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Holidays Around the World
'Tis the holiday season for celebration, festivity, and family gathering. This Showcase features books
that celebrate holidays and festivals, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, New Year, Passover, Easter, and many other international holidays. This list includes classic and new holiday titles.
Please browse the titles below and click on those that interest you to see cover art and a full book
description. Some of the titles may also include examples of interior art that offer a clearer representation of the actual book. The titles included in the Showcase are selected by their publishers
who provide the art and descriptive information.
These books are available at your local bookstore, which we urge you to patronize. Your local
bookseller can supply these titles and offer professional, informed help in selecting other good books for children. Check the American Booksellers Association's directory of member bookstores for a bookseller near you.
If you do not have convenient access to any local bookstores, you can purchase these CBC Showcase books online from independent bookstores at  .
CBC Showcase is a bimonthly thematic bibliography available only online. Please visit the Showcase Archive to view previous lists, which include Poetry Titles, Math and Counting Books, Folk and Fairy
tales, The African-American Experience, Humorous Books, Holiday Titles, and much more.
The next Showcase featuring historical fiction for young readers will be online as of January 1, 2002.
1621: A New Look at Thanksgiving
, written by Catherine O'Neill Grace and Margaret M. Bruchac with Plimoth Plantation, photographs by Sisse Brimberg
and Cotton Coulson. Ages 8-12. Starred reviews from Booklist, Publishers Weekly, and School Library Journal! (National Geographic Society)
Angelina's Christmas
, written by Katharine Holabird, illustrated by Helen Craig.
Ages 3-8. Angelina and Henry set out to deliver Christmas cookies to old Mr. Bell and discover a Santa Claus living in their very own village. (Pleasant Company Publications)
Beto and the Bone Dance
, written and illustrated by Gina Freschet. Ages 4-8. Beto searches all day for something all his own to put
on his grandmother's grave for the Day of the Dead. (Farrar, Straus and Giroux)
Bright Star Shining: Poems for Christmas
, selected by Michael Harrison and Christopher Stuart-Clark. All ages.
A diverse collection of poetry about Christmas, highlighting the personal experiences of the first Christmas through the traditions of Christmas today. (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers)
Cat in the Manger
, written and illustrated by Michael Foreman. Ages 4-8.
A moving retelling of the Christmas story. (Henry Holt and Company)
The Christmas Barn
, written by C.L. Davis, illustrated by Raul Colon. Ages 10 and up.
An inspiring Christmas story set in the 1930's that delivers a timeless message-it's not what you have that matters-it's what you're made of. (Pleasant Company Publications)
Christmas in Camelot
, written by Mary Pope Osborne, illustrated by Sal Murdocca.
Join the characters of the beloved Magic Tree House series as they journey to Camelot for a magical holiday. (Random House)
The Christmas Promise
, written by Susan Campbell Bartoletti, illustrated by David Christiana. Ages 4 and up. In simple,
poetic prose, master storyteller Susan Bartoletti presents a time in the American economy when parents and children were often separated, not from lack of love, but from lack of jobs and lack of
income. (The Blue Sky Press)
A Christmas Story
, written and illustrated by Brian Wildsmith. Ages 3 and up. Who followed Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem?
The shepherds tending their flocks nearby, the wise men, and Rebecca. (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers)
The Family Treasury of Jewish Holidays
, written by Malka Drucker, illustrated by Nancy Patz. Ages: Kindergarten-Grade 3.
"Nine holidays of the Jewish year are thoroughly covered in this large, well-designed volume. A good source" —The Bulletin. (Little, Brown and Co.)
Giving Thanks: The 1621 Harvest Feast
, written by Kate Waters with Plimoth Plantation, illustrated by Russ Kendall.
Ages 6-9. With stunning photos and moving text, Kate Waters and Russ Kendall present a unique version of this famous harvest feast by telling the story through the eyes of both a Pilgrim boy and Wanpanoag Indian boy. (Scholastic Press)
Hannah's Bookmobile Christmas
, written by Sally Derby, illustrated by Gabi Swiatkowska.
Ages 4-7. A warm-spirited Christmas story about friendship and generosity, with a touch of adventure. (Henry Holt and Company)
Happy New Year, Everywhere!
, written by Arlene Erlbach, illustrated by Sharon Lane Holm. Ages 5-8. "This excellent offering
briefly describes traditional New Year's celebrations in 20 countries. Particular strengths are the activities and the lengthy bibliography."—School Library Journal. (The MIllbrook Press, Inc.)
Harriet and George's Christmas Treat
, written and illustrated by Nancy Carlson. Ages 3-8. Join Harriet and George as they go to hilarious lengths
to avoid Ms. Hoozit and her dreaded Christmas fruitcake. (Lerner Publishing Group)
Hanukkah: A Counting Book In English, Hebrew, and Yiddish
, written and illustrated by Emily Sper. Ages 3-6.
Graphic, vibrant artwork and die-cuts in the shape of candles and their flames combine beautifully to create this informative and elegant gift book about one of the most joyous Jewish holidays. (Scholastic Inc.)
A Houseful of Christmas
, written by Barbara Joosse, illustrated by Betsy Lewin.
Ages 4-8. A traditional heart-warming family Christmas celebration. (Henry Holt and Company)
The Jolly Christmas Postman
, written by Alan Ahlberg, illustrated by Nancy Ahlberg.
