These picture books address a number of issues about honesty, such as the danger of how lies spin can out of control, how to establish truthful relationships with others, the consequences of lying, and how feelings of guilt can only be relieved by honesty.

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The Lying King by Alex Beard. WOW. This picture book about a ruler who lies and lies and lies is quite the timely tale. It's told in clever rhymes and depicts how lies snowball and ultimately catch their creator in a trap of his own making. Let's hope the fate of the lying warthog is a harbinger of things to come. Yet this is also a timeless story is important to share with your children and use as a springboard to discuss the value of truth.

I Do Not Eat Children by Marcus Cutler. A great orange monster declares to a group of children at play that he doesn't eat kids. Yet, every time the reader turns the page, a child is missing. What's going on? Is the monster lying? A surprise twist makes sure the lying lier who lies gets his just due in this subversive tale.

MORE: Picture Books about Meaningful Values

Three Little Birds by Lysa Mullady, illustrated by Kyle Reed. When Blue's feelings get hurt when Red and Yellow fly off together. After Violet and Green stop by, he starts a rumor. As the rumor is spread, Blue starts to feel guilty. In the end, with apologies all around, the birds learn some valuable lessons.

MORE: Best Books about Friendship

Betty Bunny Didn't Do It by Michael Kaplan, illustrated by Stéphane Jorisch. Betty Bunny breaks a lamp and blames it on the Tooth Fairy! Suddenly Betty Bunny decides that blaming her errors on others is a great idea. Why hadn't she thought of this before? When questioned by her mother, she admits to telling an "honest lie." But when someone breaks a vase, Betty learns a valuable lesson when she gets the blame, even though she didn't do it.

The Empty Pot by Demi. This is a great book to teach kids about honesty and integrity. Ping loves to garden, and grows the most beautiful plants and flowers. An aging emperor with no heirs proclaims that the child who grows the most wonderful flower will succeed him. He gives every child a seed, but Ping is distressed because even after a year, his seed has not sprouted. He takes his empty pot to the emperor, who reveals the truth behind the barren pot. This is a good book for older children, too.

MORE: Books that Teach Empathy

The Boy Who Cried Bigfoot by Scott Magoon. This is a fun twist on the classic truth morality tale, "The Boy Who Cried Wolf." I love the fact that the narrator is Bigfoot who describes the tenacious Ben and his failure to establish trust with others when he falsely tells people about a Bigfoot sighting. Of course when Bigfoot proves to be real and rides off on Ben's bike, Ben must find another way to prove that he is now telling the truth.

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Lane Smith is a very funny fractured fairy tale narrated by the wolf who insists that he's not the bad guy. He claims that he is not to blame and everything that happened to the pigs is simply based on a huge misunderstanding... and his allergies. There are very few children's picture books in which the narrator is untrustworthy and it is an great exercise in storytelling to read this book with an older child, who will be able to see the irony which a 3-year-old will miss.

A Day's Work by Eve Bunting. Mexican-American Francisco helps his grandfather find work. His grandfather has just immigrated and speaks no English. Francisco lies about his grandfather's gardening experience to get him some work, but in the end his grandfather teaches Francisco a valuable lesson about honesty. Bunting's book is a great read aloud choice for older children as there is much to discuss about character, integrity, and making truthful choices.

MORE: Picture Books about Generosity and Doing the Right Thing

Harriet and the Garden by Nancy Carlson. During a game of baseball, Harriet accidentally tramples Mrs. Hoozit's prize flowers. Feeling guilty and upset, she is too fearful to tell the truth at first and runs away. However, her conscience nags at her and she learns a good life lesson when she finally comes clean.

The Honest to Goodness Truth by Patricia C. McKissack, illustrated by Giselle Potter. I found several books along theme of "brutal honesty is not always the best policy," but I think I like this one best. When Libby gets caught in a lie by her mother, she decides to tell only the whole truth from now on. But Libby's honesty makes others feel slighted and turns her friends away. When someone does the same to her, Libby realizes her mistake and apologies to her friends. A great book about how to be truthful without hurting others.

MORE: Picture Books about Courage

The Golden Plate by Bernadette Watts. Isobel loves playing with her friend Elisabeth's dollhouse. One day she secretly takes a little golden plate from the house. But her conscience nags at her, making her unhappy and she confesses to her mother. I like the way the story emphasizes how good it makes Isobel feel to finally tell the truth.

The Emperor's New Clothes by Hans Christian Andersen, illustrated by Virginia Lee Burton. This classic fairy tale about a pompous emperor and his comeuppance is always entertaining, but it will also inspire children to consider how our own behavior may affect whether or not others want to tell the truth.

MORE: Fairy Tale Picture Books

Tricky by Kari Rust. Duke and his dog, Tricky, lie, cheat, steal and play nasty pranks on people. Everyone in town knows about them and dislikes them. Ms. Paisley moves to town and doesn't know about Duke and Tricky so she offers Tricky a treat which makes his heart start to grow and soon Duke and Tricky realize the errors of their dishonest way.

A Bike Like Sergio's by Maribeth Boelts, illustrated by‎ Noah Z. Jones. Ruben desperately wants a bike just like all his friends but his family doesn't have a lot of money. One day he finds what he thinks is a dollar bill. It turns out to be a hundred dollar bill. Ruben faces a dilemma about honesty but in the end he realizes he must do the right thing.

MORE: Picture Books about Kindness

Princess K.I.M and the Lie That Grew by Maryann Cocca-Leffler. There are two Princess Kim books. In the first, Princess Kim and Too Much Truth, Kim learns the difference between integrity and how offering up too many honest opinions can be hurtful. In the next book, Kim discovers that telling a lie can quickly spin out of control and get one in trouble.

Divali Rose by Vashanti Rahaman, illustrated by Jamel Akib. Ricki lives in Trinidad and he is eagerly awaiting the Hindu festival of lights, Divali. He accidentally breaks off one of his grandfather's beautiful roses and he is fearful of owning up to his mistake. His grandfather blames the new, immigrant neighbors. This is a great book to spark a discussion not only about honesty, but misplaced blame and jumping to prejudiced conclusions.

MORE: Books that Teach Gratitude

The post Children's Books about Lying and Telling the Truth appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

Of course it's great to read about love and kisses all year long and to facilitate that I've listed books in three sections: toddlers, preschoolers and elementary aged kids. As with most books there is no hard and fast age limit! Enjoy reading these books about hearts and love this Valentine's Day or everyday you want a few extra snuggles.

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Valentine Books for Toddlers

Counting Kisses by Karen Katz. This darling lift the flap book may not be specifically about valentines but it will certainly set in motion a cascade of love, and isn’t that the goal?

Llama Llama I Love You by Anna Dewdney. A darling board book that introduces the iconic llama to babies and toddlers. A very sweet and adorable read that imparts a lovely message.

Huggy Kissy by Leslie Patricelli. I adore all of Patricicelli’s joyful board books and this love-themed title about all the different ways to show affection makes a great Valentine’s day book for toddlers.

Lilly’s Chocolate Heart by Kevin Henkes. Lilly has a very special chocolate heart and she wants to find the perfect hiding place to keep it safe. Take a guess where that might be. Adorable.

