• Menu
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Teaching Expertise

  • Home
  • Classroom Ideas
  • Technology
  • Teacher’s Life
  • Deals & Shopping
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Home
  • Classroom Ideas
  • Technology
  • Teacher’s Life
  • Deals & Shopping
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy

28 Multicultural Holiday Books to Celebrate Diversity

multicultural holiday books

August 2, 2022 //  by Ashley Charles

The most beautiful thing about our world is the diversity that dwells amongst its landscapes. It is not the world we know without the magnificent people who make up the cultures and diverse societies living here.

Teaching young people about the traditions, customs, and celebrations of the many cultures around the world is the cornerstone to preserving this diversity and teaches tolerance and respect.

This list of books will help you start conversations and teach kids about our big beautiful human race.

1. Playing with Lanterns, by Wang Yage

gAnwVUx3Qu2eqcTJnHmh

Chinese New Year is celebrated for 15 days. Follow Zhao Di and her friends as they take part in one of their exciting lantern traditions and explore the thrill of their city at night.

Learn More: Amazon

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

NunBYzcQpGlph9yLH3tS

Believe it or not, Santa is not JUST an American tradition. This sweet book takes children around the world on a trip with Old St. Nick as he partakes in the multitude of treats on Christmas Eve.

Learn More: Amazon

3. The Story of Diwali: Rama and Sita, by Jay Anika

2hhvTZ0CSPOEfzO0ACJc

Perfect for younger children, this book gives a basic explanation of the core traditions and origins of Diwali, also known as The Festival of Light which is celebrated by many people in India.

Learn More: Amazon

4. What Do You Celebrate? by Whitney Stewart

JiyHFLDMT9K2Pc0etjYu

This book doesn't focus on a specific holiday, but rather proves to be more of an encyclopedia of worldwide traditions and celebrations. Through the colorful illustrations and a visually stimulating layout, kids can learn about fourteen different celebrations and festivals that people celebrate.

Learn More: Amazon

5. Ohana Means Family, by Ilima Loomis

dVIi6mQDRQODWluOCGYN

Hawaii is a state that is steeped in tradition. This picture book gives kids a peek at that culture through the eyes of a family making preparations for creating a traditional Hawaiian Luau which serves as a gathering for many celebrations in the Hawaiian culture.

Learn More: Amazon

6. The Adventures of Lily Huckleberry in Japan, by Audrey Smit and Jackie Knapp

m7OarkQ8TKWr5PuxIXny

Lily takes an adventure to Japan during Golden Week. She not only learns about this important week in Japanese culture but also learns about other traditions while she is learning a few life lessons.

Learn More: Amazon

7. Dia de Los Muertos, by Roseanne Greenfield Thong

dVlJOcyCQsG0uDyTxLnJ

Dia de Los Muertos is centered around the beautiful Mexican holiday honoring those family and friends who have passed. Thong explains the preparations and cultural traditions that go into this celebration through this storybook full of playful illustrations.

Learn More: Amazon

8. Harvest Days: Giving Thanks Around the World, by Kate DePalma

images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRkQ6NlozD6aXKcsyPtKGPG-YW5A5wae7jv083z7ZvFz0izDY34

Harvest Days is focused on harvest festivals: festivals centered around gratitude for crops, food, and the labor that help fill our plates. DePalma exposes children to twelve different cultures with facts that will intrigue young readers of all ages.

Learn More: Amazon

9. Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free, by Alice Faye Duncan

m9yiUz6hRREnPT1GAFX7

Kids in grades three and higher will enjoy this story of Juneteenth. In this original story with stunning illustrations, learn about Juneteenth through the eyes of a young girl who wanted true change in her Texas town.

Learn More: Amazon

10. Festival of Colors, by Kabir Sehgal and Surishtha Sehgal

YXhmHAOlQhChA8y8ltkm

Preschools through grade two can learn about the Festival of Colors in this story about two children as they gather flowers and work to prepare for this celebration of new beginnings, friendship, and forgiveness.

Learn More: Amazon

11. The Night Before Eid, by Aya Kahlil

KypNz218TfqQbE3YuY4a

Eid is the holiday where Muslims break their Ramadan fast. It is a huge celebration and it is very creatively explained in this story that presents the excitement and anticipation leading up to this joyful day. Kahlil gives a beautiful insight into the recipes, songs, and traditions of Eid.

Learn More: Amazon

12. Our Moon Festival, by Yobe Qiu

HVvb7rSpQiOVhhFqjEMO

Our Moon Festival celebrates three different lunar festivals from China, Japan, and Vietnam. Kids will be able to see the similarities and differences in these Asian celebrations which will open up a great conversation about diversity.

Learn More: Amazon

13. Together for Kwanzaa, by Juwanda G. Ford

fqtgWZcjRWuDU70UBGlK

This book has stunning illustrations that give kids a way to connect to the author's words and paints a picture of what Kwanzaa is really about.

Learn More: Amazon

14. Kwanzaa, by L.A. Amber

IDbQYZ6hSeilltwepG4S

If you are looking for a more in-depth look at Kwanzaa, this is your book. This story incorporates the principles, celebrations, vocabulary, and more to offer an educational look at this holiday celebrated by many African-Americans.

