In the northern hemisphere, where the Children’s Diversity & Justice Library lives, it is winter. In only a few weeks, we will experience this year’s longest night and shortest day. Many cultures and religions recognize this time of year as a time to Welcome Light whether in the form of history, myth or legend, of evergreen trees or of sun, of candles or bulbs, or of stories and songs. Warmth and community are also celebrated through food, time with loved ones, acts of service and gestures of care and love.
As we move into a time when so many faiths, traditions, families and communities celebrate light, commemorate important events and gather together we wanted to share many of our favorite winter holiday themed books. These books all also include at least one of the fourteen primary dimensions of diversity in our collection, and/or are written by people whose identities or communities have historically been under published and under represented in literature. These, and hundreds more, are available for loan, at no cost, to library patrons. Click “Borrow A Book” to learn how you can bring these and other books home. If you’re not local to our lending program, please refer to these suggestions when looking for winter holidy books. May this list help you and yours welcome light and celebrate the season.
BOARD BOOKS
Hanukkah Lights written by David Martin, illustrated by Melissa Sweet
My First Kwanzaa (My First Holiday) by Karen Katz
Hanukkah: A Counting Book by Emily Sper
PICTURE BOOKS
Winter Candle written by Jeron Ashford, illustrated by Stacey Schuett
The Ninth Night of Hanukkah, Erica S. Perl and Shahar Kober
A Dog Named Haku: A Holiday Story from Nepal, Amish Karanjit, Margarita Engle, Ruth Jeyaveeran and Nicole Karanjit
The Shortest Day, Susan Cooper author, Carson Ellis illustrator
The Trees of the Dancing Goats by Patricia Polacco
Too Many Tamales - Gary Soto author, Ed Martinez illustrator
*The Real Santa - written by Nancy Redd and illustrated by Charnell Pinkney Barlow
Elijah’s Angel: A Story for Chanukah and Christmas by Michael J. Rosen
Oskar and the Eight Blessings by Tanya Simon, Mark Siegel illustrator
Rachel’s Christmas Boat by Sophie Labelle
Shante Keys and the New Year’s Peas by Gail Piernas-Davenport (author) and Marion Eldridge (illustrator)
Lights of Winter: Winter Celebrations Around the World by Heather Conrad
Snowflake Kisses and Gingerbread Smiles - Toni Trend Parker, author. Earl Anderson, illustrator.
*Queen of the Hanukkah Dosas by Pamela Ehrenberg, illustrated by Anjan Sarkar
*Twelve Dinging Doorbells: An Every-holiday Carol with words by Tameka Fryer Brown and pictures by Ebony Glenn
Together for Kwanzaa by Juwanda G. Ford
Daddy Christmas & Hanukkah Mama by Selina Alko
I Got the Christmas Spirit by Connie Schofield-Morrison, illustrated by Frank Morrison
A Solstice Tree for Jenny by Karen Shragg
*Feliz New Year, Ava Gabriela! written by Alexandra Alessandri, illustrated by Addy Rivera Sonda
Santa’s Husband, written by Daniel Kibblesmith
Latkes and Applesauce: A Hanukkah Story story by Fran Manushkin, art by Robin Spowart
*Seven Spools of Thread: A Kwanzaa Story - Angela Shelf Medaris, author; Daniel Minter, illustrations
*A World of Cookies for Santa: Follow Santa’s Tasty Trip Around the World written by M. E. Furman, with illustrations from Susan Gal
PICTURE / juvenile BOOKS
The People Remember written by Ibi Zoboi, illustrated by Loveis Wise
Angela and the Baby Jesus written by Frank McCourt with illustrations by Raul Colon
JUVENILE BOOKS
The Power of Light: Eight Stories for Hanukkah by Isaac Bashevis Singer
Hanukkah Moon by Deborah da Costa
JUVENILE / MIDDLE GRADES BOOKS
Kwanzaa Karamu: Cooking and Crafts for a Kwanzaa Feast written by April A. Brady, illustrations by Barabara Knutson
MIDDLE GRADES
The Return of the Light: Twelve Tales from Around the World for the Winter Solstice by Carolyn McVickar Edwards
Aisha’s Moonlight Walk: Stories and Celebrations for the Pagan Year by Anika Stafford
*Tru & Nelle: A Christmas Tale written by G. Neri
ADULT
*Circle Round: Raising Children in Goddess Traditions - written by Starhawk, Diane Baker and Anne HIll, with illustrations by Sara Ceres Boore