holiday stories to read with your kids

Holiday Stories to Read to Your Kids

The holiday season is filled with traditions and extras. We enjoy the treats and fun associated with whichever holiday our family celebrates. In between all the joy-filled traditions and fun, why not cuddle up with your kids and dig into some holiday stories? The holidays are a wonderful time to discover some new books or even to enjoy them again for another year.  Favorite holiday books could become part of your holiday traditions. So let’s look at some holiday stories to read to your kids.

We love using our signs and songs to establish a reading together routine. Let’s start by learning the sign for book. It looks just like you are opening a book! Our Story Time episode on the My Signing Time app is a fun way to explore the magic of reading together. If you have already seen the episode you know that we love reading our books! Our Signing Time series is full of fun songs that can help get you excited to sit down for story time. Did you know that you can stream our song “I’d Love to Read a Book” on Amazon Music, Spotify, and Apple Music! This can be a great way to help call everyone together for your family story time. You can also ask Alexa to play the album “Signing Time Christmas by Rachel Coleman“.

asl sign for book

And to do the sign for books, you simply open and close your hands to show more and more books. You can also show a stack of books or books on a shelf. See how to do these signs here.

How to Find Holiday Stories

Your local library will have a holiday section in the children’s section. Head there to explore and choose what looks interesting to you and your child. You could also ask your librarian for recommendations. 

If you need help narrowing these options down, you can search online for book recommendations by age and by the holiday you would like to read about.

Here are some book recommendations to get you started

For Hanukkah

Hanukkah by Schotter – this award winning book tells about one family’s Hanukkah celebration and the significance of tradition.

The Trees of the Dancing Goats by Polacco – Tricia’s family helps their neighbors when an epidemic strikes during their Hanukkah celebration.

The Dreidel That Wouldn’t Spin: A Toyshop Tale of Hanukkah by Marth Seif Simpson – a story of how wonders still occur for those who are ready for them.

All of a Kind Family Hanukkah by Emily Jenkins – the characters from Sydney Taylor’s classic, All of a Kind Family, celebrate Hanukkah in 1912 on the Lower East Side of New York City.

Oskar and the Eight Blessings by Richard Simon and Tanya Simon – Oskar finds kindness as he begins a new life.

Simon and the Bear by Eric Kimmel – a fanciful Hanukkah tale that celebrates family, friendship, hope, selflessness, sharing,faith, courage, and love.

For Christmas

The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie dePaola – the Mexican legend of how the poinsettia came to be through the selfless gift of a child.

Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien – magical North Pole tales that Tolkien told his own children.

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats -this Caldecott Award winner tells the story of young Peter, who goes out exploring after the first snowfall of the season.

Dream Snow by Eric Carle – an old farmer settles down for a nap on Christmas Eve, wondering how Christmas can come when there is no snow.

A Christmas Carol by Jennifer Adams and Alison Oliver – a board book to introduce Dicken’s famous tale to your little ones.

The Christmas Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood – encourages kids to notice the quiet parts of Christmastime.

Pete the Cat Saves Christmas by Eric Litwin and Pete the Cat’s 12 Groovy Days of Christmas by Kimberly and James Dean – Christmas fun with Pete the Cat!

Miracle on 133rd Street by Sonia Manzano – neighbors come together in a lively urban Christmas tale.

Nutcracker by E.T.A. Hoffmann – the classic, beautifully illustrated Christmas tale.

The Nutcracker in Harlem by T.E. McMorrow – a jazzy holiday update to the classic tale.

Snowmen at Christmas by Caralyn Buehner – have fun finding all the hidden figures throughout the book!

holiday stories to read to your kids

For Kwanzaa

My First Kwanzaa by Karen Katz – a good introduction to Kwanzaa for little ones.

The Sound of Kwanzaa by Dimitrea Tokunbo – a colorful presentation of the principles of Kwanzaa.

My First Kwanzaa Book by Deborah Chocolate – tells the story of a family as they prepare for the celebration.

The Seven Days of Kwanzaa by Melrose Cooper – uses the popular Christmas song to explain the seven days of Kwanzaa.

Together for Kwanzaa by Juwanda G. Ford – Kayla hopes her brother can make it home for Kwanzaa.

Li’l Rabbit’s Kwanzaa by Donna L. Washington – celebrates the true meaning of Kwanzaa: coming together to help others.

For blended and ethnic celebrations

Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama by Selina Alko – a celebration of blended family holidays.

Between Us and Abuela by Mitali Perkins – a heartwarming Christmas story at the border of the U.S. and Mexico.

A Piñata in a Pine Tree: A Latino Twelve Days of Christmas by Pat Mora – a fun twist on the classic Christmas Carol.

‘Twas Nochebuena by Roseann Greenfield Thong – a bilingual tale of Christmas Eve traditions.

Yoon and the Christmas Mitten by Helen Recorvits – a beautiful story about sharing holiday traditions.

It’s always good to read with your children. It’s good for building your relationship and for growing their minds. Take some extra time this holiday season to enjoy reading these holiday stories with your kids!

And remember that our gift to you this season is Signing Time Christmas, available to stream for free on our My Signing Time app. You can enjoy this and more fun programming anytime with a My Signing Time subscription. Try it with a 14-day free trial here.

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