{"id":39489,"date":"2021-11-10T06:00:53","date_gmt":"2021-11-10T12:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.allaboutlearningpress.com\/?p=39489"},"modified":"2023-08-08T16:15:36","modified_gmt":"2023-08-08T21:15:36","slug":"world-holiday-picture-books","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.allaboutlearningpress.com\/world-holiday-picture-books\/","title":{"rendered":"Holiday Picture Books Around the World"},"content":{"rendered":"

The holidays are a special time, and this wonderful collection of holiday picture books celebrates the rich diversity of holiday traditions practiced by people all around the world. After all, no matter where<\/span> you live or how<\/span> you celebrate, this is the most wonderful time of the year! <\/p>\r\n\r\n

Download our free library list<\/a> to take with you on your next visit to the library.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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\r\n \r\n \"The<\/a>\r\n

The Legend of Old Befana:
An Italian Christmas Story<\/cite><\/span><\/a>
by Tomie dePaola <\/span><\/p>\r\n

(Italy)<\/span>
Every day, cranky Old Befana works hard, sweeping her house, her steps, and her walkway. But no one seems to know why. That is, not until three kings arrive at Befana\u2019s house enroute to Bethlehem to see a newborn king. Old Befana wants to take gifts to the baby, too\u2014but how will she get there?<\/p>\r\n <\/div> \r\n \r\n

\r\n \r\n \"Native<\/a>\r\n

Native American Night
Before Christmas<\/cite><\/span><\/a>
by Gary Robinson <\/span><\/p>\r\n

(Native American)<\/span>
Visions of chokecherries? A wooden sleigh drawn by buffalo? Old Red Shirt coming down the smoke hole? With delightful rhyme and bold, colorful illustrations, Native American Night Before Christmas<\/cite> offers a non-traditional (but very entertaining) take on a Christmas classic! <\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n

\r\n \r\n \"Who's<\/a>\r\n

Who's That Knocking on
Christmas Eve?<\/cite><\/span><\/a>
by Jan Brett<\/span><\/p>\r\n

(Norwegian\/Arctic)<\/span>
One chilly Christmas Eve, a boy and his pet polar bear stop at Kyri\u2019s house to rest. Kyri warns them that every year on Christmas Eve, her cabin is invaded by trolls who come to gobble up the special feast she has prepared. But maybe this year, things will be a little bit different\u2026<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n

\r\n \r\n \"Li\u2019l<\/a>\r\n

Li\u2019l Rabbit\u2019s Kwanzaa<\/cite><\/span><\/a>
by Donna L. Washington <\/span><\/p>\r\n

(Kwanzaa)<\/span>
Kwanzaa is hard for Li\u2019l Rabbit because he\u2019s just too little to help with the preparations. But one thing Li\u2019l Rabbit loves is the big feast of Karamu. Unfortunately, Granna Rabbit is sick and can\u2019t prepare the feast. With a little help, maybe Li\u2019l Rabbit can give Granna a special gift! <\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n

\r\n \r\n \"The<\/a>\r\n

The Ninth Night of Hanukkah<\/cite><\/span><\/a>
by Erica Perl<\/span><\/p>\r\n

(Hanukkah)<\/span>
It\u2019s Max and Rachel\u2019s first Hanukkah in their new house\u2014but where is their Hanukkah box? Can they celebrate their favorite holiday without their menorah, their dreidel, or their father\u2019s lucky latke pan? But Max and Rachel may discover that Hanukkah can be special even without the trimmings.<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n

\r\n \r\n \"Tree<\/a>\r\n

Tree of Cranes<\/cite><\/span><\/a>
by Allen Say<\/span><\/p>\r\n

(Japan)<\/span>
After a little boy disobeys his mother and visits the neighbor\u2019s pond, he\u2019s afraid his mother will be angry with him. And it certainly seems that something<\/span> is wrong. His mother is acting so strangely: folding paper cranes and digging up a tree in the garden. Is there is a reason for it all? <\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n

\r\n \r\n \"'Twas<\/a>\r\n

'Twas Nochebuena <\/cite><\/span><\/a>
by Rosanne Greenfield Thong <\/span><\/p>\r\n

(Central America)<\/span>
Everyone knows the traditional \"'Twas the Night Before Christmas\" poem, but this delightful new version celebrates Hispanic culture and holiday traditions. Take a seat at the table and join the family fiesta with fun, food, and festivities\u2014and learn a little Spanish along the way!<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n

\r\n \r\n \"The<\/a>\r\n

The Tomten<\/cite><\/span><\/a>
by Astrid Lindgren <\/span><\/p>\r\n

(Sweden)<\/span>
In Sweden, there are many legends about the tiny, bearded troll known as the Jultomten, and this picture book tells one of the sweetest. In this lyrical tale, the Tomten arrives at a sleepy, snow-blanketed farm and visits all the animals who live there, reminding them that spring will come again soon.<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n

\r\n \r\n \"Little<\/a>\r\n

Little Red Ruthie <\/cite><\/span><\/a>
by Gloria Koster <\/span><\/p>\r\n

(Hanukkah)<\/span>
This fresh take on a classic fairy tale features a spunky new heroine: Little Red Ruthie! While on her way to her Bubbe Basha\u2019s house, Little Red Ruthie dreams of eating her Bubbe\u2019s wonderful latkes, but she soon runs into a scheming wolf who thinks Ruthie will be the perfect Hanukkah snack!<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n