Little You by Richard Van Camp is an adorable board book that is a tender, rhyming love story from mom and dad to their baby.

I Love You Little Pookie by Sandra Boynton. You can't go wrong with a Boynton board book! The rhyme and rhythm of this love letter from mom to Pookie is hard not to read again and again.

MORE: Picture books about Kindness

Valentine Books for Preschoolers

Plant a Kiss by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds. What happens when you literally plant a kiss? This winsome book follows a girl as she plants a kiss and shares the harvest. A great title for Valentine’s Day reading, but also for any time you want to share the message of kindness.

I Spy Little Hearts by Jean Marzollo, illustrated by Walter Wick. I always find I SPY books to be great boredom busters, especially for when you are on the go and want to keep the kids busy. Why not add in a Valentine book to your repertoire?

The Day it Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond. This has become a classic Valentine’s Day book for preschoolers. Cornelia Augusta (don’t you love that name?) catches hearts as they fall from the sky. What to do with them? Why turn them into valentines of course!

Love Monster by Rachel Bright. Love Monster seems out of place in Cutesville, but he wants to be loved just the way he is.

Love by Stacy McAnulty, illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff. On each page, McAnulty begins, "Love is..." Love is a gift, time spent with friends, a shared meal and so forth. The text is simple and children will easily relate to the actions that come as a result of love as shown in the sweet, colorful illustrations which depict a wonderfully diverse group of kids! After you read this book aloud to your children, help them plan ways in which they can show their loved ones how they care.

MORE: Valentine's Day bookmarks to print and color

Valentine Books for Kindergarteners on Up

This Is Not a Valentine by Carter Higgins. As this sweet story of friendship shows, not all valentines have to be frilly and lovey dovey. Valentines of friendship can also convey meaningful feelings.

Valentines for All: Esther Howland Captures America's Heart by Nancy Churnin, illustrated by Monika Róza Wisniewska. This is a fun biography of how a woman popularized Valentine's Day in the United States and built a thriving business around valentine cards in the 19th century.

Dog Loves Books by Louise Yates. Dog loves to books so he decides to open his very own bookstore. However he doesn’t have any customers and so he spends his time getting lost in imaginary adventures brought on by reading! Soon, though he has a customer and can recommend just the right book. Perhaps this is not technically a Valentine’s Day book, but what better time of year to express your own love of books?

A Village Full of Valentines by James Stevenson. I think this is my favorite Valentine's Day book. Seven quirky vignettes will absolutely charm your heart.

The Ballad of Valentine by Allison Jackson, illustrated by Tricia Tusa. A delightful rhyming book that you will want to sing to the famous “Clementine” book. A rather clumsy and smitten gentleman tries to woo a rather clueless frontier woman. Very fun.

How Far Do You Love Me? by Lulu Delacre. A lovely book that will take you and your child on a trip around the world, rooted in love for each other.

One Zillion Valentines by Frank Modell. This book had a real old fashioned feel to me. Perhaps it is because the protagonists are named Milton and Marvin. Milton and Marvin set out to deliver a zillion valentines to their friends and neighbors but they have a lot leftover. So they hatch a plan to make a little money so they can buy a valentine to share.

How Do I Love, Thee? by Jennifer Adams. This lovely picture book is an adaptation of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's famous sonnet. Instead of a romantic love poem, Adams reimagines it as a poem of friendship. The illustrations show a diverse group of children playing outside. The endnotes includes the original poem and a bit about Browning. Delightful.

Add a WOW! factor to Valentine's day and pair your reading with a STEAM project. My team and I put together a resource I know you will love. It also includes a bookmark project!

More Valentine's Day fun:

• The Giant Hug: a Family Valentine Craft and Book
• Easy Kid-Made Valentines Perfect for the Last Minute
• Super Easy Valentines for Your Preschool Friends

The post Valentine Books for Kids that Spread Love and Kisses appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

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Classic Children's Christmas Books

Father Christmas' Letters by J.R.R. Tolkien (bet. 1920-1942, pub. 1976). I used to love it when my mother read these letters out loud. Tolkien wrote a letter each year to his children in the voice of Father Christmas and they are all collected in this volume. Now you can enjoy the whimsical tales of Santa, his accident-prone polar bear, mischievous goblins, reindeer and more. Definitely a book to have in your permanent collection!

Christmas in Noisy Village by Astrid Lindgren (1963). This is my favorite Christmas book of all time. I love the cozy, familial, Swedish traditions depicted in Wikland's Carl Larsson-esque illustrations. Three sets of siblings set about getting ready for Christmas in a snowy landscape. They cut down a tree, make ginger cookies, wrap packages and play games. If you are like me and attracted to all things Swedish, be sure to take a look at my list of Swedish Holiday Picture Books.

The Little Drummer Boy by Ezra Jack Keats (1968). A poor drummer boy follows the three kings on their way to Bethlehem. He does not have riches to offer so instead plays on his instrument. Keats' wonderful illustrations accompany the words to the classic Christmas song. A treasure of a book.

The Clown of God by Tomie dePaola (1978). I found this a bittersweet book as a child and I was never sure if I truly liked it but still, every year I was drawn to the story. It's not as Christmas-y a story as the others on this list, yet I've always thought of it as a Christmas book. Giovanni is poor, but he has a talent for juggling. He juggles his rainbow balls for captive audiences until he grows old and the audiences no longer come. When he gives one last performance before a statue of the Christ child, a miracle happens.

The Nutcracker in Harlem by T. E. McMorrow (2017). I love this Harlem Renaissance adaptation of the traditional Nutcracker story, and I think you will, too. There are lots of Nutcracker picture books out there so why not pick up something with a little extra inspiration thrown in? The shy Marie gets a nutcracker from her Uncle Cab at a holiday party and afterwards falls asleep and enters a gorgeous dream mirroring Act One of The Nutcracker ballet. When she wakes on Christmas morning she gets her own gift of music.

MORE: Favorite Nutcracker Books for Kids

Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore - or this version by Rachel Isadora. (poem 1823; versions: 2013, 2009). This beloved, classic Christmas poem needs no introduction and there are one million and one illustrated versions on the market.  Since I couldn't decided between these picture books of the timeless Christmas poem I included them both. Pick them both up at the library and decide which one you like best!

12 Days of Christmas (Pop up) by Robert Sabuda (2006). Like The Night Before Christmas, you will easily find several picture book versions of this classic Christmas song. I chose this one for this list of timeless Christmas books because it is quite delightful to experience the multiplying 12 days of gifts in pop-up form!

The Story of Holly and Ivy by Rumer Godden (1958). Ivy is an orphan and wishes for a home. Holly is a doll and wishes for a girl to bring her to life. Mr and Mrs Jones would like to have a child to brighten up their home. In this classic Christmas book for children, all the wishes come together for a heartwarming story you won't want to miss.

MORE: Christmas Audiobooks

Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto (1996). I've always loved this picture book about a loving Latino family getting ready for the holidays. Maria finally gets to help assemble the traditional tamales for the holiday feasts but in doing so she loses her mother's ring–or so she thinks–in the mixture. The only way to find the ring is to eat the tamales, of course!