Learn More: Amazon

15. Celebrate Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur, by Deborah Heiligman

BAYTbSgPSvKCcqdHMvpA

This National Geographic Kids series on holidays around the world is perfect for both the home and the classroom. This particular edition focuses on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, two Jewish holidays that are celebrated annually.

Learn More: Amazon

16. Home for the Holidays, by Sesame Workshop

YjXezhGwRgSwB8cbtKgU

Students from preschool to grade two will really enjoy this story with classic, well-known characters. Sesame Street brings you a variety of holidays and traditions and beautifully ties them together with a common ground.

Learn More: Amazon

17. Celebrate Las Posadas, by Marisa Boan

XApYK2dRdOSsmpqXdwzR

Multicultural families will enjoy Las Posadas. It is a remarkable book written in both English and Spanish to help bring to life the Spanish celebration of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem.

Learn More: Amazon

18. Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama, by Selina Alko

67yG7fbNRTSutuO8GAx7

In today's society, families and traditions are becoming more blended than ever. Why not introduce this new norm to kids? In Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama, Sadie shares how she celebrates in an interfaith family every year and offers her positive experiences of the Christian holiday and Jewish holiday.

Learn More: Amazon

19. 'Twas Nochebuena, by Roseanne Greenfield Thong

E2zjxMSnRQ2pEvOrHAy5

Experience Christmas through the eyes of a Latino family. Tamales, decorations, songs, and a midnight feast are all part of this lovely story that tells the tale of this beautiful night with close and extended family.

Learn More: Amazon

20. The Shortest Day, by Wendy Pfeffer

S88pYdzIQ2CRP3IsvMmn

This amazing story explains the cultural connections to the celebration of the winter solstice. Students in grades one, two, and three will likely enjoy the science experiments presented within the text that connects directly with the shorter days of winter, and in addition, learn the appreciation many cultures had for nature.

Learn More: Amazon

21. Hannukkah Bear, by Eric Kimmel

eBMGexRRK26sjhLQJR2g

This hilarious tale of a bear who is awakened from the delicious scent of traditional Jewish latkes takes kids on an adventure through the traditions of Hannukkah. This original story is absolutely captivating and will have your kids hooked from the first page!

Learn More: Amazon

22. A Full Year of Festivals and Celebrations, by Claire Grace 

KfSgmFt8QTfuK7ZWjYNg

This lovely book has it all! Modern families will love the beautiful illustrations and facts that fill this book cover-to-cover. It teaches kids about holidays, festivals, and celebrations worldwide. With over 90 different festivals, students will not want to stop turning the pages.

Learn More: Amazon

23. Celebrating Groundhog Day, by Karen Bush Gibson

tsW82KxPToupeliybaML

Ever wonder why we celebrate Groundhog Day? This book explains the interesting holiday tradition surrounding this fuzzy critter in detail from its history to ways to take part in this quirky day.

Learn More: Amazon

24. Weird But True Christmas, by National Geographic Kids

33583842.jpg

Weird But True Christmas is a fun, fact-filled book that gives kids facts about the holiday traditions surrounding Christmas not just in America, but around the world. Kids will love the short, to-the-point ideas presented as they soak in the holiday cheer.

Learn More: Amazon

25. Celebrate Christmas, by Deborah Heiligman

cMu4rf6pTsif2AimUrsI

Another in the series from National Geographic Kids, this book is all about the traditions surrounding the Christian holiday of Christmas and the Holiday Season in America.

Learn More: Amazon

26. Let's Celebrate: Special Days Around the World, by Kate DePalma

4m1lkRirReOAuMewxBy7

The playful illustrations of this book invite readers to keep turning the pages as they learn about thirteen special holidays around the world.

Learn More: Amazon

27. The Carnival Prince, by Daniel J. O'Brien

zJM6FBJQ92HXAkPrAwdw

The Caribbean countries are very underrepresented in literature. This is a lovely story about a mythical boy who goes on an adventure to help save the Carnival season for everyone in his community.

Learn More: Amazon

28. Bisa's Carnaval, by Joana Pastro

k7dXHdJ7QgGuD6jJkuy7

Brazil, similar to many other Caribbean countries, is also home to a Carnaval festival. This amazing story helps readers see the sights and sounds of Carnaval in Brazil through the eyes of a sweet little girl.

Learn More: Amazon

Related posts:

22 A Christmas Carol Activities for Middle School
30 Fun Flashlight Games for Kids
60 Festive Thanksgiving Jokes for Kids

You'll also like:

No related posts.

Category: Classroom Ideas

Previous Post: «books to read if you like the hunger games 26 Page-Turners for People Who Loved The Hunger Games
Next Post: 32 Magical Harry Potter Games for Kids harry potter games»

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • 15 Exciting College Extracurricular Activities
  • 14 Creative Color Wheel Activities
  • 17 Cool Camel Crafts And Activities 
  • 10 Captivating Cell Membrane Activities
  • 14 Activities To Bring The Oregon Trail To Life In Your Classroom
  • 25 Awesome August-Themed Activities For Preschoolers