Here is a selection of books from our collection about holidays, such as Christmas, Cinco de Mayo, Diwali, Eid, Kwanzaa, and the Lunar New Year, and other special celebrations throughout the year. We strive to include as much varied racial/cultural representation as possible, with a focus on #OwnVoices, but these lists also reflect what is available on the market.
These titles are only a sample of what you can find in our full collection. To see more, use the search box to search for a specific holiday, or in the case of religious holidays, try the filtered search on the left-hand bar: go to “Religion” and click a specific religion.
See also this blogpost, “Lighting the Lights.”
Bowwow powwow
When Uncle and Windy Girl attend a powwow, Windy watches the dancers and listens to the singers. She eats tasty food and joins family and friends around the campfire. Later, Windy falls asleep under the stars. Uncle's stories inspire visions in her head: a bowwow powwow, where all the dancers are dogs. In these magical scenes, Windy sees veterans in a Grand Entry, and a visiting drum group, and traditional dancers, grass dancers, and jingle-dress dancers -- all with telltale ears and paws and tails. All celebrating in song and dance. All attesting to the wonder of the powwow.--Provided by publisher
Bringing in the New Year
A Chinese American family prepares for and celebrates the Lunar New Year. End notes discuss the customs and traditions of Chinese New Year.
The Christmas coat: Memories of My Sioux Childhood
Virginia and her brother are never allowed to pick first from the donation boxes at church because their father is the priest, and she is heartbroken when another girl gets the beautiful coat that she covets. Based on the author's memories of life on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota.
Divali Rose
As the festival of Divali approaches, Ricki wants to confess that he accidentally broke a rosebud off the bush he and his grandfather planted, but grandfather is busy blaming the neighbors who are newly arrived in Trinidad from India. Includes facts about Divali and the people and language of Trinidad
Filipino celebrations
"Brimming with vivid illustrations and rich cultural background, Filipino Celebrations makes major festivals such as Holy Week, Independence Day, Christmas and New Year come alive, together with family celebrations such as weddings, birthdays, baptisms, and a girl's debut into society. Each chapter discusses the history of the holiday; its cultural influences; how certain holidays are celebrated differently in different regions of the Philippines; special customs, foods, key words and phrases associated with the festivals; and more. Each chapter gives children a glimpse of the rich cultural heritage of this island nation. Activities such as games, songs, crafts and recipes invite children to participate in the fun. Filipino Celebrations engages the 5-11 age group in a way that is both informative and fun"--Publisher's description
Grandma’s gift
The author describes Christmas at his grandmother's apartment in Spanish Harlem the year she introduced him to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Diego Velazquez's portrait of Juan de Pareja, which has had a profound and lasting effect on him
Kevin’s Kwanzaa
Kevin is excited for his turn to light the candles on the last night of Kwanzaa. As he narrates through the week of Kwanzaa, readers learn about the origins, purpose, and rituals of this holiday
Let’s celebrate!
"An excellent way to celebrate the diversity of festivals and seasonal celebrations with children"--Provided from publisher
The Night of the Moon
Yasmeen has a wonderful time celebrating the Muslim holy month of Ramadan with her family and friends.
Olanna’s big day
"There's great excitement when the school band is chosen to march in the Saint Patrick's Day Parade. Olanna practises really hard on her tin whistle. At last the big day arrives and they line up with the stilt-walkers, the bagpipers, the dancing leprechauns. Then disaster strikes. But Olanna--and her granny back in Nigeria--saves the day!"--Back cover
Ole! Cinco de Mayo!
Using the rhythm of the round song, "Bingo," follows Pablo as he brings a calf named Rodeo to school for its Cinco de Mayo festivities. Includes glossary of Spanish words
Our Village in the Sky
From two outstanding creators comes a lyrical and poetic text and beautiful artwork celebrating the lives of children in a remote Himalayan village as they make their work into play
Pie is for sharing
You're invited to a glorious Fourth of July picnic where you'll learn all about sharing, the good things along with the bad.
Rashad’s Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr
Explains the history of the holiday, discussing the customs and the celebration Eid al-Fitr
The remembering day / El Día de los Muertos
Long ago in what would come to be called Mexico, as Mama Alma and her granddaughter, Bella, recall happy times while walking in the garden they have tended together since Bella was a baby, Mama Alma asks that after she is gone her family remember her on one special day each year. Includes facts about The Remembering Day, El día de los muertos.--publisher
Tree of cranes
A Japanese boy learns of Christmas when his mother decorates a pine tree with paper cranes
When Christmas feels like home
When his family moves from a small Mexican village to North Carolina, Eduardo asks how soon he will feel at home, and slowly his Tio Miguel's seemingly impossible replies come true until, at last, he can put out the Nativity scene he carved with his grandfather
The white nights of Ramadan
A young girl tells how her family celebrates the festive holiday, Girgian, which comes in the middle of the holy month of Ramadan. The special clothing, the foods, the crafts, and the greatest joy of all, the joy of giving.