Must-Read Holiday Books for Children in 2025

In this beautiful, deeply moving poem, Maya Angelou inspires us to embrace the peace and promise of Christmas, so that hope and love can once again light up our holidays and the world. “Angels and Mortals, Believers and Nonbelievers, look heavenward,” she writes, “and speak the word aloud. Peace.”

In The Kwanzaa Story, little Alliah (of The Juneteenth Story fame) is all grown up and, along with her husband LeVaur, teaches their children Daphne and Alistair why they celebrate Kwanzaa as a family and as a community. This beautifully illustrated storybook shares the origins of the holiday–rooted in Africa, born in Los Angeles–giving historical and cultural context on how a joyful celebration was birthed after the Watts Rebellion and during the Civil Rights Movement. 

Pepe is excited to celebrate Christmas with his friends and family. In the town square, families are encouraged to decorate and share foods, traditions, and gifts for the holidays. With new food to taste, music to dance to, and a very special piñata to crack open, Pepe couldn’t be more excited to celebrate and share his Hispanic heritage. A day filled with joy and pride, this book joins Pepe and the Parade as a jubilant celebration of culture and identity.

All are cozy on this Christmas Eve night. This modern retelling starts with a family dressing the Christmas tree and setting out cookies and milk for a special visitor, while a delightful winter cityscape dazzles outside. Though the city never quite sleeps, the family inside—including the cat—are all snuggled up tight. But when a clatter wakes up one child and they glimpse St. Nick’s sleigh and eight reindeer from the window, a magical meeting occurs.

First, the flower grew wild―a yellow blossom with bracts that turn brilliant red in winter. The ancient Nahuas cultivated it; then it inspired Mexico’s most famous Christmas legend. After the flower caught the eye of Mexico’s first US ambassador, it became known as the Poinsettia. Yet it has many more names and traditions―and even more colors!

As Christmas approaches, Darryl is exploding with holiday anticipation! But first, he needs a new pair of glasses. A trip to the eye doctor opens his eyes to the many ways people celebrate the holidays. When he tries on their new cultural frames, he sees everything from colorful Hanukkah dreidels to the beautiful Diwali lights. Darryl learns that holiday joy comes in all shapes and sizes.

Kwanzaa is a holiday steeped in ancestral traditions collected over generations of people across the Black Diaspora. Once Upon a Kwanzaa introduces communities of all colors to the interwoven history and lived experiences connected to this time of year when families and loved ones gather to celebrate, share, and reimagine the past, present, and future. Sawyer Cloud’s stunning artwork showcases seven different BIPOC families and highlights how different peoples of the Diaspora can celebrate in their communities, from setting the table and lighting the Kinara to sharing meals and gathering at events. The book includes a glossary and pronunciation guide.

It’s almost time for Christmas, and excitement is running high! It might not be here yet, but there’s so much to do before the merry day arrives…

From decorating the Christmas tree with ornaments to wrapping presents, baking cookies, and caroling, there are endless ways to celebrate! But not everyone can read the signs of the highly anticipated holiday on the way…

In Hope in the Nick of Time, Nick learns about “hoping skills” – ways to see the good, even when things feel bad. With a little perspective and a lot of heart, Nick begins to see the city through new eyes and finds that small acts of kindness add up to make a difference.

This warm and timely tale reminds readers that hope is all around us – and when we struggle to find hope, it may be because we’re meant to be it.

After all, you never know, Santa might just be watching.

Featuring the classic character The Very Hungry Caterpillar, this cheerful Christmas tree–shaped book is a celebration of the season. See if you can spot The Very Hungry Caterpillar among ornaments, candy canes, gifts, and more! With Eric Carle’s bright, colorful illustrations, this is the perfect addition to every child’s library and a wonderful Christmas gift!

In this retelling of the holiday classic about jolly old St. Nicholas, a young Black girl patiently waits for Christmas morning with her family when, to her surprise, she chances upon Santa, with his red suit, hot-cocoa-colored cheeks, and snowy white beard.

On winter nights, an old sleigh delivers firewood, bringing warmth and light to a small town. But small towns get bigger and families grow. When the old sleigh is overwhelmed, a new sled and a new generation carry on the custom and ensure the town is warm and bright.

A luminous Christmas picture book about the traditions celebrating the story of Christ that make the season a time of joy, love, faith, and light.

From paper snowflakes to silver bells, reindeer to wise men, Christmas is a season of joy and song, giving and serving, loved ones and light that can last the whole year through. With Jess Redman’s beautiful poetic text and Ramona Kaulitzki’s luminous illustrations, Season of Light is sure to be a holiday favorite for years to come.

To the tune of Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star comes Twinkle Twinkle Hanukkah. This charming lyrical picture book celebrates the history of Hanukkah while engaging little ones in a fun sing-song read aloud.

​From lighting the menorah and spinning the dreidel, to eating latkes and frying sufganiyot in oil, this book would be the perfect holiday gift to teach kids about the many traditions of Hanukkah. It’s sure to be a latke fun for the whole family!

Young readers will love the game of hide-and-seek a sneaky elf is playing in this festive board book. Just when it looks like the elf might be on the next page…look again! Can you find the elf who will grant your Christmas wish?

In Love Is a Candle‚ discover how Hanukkah brings the Jewish traditions of the menorah‚ challah, dreidel‚ and latke together‚ as a family gather around the table.