The Christmas Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood (2012). I really wanted to have a couple of classic Christmas books for toddlers and babies on this list. This is a very sweet read that will settle your little ones down (we hope) for the big night. You truly won't mind reading it year after year! Each page illustrates a quiet moment of the Christmas season, such as, "Bundled up quiet," or "Snow angel quiet." Sweet and delightful without being saccharine.

MORE: Christmas Poems for Kids and Families

Dream Snow by Eric Carle (2000). Carle's book is a fast favorite Christmas book among the toddler and preschool set. And it's interactive to boot. A farmer takes care of his animals, named One, Two, Three and Four. When he falls asleep he begins to dream of snow covering everything and the transparent snow overlay pages are fun for little hands to turn. After he awakes he realizes he forgot to give the animals their gifts and heads out into the night. The book concludes with little hands lighting up the tree on a snowy night. (Note: the board book version has lift the flaps instead of overlays and may not include the music button at the end.)

The Trees of the Dancing Goats by Patricia Polacco (2000). As Trisha prepares for Hanukkah with her family she learns that the neighboring Christian families are afflicted by a scarlet fever epidemic. Unable to feel good about celebrating while their neighbors are suffering, Trisha’s family work together to help them. A wonderful, positive story about finding joy in giving to others.

How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen (2023). Dynamic duo Barnett and Klassen are back with a hilarious picture book that ponders the eternal Christmas conundrum. How exactly does Santa fit down the chimney? There is much speculation. Some of it hilarious, some outrageous and some impossible. Which answer will your kids choose?

MORE: Funny Christmas Picture Books

Lullaby for the King by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Michelle Carlos (2023). In this gorgeous nativity book, the focus is on a parade of animals, both exotic and ordinary, and their journey to meet the new King. The story begins with the animals learning of the birth. They parade over long distances, bringing gifts of music, perfume and luxury. Grimes is a poet and her text is lyrical, moving and peaceful. Looking for a a nativity picture book? This is the one you need.

This is Christmas by Tom Booth (2018). A cute little chipmunk wants to know what Christmas is. “What is Christmas, Mama?” he asks. His mother then takes him on a tour through the landscape. Little chipmunk sees the activity around him, like geese singing, and badgers decorating and each time he asks him mama, "Is this Christmas?" She answers yes, each thing is a part of Christmas. At the end, on Christmas morning, the chipmunk experience the community celebrating and the joyful understanding of what Christmas is truly all about.

The post Timeless Christmas Books You Will Read Year after Year appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

Some of these multicultural books celebrate Christmas traditions from around the world, others feature children from diverse backgrounds, cultures or religions. Reading these wonderful and uplifting stories will bring extra joy to your family this season, so start making that hot cocoa, you've got some reading to do!

Note: this list contains Amazon and Bookshop affiliate links. Purchases made through these links may earn a commission for this blog. Bookshop also supports independent bookstores.

A World of Cookies for Santa by M.E. Furman, illustrated by Susan Gal

Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

This is such a fun way to learn about all the countries where children eagerly await the arrival of Santa Claus. On a trip around the world, readers are introduced to the different varieties of cookies that may be waiting by the hearth on Christmas Eve. In addition, the text relays with other fun facts about each country's Christmas traditions. Recipes included, thank goodness. Ages 4 and up.

Holy Night and Little Star by Mitali Perkins, illustrated by Khoa Le

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

For parents looking for a unique picture book about the Biblical Christmas story, you can't go wrong with this lovely collaboration from Perkins and Le. The narrative is told from the point of view of Little Star who is watching how the Maker is gathering celestial bodies in preparation of a momentous event. Little Star wants to do her part, but she is nervous. Gorgeously illustrated!

An Anishinaabe Christmas by Wab Kinew, illustrated by Erin Hill

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

An Indigenous family is on the road, headed toward the Rez and family for Christmas. Along the way, Baby asks lots of questions. The curious tyke wants to know about Santa, presents, how bears find their family, the North Star, and more. Baby's patient parents explain it all and when they arrive at the Rez the three of them have a joyful reunion with grandparents. This is a lovely story that affirms the cultural pride inherent in Indigenous celebrations.

Tamales for Christmas by Stephen Briseño, illustrated by Sonia Sánchez

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Tamales are a traditional Christmas food for many Latino families. In this heartwarming story, which the author based on his own abuela, Grandma sets to work making tamales to sell and give away during the season. She works ceaselessly, earning money to purchase gifts for her loved ones. The narration tracks Grandma's hard work, eventually exclaiming that she has reached 1000 dozen tamales! Also available in Spanish.

It's Navidad, El Cucuy! by Donna Barba Higuera, illustrated by Juliana Perdomo

Find it: Amazon

El Cucuy, the monster who lives in Ramón's bedroom just can't get into the Christmas spirit. As Ramón tries to reassure El Cucuy that all the fun festive activities like greeting strangers on Nochebuena, lighting lanterns, and making snowmen are not scary, the book's audience learns about Latino Christmas traditions. Spanish words are sprinkled throughout the text.

Tree of Cranes by Allen Say

Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

Set in Japan, a young Japanese boy comes home with a chill. While he is warming up with a bath and a bowl of rice gruel he watches his mother fold origami cranes and dig up a small tree. She pots the tree and explains to her son that when she was growing up in California, "today was a special day" and together they light candles on the tree. I found reading this book very peaceful and relaxing. Ages 4 and up.

Christmas in Noisy Village by Astrid Lindgren, illustrated by Ilon Wikland

Find it: Amazon

This is my favorite Christmas book of all time. I love the cozy, familial, Swedish traditions depicted in Wikland's Carl Larsson-esque illustrations. Three sets of siblings set about getting ready for Christmas in a snowy landscape. They cut down a tree, make ginger cookies, wrap packages, play games and spread holiday cheer to all. Ages 3 and up.

MORE: Swedish winter holiday picture books

The Christmas Book Flood by Emily Kilgore, illustrated by Kitty Moss

Find it: Amazon

In recent years, the Icelandic tradition of Jolabokaflod, or Christmas Book Flood has become more widely known. On Christmas Eve in Iceland families give books to each other and then spend the rest of the evening reading. What's not to love about that! Well, now you can add Jolabokaflod  to your family's holiday celebration by reading this joyous, rhyming, beautifully illustrated new Christmas book! 

The Legend of Old Befana by Tomie dePaola

Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

In Italy, Befana brings gifts to children on Epiphany. When the Three Kings urge Befana to come with them to see the baby Jesus, she initially resists, insisting she must finish her sweeping. She decides to follow them, however, and as she travels she leaves gifts for children along the way. To this day, she continues to search for the baby King, following the star.  I had never encountered this legend before, but I really love it, especially the idea that there is always a hope to find what you are looking for. Ages 4 and up.

MORE: Multicultural Winter Holiday Books

The Real Santa by Nancy Redd, illustrated by Charnell Pinkney Barlow

Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

I adore this sweet and cozy Christmas book, which imparts the magical wonder of believing in Santa. A boy sees so many versions of Santa–on ornaments, figurines, wrapping paper, books, etc. He wonders which version truly reflects what Santa looks like so he comes up with a plan to find out. One of my favorite parts is all the outfits the extended family members don! Christmas sweaters and matching PJs enhance the cozy feeling. Ages 3 and up.

