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Throughout the year, in all corners of the world, countries and peoples celebrate holidays special to their
religion or culture. This Showcase features books about these various holidays—some well know and some not so known—and how they are celebrated.
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.
Brigid's Cloak
, written by Bryce Milligan, illustrated by Helen Cann. Ages: 5 and up.
St. Brigid is transported to the night of the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem, the first of her many miracles. (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers)
Christmas Around the World
, written by Mary D. Lankford.
Ages: 8-12. Ethiopian fringed umbrellas; star-shaped Filipino parol lanterns; candlelit Swedish St. Lucia crowns—here are Christmas traditions from twelve different lands, like decorations on a splendid tree. (HarperTrophy)
Christmas Crafts from Around the World
, written by Judy Ann Sadler, illustrated by June Bradford. Ages: 7-11. Feliz Navidad! (Kids Can Press)
A Christmas Gift for Mama
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written by Lauren Thompson, illustrated by Jim Burke. Ages: 6-9. Grace attempts to regain some holiday magic by selling her beloved doll in this lovely retelling of the classic story, "The Gift of the Magi." (Scholastic Press)
Dance, Sing, Remember: A Celebration of Jewish Holidays
, written by Leslie Kimmelman, illustrated by Ora Eitan. Ages: All. Hag Sameach! Happy Holiday! The
perfect gift for any child learning about Jewish traditions, this is a lovingly written and beautifully illustrated treasury. (HarperCollins Children's Books)
The Dragon New Year: A Chinese Legend
, written by David Bouchard, illustrated by Zhoang-Yang Huang.
Ages: 6-10. The essence of ancient China is charmingly evoked for young readers by David Bouchard's tale of courage, kindness, love, and inspiration. (Peachtree Publishers)
Every Day's a Holiday: Amusing Rhymes for Happy Times
, written by Dean Koontz, illustrated by Phil Parks.
Ages: 8 & up. An assortment of clever, comic poems to cover all your favorite festivities - and then some! (HarperCollins Children's Books)
Father Fox's Christmas Rhymes
, written by Clyde Watson, illustrated by Wendy Watson. Ages: 4 - 8.
A cozy collection of holiday verse. (Farrar, Straus and Giroux)
Feliz Navidad
, written by Jose Feliciano, illustrated by David Diaz. Ages: All. A Caldecott Medal winner illustrates
Jose Feliciano's classic Christmas song! (Cartwheel)
Hallelujah Handel
, written by Douglas Cowling, illustrated by Jason Walker. Ages: 6-10.
Why is the Hallelujah Chorus the most popular and recognizable piece of classical music and why do people jump to their feet whenever they hear it? (Scholastic Press)
Hanukkah: A Counting Book
, written and illustrated by Emily Sper.
Ages: 3-5. This informative, elegant book is now available in paperback! (Scholatic Press)
Happy, Happy Chinese New Year!
, written by Demi Hitz. Ages: All. In a book that is itself a celebration, Demi explains the rituals and
ideas behind the Chinese New Year festival. (Random House Children's Books)
Hooray for Hanukkah!
, written by Fran Manushkin, illustrated by Carolyn Croll.
Ages: 5-8. In a new and very different approach to the traditional Hanukkah story, one family's celebration of the joyous Jewish winter holiday is seen from the perspective of the family menorah! (Random House Children's Books)
The Huron Carol
, illustrated by Frances Tyrrell. Ages: All. The Huron Carol, written in the Huron language by a Jesuit
missionary, tells the Christmas story using a traditional Huron setting. (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers)
The Last Straw
, written by Fredrick Thury, illustrated by Vlasta van Kampen.
Ages: All. "A grumpy camel's boast comes back to haunt him in this engaging Christmas picture-book tale..." —Booklist (Charlesbridge)
Look-Alikes Christmas
, written and illustrated by Joan Steiner.
Ages: All. This lavish giftbook features more than 1,000 objects to find, all created out of everyday objects from candles and candycanes, to pinecones and wishbones. (Little, Brown and Company)
Look What I See! Where Can I Be? At the Synagogue
, written by Dia L. Michels, illustrated by Michael J.N.Bowles.
Ages: 3- 8. Introduce children—Jews and non-Jews—to the richness of Jewish traditions during a week in autumn. Learn about Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot, Jewish weddings, Shabat, and more. (Platypus Media)
Look What I See! Where Can I Be? Visiting China
, written by Dia L. Michels, illustrated by Michael J. N. Bowles. Ages: 3 - 8. Vibrant, full-color
photography of Chinese history and culture - perfect for Chinese New Year. "Celebrates the kind of differences that make America special! " (Platypus Media)
Menorahs, Mezuzas, and Other Jewish Symbols
, written by Miriam Chaikin, illustrated by Erika Weihs.
Ages: 10 & up. An informative, illustrated look at the meaning of Jewish symbols, both in relation to religious holiday observance and historical significance. Newly published in paperback. (Clarion Books)
Milly and the Macy's Parade
, written by Shana Corey, illustrated by Brett Helquist.
Ages: 5-8. Inspired by the true story behind the first Macy's Parade in 1924, this heartwarming tale celebrates a treasured American pastime. (Scholastic Press)
The Night Before Christmas
, written by Clement C. Moore, illustrated by Anita Lobel.
Ages: All. A handsome holiday classic, now the perfect stocking stuffer! Anita Lobel's beautifully illustrated edition of The Night Before Christmas is now available in a small jacketed hardcover. (Random House Children's Books)
One World, Many Religions: The Ways We Worship
, written by Mary Pope Osborne. Ages: 9-12. Best-selling children's author Mary Pope Osborne presents an
accessible and elegantly crafted volume that introduces young readers to the world's seven major religions. (Random House Children's Books)
Small Plays for Special Days: Holiday Plays for You and a Friend
, written by Sue Alexander, illustrated by Tom Huffman.
Ages: 5-8. The perfect answer to "There's nothing to do!" This newly-reissued title introduces young children to directed play-acting through seven simple holiday-themed plays. (Clarion Books)
Snowflake Kisses and Gingerbread Smiles
, written by Toni Trent Parker, illustrated by Earl Anderson. Ages: up to 4. This book with its soft,
padded covers and rhyming text features photos of young African-American children celebrating Christmas. (Cartwheel)
The Story of Kwanzaa
, written by Donna L. Washington, illustrated by Stephen Taylor.
Ages: 6-10. A clear, yet inspiring, explanation of all the tradition associated with the African-American holiday of Kwanzaa. (HarperTrophy)
Thank You, Thanksgiving
, written and illustrated by David Milgrim. Ages: 3-6. This joyous and fresh look at the beloved holiday
has nothing to do with mashed potatoes or pilgrims, but everything to do with being thankful! (Clarion Books)
Thanksgiving Is Here
, written and illustrated by Diane Goode. Ages: 3-8. A visual feast that celebrates family with love and
humor, and gives kids the joy of recognizing what Thanksgiving is all about. (HarperCollins Children's Books)
This First Thanksgiving Day
, written by Laura Krauss Melmed, illustrated by Mark Buehner.
Ages: 3-8. "A refreshing look at an American tradition that reinforces the spirit of the holiday."—Kirkus Reviews (HarperTrophy)
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