Comelibritos' Corner: Holiday Picture Books

Holiday Picture Books: Thanksgiving through Día de Los Reyes

That whirlwind that is the holiday season is almost upon us!

While the holidays can be stressful, there is one part I really enjoy: displaying our holiday picture books and discovering new ones!

I always think about how books can serve as both mirrors and windows for the little ones in our lives.

We use books as mirrors when we share our family's holiday traditions -- like watching the Macy's Parade, singing aguinaldos, or waiting for gifts from Los Tres Reyes Magos.

We use books as windows when we read together about how other families celebrate during this time of the year.

Holiday books also make great GIFTS! So if you're not sure what to get for your favorite kids this season, consider adding to their holiday book collections.

To get you started, I've included some of our family's favorite books (and a music album) below!

Don't forget to share some of your family's favorites in the comments.

​¡Felicidades!

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Full Disclosure:

As always, I encourage you to support your local bookstores and libraries! Be sure to ask them to stock these books if they don't already have them.

If, however, you plan to purchase any of these books online, please use my links below; as an Amazon affiliate I will earn a small commission for qualifying purchases at no cost to you.

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THANKSGIVING

Getting books for kids about Thanksgiving right can be tricky...

I'm always on the lookout for books that capture the spirit of giving Thanks without reinforcing problematic (and go-to) American stories. In other words, in our house there are no pilgrim hats in sight. (I'd love to know if you have any favorites that fit the bill, so let me know in the comments if you do).

This year I'm focusing on two Thanksgiving themes in my life: The Macy's Parade & Apple Pie!

• I'm a New Yorker, so Thanksgiving has always meant the Macy's Day Parade! Balloons over Broadway and Milly and the Macy's Parade tell the stories of how immigrants #gotthejobdone, began an annual parade, and then transformed it into one of the most magical events in the world!
  

• Since I've moved to California, Thanksgiving means my husband's delicious apple pies. The last two books celebrate apple pies in all their richness.
  • First there's The Apple Pie that Papa Baked a cumulative story in which a Papa--with the help of the earth, sun, and rain--makes pies for his little one (like my hubby does for us!). 
  • Then there's Bring Me Some Apples and I'll Make You a Pie, a picture book that celebrates the childhood of pioneer chef Edna Lewis -- an African American chef who was all about farm-to-table before farm-to-table was a thing. The book is also a celebration of harvests throughout the seasons in preparation for winter, reminding us there is a lot to be thankful for as the days grow shorter and colder.
    

​ ​After first drafting this post, I two great posts on Decolonizing Thanksgiving. Check them out: 

• Decolonizing Thanksgiving: Kids Books about Generosity & Gratitude 
• Decolonizing Thanksgiving: A Toolkit for Combatting Racism in Schools

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Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade
by Melissa Sweet

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Milly and the Macy's Parade
by Shana Corey; illustrated by Brett Helquist

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The Apple Pie That Papa Baked
by Lauren Thompson; illustrated by Jonathan Bean

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Bring Me Some Apples and I'll Make You a Pie: A Story About Edna Lewis
by Robbin Gourley

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Winter

Nothing says winter quite like this snowy classic.

The Snowy Day
by Ezra Jack Keats

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HANUKKAH

We want our little one to know many holiday traditions. This book does a nice job of introducing the idea of blending family and holiday traditions. 

Daddy Christmas & Hanukkah Mama
by Selina Alko

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NAVIDAD / CHRISTMAS

La Navidades are a glorious time of the year! In Puerto Rico they go from Thanksgiving to las Octavitas (the eight days after Reyes -- aka January 14).

The books below include a mix of Christmas classics (Charlie Brown! I'm a sucker for that little tree.) and Libros Navideños. The bonus Sesame Street Holiday CD even includes María & Luis singing an aguinaldo (traditional Puerto Rican Christmas Carol).

​You can't go wrong gifting some of these to the littles in your life! ¡Feliz Navidad!

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A Charlie Brown Christmas
by Charles M. Schulz

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Las Christmas: Favorite Latino Authors Share Their Holiday Memories
edited by Esmeralda Santiago

(This treasured holiday book is for an older crowd, but a must have for Latinx familias)

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Mi Burrito / My Little Donkey
by Susie Jaramillo
​(Bilingual; Canticos Series)

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Villancico Yaucano
por Amaury Veray; ilustraciones de Iván Caimlli
(Español)

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We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Illustrated by Asha Pearse

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Merry Christmas from Sesame Street​
​(Music)

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KWANZA

We want our little one to know about many holiday traditions, and are excited to teach him about the seven principles of Kwanza which are valuable to reflect upon and practice all year long.
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Together for Kwanza
by Juwanda G. Ford; illustrated by Shelly Hehenberger

​This sweet story captures the excitement of celebrating family traditions and the sadness of not always having everyone together, all while explaining Kwanza principles and traditions.

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HAPPY NEW YEAR

New Year's is my FAVORITE holiday, but I still didn't have a New Year's Picture Book in my collection... until now! I went searching and found this gem at the library. 
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Shanté Keys and the New Year's Peas
by Gail Piernas-Davenport; illustrated by Marion Eldridge

This rhyming picture book follows Shanté Keys as she searches for black eyed peas. On her adventures, she learns all about her neighbor's New Year's traditions from around the world.

As a bonus for my MexiRican comelibrito, eating grapes at midnight (like they do in Puerto Rico and Mexico) is included!

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DIA DE LOS REYES / THREE KINGS DAY

Traditionally in Puerto Rico Dia de Los Reyes (Three Kinds Day - 1/6) was the big gift giving day. While in some ways Christmas (and Santa Clause) have taken over in that department, families still celebrate the visit of the Three Magi.

Instead of leaving out milk and cookies, children leave out a glass of water and a shoe box full of grass for the Wise Men's camellos (or caballos depending on who you ask). In the morning they find their gifts from Los Reyes waiting.

These two books bring a little bit of that Reyes Magos magic into your little one's life!

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Tres Reyes Magos: Colors / Colores
​by Patty Rodriguez & Ariana Stein; illustrated by Citlali Reyes

(Bilingual; Lil' Libros Series)

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Verde Navidad
por Mrinali Álvarez Astacio y Juan Álvarez O'Neill; ilustrado por Mrinali Álvarez Astacio
​(Español)

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Before You Go...

Read:

• Picture Books for Fall, Halloween & Dia de Los Muertos 
• Puerto Rico Picture Books
• Comelibritos Corner / Books for Little Bookworms

Connect:

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