May Your Life Be Deliciosa by Michael Genhart, illustrated by Loris Lora

Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

Every year the family gets together to make tamales for Christmas. Each step of the process is lovingly described, from the cleaning of the corn husks to the careful folding, and finally the eating. The joyous gathering is full of family stories and blessings, making this wonderful book about family love and tradition a must-read Christmas book. Ages 5 and up.

Miracle on 133rd Street by Sonia Manzano, illustrated by Marjorie Priceman

Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

On Christmas Eve, José's family is getting ready for a big dinner, but when the roast won't fit in the oven, José and Papi ask for help from the local pizzeria. On their way they notice that their neighbors are not feeling the Christmas spirit. But once the roast is finally ready, the delicious smell brings everyone together to recapture the true spirit of the holidays. A wonderful, diverse celebration of a book! Ages 4 and up.

'Twas Nochebuena by Roseanne Greenfield Thong, illustrated by Sara Palacios

Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

In the rhyming format of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, a girl describes her holiday traditions, special foods and decorations. Some of the traditions like a piñata and celebrating Las Posadas may not be familiar to all readers, others such as hanging up stockings will be familiar to all. Sprinkled throughout the book are Spanish words. Ages 4 and up.

Silent Night by Lara Hawthorne

Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

The illustrations in this book are gorgeous! The text is the classic Christmas song, and you may not be able to resist singing as you go along. The cast of characters is diverse, and Mary and Joseph are depicted with dark skin. I love the boldness of the black sky and the overall serene feeling of the book. Even if your family celebrates a secular Christmas, this is a beautiful book to share.

Red and Green, Blue and White by Lee Wind, illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky

Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

This picture book is based on a 1993 incident in Billings, Montana. In a neighborhood adorned with red and green lights, one house stands out with its blue and white lights. Isaac's family celebrates Hanukkah and his friend, Teresa, who lives across the street celebrates Christmas. After their house is targeted in an anti-semitic attack, Isaac's family continues to light the menorah rather than hide. In solidarity, Teresa draws a menorah and places it in her window. The paper menorah becomes a catalyst for community solidarity. Includes author's note. Ages 5 and up.

The Christmas Mitzvah by Jeff Gottesfeld, illustrated by Michelle Laurentia Agatha

Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

Mitzvah is the Hebrew word for a good deed that is done to fulfill a commandment from God. In this inspiring story, Al Rosen, a Jewish man, performs mitzvahs for his neighbors every Christmas by working their shifts so they can celebrate their Christmas holidays at home. The neighbors return the favor on the Jewish High Holidays of Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah. Gottesfeld based his story on the real-life Al Rosen who performed the mitzvahs for many years, beginning in 1969. Includes author's note. Ages 5 and up.

MORE: Holiday Picture Books for Interfaith Families

Carl, The Christmas Carp by Ian Krykorka, illustrated by Vladyana Krykorka

Find it: Amazon

This Christmas picture book will introduce kids to an unusual cultural tradition! In Prague, Radim and his father head to the market to buy the traditional carp for Christmas dinner. The catch (pun) is that the family keeps the carp in the bathtub, feeding it breadcrumbs, to fatten it up for the big feast. Radim, however, begins to get attached to the fish living in his tub and he and his friend, Mila, set the fish free in the local river. Ages 5 and up.

The Christmas Coat by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve, illustrated by Ellen Beier

Find it: Amazon

In the 1940s, at the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota, Virginia's coat is too small and she hopes for a new one. The community eagerly awaits the arrival of parcels filled with goods for Christmas that are sent to the reservation from the East. Virginia's father is an Episcopal priest so her family chooses from the parcel last; she worries that there won't be a coat left for her. When Virginia has to give away her coat she displays generosity and selflessness. A heartwarming read the teaches the rewards of thinking of others above yourself. Winner of the 2011 Youth Literature Award from the American Indian Library Association. Ages 5 and up.

I Got the Christmas Spirit by Connie Schofield-Morrison, illustrated by Frank Morrison

Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

A vivacious and ebullient girl spreads Christmas spirit around the city, as she enjoys Christmas traditions and is kind to those around her. The onomatopoetic text is a joy to read aloud. Ages 3 and up.

Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto, illustrated by Ed Martinez

Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

Maria finally gets to help assemble the traditional tamales for the holiday feasts but in doing so she loses her mother's ring–or so she thinks–in the mixture. The only way to find the ring is to eat the tamales, of course! Ages 5 and up.

Grandma's Gift by Eric Velasquez

Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

Artist Eric Velasquez remembers a special moment with his grandmother. Over winter break and against the backdrop of preparing for a traditional Puetro Rican Christmas celebration, a boy and his grandmother visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art for a school project. Eric is inspired when he sees the paintings of Diego Velasquez and realizes he can be an artist too. Ages 7 and up.

Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama by Selina Alko

Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

In this cheerful story, a young girl describes her interfaith family's unique traditions like caroling to the neighbors about both the Maccabees and the manger, or making latkes to leave for Santa. One of the best aspects of this book is that it shows the extended family members from both sides of the family coming together rather than having separate celebrations. There is also a recipe for Cranberry Kugel stuffing: the ultimate interfaith side dish! Ages 4 and up.

A Piñata in a Pear Tree by Pat Mora, illustrated by Magaly Morales

Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

This book is a fun twist on A Partridge in a Pear Tree. The rhyming text, heavy with Spanish words, is infectious. A girl gets gifts from an amiga, starting with a piñata, adding pastelitos, trompos, until finally she gets doce angelitos celebrando. At the end of the song, she learns the identity of the mystery amiga. Includes glossary and pronunciation guide. Ages 3 and up.

The Nutcracker in Harlem by T. E. McMorrow, illustrated by James Ransome

Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

I love this Harlem Renaissance adaptation of the traditional Nutcracker story, and I think you will, too. There are lots of Nutcracker picture books out there so why not pick up something with a little extra inspiration thrown in? The shy Marie gets a nutcracker from her Uncle Cab at a holiday party and afterwards falls asleep and enters a gorgeous dream mirroring Act One of The Nutcracker ballet. When she wakes on Christmas morning she gets her own gift of music. Ages 4 and up.

MORE: Nutcracker Books for Kids

An Angel Just Like Me by Mary Hoffman, illustrated by Ying-Hwa Hu & Cornelius van Wright

Find it: Amazon

As Tyler's family decorates the Christmas tree, Tyler wonders why all of the angels ornaments are pale girls. He sets out to find an angel that looks like he does, searching through stores, and even looking at the nativity scene in church (which prompts him to ask why Jesus has blond hair if he was Jewish -- how many of us have asked THAT question!). He tells his friend Carl, an artist who works as a Santa, about his search. When Carl crafts an angel just for Tyler, all of Tyler's friends want "angels just like them!" Age 4 and up.

MORE: Timeless Christmas Picture Books

The Spider's Gift by Eric A. Kimmel, illustrated by Katya Krenina

Find it: at your library (out of print)

Katrusya's family is too poor to buy each other gifts for Christmas but Katrusya does manage to secure a tree. It turns out the tree is filled with spiders. Her mother wants to get rid of the tree (seems reasonable to me!) but Katrusya convinces her to keep it and in return the spiders decorate it with their webs. A Christmas miracle turns the webs to silver and brings riches to the villagers. Ages 4 and up.

