Who doesn’t love a good holiday reading list? After all, what’s a holiday without some cozy reading time snuggled up in a blanket along with a hot cuppa coffee or chocolate :)?
We are thrilled to present to you yet another very interesting holiday reading list by one of our favorite authors Alexandra Alessandri. We absolutely adored her books – Feliz New Year, Ava Gabriela! & Isabel and Her Colores go to School. And her last year’s reading recommendation list was a total hit with our readers. We are sure you would love her recommendations for this year too :).
Holiday Reading List for 3 to 6 year old.
There’s no doubt the winter months are some of my favorite—from the cooler (Miami) weather to the holidays and winter break. It’s a time of family, celebration, and joy. And I love discovering new and new-to-me winter or winter holiday books! Here are some new favorites this year:
Silent Night (The Christmas Choir)
Written and illustrated by Lara Hawthorne
Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, 2018
Book Description from the Publisher:
Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Celebrate the magic of Christmas with this beautifully illustrated book, based on the world’s best-loved carol. Rediscover the Nativity Story in all its glory—from quaking shepherds to heaven-sent angels—as the song lyrics are brought to life on every spread. The world’s diversity is reflected in a cast of characters with a range of skin tones. A gorgeous book for all the family to share during the festive season.
Part of ‘The Christmas Choir’, a series of festive, lovingly illustrated lyric books.
What I love about it: Silent Night is a beloved Christmas carol. I sang it often as a child, playing it on the piano for family and friends, and this illustrated picture book takes the lyrics and creates a beautiful artistic rendering of Baby Jesus’ birth and the Christmas story. The illustrations are stunning, too.
A Sled for Gabo/ Un trineo para Gabo
Written by Emma Otheguy
Illustrated by Ana Ramírez González
Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2021
Book Description from the Publisher: On the day it snows, Gabo sees kids tugging sleds up the hill, then coasting down, whooping all the while. Gabo wishes he could join them, but his hat is too small, and he doesn’t have boots or a sled.
But he does have warm and welcoming neighbors in his new town who help him solve the problem in the sweetest way possible!
What I love about it: While not a holiday book, this bilingual picture book, which is available in both English and Spanish editions, has lovely, lyrical text and bright, colorful illustrations which make for a wonderful read-aloud experience during winter. It depicts the new-to-snowy-winter experience for someone who’s not from that climate, and it’s a great mirror for Latinx kids. And there’s dulce de leche!
Written by Deborah Da Costa
Illustrated by Gosia Mosz
Kar-Ben Publishing, 2007
Book Description from the Publisher: When Isobel is invited to Aunt Luisa s for Hanukkah, she’s not sure what to expect. Aunt Luisa has recently arrived from Mexico. At Aunt Luisa’s you’ll get to celebrate the Hanukkah Moon, Isobel’s father promises. Isobel’s days at Aunt Luisa s are filled with fun and surprises: a new camera, a dreidel piñata filled with sweets, and a mysterious late-night visit to welcome the luna nueva, the new moon that appears on Hanukkah. An unusual Hanukkah story with a multi-cultural focus, this title celebrates a little-known custom of the Latin-Jewish community.
What I love about it: This is a new-to-me picture book about a young Jewish-Latina girl who is celebrating Janucá with her aunt, and I loved seeing the Latinx-Jewish representation, which is one that’s often missing in the Latinx diaspora stories. It’s a sweet story with the great back-matter.
Written by Barbara Joosse
Illustrated by Renée Graef
Sleeping Bear Press, 2020
Book Description from the Publisher: Over the course of eighty years a spruce tree grows, along with the little boy who first selected it at a tree farm. As the tree grows from sapling to magnificent evergreen, the child matures as well, becoming a father and then grandfather. Now at the end of its life, the glorious tree is chosen to be the centerpiece of a city’s holiday celebration. The tree journeys from rural countryside to the big city center, where everyone, young and old, comes together to celebrate a tree for all; everybody’s tree.
What I love about it: This rhyming picture book with joyful illustrations has a sweet message about sharing joy with others. I loved the shift from one boy’s baby spruce to a family’s spruce “grand and tall” to, ultimately, a city’s tree where everybody can share in the joy it brings.
About The Author: Alexandra Alessandri is the award-winning author of Feliz New Year, Ava Gabriela! (Albert Whitman), Isabel and Her Colores go to School (Sleeping Bear Press), and the forthcoming middle-grade fantasy The Enchanted Life of Valentina Mejía. The daughter of Colombian immigrants, she is also a former associate professor of English, a writer for Curriculum Associates, and a poet, with some of her work appearing in The Acentos Review, Rio Grande Review, Atlanta Review, and Young Adult Review Network. Alexandra lives in Florida with her husband and son.
If you are looking for some fun Christmas Doodles and Book Recommendations, you may check some of our posts linked below. Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to all of you 🙂
Winter Reading List For 3-6 Year Old
December Reading List by Ellwyn Autumn
Timeless Christmas Books For Kids
Add Comment