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Parents everywhere know — it’s holiday crunch time. It’s not easy balancing all the shopping, cooking and decorating, all while your kids grow more and more antsy in anticipation. And when things are as hectic as this, it can be hard to feel like you’ve picked up enough gifts to make your child’s holiday truly special. But whether you’re looking for last-minute stocking stuffers or are down a gift for one night of Hanukkah, we’ve got your back! Here are seven new releases in the world of children’s books, all carefully selected to be the highlight of this season’s story time.
Santa’s First Christmas by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Sydney Smith
The award-winning author of the Shapes Trilogy (now with an adaptation on Apple TV+) and the acclaimed illustrator behind I Talk Like a River combine forces to tell a charming, warm-hearted tale of Santa’s very first Christmas. After the man with the bag returns from giving Christmas joy to children all over the world, his elves convince him to partake in some holiday cheer for himself. With their help, Santa makes the most of Christmas day up on the North Pole — choosing the perfect tree, decorating the house and having an all-around merry time. Consider picking this one up early, as it’s the perfect book to share with your little one in anticipation of the big day.
A Dragon for Hanukkah by Sarah Mlynowski, illustrated by Ariel Landy
A USA Today bestseller, A Dragon for Hanukkah imagines the Festival of Lights as one girl’s brush with magic over eight enchanting days. With every night of Hanukkah, Hannah receives a more fantastical gift than before — from a playful dragon to a herd of unicorns and even a time travel machine! Just as enchanting is the time she spends with her loved ones as they gather to light the menorah, play dreidel and chow down on latkes. Celebrating both the holiday and the power of a child’s imagination, A Dragon for Hanukkah is a whimsical and heartfelt bedtime story your kids might request for all eight nights.
Gingerbread Real Estate by Alex Wong
In the mood for baking a gingerbread house? So are the Ginger folk in author-illustrator Alex Wong’s brand-new release, Gingerbread Real Estate. This playful read introduces us to an industrious community of Ginger folk looking for a place to live. With the help of one dedicated baker, they build everything from cottages to condos and yurts as they expand their sweet, gingery neighborhood. But someone is wreaking havoc on their construction and taking bites out of all their hard work! Can the Ginger folk work together to solve the mystery and find a solution to their current conundrum? Young readers will be sure to enjoy finding the clues hidden in the illustrations and unraveling the mystery behind this holiday story of teamwork and problem-solving.
Kwanzaa (Celebrate the World) by Hannah Eliot, illustrated by Andrea Pippins
Part of the Celebrate the World series of board books, featuring holiday celebrations from across the globe, this festive read is the perfect way to introduce the observance of Kwanzaa to your little one. Full of bold, eye-catching illustrations and insightful details about the holiday, this informative read covers the seven principles of Kwanzaa and each day’s celebrations, all while still staying at a level that’s perfect for its target audience of 2 to 4-year-olds. Children will be delighted to flip through this educational board book, learning about the importance of community, the cultural values behind the holiday and what it means to have a truly joyous Kwanzaa.
A City Full of Santas by Joanna Ho, illustrated by Thai My Phuong
Award-winning author describes the origin story of A City Full of Santas as a “mom fail” in which she accidentally brought her children to San Francisco … on the day of SantaCon! The book’s young protagonist goes through the same whirlwind of excitement as Ho’s children when she and her mother take a trip to see Santa in the city, only to discover that “there are Santas EVERYWHERE!” A laugh-out-loud bedtime read that all ages can enjoy, A City Full of Santas perfectly captures children’s wonder and excitement amid the mayhem of the holiday season, making all the chaos worth it.
Gingerbread Dreidels by Jane Breskin Zalben, illustrated by Thai My Phuong
This December 25th, for the first time in nineteen years, the first night of Hanukkah coincides with Christmas Day! If your kids are also trying to wrap their heads around this rare occurrence, they’ll be sure to enjoy Gingerbread Dreidels. Within its pages, siblings Max and Sophie are asking the important questions — like “will we get half the presents?” and whether they’ll be splitting the day with either side of their interfaith family. But it turns out that this December 25th will have double the love when both sets of grandparents come over for a night of cooking, feasting and celebrations! This feel-good story reminds us of the warmth, cheer and love that unites us all, regardless of what holiday we’re celebrating.
It’s Winter! by Renée Kurilla
Looking for a present that your child will be able to read into the new year? Renée Kurilla’s book It’s Winter!, second in the Celebrate the Seasons series, is the perfect read for when we swap out the 2024 calendar for 2025. Highlighting all the magic of the coldest season, It’s Winter! touches on the December holidays but doesn’t linger, instead moving into what some may consider the “gray days” of winter. But with its emphasis on winter fun — from skating and sledding to the coziness of a cup of hot cocoa — this book argues that winter’s fun is anything but over. This is the perfect read to remind little ones that the time after the holidays is still full of good cheer.
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