Everett Anderson's Christmas Coming by Lucille Clifton, illustrated by

Find it: Amazon

I love this story about a young boy who watches snow falling from his 14th story window and explores the holiday festivities in the city. There are delightful details that urban dwellers will appreciate, like how to get a tree in an elevator and what the neighbors think of the party happening upstairs. Sadly, this book is out of print, but look for it at your library; it's well worth the effort of tracking down. Ages 3 and up.

Yoon and the Christmas Mitten by Helen Recorvits, illustrated by Gabi Swiatkowska

Find it: Amazon | at your library (out of print)

Yoon and her family are recent Korean immigrants. Yoon learns about "Mr. Santa Claus" in school but her parents insist they are "not a Christmas family." Yoon can't help but hope, though, that Mr. Santa Claus will pay her a visit. What I love about this story is how the family members show each other respect and how Yoon's parents, even though they originally rejected the idea of Christmas, listened to Yoon's reasoned arguments and surprised her. Ages 4 and up.

What's Cooking, Jamala? by Niki Daly

Find it: at your library (out of print)

In South Africa, Jamela raises a special chicken but then she finds out it is headed for the pot to become Christmas dinner! Jamela takes the chicken and runs away through the town. Finally everyone agrees, you don't eat your friend, and a hearty vegetarian meal is prepared instead. Local words are sprinkled throughout the text (glossary provided). Ages 4 and up.

The post Diverse and Multicultural Christmas Books appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

Note: this list contains Amazon and Bookshop affiliate links. Purchases made through these links may earn a commission for this blog. Bookshop also supports independent bookstores.

Funny Christmas Picture Books

From ducks in Santa hats, to frogs on vacation, to mis-delivered packages, these sweet and funny Christmas books are sure to delight kids and grown-ups of all ages.

The Christmas Extravaganza Hotel by Tracey Corderoy, illustrated by Tony Neal

Find it: Amazon

This is a marvelous book to read aloud! So much fun to do the voices! A frog shows up at the home of a bear thinking it is the Christmas Extravaganza Hotel. The bear tells him he is not at the right place but invites him in. He takes a look at the brochure the frog has and tries to make the frog's Christmas experience live up to the crazy activities in the brochure. Both frog and bear have a delightful time and forge a new, lifelong friendship. Super duper fun as well as heartwarming.

MORE: Our favorite new Christmas picture books (updated annually!)

How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Dynamic duo Barnett and Klassen are back with a hilarious picture book that ponders the eternal Christmas conundrum. How exactly does Santa fit down the chimney? There is much speculation. Some of it hilarious, some outrageous and some impossible. Which answer will your kids choose?

A Stickler Christmas by Lane Smith

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

In this whimsical tale, a Douglas fir tree, aptly named "Doug-the-Fir", confides in Sticker that he doesn't want to be a Christmas tree. He just hates all the attention. Stickler, meanwhile, is passing out sticks to his woodland friends as holiday gifts. These sticks have specific properties perfectly suited to each recipient. Stickler, wanting to help his friend, Doug, comes up with the perfect stick-y solution to take the pressure off his friend. Delightful!

Presents Through the Window by Taro Gomi

Find it: Amazon

My son loved the quirky humor in this Christmas book by a favorite author of ours. Santa sets out in his helicopter to deliver presents. He is in a hurry and he peeks through the windows to make sure he delivers gifts to the correct recipients. But he doesn't exactly get things right! Clever die-cut pages add to the fun and giggles. Don't worry! Everything goes right in the end.

MORE: Multicultural Christmas picture books

The Christmas Feast by Nathalie Dargen, illustrated by Magali Le Huche

Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

This very witty story is reminiscent of trickster tales but with a heartwarming twist. Fox has brought Turkey home with the intention of preparing her to be his dinner, a meal he plans to share with his friends, Wolf and Weasel. But this Turkey does not intend to become dinner for them and the trio is unwittingly tricked into decorating and getting ready for Christmas. Along the way they discover that they prefer being friends with Turkey rather than eating her. But how will they get out of their sticky situation? The solution will charm you.

MORE: Timeless Christmas picture books

A Pinecone! by Helen Yoon

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

A girl and her father take the dog for a walk in the snowy woods. The girl spots a pinecone and decides to keep it... and name it. Then she sees another, and decides to keep that one, and name it, too. Pretty soon she has a whole pinecone family, but there are still more to be collected. You can see where this is going. The illustrations offer delightful humor, especially with the dog! By the end of the day, the girl has so many pinecones and they have made such a mess there is only one thing to do. You'll have to read the book to find out.

Pig the Elf by Aaron Blabey

Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

So, this may not be the most sophisticated book on the list, but the ending will make your kids giggle, as well as impart a important Christmas message about greed. I liked that Blabey matched his rhyming text to the rhythm of the classic poem, "A Visit from Saint Nicholas."

Dinosaur vs Santa by Bob Shea

Find it: Amazon

Dinosaur is back and he is determined to fiercely conquer all things Christmas by unleashing his signature "ROAR!" He manages to master tree decorating, leaving out cookies and writing a letter to Santa. But will he manage to conquer falling asleep on Christmas Eve? Super cute and delightful to read aloud.

Christmas Wombat by Jackie French, illustrated by Bruce Whatley

Find it: Amazon

Wombat is off in search of carrots, his favorite snack, when he comes nose to nose with a strange creature. After accidentally hitching a ride on Santa's sleigh, Wombat and this strange creature (okay, it's a reindeer) battle it out for the carrots at every stop on the nighttime flight around the world. Kids will love the deadpan humor.

Santa Duck by David Milgrim

Find it: Amazon

One snowy day, Nicholas the duck finds a red and white suit and hat on his doorstep. He dons the outfit and takes a stroll around the neighborhood. As he does so, the other animals mistake him for Santa Claus and submit to him their gift requests. When Nicholas meets the real Santa he relates their requests, but forgets to ask for something for himself. But that's okay, Santa doesn't forget about him. There is a sequel, Santa Duck and His Merry Helpers.

Dragon's Merry Christmas by Dav Pilkey

Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

Dav Pilkey's Dragon series is 100% hilarious. Dragon's Merry Christmas is technically an easy reader, but its deadpan humor begs to be shared with the whole family. The story of Dragon getting ready for Christmas is divided into four episodes. Dragon's quirky attempts at traditional Christmas activities like getting a Christmas tree, hanging a wreath and delivering presents all end a little lopsided, but will bring tears of laughter to your eyes.

Click, Clack, Ho! Ho! Ho! by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Betsy Lewin

Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

Your favorite farm animals and Farmer Brown make a holiday appearance with their usual humor in Click, Clack, Ho! Ho! Ho! Duck, not wanting to miss out on the Santa action, snaps on his night vision goggles and zip lines over to the chimney where he gets stuck. The other animals attempt to get him unstuck and hilarity ensues.

The post The Absolute Funniest, Funny Christmas Books for Kids! appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

(Note: this post contains affiliate links that earn from qualifying purchases.)

