25+ Diverse Holiday Books for Kids
- Ashley
- Nov 29
- 6 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
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December is one of the coziest months for reading. Families are busy, routines get shaken up, and it can feel hard to keep your kiddo’s learning on track, but curling up with the right holiday story makes it easy, meaningful, and magical.
If you’re looking for diverse holiday books for kids this list brings together some of the best stories from a wide variety of cultures, traditions, and winter celebrations.
From Latinx tamale tales to Hanukkah-Christmas blended families to Indigenous winter stories, these books help kids see themselves, and the wider world, in the magic of the season.
After you browse, don’t forget to grab my free December Reading Bingo to help your kiddo stay engaged, excited, and practicing their words all month long with easy, low-prep activities!
📚 Picture Books for Grades K–3
Too Many Tamales - Gary Soto
A warm, funny, instantly relatable family story about cousins, tamales, and one big (hilarious) mistake. It’s perfect for kids who love holiday chaos, family traditions, and giggling their way through a story they’ll want to re-read.
Tamales for Christmas - María Eugenia Manrique
If your kiddo loves family celebrations and rich cultural traditions, this sweet story brings the heart of Christmas cooking to life. A cozy, food-filled read that makes you want to head straight to the kitchen together.
A cozy Italian folktale about Befana, an older woman who misses her chance to visit the Christ child and spends each Epiphany searching for him, leaving gifts for children along the way.
A heartwarming Mexican folktale with gorgeous illustrations and a simple message about kindness that really sticks with kids. It’s one of those books that opens the door to talking about culture, tradition, and what really matters during the holidays.
An Island Christmas - Alexandra Parsons
A festive Caribbean celebration with music, family, and traditions kids might not have seen before. Bright, joyful, and guaranteed to get little ones dancing. (You'll most likely have to buy this from a used book retailer.)
A hilarious and heartfelt bilingual story featuring El Cucuy helping a nervous boy celebrate Navidad.
A bilingual, rhythmic, celebration-filled story that brings Nochebuena traditions to life. Parents love it. Kids adore it. And the illustrations make it feel like a party on every page.
Kids will LOVE learning what cookies children all around the world set out for Santa. A multicultural feast.
A joyful, beautifully illustrated story about a blended family celebrating both holidays.
Based on a true story of a man who spent every Christmas doing mitzvahs so his Christian neighbors could celebrate.
A touching Puerto Rican Christmas story that celebrates art, culture, and the bond between kids and grandparents. A great pick for families wanting a meaningful, emotional holiday read.
A beautiful story centering Indigenous traditions, language, and winter celebrations. Peaceful, grounding, and full of cultural knowledge children rarely get in mainstream books.
A moving Lakota winter story about generosity, community, and holiday hope. It’s one of those books that sticks with kids long after they close it.
A vibrant, jazz-infused retelling of The Nutcracker set in Harlem. The illustrations feel alive, the rhythm practically dances off the page, and it’s one of those read-alouds that pulls your kiddo right into the magic. If you want a holiday story that feels both classic and totally fresh, this one is such a winner.
I Got the Christmas Spirit follows a joyful little girl as she explores her city during the holidays, soaking in the sounds, sights, and feelings of the season in a way that gets every kiddo excited for Christmas.
A sweet story about a young African-American boy searching for a Santa who looks like him. It’s heartfelt, affirming, and the perfect representation many families have been waiting for.
A joyful, bilingual celebration of Three Kings Day where a young girl excitedly prepares for the Kings’ arrival—complete with traditions, treats, and lots of family love.
A tiny, unwanted Christmas tree gets a second chance when a homeless, young boy chooses it, turning an overlooked little tree into a symbol of hope, kindness, and holiday magic.
A stunning celebration of the winter solstice that follows the changing light of the season, from long, dark nights to the hopeful return of the sun, told in a way that helps kiddos notice and appreciate the rhythms of nature all around them.
The Return of the Light: Twelve Tales from Around the World for the Winter Solstice — Carolyn McVickar Edwards
Twelve stories from cultures around the world that focus on hope, light returning, and winter traditions. Great for kids who love mythology and wonder.
A warm, inclusive introduction to Yule traditions that feels peaceful and grounding. A beautiful read for families who celebrate the season in non-religious or Earth-based ways.
Quiet, magical classics full of winter wonder. These books feel like sitting by a fire with a cup of hot chocolate — calm, old-world, and enchanting.
This tender story follows a young boy whose disability keeps him indoors, and every year his father brings home the same little fir tree so he can still feel the magic and connection of the Christmas season from his bedside.
A young boy uncovers his mother’s Japanese holiday traditions as she gently blends her childhood memories with his own Christmas celebration, creating a beautiful fusion of culture, family, and warmth.
A whimsical wintertime adventure where a shy bird accidentally loses a treasured holiday treat, teams up with a helpful bear to solve the mystery, and discovers new friendship (and a delicious cake!) along the way.
📘 Books for Grades 3–5
When the Vanderbeeker kids learn their landlord won’t renew their lease right before Christmas, they launch a heartfelt, creative mission to change his mind. Perfect for readers who love family-centered stories full of humor, community, and BIG feelings.
This series follows a lively group of dancers who juggle school, friendships, and ballet mishaps as the holidays approach. Ideal for kiddos who love movement, music, relatable drama, and stories where teamwork always saves the day.
A big, loving, multicultural, blended family faces one chaotic event after another as a winter storm derails their carefully made plans.
This magical adventure follows young Nikolas on a quest to find his missing father and prove that kindness and hope can change the world. After you read, be sure to find the movie on Netflix.
When the school music teacher suddenly quits, sixth grader Hart Evans is put in charge of planning the big holiday concert. This is a realistic, funny, and thoughtful story for kiddos who prefer school-life drama over fantasy.
The misbehaving Herdman siblings unexpectedly take over the church Christmas pageant, turning everything upside down in the funniest and most unexpectedly heartwarming way.
A mysterious group of strangers arrives at Milo’s family inn during winter break, each carrying secrets that unravel into a cozy, clever mystery. Perfect for readers who love puzzles and clues.
Set in Paris at Christmastime, this classic story follows a lonely man whose life changes when he befriends three children experiencing homelessness.
When a magical box falls into Kay Harker’s hands, he’s swept into a fast-paced Christmas adventure filled with time travel, danger, and old-fashioned English winter charm.
A young girl travels from Poland to America during the holiday season and experiences the wonder and fear of arriving at Ellis Island.
Cozy Reading Helps Kids Learn All
December Long
Whether your kiddo loves silly stories, global celebrations, graphic novels, or magical adventures, this list gives you plenty of diverse Christmas books and inclusive holiday favorites to choose from.
Reading together during December keeps skills fresh, creates connection, and gives your family simple, meaningful routines even in the busiest weeks of the year.
Want even more fun (with less prep)? Grab my FREE December Reading Bingo, packed with simple, movement-based, cozy, and creative activities that make reading and spelling actually fun during the holiday season.
