“We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color.”

Maya Angelou

These beautiful books promote diversity and inclusion, and the suggested activities make them even more meaningful for children this time of the year.

I Got the Christmas Spirit by Connie Schofield-Morrison

Publisher’s description:
It's the most wonderful time of the year, and a mother and daughter are enjoying the sights and sounds of the holiday season. The little girl hears sleigh bells ringing and carolers singing. She smells chestnuts roasting--CRUNCH! CRUNCH! CRUNCH!--and sees the flashing lights of the department store windows--BLING! BLING! BLING! She spreads the spirit of giving wherever she goes. And when she reaches Santa, she tells him her Christmas wish--for peace and love everywhere, all the days of the year.

Find a great read-aloud version here.

Activity: This delightful story lends itself well to the study of onomatopoeia. You might want to share this video before you read and then tell children to focus on all the different times the author uses onomatopoeia in I Got the Christmas Spirit. After that, they can create their own stories or poems using onomatopoeia.

A Piñata in a Pine-Tree: A Latino 12 Days of Christmas by Pat Mora

Publisher’s Description:
An award-winning author and a rising star artist have put a festive Latino twist on "The Twelve Days of Christmas," populating it with piñatas in place of partridges, plus burritos bailando (dancing donkeys), lunitas cantando (singing moons), and much more, all displayed in the most vivid colors imaginable. In this version a little girl receives gifts from a secret amiga, whose identity is a sweet surprise at the book's conclusion. There are things to find and count in Spanish on every page, with pronunciations provided right in the pictures and a glossary and music following the story. This joyous fiesta will warm even the coldest of hearts.

Find a great read-aloud version here.

Activity: Have children write their own 12 Days of Christmas poem or carol highlighting their own culture and customs. This could also be done as a whole class activity, incorporating the different cultures of the children. If you do it as a whole class activity, it would be great to also allow time for the students to work in collaborative groups to illustrate their ideas.

The Nutcracker in Harlem by T.E. McMorrow

Publisher’s Description:
This jazz-inspired reinvention of The Nutcracker is a worthy tribute to the dreamlike wonder and magic of the Christmas season.

In this original retelling, set in New York City during the height of the Harlem Renaissance, one little girl finds her voice as a musician thanks to her enchanting adventures with a magical toy.

This quintessential holiday tale is brought to vivid life by debut picture book author T. E. McMorrow and Coretta Scott King Award-winning illustrator James Ransome. An author’s note at the end provides additional information about the history of the Harlem Renaissance, and about the author’s inspiration for this musical retelling.

Find a great read-aloud version here.

Activity: After reading, listen to this sample from Duke Ellington's version of the Nutcracker Suite performed by David Berger Jazz. Have children write or draw about how the music makes them feel. You can also find an art lesson from illustrator James Ransome here.

‘Twas Nochebeuna: A Christmas Story in English and Spanish by Roseanne Greenfield Thong

Publisher’s description:
’Twas Nochebuena and all through our casa, 

every creature was kneading tamale masa...

It’s Christmas Eve, and you’re invited to a Nochebuena celebration! Follow a family as they prepare to host a night filled with laughter, love, and Latino tradition. Make tasty tamales and hang colorful adornos(decorations) on the walls. Gather to sing festive canciones (songs) while sipping champurrado (hot chocolate). After the midnight feast has been served and the last gifts have been unwrapped, it’s time to cheer, “Feliz Navidad and to all a good night!”

Here is an awesome read-aloud version.

Activity: Compare and contrast the original version of this story with ‘Twas Nochebuena, and then have the children work in small collaborative groups to dramatize their favorite version.

A World of Cookies for Santa by M. E. Furman

Publisher’s description:
A World of Cookies for Santa takes readers across the globe to see all the treats that await Santa on Christmas Eve. Head to the Philippines, where children leave outputo seko cookies and ginger tea for Santa; jet to Russia for a honey-spice cookie; then set out for Malawi for a sweet potato cookie! When you've returned home, the journey's still not over—M. E. Furman provides recipes for children to bake some of Santa's cookies for themselves.

This is a really fun read-aloud version.

Activity: Follow Santa’s tasty journey around the world with this free mapping/ retelling resource.

Miracle on 133rd Street by Sonia Manzano

Publisher’s description:
It’s Christmas Eve and Mami has bought a delicious roast for a Christmas feast. But, oh no! It’s too big to fit in the oven. Jose and Papa need to find an oven big enough to cook Mami’s roast. As they walk from door to door through their apartment building, no one seems to be in the Christmas spirit. So they head down the street to find someone willing to help, and only when they do, lo and behold, the scent—the itself magical smell—of dinner begins to spread, and holiday cheer manifests in ways most unexpected.

I love this read-aloud version.

Activity: Have your students imagine they were one of the people in the family’s apartment building. How would they respond to the family when asked for help? Why? What do they think would happen next?

Hanukkah Bear by Eric A.Kimmel

Publisher’s description:
Eric A. Kimmel's cozy winter tale about sharing the holidays—whether with family or with unexpected guests—is as sweet as it is funny, and Mike Wohnoutka's illustrations are cute enough to cuddle.

This modern classic is available in both a large-format picture book, perfect for story hours or reading aloud, and in a sturdy board book, perfect for the youngest readers.

Tomorrow is the first day of Hanukkah and this would be a great read-aloud version to share.

Activity: Help your students learn more about Hanukkah with this video from PBS. Then, have children plan eight gifts they would give to somebody close to them, for example a classmate, a guardian, another family member, or a friend. But tell students they should think of gifts that don't cost any money, such as letters, drawings, or personalized songs. Have them discuss gifts that come from the heart.

Christmas Around the World: A Pop Up Book by Chuck Fischer

Publisher’s description:
Master pop-up artist Chuck Fischer's most glorious creation yet -- CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD is the perfect holiday gift. Featuring France , Germany , Russia, Latin America, Scandinavia , Great Britain , Italy , and the United States , every spread is packed with delights: a luxurious central pop-up image, plus removable booklets, pullouts, mini pop-ups, and more. The text illuminates unique Christmas traditions, gift legacies, and portraits of mythic figures, such as England' s Father Christmas and Italy' s Le Befana. Like Christmas in New York, CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD is destined to become a treasured keepsake and a bestseller for years to come.

Find a very quick presentation of the book here.

Activity: Follow with this episode of The Superbook Show. Next, have each student pretend they have a pen pal from another country. Ask them to write a letter to their pen pal explaining their holiday customs and asking about theirs. Then have them research to find out what information the pen pal might have responded with.

Thank you for taking the time to visit the blog today. I hope you found the post worthwhile, and that it inspires you to share one ( or all!) of these books with your children this holiday season.

Yours truly,

Jennifer