Children's Book Suggestions | Winter Holidays

Winter holiday-themed picture books from our December scavenger hunt in the Children's Room!

Updated November 30, 2023
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Santa's gotta go!
Barnes, Derrick
Paper Book
We all know that Santa Claus is one cool dude! But how is he as a houseguest? Find out in this hilarious picture book by bestselling author Derrick Barnes! The number one thing on Monte and Mabel's Christmas wish list is the chance to hang out with Santa Claus. So, when his...
Christmas in the barn
Brown, Margaret Wise
Paper Book
From the bestselling author of classics like Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny comes a Christmas story sure to delight readers for generations. With gentle, lyrical text from Margaret Wise Brown and heartwarming illustrations from Caldecott Honor-winning artist Diane Goode, Christmas in...
Ten ways to hear snow
Camper, Cathy
Paper Book
A snowy day, a trip to Grandma's, time spent cooking with one another, and space to pause and discover the world around you come together in this perfect book for reading and sharing on a cozy winter day. One winter morning, Lina wakes up to silence. It's the sound of snow -- the...
Babushka : a Christmas tale
Casey, Dawn
Paper Book
On the eve of the very first Christmas, an old grandmother is busy tidying her home when a bright star illuminates the sky. Soon three wise men arrive and invite Babushka to join them in their travels--following the star in search of a newborn babe, the Prince of Peace. But there are dishes to be...
The shortest day
Cooper, Susan
Paper Book
In this seasonal treasure, Newbery Medalist Susan Cooper's beloved poem heralds the winter solstice, illuminated by Caldecott Honoree Carson Ellis's strikingly resonant illustrations. So the shortest day came, and the year died . . . As the sun...
Nine days to Christmas : a story of Mexico
Ets, Marie Hall
Paper Book
Generations of readers have treasured this 1960 Caldecott Medal winner and its tale of a little Mexican girl's excitement at the approach of Christmas. Ceci eagerly awaits Las Posadas, the traditional nine-day series of yuletide celebrations. This year she'll lead the candlelight...
Santa Bruce
Higgins, Ryan T.
Paper Book
Bruce is a lot of things. He is a bear. He is a grump. He is a pretty decent cook. And he is a mother. One thing Bruce is not? Santa Claus. But that doesn't stop the whole forest from lining up to give him their Christmas wishes when he becomes the victim of mistaken identity - again. Kids will howl...
All-of-a-kind family Hanukkah
Jenkins, Emily
Paper Book
The beloved characters from Sydney Taylor's All-of-a-Kind Family return in this heartwarming picture book from the acclaimed author and Caldecott Award-winning artist. A Kirkus Reviews best book of the year that is perfect for Hanukkah gift-giving! "Share this joyous holiday...
The last Christmas tree
Krensky, Stephen.
Paper Book
A "heartwarming, magical tale"--SLJ Among the grand balsam firs and pines at the Christmas tree lot is a little hunched tree that is missing several branches. Still, no tree is more filled with the spirit of Christmas. As the weeks go by, many others are selected but still...
Snow horses : a first night story
MacLachlan, Patricia
Paper Book
From Newbery Medal-winning author Patricia MacLachlan comes a cozy picture book of love, light, and community during New Year's and taking the past with us as we step into the future, brought to life with tender and intricate cut paper illustrations. On the very last evening...
Wintercake
Perkins, Lynne Rae
Paper Book
This cozy, gently humorous, and irresistible holiday tale from Newbery Medalist and New York Times-bestselling author Lynne Rae Perkins features universal themes of friendship, community, empathy, and generosity. Wintercake is a great pick for story times during the winter...
Zee grows a tree
Rusch, Elizabeth
Paper Book
A fact-filled story about a little girl and an evergreen tree that grow up side by side. Perfect for anyone who loves the natural world--or wonders about the origins of their holiday tree. On the morning little Zee Cooper is born, a Douglas-fir seedling emerges from the nursery...
It's Diwali!
Sehgal, Kabir
Paper Book
Count along in celebration of Diwali, the Indian Festival of Lights, in this luminous picture book from bestselling mother-son duo Surishtha and Kabir Sehgal. Count up to ten and back down again to the tune of "One, Two, Buckle My Shoe" while learning about the traditions that...
Playing with lanterns
Wang, Yage (College teacher)
Paper Book
Zhao Di wishes the New Year would never end! Zhao Di and her friends are excited to go out at night with their paper lanterns and celebrate Chinese New Year. Each holding a unique colorful lantern with a lit candle inside, they admire the breathtaking colors while doing their best...
Don't let the pigeon drive the sleigh!
Willems, Mo
Paper Book
From #1 New York Times bestselling, award-winning author and illustrator Mo Willems comes a new holiday classic. It's the most wonderful time of the year--for driving a sleigh! 'Tis also the season--for driving a sleigh! Oh, and joy to the--driving a sleigh!...
I know an old lady who swallowed a dreidel
Yacowitz, Caryn
Paper Book
You've never seen Hanukkah or the "I Know an Old Lady" story like this before . . . through hilarious takes on the world's greatest works of art!A family drives through the snow to visit their beloved bubbe, who spreads out a Chanukah supper for everyone to enjoy. But one dish goes a little...
The people remember
Zoboi, Ibi Aanu
Paper Book
From award-winning, New York Times bestselling author Ibi Zoboi comes her debut picture book--a tour de force that uses the principles of Kwanzaa to talk about the history of African Americans. This lyrical, powerful tribute is sumptuously illustrated by New Yorker artist and rising star Loveis...

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