2024

Santa's First Christmas by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Sydney Smith

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

You can count on Mac Barnett to put a little quirky humor in your family's Christmas read aloud time, and this delightful story does not disappoint. Santa works so hard to make Christmas perfect for the world's children and this year the elves decide to give him his own Christmas celebration after his work is done.

Mr. Santa by Jarvis

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Wonderfully soothing illustrations grace each double page spread of this gentle Christmas book. When Santa's visit wakes a child, she takes the opportunity to ask him questions. On each spread, the child asks Santa a simple question as she follows him on his gift-giving route. Patiently, Santa listens to each one before he takes off into the sky with his reindeer and the reader is left wondering, was that all a dream?

Tamales for Christmas by Stephen Briseño, illustrated by Sonia Sánchez

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Tamales are a traditional Christmas food for many Latino families. In this heartwarming story, which the author based on his own abuela, Grandma sets to work making tamales to sell and give away during the season. She works ceaselessly, earning money to purchase gifts for her loved ones. The narration tracks Grandma's hard work, eventually exclaiming that she has reached 1000 dozen tamales! Also available in Spanish.

MORE: Christmas picture book featuring diverse traditions

A Stickler Christmas by Lane Smith

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

In this whimsical tale, a Douglas fir tree, aptly named "Doug-the-Fir", confides in Sticker that he doesn't want to be a Christmas tree. He just hates all the attention. Stickler, meanwhile, is passing out sticks to his woodland friends as holiday gifts. These sticks have specific properties perfectly suited to each recipient. Stickler, wanting to help his friend, Doug, comes up with the perfect stick-y solution to take the pressure off his friend. Delightful!

An Anishinaabe Christmas by Wab Kinew, illustrated by Erin Hill

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

An Indigenous family is on the road, headed toward the Rez and family for Christmas. Along the way, Baby asks lots of questions. The curious tyke wants to know about Santa, presents, how bears find their family, the North Star, and more. Baby's patient parents explain it all and when they arrive at the Rez the three of them have a joyful reunion with grandparents. This is a lovely story that affirms the cultural pride inherent in Indigenous celebrations.

2023

The Twelve Hours of Christmas by Jenn Bailey, illustrated by Bea Jackson

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

This refreshing retelling of the classic Christmas song celebrates family. During the first hour of Christmas, Santa leaves a kitten. For the rest of the lively tale (which you won't be able to resist singing!), readers will love to spot the clever feline in the illustrations. Utterly delightful!

Lullaby for the King by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Michelle Carlos

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

In this gorgeous nativity book, the focus is on a parade of animals, both exotic and ordinary, and their journey to meet the new King. The story begins with the animals learning of the birth. They parade over long distances, bringing gifts of music, perfume and luxury. Grimes is a poet and her text is lyrical, moving and peaceful. Looking for a a nativity picture book? This is the one you need.

How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Dynamic duo Barnett and Klassen are back with a hilarious picture book that ponders the eternal Christmas conundrum. How exactly does Santa fit down the chimney? There is much speculation. Some of it hilarious, some outrageous and some impossible. Which answer will your kids choose?

MORE: Timeless Christmas Books

2022

The Christmas Book Flood by Emily Kilgore, illustrated by Kitty Moss.

Find it: Amazon

In recent years, the Icelandic tradition of Jolabokaflod, or Christmas Book Flood has become more widely known. On Christmas Eve in Iceland families give books to each other and then spend the rest of the evening reading. What's not to love about that! Well, now you can add Jolabokaflod  to your family's holiday celebration by reading this joyous, rhyming, beautifully illustrated new Christmas book! 

MORE: Funniest Christmas Books

2021

The Real Santa by Nancy Redd, illustrated by Charnell Pinkney Barlow.

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

I adore this sweet and cozy Christmas book, which imparts the magical wonder of believing in Santa. A boy sees so many versions of Santa–on ornaments, figurines, wrapping paper, books, etc. He wonders which version truly reflects what Santa looks like so he comes up with a plan to find out. One of my favorite parts is all the outfits the extended family members don! Christmas sweaters and matching PJs enhance the cozy feeling.

2018

The Christmas Extravaganza Hotel by Tracey Corderoy, illustrated by Tony Neal

Find it: Amazon

This is a marvelous book to read aloud! So much fun to do the voices! A frog shows up at the home of a bear thinking it is the Christmas Extravaganza Hotel. The bear tells him he is not at the right place but invites him in. He takes a look at the brochure the frog has and tries to make the frog's Christmas experience live up to the crazy activities in the brochure. Both frog and bear have a delightful time and forge a new, lifelong friendship. Super duper fun as well as heartwarming.

This is Christmas by Tom Booth

Find it: Amazon

A cute little chipmunk wants to know what Christmas is. “What is Christmas, Mama?” he asks. His mother then takes him on a tour through the landscape. Little chipmunk sees the activity around him, like geese singing, and badgers decorating and each time he asks him mama, "Is this Christmas?" She answers yes, each thing is a part of Christmas. At the end, on Christmas morning, the chipmunk experience the community celebrating and the joyful understanding of what Christmas is truly all about.

Silent Night by Lara Hawthorne

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

The illustrations in this book are gorgeous! The text is the classic Christmas song, and you may not be able to resist singing as you go along. The cast of characters is diverse, and Mary and Joseph are depicted with dark skin. I love the boldness of the black sky and the overall serene feeling of the book. Even if your family celebrates a secular Christmas, this is a beautiful book to share and teach the story of the Christ child story.

Construction Site on Christmas Night by Sherri Duskey Rinker

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

I don't think there is much chance you will miss this latest Christmas installation in the very popular Construction Site picture book series. However, the series has been a good friend to my youngest son and so I include it here, not just for him, but because I am certain your children will also enjoy it.

Coming Home by Michael Morpurgo

Find it: Amazon

This is a beautiful, poetic new Christmas picture book that will put you in a lovely, serene mood just in time for the chaos of Christmas morning. The action is narrated by a migrating robin who wishes to get home. Along the way he encounters difficult weather and choppy seas, but gets help from a kind human. The end note gives information about the migration habits of the Scandinavian robin, which migrates at Christmastime each year.

MORE: Swedish Winter and Christmas Books

Last Stop on the Reindeer Express by Maudie Powell-Tuck, illustrated by Karl James Mountford 

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

A magical, mysterious mailbox sends the bespectacled Mia on an adventure to meet up with her grandpa during the Christmas season. The book is a charming, interactive experience: flaps to lift, doors to open and die cut pages to wonder at. Great fun and very inventive.

MORE: Best Picture Books about Snow!

2017

Waltz of the Snowflakes by Elly MacKay

Find it: Amazon

This beautiful, wordless Christmas picture book is a lovely story that is perfect to read in tandem with your yearly trek to see The Nutcracker. At first, a girl does not want to get dressed up to go out in nasty weather to the ballet. But once she arrives, the magic takes over. She and her mother sit next to a boy and his father and the children's faces light up at the stage action. Gorgeously illustrated double page spreads capture the magic of the show.

