Okay, this one’s impossible to constrain, so I’ll be breaking it up into categories. First, if you want a great resource for finding some of the best picture books out there, check out Read Brightly. They generate some great lists.
Today, I’ll do a seasonal-style list … So, things related to Christmas, Hanukkah or the solstice for those who celebrate those days as well as some other wintery titles.
Some Favorite Hanukkah Tales
Jeremy’s Dreidel by Ellie B. Gellman and Maria Mola
Runaway Dreidel by by Lesléa Newman and Kyrsten Brooker
Honeyky Hanukkah by Woody Guthrie and Dave Horowitz
A Hanukkah with Mazel by Joel Stein and Elisa Vavouri
A Hat for Mrs. Goldman by Michelle Edwards and G. Brian Karas
Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric A. Kimmel and Trina Schart Hyman
Little Red Ruthie: A Hanukkah Tale by Gloria Koster and Sue Eastland
Hanukkah Haiku by Harriet Ziefert and Karla Gudeon
In the Land of Happy Tears: Yiddish Tales for Modern Times by David Stromberg This one’s a collection of stories!
Celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah? Check out Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama by Selina Alko!
Some Favorite Christmas Tales
(‘Twas) the Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore is an obvious favorite, and there are so many wonderful versions out there. I just wanted to share ours, the one illustrated by Douglas W. Gorsline and the one illustrated by Rachel Isadora. Also, we haven’t read this one yet, but I have it on reserve and am excited to see it: ‘Twas Nochebuena by Roseanne Greenfield Thong and Sara Palacios.
The Little Reindeer by Nicola Killen
The Gift of Nothing by Patrick McDonnell We once gave this, and only this, just many friends and family.
Silent Night by Lara Hawthorne
Refuge by Anne Booth
The Little Drummer Boy by Ezra Jack Keats
Red and Lulu by Matt Tavare
An Otis Christmas by Loren Long
The Twelve Days of Christmas by Alison Jay
Samurai Santa: A Very Ninja Christmas by Rubin Pingk
The Wish Tree by Kyo Maclear and Chris Turnham
Christmas Farm by Mary Lyn Ray and Barry Root
The Night of Los Posadas by Tomie dePaola
Little Blue Truck’s Christmas (board book) by Alice Schertle and Jill McElmurry
La Noche Buena: A Christmas Story by Antonio Sacre
The Nutcracker in Harlem by T.E. McMorrow and James Ransome
Who Built the Stable? A Nativity Poem by Ashley Bryan
Between Us and Abuela: A Family Story from the Border by Mitali Perkins and Sara Palacios
Santa Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins
Other Winter Titles
These are some other favorite wintery tales.
Snow Globe Wishes by Erin Dealey and Claire Shorrock
Walking in a Winter Wonderland by Peggy Lee and Tim Hopgood
Snow by Uri Shulevitz
The Tomten by Astrid Lindgren
just about anything Jan Brett but especially The Trouble with Trolls and The Mitten
The Winter Train by Susanna Isern and Ester García
Small Walt by Elizabeth Verdick and Marc Rosenthal
Wolf in the Snow by Matthew Cordell
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost and Susan Jeffers
Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal
Once Upon a Snowstorm by Richard Johnson
and of course, The Snowy Day (board book) by Ezra Jack Keats
Also, this looks beautiful and I want to read it: First Snow by Bomi Park
Winter’s Solstice Books
The Shortest Day by Susan Cooper and Carson Ellis
The Winter Solstice by Ellen Jackson and Jan Davey Ellis
And for a multicultural tour of winter holidays, check out Lights of Winter by Heather Conrad and DeForest Walker.
(from December 16, 2019)