukkah Elf.” The vibrant illustrations and engaging storyline capture the essence of this Jewish holiday through the lens of an elf. Shmelf's adventures  show children that there are some people who don’t celebrate Christmas, and teaches them about the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. 

3. "This Little Dreidel" by Aly Fronis

Aly Fronis' sweetly illustrated "This Little Dreidel'' introduces younger readers to the celebrations of Hanukkah through a familiar and catchy nursery rhyme (“This Little Piggy”). Readers will discover the fun traditions of Hanukkah as the dreidels in the story spin, twirl, laugh, and wish everyone a Happy Hanukkah.

4. "My First Kwanzaa" by Karen Katz

"My First Kwanzaa" by Karen Katz is a beautifully simple yet informative story that outlines the seven days of Kwanzaa and the associated traditions. The story follows a young girl experiencing her first Kwanzaa, starting with lighting the Kinara. Readers follow her learning journey as she embraces the traditions of the holiday over the course of the seven days of Kwanzaa. Through colorful illustrations and easy-to-follow narratives, children will learn about Kwanzaa, reinforcing the importance of community, family, and culture. 

As we encourage our children to explore the world through stories, we're confident that they will grow into compassionate individuals who appreciate the beauty of different holidays and the many traditions and celebrations that surround them. Happy reading and happy holidays everyone!

Posted on: Wednesday December 6th, 2023

Posted by: Kids & Company