MORE: Nutcracker picture books, middle grade and graphic novels

The Little Reindeer by Nicola Killen

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

This Christmas story is adorable. Ollie loves reindeer! She wears a little reindeer suit and carries around a stuffed toy. On Christmas Eve she hears jingle bells and goes outside to investigate! What does she find? A magical adventure and a reindeer, of course! Sweet and lovely!

2016

Presents Through the Window by Taro Gomi

Find it: Amazon

My son loved the quirky humor in this Christmas book! Santa heads out in his helicopter to deliver presents. He is in a hurry and he peeks through the windows to make sure he delivers gifts to the correct recipients. But he doesn't exactly get things right! Clever die-cut pages add to the fun and giggles. Don't worry! Everything goes right in the end.

2015

Miracle on 133rd Street by Sonia Manzano, illustrated by Marjorie Priceman

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

On Christmas Eve, José's family is getting ready for a big dinner, but when the roast won't fit in the oven, José and Papi ask for help from the local pizzeria. On their way they notice that their neighbors are not feeling the Christmas spirit. But once the roast is finally ready, the delicious smell brings everyone together to recapture the true spirit of the holidays. A wonderful, diverse celebration of a book!

MORE: Christmas picture book featuring diverse traditions

The post New Christmas Picture Books (Updated 2024) appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

Note: this list contains Amazon and Bookshop affiliate links. Purchases made through these links may earn commission. Bookshop also supports independent book stores.

Sharice's Big Voice: A Native Kid Becomes a Congreswoman by Sharice Davids & Nancy K. Mays, illustrated by Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley

Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

Sharice Davids, a member of the Ho-Chunk nation, became one of the first female Native American representatives in the U.S. Congress. In this memoir picture book, Davids describes her path growing up as a person who always looked for ways to serve others. After a time where she studied martial arts, worked in customer service and gave back to her community, she went to law school, eventually deciding to run for congress in the state of Kansas. Ages 5 and up.

Contenders: Two Native Baseball Players, One World Series by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Arigon Starr

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

In the 1911 World Series, John Meyers and Charles Bender, two Native American baseball players were on opposing teams. They grew up in different communities and worked hard to overcome the obstacles that stood in their way on the road to professional sports. The media of the day tried to make them out to be rivals, but they were not. Sorell's informative and engaging biography is a must read for any sports fan!

MORE: Native American Picture Books by Native Authors

Freddie the Flyer by Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail and Fred Carmichael, illustrated by Audrea Loreen-Wulf

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Most of us "Lower 48" residents are unaware how much northern communities rely on small planes and private flights to connect them with supplies, medicine, and other necessities. This biography of Fred Carmichael, a resident of Aklavik, Northwest Territories (Canada) illustrates how important men like Carmichael are to their communities. The story starts with Freddie's dream as a young boy of becoming a pilot and his journey to the present day as a professional aviator. Some words also appear in Indigenous languages.

The Heartbeat Drum: The Story of Carol Powder, Cree Drummer and Activist, by Deidre Havrelock, illustrated by Aphelandra

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Carol Powder learned the art of drumming from her grandfather who told her she would be a leader in bringing women back to the drumming circle. He told her that influence of outside patriarchal societies had pushed indigenous women away from the drum. Growing up, Carol continued to teach other women, forming her own drumming circle known as Chubby Cree. A powerful testament to the resilience and determination of indigenous women. The text includes Cree words.

The Water Walker by Joanne Robertson

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Native American communities were the first to recognize what humans were doing to the planet and have always played a crucial role in raising awareness about the environment. Every morning an Ojibwe grandmother greets nibi (water) with gratitude. Knowing that unpolluted water will soon be a scarcity, she and a group of women start to walk around the Great Lakes in order to draw attention to the importance of clean water. It takes them seven years to walk around the lakes, but they do not give up. Both the text and the illustrations add sweet humor to this important story. Ages 3 and up.

Classified: The Secret Career of Mary Golda Ross, Cherokee Aerospace Engineerby Traci Sorell, illustrated by Natasha Donovan

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Guided by her Cherokee heritage and principles, Mary Golda Ross spent her life striving to excel. In school, she was the only female in her math class, which simply spurred her on even more. During WWII she worked on aircraft design and afterwards she was instrumental in developing secret projects at Lockeed. I hope this children's biography of Mary Golda Ross becomes part of every classroom's STEM curriculum! Ages 6 and up.

MORE: Historical and Contemporary Middle Grade Books by Native American Authors

Sharuko: El Arqueólogo Peruano Julio C. Tello/ Peruvian Archaeologist Julio C. Tello by Monica Brown, illustrated by Elisa Chavarri

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Tello was a part of a Quechua-speaking Indigenous people community in Peru and the first first Indigenous archaeologist in the Americas. He started off in medical school and developed an intense curiosity of skulls. Using his skills to improve the lives of Peru's Indigenous people, he was tireless in working to preserve Indigenous history and culture. Ages 6 and up. Note: Publisher Lee and Low has a teacher's guide here.

MORE: Latin American Folktales for Kids

Finding My Dance by Ria Thundercloud, illustrated by Kalila J. Fuller

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Ria Thundercloud (Ho-Chunk Nation and Sandia Pueblo) narrates her autobiographical journey though the world of dance. As a young girl she enthusiastically joined in the jingle dance in the special dress her mother made. Thundercloud recalls the loneliness she felt as the only Indigenous girl in her class at school, as well as how others always mispronounced her name, Wakąja haja pįįwįga. Thundercloud goes on to learn multiple styles of dance, indigenous and western, forging a career path that also lifts up her culture. Vibrant illustrations make this a great Native American biography to read aloud. Ages 5 and up.

Tallchief: America's Prima Ballerina by Maria Tallchief and Rosemary Wells, illustrated by Gary Kelley

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Maria Tallchief narrates her own story. She begins by describing her childhood on the Osage reservation. With the encouragement of her mother, Maria grew up with a fierce love of music and dance and the family moved to Los Angeles so she could continue her training. This biography focuses on Maria's formative years and the book ends when she joins the Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo at the age of 17. Ages 6 and up.

MORE: Native (North) American Folktales for Kids

Wilma's Way Home: The Life of Wilma Mankiller by Doreen Rappaport, illustrated by Linda Kukuk

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Wilma Mankiller, the first female chief of the Cherokee Nation grew up in rural Oklahoma, where her Cherokee heritage instilled in her the importance of helping one another and supporting Native communities. A misguided government policy relocates Mankiller's family to San Francisco. In California she fostered a connection with her Cherokee roots at the local Indian Center, eventually returning to Oklahoma. Ages 6 and up.

Rock & Roll Highway: The Robbie Robertson Story by Sebastian Robertson, illustrated by Adam Gustavson

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Robertson's son penned this upbeat picture book biography of his father, the son of a Mohawk mother and Jewish father. Robbie Robertson was a Canadian songwriter and guitarist in the musical group, the Band. The book traces Robertson's childhood and rise as a musician, as well as mentioning his work with other musical artists. Ages 6 and up.

