Christmas Around the World

A list of children's books exploring Christmas traditions all over the world

Updated December 15, 2023
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Tree of cranes
Say, Allen.
Paper Book
As a young Japanese boy recovers from a bad chill, his mother busily folds origami paper into delicate silver cranes in preparation for the boy's very first Christmas.
The legend of Old Befana : an Italian Christmas story
DePaola, Tomie
Paper Book
In this beloved classic picture book, Tomie dePaola retells and illustrates an Italian Christmas folk tale, breathing warmth and humanity into the character of the lonely Old Befana and her endless search for the Christ Child. Every morning and every afternoon, Old Befana sweeps...
Red and green and blue and white
Wind, Lee
Paper Book
Inspired by a true story, this is a tale of a community that banded together to spread light. It's a holiday season that both Isaac, whose family is Jewish, and Teresa, whose family is Christian, have looked forward to for months! They've been counting the days, playing in...
The night of Las Posadas
DePaola, Tomie
Paper Book
Tomie dePaola's glorious paintings are as luminous as the farolitos that light up on the Plaza in Santa Fe for the procession of Las Posadas, the tradition in which Mary and Joseph go from door to door seeking shelter at the inn on Christmas Eve. This year Sister Angie, who is...
Christmas in Noisy Village
Lindgren, Astrid
Paper Book
Let the beloved author of Pippi Longstocking take you on an adventure to Noisy Village!  The noisy children of three neighboring families are celebrating the season by baking cookies, cutting and decorating trees, eating fruitcake and tarts, and opening Christmas...
Christmas around the world
Glass, Calliope.
Paper Book
Join Pedro, Zanele, and all their friends for some Christmas merriment around the globe. Watch holiday fireworks in Brazil, decorate a mango tree in South Africa, and set out wooden shoes for Sinterklaas in the Netherlands! Filled with holiday cheer, this 8x8 has simple and engaging text,...
A piñata in a pine tree : a Latino twelve days of Christmas
Mora, Pat.
Paper Book
An award-winning author and a rising star artist have put a festive Latino twist on "The Twelve Days of Christmas," populating it with piñatas in place of partridges, plus burritos bailando (dancing donkeys), lunitas cantando (singing moons), and much more, all displayed in the most...
The real Santa
Redd, Nancy Amanda
Paper Book
Join one Black family on their journey to discover what the real Santa looks like in this joyous tale celebrating identity, family and holiday cheer, from the New York Times bestselling author of Bedtime Bonnet. It's not Christmas without Santa! But what does Santa...
The Christmas mitzvah
Gottesfeld, Jeff
Paper Book
Al Rosen, a Jewish man, takes on the jobs of his Christian neighbors on Christmas Eve and day so they can spend the holiday with their families, starting a tradition that lasts for decades. A mitzvah, as Al explains, is a good deed, especially apt on holidays. A strong cross-over read,...
Miracle on 133rd Street
Manzano, Sonia
Paper Book
An urban family's dilemma becomes a community celebration in this delectable holiday treat from Sonia Manzano, also known as "Maria" on Sesame Street. It's Christmas Eve and Mami has bought a delicious roast for a Christmas feast. But, oh no! It's too big to fit in the...
'Twas nochebuena
Thong, Roseanne.
Paper Book
'Twas Nochebuena and all through our casa, every creature was kneading tamale masa... It's Christmas Eve, and you're invited to a Nochebuena celebration! Follow a family as they prepare to host a night filled with laughter, love, and Latino tradition. Make...
The Christmas coat : memories of my Sioux childhood
Sneve, Virginia Driving Hawk.
Paper Book
Virginia's coat is too small and hardly protects her from the frigid South Dakata winter. As Christmas approaches, all the children on the Sioux reservation look forward to receiving boxes full of clothing sent by congregations in the East. Virginia spots a beautiful gray fur coat but holds back...
A world of cookies for Santa : follow Santa's Tasty Trip Around the World
Furman, M. E.
Paper Book
A World of Cookies for Santa takes readers across the globe to see all the treats that await Santa on Christmas Eve. Head to the Philippines, where children leave out puto seko cookies and ginger tea for Santa; jet to Russia for a honey-spice cookie; then set out for Malawi for a sweet...
Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama
Alko, Selina.
Paper Book
A perfect gift for the holiday season, no matter what you celebrate! I am a mix of two traditions. From Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama. How lucky am I? Holiday time at Sadie's house means golden gelt sparkling under the Christmas...
The Nutcracker in Harlem
McMorrow, T. E.
Paper Book
A Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book of the Year! This jazz-inspired reinvention of The Nutcracker is a worthy tribute to the dreamlike wonder and magic of the Christmas season. In this original retelling, set in New York City during the height of the Harlem...
The spider's gift : a Ukrainian Christmas story
Kimmel, Eric A.
Paper Book
Katrusya is devastated that her family cannot afford Christmas presents this year, but it simply wouldn't be Christmas without a tree. She soon finds the perfect one in the deepest part of the forest and decorates it with homemade ornaments. But the next day the tree is crawling with spiders!...
Yoon and the Christmas mitten
Recorvits, Helen.
Paper Book
In "My Name Is Yoon," Yoon's parents encouraged her to write her name in English instead of Korean. Now it's Yoon's turn to teach her parents about something she's learned in America. When Yoon's teacher lends her a book about Santa Claus, Yoon can't wait to show it to her parents. To Yoon's...
Krampus! : a yuletide adventure
Joines, Brian
Paper Book
"The best and funniest Christmas comic book ever." -- SLATE When the Secret Society of Santa Clauses are robbed of their holiday magic and rendered powerless by an unknown force, they have no choice but to enlist the infamous yuletide terror known as the Krampus to journey from...
The night before Christmas
Moore, Clement Clarke
Paper Book
#1 New York Times bestselling illustrator Loren Long presents a fresh, modern take on the classic Christmas poem about a visit from Santa Claus in this gorgeous new edition. An Indie Bestseller! Cozy up with the timeless tale that's been reimagined for the twenty...
The Christmas book flood
Kilgore, Emily
Paper Book
Start your own holiday tradition inspired by this bestselling Yuletide story. Based on a real Icelandic tradition where people gift books to their family and friends on Christmas Eve, The Christmas Book Flood brings all the sparkle and anticipation of the winter season―and of the...

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