Published by Amazon Crossing

Summary:  Zhao Di and her friends live in northern China, where the new year is celebrated for 15 days.  A highlight is the lanterns, traditionally given by uncles, that are lit and carried through the dark nights.  The children gather each night, chasing each other, waving their lanterns, and enjoying fireworks.  On day 15, Zhao Di feels sad that the holiday is coming to an end.  The lanterns are smashed and burned.  The next night, Zhao Di misses going out with her friends, but remembers that the new year will be celebrated again next year.  Includes an author’s note with additional information about the Lunar New Year and the lantern tradition.  40 pages, ages 4-8.

Pros:  Another good resource for the Lunar New Year, this one translated from the original Chinese.  The illustrations celebrate the color and magic of the lanterns.

Cons:  The first three pages of the story are in the first person (“We spent the first day of the new year at home.”); after that it switches to Zhao Di’s third person narrative for the rest of the book, which felt like an unnecessarily awkward transition.

Published by Henry Holt and Co.

Summary:  Dandan finds out her family is moving just days before Lunar New Year.  She and her best friend Yueyue try to enjoy every moment of the celebration.  They stuff themselves with Nainai’s delicious dumplings.  When the grown-ups start to play cards, the two girls make red paper snowflakes, put them in pans of water, and set them outside, where they see fireworks in the night sky.  The next morning, they hang their frozen snowflakes from trees, and Yueyue gives Dandan red paper to take with her.  Dandan struggles in her new home, feeling lonely as she tries to learn English.  Her classmates laugh at her when she wears a silk dress on her birthday, but one girl, Christina, compliments the dress.  Soon the two girls are friends, and Dandan invites Christina over for Lunar New Year.  She pulls out Yueyue’s gift, and the girls make snowflakes and put them in the freezer.  The next morning, they hang them on a tree outside, and Dandan remembers Yueyue’s parting words, “Friends are friends, forever.”  Includes an author’s note about Lunar New Year and her own experiences moving from China to the U.S. and instructions for making snowflakes.  40 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  A heartwarming story of immigration and cherished friendships in the old home and the new, just in time for Lunar New Year (today).  The cartoon-style illustrations add a light note.

Cons:  Kids might struggle to cut paper that’s been folded four times, as per the snowflake instructions.

20 Big Trucks in the Middle of Christmas by Mark Lee, illustrated by Kurt Cyrus

Published by Candlewick

The Little Owl & the Big Tree: A Christmas Story by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Jeanette Winter

Published by Beach Lane Books

Summary: Santa and interlibrary loan brought me these two holiday books just days before Christmas. In 20 Big Trucks Before Christmas, two boys watch the holiday preparations in their town which require–you guessed it–twenty big trucks. A mishap hanging the star atop the tree inspires the donut truck driver to take the donut off his truck, decorate it with red and green lights, and use it to replace the star. When Santa arrives in a pickup, it’s time for the celebration to begin!

We’ve seen Rockefeller the owl already this year in The Christmas Owl. This version of the story, by the Winter mother-and-son team, focuses on the wild owl: “The owl didn’t have a name–and of course she didn’t: She was a wild animal.” Humans are necessary to help her when she’s trapped in the tree destined for Rockefeller Center, but after her stay at the wildlife rehabilitation center, she is “back in the wild, back in the trees, somewhere out there under the stars.” An author’s note tells a bit more of the story. Both books are 32 pages and recommended for ages 4-8.

Pros: Here are two illustrators that really should get more recognition. Kurt Cyrus’s lifelike pictures of machinery are always popular with kids, and Jeanette Winter, who is 82 years old and has written and illustrated dozens of books, has a beautiful folk-art style that’s perfect for Rockefeller’s story.

Cons: I wish I could have gotten these books a few weeks sooner so I could have shared them with kids before vacation.

Published by Levine Querido

Summary:  Isaac’s house is the only one on the block decorated in blue and white instead of red and green as he and his best friend (and neighbor) Teresa count down the days until Chanukah and Christmas.  Then one night a rock is thrown through the window of Isaac’s house.  The family is scared but determined not to let their fear make them hide their faith.  The next night, they light the menorah again.  When Teresa sees the lit candles, she draws a picture of the menorah with the words “For Isaac,” and hangs it in her front window.  Before long, others in town show the same support.  Their drawings get on the news, and a few weeks later, there are 10,000 menorah pictures hanging in windows all over.  Includes an author’s note with additional information about the 1993 real-life event in Billings, Montana that inspired this story.  32 pages; grades 1-5.

Pros:  This brief but moving story tells of the power of good triumphing over evil, a perfect theme for the holiday season.  The illustrations are filled with cozy comfort that’s in contrast to the broken glass on the cover.  

