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
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.
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2. A World of Cookies for Santa, by M.E. Furman
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.
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3. The Story of Diwali: Rama and Sita, by Jay Anika
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.
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4. What Do You Celebrate? by Whitney Stewart
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.
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5. Ohana Means Family, by Ilima Loomis
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.
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6. The Adventures of Lily Huckleberry in Japan, by Audrey Smit and Jackie Knapp
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.
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7. Dia de Los Muertos, by Roseanne Greenfield Thong
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.
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8. Harvest Days: Giving Thanks Around the World, by Kate DePalma
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.
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9. Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free, by Alice Faye Duncan
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.
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10. Festival of Colors, by Kabir Sehgal and Surishtha Sehgal
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.
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11. The Night Before Eid, by Aya Kahlil
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.
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12. Our Moon Festival, by Yobe Qiu
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.
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13. Together for Kwanzaa, by Juwanda G. Ford
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.
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14. Kwanzaa, by L.A. Amber
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.
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15. Celebrate Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur, by Deborah Heiligman
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.
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16. Home for the Holidays, by Sesame Workshop
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.
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17. Celebrate Las Posadas, by Marisa Boan
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.
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18. Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama, by Selina Alko
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.
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19. 'Twas Nochebuena, by Roseanne Greenfield Thong
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.
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20. The Shortest Day, by Wendy Pfeffer
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.
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21. Hannukkah Bear, by Eric Kimmel
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!
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22. A Full Year of Festivals and Celebrations, by Claire Grace
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.
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23. Celebrating Groundhog Day, by Karen Bush Gibson
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.
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24. Weird But True Christmas, by National Geographic Kids
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.
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25. Celebrate Christmas, by Deborah Heiligman
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.
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26. Let's Celebrate: Special Days Around the World, by Kate DePalma
The playful illustrations of this book invite readers to keep turning the pages as they learn about thirteen special holidays around the world.
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27. The Carnival Prince, by Daniel J. O'Brien
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.
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28. Bisa's Carnaval, by Joana Pastro
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.
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