Festive Books for Kids
This year is Juni’s second Christmas. Last year she was only 7 months old and had no idea what was going on, so it feels like this is the first year we are all celebrating together. We had lots of traditions growing up, and I wanted to make up some of our own for our little family.
We decided on a book advent calendar - we’ve bought a new book to read every 3 days or so (one a day seemed a bit much at this age). We wanted them to be festive themed, but we aren’t religious and we didn’t want them to be too focused on Santa either. We put together this list to choose from, and we thought it might be quite nice to share incase anyone else is looking for some festive books for kids. I’m saving this myself, and will be adding to Juni’s collection next year too! If you have any family favourites, let us know in the comments below and we’ll add them to our list.
(Editing to add - Juni is currently 18 months. Some of these books are a little old for her - but she mainly likes the pictures anyway - this list is intended for children up to around age 7).
The Snowy Day
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Beautifully illustrated and diverse too.
The Story of the Snow Children by Sibylle von Olfers
The tale of a young girl visiting a snow princess’ birthday party, full of dancing snow children and snow people who deliver yummy Christmas treats.
I Got the Christmas Spirit by Connie Schofield-Morrison
An exploration of the festive season through sights and sounds.
The Tomten by Astrid Lindgren
A little troll wanders around a lonely old farm on winter nights, reminding all the animals of the promise of Spring.
The Big Snow by Berta and Elmer Hader
The woodland animals all know what to do when winter comes – a gentle, peaceful book with such expressive pictures of all the animals preparing for the big snow
Sun Bread
Sun Bread by Elisa Kleven
A baker tries to bring some warmth to the grey of winter. Includes a recipe for how to make your own sun bread!
The Longest Night by Marion Dane Bauer
On the longest night of the year, all the woodland creatures argue about who can bring back the sun.
The Nutcracker in Harlem by T. E. McMorrow
A Jazz inspired re-invention of The Nutcracker, set in New York City.
Hanukkah Bear by Eric Kimmel
An elderly woman who makes delicious latkes mistakes a bear for her rabbi.
The Trees of the Dancing Goats by Patricia Polacco
Celebrating the miracle of friendship and multiple faiths during the winter holiday season.
Around the Year by Elsa Beskow
Not strictly winter themed; the book contains a delightful verse and playful picture for each month of the year in this book, from icy February to the green shoots of April, and Christmas in December.
Lord Ganesha’s Feast of Laughter by Meera Uberoi
These tales of Lord Ganesha include old mythological favourites, like the stories about his birth and how he got his elephant head. Again, not strictly seasonal, but great to talk about how different religions celebrate at this time of year.
Winter by Gerda Muller
We have a few others of the books in this series - there’s one for each season. Beautifully illustrated board books that you can make up your own stories to.
Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
A gentle, poetic story that depicts the special companionship of a young child and her father as well as humankind's close relationship to the natural world.
Goodnight Moon
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
In a great green room, tucked away in bed, is a little bunny. "Goodnight room, goodnight moon." And to all the familiar things in the softly lit room—to the picture of the three little bears sitting on chairs, to the clocks and his socks, to the mittens and the kittens, to everything one by one—the little bunny says goodnight.
Goodnight Stories from the Life of the Prophet Muhammad by Saniyasnain Khan
A careful selection of twenty three magnificent tales from the life of the Prophet Muhammad retold for children.
Grandma’s Gift by Eric Velasquez
A lovely story of self-discovery, Grandma's Gift is a celebration of the special bond between a grandparent and grandchild.
If you can’t find these at your local bookstore - try Hive as an alternative to Amazon. Each purchase supports local book shops and small businesses.