The holidays are a time for celebration! And what better way to spread cheer than opening up a festive story. This time of year can be full of hustle and bustle, but I love the quieter, cozy moments that are perfect for sitting and reading. These picture books tell tales of tradition, community, culture, and of course, lots of fun! Plus, they are filled with awesome illustrations and photography. They truly are works of art! I might be a little biased, but I think that books make the perfect gift, so these are especially wonderful to share with someone you love.
Todd Parr, with his signature colors and art style, invites readers to be joyful! There are so many ways to spread joy when holidays and celebrations occur. We all have our own special ways to celebrate and it’s even better when we share that happiness with those around us!
This beautiful book from Coretta Scott King Award Honoree Hope Anita Smith, with illustrations from Bea Jackson, follows Kanoni as she receives a kinara for Christmas and prepares for her first celebration. Through lyrical poems full of holiday warmth, this heartfelt picture book follows Kanoni’s first Kwanzaa and highlights the many different ways to uplift its seven principles.
Celebrate a child’s first experience meeting a Black Santa Claus! Khalil is so excited for Christmas, but after a classmate says his drawing of Santa isn’t quite right, Khalil is left wondering if there’s a Santa like him. With inspiring text from Tonya Abari and warm illustrations from Raissa Figueroa, this story pairs holiday joy with the power of representation.
While the holidays are a time for joy, sometimes the weather outside can be a little…frightful. Or at the very least, pretty dark. But this joyful Christmas tale brings light into the darkness of winter by celebrating friends and togetherness! It’s a heartfelt story filled with wondrous wintertime illustrations, that feels as warm as a big cup of cocoa.
In this fun twist on the classic holiday carol, “The 12 Days of Christmas,” five golden rings become five Nana hugs, eight maids-a-milking become eight mugs of cocoa, and much more. It’s all about family coming together for the holidays and not wasting a single second of this joyous occasion!
This Christmas is a festival celebration with soul, from bestselling creators Regis and Kahran Bethencourt, the husband-and-wife duo behind CreativeSoul Photography. They’ve combined holiday favorites—from “Jingle Bells” and “Silent Night” to A Christmas Carol and The Nutcracker with glittering photos that capture the beauty of Black and brown children. Every spread brims with holiday cheer!
A hilarious holiday tale about the highs and lows of eating one very special Three Kings Day dessert: the Rosca de Reyes, a sweet bread with a figurine of the baby Jesus hidden inside! This humorous story of one girl’s journey to overcome her fears explores the traditions of Three Kings Day and the importance of family and faith.
Any book makes the perfect gift, but this truly feels like unwrapping a present, a book, and a pop-up greeting card, all in one festive package! It has adorable illustrations, bouncing, rhyming text, and is just brimming with happiness. It’s the little POP of joy you need!