Cons:  Most reviewers recommend this for ages 4 and up, but I think the story would be better appreciated by an older audience, especially if you’re reading it to a group. 

Published by Little Brown Books for Young Readers

Summary:  Wildlife rehabilitator Ellen Kalish tells the story of Rockefeller, an owl whose tree home was cut down and taken to Rockefeller Center for Christmas.  Filled with questions about what Christmas is and what is happening to her home, the owl is finally rescued from the tree and taken to Ravensbeard Wildlife Center.  There, Ellen nurses her back to health until she’s finally ready to fly off on her own.  She makes a stop at Rockefeller Center, where she sees happy people holding hands and hugging, celebrating the spirit of the holiday.  She flies back home, eager to tell her animal friends there what she has learned about Christmas.  Includes an author’s note about her career as a wildlife rehabilitator and additional information about Rockefeller’s story.  40 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  A charming holiday story that reminded me of one of my favorite Christmas read-alouds, Red and Lulu by Matt Tavares.  Kids will take Rockefeller to heart, and the additional information at the end makes her story even more interesting.

Cons:  There was a little too much anthropomorphism for my taste, considering this is based on a true story.

Published by Henry Holt and Co.

Summary:  A girl and her family prepare for Diwali by cleaning and decorating the house, cooking food, and dressing up.  Family and friends arrive for a full day of ceremonies, feasting, gift-giving, and more.  As night falls, everyone enjoys sparklers on the lawn before saying their goodbyes.  Includes additional information about Diwali, a glossary, and three recipes.  40 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  A good simple introduction to the holiday of Diwali with brightly-colored illustrations and a glossary to help out with words and phrases that may be unfamiliar.  The story is based on the authors’ experience, and they make it clear in the note at the end that there are a variety of ways to celebrate.

Cons:  It seems like a not-so-great editorial decision to release this book on November 16 when Diwali was the first week of November this year.

Published by Denene Millner Books/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Summary:  Carla is excited to be going to her grandparents’ house for Christmas with her sister and mother.  The anticipation builds as the family enjoys Christmas Eve dinner, including Granny’s delicious cornbread.  Carla and her sister get ready for bed, deciding to do a puzzle before they go to sleep.  As her sister lays out the puzzle pieces, Carla takes a big bite of a sugar cookie she sees out on the table.  Too late, she realizes the cookie was meant for Santa, and worries that she will now be on the naughty list.  Granny saves the day, assuring Carla that Santa still loves her and probably gets tired of so many cookies; she helps Carla make a small skillet of cornbread to leave instead.  In the morning, the skillet is empty except for a single slice left behind for the baker.  Includes recipes for cornbread and cinnamon butter.  40 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  Another heartwarming Christmas story featuring a Black Santa, this one by celebrity chef Carla Hall.  The illustrations place the story in the early 1970’s, but the family holiday story has a timeless feel to it.

Cons:  When you realize that the interior design fashions of your childhood have really not stood the test of time.

Published by Dial Books

Summary:  Deja’s excited about Christmas, but not all of her friends share her belief in Santa.  But all their reasons why the jolly old elf can’t possibly exist are countered by her mom, who offers one explanation after another throughout the season.  At a family Christmas Eve celebration, other relatives back up Mom’s logic.  Finally, Deja, like so many children before her, decides to wait up for Santa, but ultimately falls asleep.  When she wakes up Christmas morning, she finds a pile of presents…and a photo of a smiling Santa.  32 pages; ages 3-8.

Pros:  A heartwarming Christmas story that makes Santa accessible to children of color and those who live in city apartments.  The brightly-colored digital illustrations bring the warm family holiday scenes to life.

Cons:  It wasn’t clear to me how the photo of Santa was created.  Christmas magic, I guess.

Published by Orchard Books

Summary:  Violet fondly remembers the table where her family used to gather to cook and eat meals.  Lately, though, her mom, dad, and brother are busy–usually with screens–and the table often stands empty.  One day, Violet is shocked to see that the table has become smaller; the next day it has shrunk even more.  By the end of the week, the table is small enough for Violet to hold in the palm of her hand, and in the blink of an eye it disappears altogether.  But Violet is a resourceful girl, and she comes up with an idea.  Pretty soon she’s recruited the family to build a new table.  Those screens come in handy for doing the research, and before long everyone is working together.  Finally, the family comes together for dinner at “a table stronger, more beautiful than ever.”  48 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  A great reminder of the joy of sitting around a table with loved ones–perfect for the holidays.  The illustrations go from monochromatic purple when Violet is feeling alone to a bright palette of colors when the family is together.  

Cons:  The shrinking/disappearing table was a bit disturbing.