Ages: Kindergarten-Grade 3. The Jolly Postman returns with a pouch overflowing with holiday cheer—all tucked into envelopes bound right into the book. (Little, Brown and Co.)
The Last Straw
, written by Frederick Thury, illustrated by Vlasta van Kampen. All ages.
"A grumpy camel's boast comes back to haunt him in this engaging Christmas picture-book tale..." —Booklist (Charlesbridge)
Little Miss Spider: A Christmas Wish
, written and illustrated by David Kirk.
Ages 4-7. In this charming new tale for the young, David Kirk has created a sparkling story for the holiday season about generosity and compassion, and finding one's way home. (Scholastic Press)
The Little Seahorse and the Christmas Pearl
, written by Mischa Damjan, illustrated by Alexander Reichstein. Ages 5-8.
A little seahorse learns of the birth of the newborn King of Peace and decides to bring him a gift from all the creatures in the sea. (North-South Books)
The Miracle of the Myrrh
, written by Marci Alborghetti, illustrated by Hervé Blondon. Ages 5-10. "An unforgettably poignant
original Christmas story of sacrificial hope that may enable readers from nine to ninety to experience Christmas with newfound tenderness." - Marion Bond West, Contributing Editor Guideposts. (Winslow Press)
Only a Star
, written by Margery Facklam, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. Ages 3 to 8. Were there decorations that
first Christmas night? Not the fancy ornaments of today, but there was the light of a very special star...and much more. (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers)
The Ox and the Donkey
, written by Günter Spang, illustrated by Loek Koopmans.
Ages 5-8. Lovely, reverent pictures illuminate a sweet story about a small but satisfying Christmas miracle. (North-South Books)
Peter Claus and the Naughty List
, written by Lawrence David, illustrated by Delphine Durand. Ages 6 and up. When Santa's son Peter Claus
finds himself on the "Naughty" list, he rounds up all the "naughty" kids in the world to make a case that they should receive presents on Christmas too. (Doubleday)
A Plump and Perky Turkey
, written by Teresa Bateman, illustrated by Jeff Shelly.
Ages 4-8. Squawk Valley employs great trickery to ensnare a main course for Thanksgiving and learns never to underestimate the wiles of a plump and perky turkey. (Winslow Press)
Rivka's First Thanksgiving
, written by Elsa Okon Rael, illustrated by Maryann Kovalski. Ages 5-9. Filled with warmth and humor,
Rivka's story makes for a perfect Thanksgiving tribute. (Margaret K. McElderry Books)
Rover Saves Christmas
, written by Roddy Doyle, illustrated by Brian Ajhar. Ages 8-12. Is this a story of some heroic figure
stepping in to help a desperate Santa Claus? Well, yes, sort of. (Rudolph's called in sick for his one day of work a year, and Rover the dog from The Giggler Treatment-the one who perfected the
"poo for cash" scheme-becomes a reluctant substitute.) (Arthur A. Levine Books, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.)
The Shine Man: A Christmas Story
. written by Mary Quattlebaum, illustrated by Tim Ladwig. Ages 5 and up. During the hard times of
1932, Larry the shoeshine man gives a child his cap and gloves, and receives a wonderful gift in return. (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers)
Silent Night
, written and illustrated by Sandy Turner.
All Ages. Christmas Eve, from the dog's point of view. (Atheneum Books for Young Readers)
Silent Night: The Song and Its Story
, written by Margaret Hodges, illustrated by Tim Ladwig. Ages 5 to adult. The intriguing story of how
the Christmas carol "Silent Night" was first written and performed in Austria in 1818. (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers)
Spirit Child: A Story of the Nativity
, translated from the Aztec by John Bierhorst, illustrated by Barbara Cooney.
Ages 5-8. This acclaimed picture book—originally published in 1984 and now available in both English and Spanish editions—brings to life a stirring message of hope and salvation. (SeaStar Books, a division of North-South Books)
Toot and Puddle: I'll Be Home For Christmas
, written and illustrated by Hollie Hobbie. Ages Preschool-Grade 3. It's almost time for Christmas
and Puddle is ready to bake fruitcake, make paper chains, and decorate the house and tree. But Toot is stranded in a winter storm far away. (Little, Brown and Co.)
'Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving
, written and illustrated by Dav Pilkey.
Ages 4-7. "Pilkey takes that holiday staple and recasts it as a Thanksgiving tale about a busload of schoolchildren who feel sorry for a friendly batch of turkeys and save them from the farmer's ax . . ." Booklist (Orchard Books)
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
, illustrated by Lesley Harker. Ages 2 and up. A picture book that literally sparkles, combining every
child's favorite rhyme with a sweet and quirky interpretation of the Christmas story. (The Chicken House)
Waiting for Noel
, written by Ann Dixon, illustrated by Mark Graham. Ages 4 to 10.
Noel's father tells her the story of how the whole family looked forward to her arrival and how they celebrated her birth as their own Christmas baby. (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers)
What's Cooking, Jamela?
, written and illustrated by Niki Daly. Ages 3-6. Jamela is responsible for fattening up the chicken intended
for Christmas dinner, but instead she gives it a name and makes it her friend. (Farrar, Straus and Giroux)
Zigazak! A Magical Hanukkah Night
, written by Eric A. Kimmel, illustrated by Jon Goodell.
Ages: 4-8. Two tricky devils arrive on the first night of Hanukkah, wreaking hilarious havoc until a wise rabbi sends them packing after a contest of wits. (Doubleday)
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