\r\n \r\n \"Together<\/a>\r\n

Together for Kwanzaa<\/cite><\/span><\/a>
by Juwanda G. Ford <\/span><\/p>\r\n

(Kwanzaa)<\/span>
Kayla loves celebrating Kwanzaa with her family. In fact, it's her favorite time of year! But this year a snowstorm may keep Kayla's brother away--and Kayla knows Kwanza won't be the same without Khari. But there may be a way for Khari and Kayla to spend the holiday together.<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n

\r\n \r\n \"The<\/a>\r\n

The Night of Las Posadas<\/cite><\/span><\/a>
by Tomie dePaola <\/span><\/p>\r\n

(Mexico)<\/span>
Sister Angie has been leading the Las Posadas celebration for years, and this year she\u2019s especially<\/span> excited to have her niece and nephew playing the parts of Mary and Joseph. But when Angie catches a cold and a snowstorm threatens to ruin the pageant, help arrives from an unlikely source.<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t

\r\n \r\n \"Christmas<\/a>\r\n

Christmas Around the World <\/cite><\/span><\/a>
by Mary D. Lankford <\/span><\/p>\r\n

(Multicultural)<\/span>
Experience the diversity of Christmas in a dozen different countries with traditions like Filipino lanterns, candlelit Swedish crowns, a Canadian parade of ships, and much more! This collection of rich holiday celebrations is your family\u2019s passport to Christmas Around the World<\/cite>.<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n

\r\n \r\n \"Bringing<\/a>\r\n

Bringing In the New Year<\/cite><\/span><\/a>
by Grace Lin <\/span><\/p>\r\n

(Chinese New Year)<\/span>
The Lunar New Year is here with all its color, excitement, and traditions! Every page of this vibrant picture book hums with activity as a Chinese family prepares for their big February celebration. Join in as they prepare favorite foods, don festive outfits, and wake up the New Year dragon!<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n

\r\n \r\n \"Hanukkah<\/a>\r\n

Hanukkah Haiku<\/cite><\/span><\/a>
by Harriet Ziefert <\/span><\/p>\r\n

(Hanukkah)<\/span>
Celebrate the coming of Hanukkah with this engaging interactive picture book! Read aloud each perfectly crafted haiku as you learn a new Hanukkah tradition and add a candle to the ever-growing menorah. Brightly colored illustrations will draw you in, bringing you back to this delightful book again and again!<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n

\r\n \r\n \"The<\/a>\r\n

The Baker's Dozen<\/cite><\/span><\/a>
by Aaron Shepard <\/span><\/p>\r\n

(St. Nicholas)<\/span>
In this gorgeously illustrated picture book, Van Amsterdam--an honest-to-a-fault baker--refuses to give a thirteenth St. Nicholas cookie to an old woman who only paid for a dozen of his delicious treats. His lack of generosity proves unlucky, as his shop mysteriously begins to lose business.<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n

\r\n \r\n \"Lucia<\/a>\r\n

Lucia Morning in Sweden<\/cite><\/span><\/a>
by Ewa Rydaker <\/span><\/p>\r\n

(Sweden)<\/span>
On December 13, Swedish families celebrate Lucia Day with special foods, costumes, and a crown of candles. And now, with this fun and informational picture book, your family can celebrate Lucia Day along with the Svensson children. Be sure to check the back of the book for recipes, songs, and more!<\/p>\r\n <\/div> \r\n \r\n

\r\n \r\n \"The<\/a>\r\n

The Shortest Day<\/cite><\/span><\/a>
by Susan Cooper <\/span><\/p>\r\n

(Winter Solstice)<\/span>
The shortest day of the year may not seem like an obvious cause for celebration, but this poetic picture book will make you think differently! Ancient cultures recognized the shortest day as a day of festivity, rebirth, and hope, and this book can help your family do the same!<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n

\r\n \r\n \"The<\/a>\r\n

The 12 Days o Yule<\/cite><\/span><\/a>
by Susan Rennie <\/span><\/p>\r\n

(Yule\/Scotland)<\/span>
This charming Scottish version of \u201cThe 12 Days of Christmas\u201d is sure to bring a bonny smile to the face of readers young and old! But instead of French hens, gold rings, and swans a-swimming, you\u2019ll sing your way from one reid robin all the way to twelve dirlin drummers, and you\u2019ll be glad you did!<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n

\r\n \r\n \"Shant\u00e9<\/a>\r\n

Shant\u00e9 Keys and the
New Year's Peas <\/cite><\/span><\/a>
by Gail Piernas-Davenport <\/span><\/p>\r\n

(New Year\/Multicultural)<\/span>
Oh no! Shant\u00e9\u2019s Grandma forgot to buy black-eyed peas for her family\u2019s traditional New Year\u2019s celebration dinner! Now Shant\u00e9 is on a mission to find black-eyed peas. But when she discovers her neighbors don\u2019t celebrate the new year the same way her family does, what will Shant\u00e9 do?<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n

\r\n \r\n \"A<\/a>\r\n

A World of Cookies
for Santa<\/cite><\/span><\/a>
by M.E. Furman <\/span><\/p>\r\n

(Multicultural)<\/span>
This clever tour of tasty Christmas traditions travels the globe with stops in the United States, Poland, Egypt, and beyond! Learn about the traditional (and delicious!) treats that children from all around the world leave out for Santa Claus, the Wise Men, and Baba Noel on Christmas Eve!<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n

FREE Holiday Picture Books Around the World Library List<\/h2>\r\n
\r\n \r\n \"download<\/a>

Would you like to read some of my favorite holiday picture books with your children? <\/p>\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t

Download our FREE Picture Books Library List<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n

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Holiday Picture Books Recommended by Our Readers<\/h2>\r\n