Red Bird Sings: The Story of Zitkala-Sa Native American Author, Musician, and Activist by Gina Capaldi and Q. L. Pearce, illustrated by Gina Capaldi. Zitkala-Sa

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Zitkala-Sa left her home on the Yankton Sioux reservation in South Dakota to go to school in Indiana where she found solace in music. This biography tells her story from her struggles due to being separated from her traditional culture and discovering her love of music as a child, to her activism on behalf of Native Americans, as an adult. Ages 7 and up.

MORE: Picture Book Biographies of Women Musicians

Mission to Space by John Harrington

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Astronaut John Harrington, a member of the Chickasaw Nation, narrates a journey to space. He introduces us to the basics of NASA astronaut training, what astronauts get up to in space and takes readers on a spacewalk. This is an exceptionally fun read aloud and includes some wonderful photographs of Harrington's experience. Ages 3 and up.

Shaped by Her Hands: Potter Maria Martinez by Anna Harber Freeman and Barbara Gonzales, illustrated by Aphelandra

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Luminous illustrations bring to life the work of Tewa potter, Maria Martinez. Born Maria Povika, she grew up in San Ildefonso Pueblo, New Mexico, learning pottery as a child from her aunt. She became well-known for a particular firing technique that turned pots a shiny black, as well as her focus on drawing upon her cultural heritage to make her amazing pottery. Ages 4 and up.

Jim Thorpe's Bright Path by Joseph Bruchac, illustrated by S.D. Nelson

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Thorpe had a difficult childhood. His parents and brother died and he was sent to an Indian boarding school. These boarding schools were meant to strip Native Americans of their cultural identity and the students were expected to enter society as servants and manual laborers. Thorpe avoided this bleak prospect to become one of the greatest athletes of all time. Publisher Lee and Low has an excellent teacher's guide to go along with the book. Ages 7 and up.

Chester Nez and the Unbreakable Code by Joseph Bruchac, illustrated by Liz Amini-Holmes

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Chester Nez was a Navajo Code Talker during WWII, helping the US government defeat the Japanese by using the Navajo language to evade the enemy. As a child, Nez was taken from his family and placed in a missionary boarding school, where authorities aimed at assimilating children into the colonizing culture and separating them from their indigenous heritage and language. After the war, Nez's life wasn't rosy either, and Bruchac allows us to see Nez in all his humanity. Ages 6 and up. Note: Find a teacher's guide here.

Louis Sockalexis: Native American Baseball Pioneer by Bill Wise, illustrated by Bill Farnsworth

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Sockalexis, a member of the Penobscot tribe, experienced discrimination in the late 19th century as he struggled to be accepted as a professional baseball player. This biography follows his childhood and his career. Get the teacher's guide for the book here. Ages 7 and up.

MORE: Baseball Picture Books

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Trick or Treating & Halloween Fun

Diverse groups celebrate candy, parades, dressing up in costumes, Halloween parties and engage in all sorts of Halloween fun.

Trick-or-Treating in the City by Tiffany D. Jackson, illustrated by Sawyer Cloud. I have a soft spots for books set in a city! Usually, Janelle heads to the suburbs for candy, but this year she is joining her friends to celebrate Halloween in New York City. This book reminds me of taking my kids trick-or-treating in Brooklyn. It's a totally different experience than the suburbs, but just as fun. Kids who live in the 'burbs will love reading about how their peers celebrate in the city!

A Tiger Called Thomas by Charlotte Zolotow, illustrated by Diana Cain Bluthenthal. This is one of my all time favorite Halloween books and I will keep my copy forever and ever! A lovely story of the new kid in the neighborhood who is too shy to meet his neighbors until he dons a tiger costume. When he discovers that his neighbors all know him despite the costume the result is heartwarming. (Note: The original 1963 edition does not feature a Black protagonist.) Another version of this story, A Tiger Called Tomás is also worth reading.

MORE: Be like Thomas and be a tiger for Halloween with our printable tiger mask!

I Got the Spooky Spirit by Connie Schofield-Morrison, illustrated by Frank Morrison. This addition to the "I Got the Spirit" series of picture book is a delightful read aloud. Alliterative text takes the reader on a buoyant journey through all the requisite Halloween celebrations.

Behind the Mask by Yangsook Choi is an excellent and unique addition to your Halloween story time. Kimin has a mysterious memory of seeing his grandfather with a scary face. One day he finds a box containing the face and Kimin realizes what he saw was actually a mask! He learns that his grandfather was a Korean mask dancer and Kimin decides to wear the mask as part of his Halloween costume. His unique costume brings the neighborhood kids together and they try a little Korean dancing of their own.

MORE: Halloween picture books about self-esteem

Halloween Monster by Catherine Stock. Halloween is coming and after Tommy is worried about monsters and other creatures. His understanding mother helps him through his anxiety and they come up with a costume idea together so Tommy can join his friends for trick or treating. The text here is straightforward and the resolution is easy, but the book is also friendly and well-written. Preschoolers will enjoy recognizing traditional fall activities like jumping in leaves and roasting pumpkin seeds and may even see themselves in Tommy as he checks for monsters under the bed and in his closet.

MORE: Halloween read aloud novels for families (spooky and not-spooky options)

Sweets and Treats by Toni Trent Parker, photographs by Earl Anderson. This is a great book for toddlers and preschoolers with inviting photographs and lively rhymes about Halloween traditions. The series includes titles for other holidays, as well.

Little Ghost Makes a Friend by Maggie Edkins Willis. This is a sweet book about a little ghost who wants to make friends with the human inhabitant next door to the house he haunts. He's a little shy though, and only feels comfortable coming out on Halloween, so he decides to host a party but all the decorations and costumes have to be just right so he doesn't scare his potential new friend! Totally adorable.

Leo: A Ghost Story by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Christian Robinson. Leo is a ghost. He is looking forward to introducing himself to the new family moving into his house. The new family doesn't quite feel the same way, so Leo goes out into the world where he meets Jane, a young girl who loves imaginary play, and the two develop an authentic and charming friendship. Plus, author Mac Barnett's storytelling is so very, very clever. Robinson's illustrations are marvelous and offer the perfect amount of ghostly-ness.

Ghosts for Breakfast by Stanley Todd Terasaki, illustrated by Shelly Shinjo. A Troublesome Trio of neighbors informs Farmer Tanaka that there are ghosts out at his farm. The farmer takes his son out to investigate but it turns out the ghosts are actually daikon radishes! I loved the contrast between the fun-seeking father and his somewhat nervous son when they head out to solve the ghost mystery. A fun book that is different from the usual fare.

MORE: Halloween Graphic Novels for Kids

The Closet Ghosts by Uma Krishnaswami, illustrated by Shiraaz Bhabha. Anu's family has moved and she now has ghosts in her closet! Since no one believes her she must call on the help of Hanuman, the Hindu monkey god. But a new friend at school helps Anu find a solution to the problem and overcome her fears. Although this is a story about ghosts, it is not scary.

The Bake Shop Ghost by Jacqueline Ogburn, illustrated by Marjorie A. Priceman. Cora Lee Merriweather now haunts the bake shop she once owned and where she made the absolute best cakes and pies. New owners abandon the shop, unable to stand up to Cora Lee's ghost. But when Annie Washington, she is determined not to give in and sets out to bake the one cake that will convince the ghost to allow her to be the new owner of the shop.

Zen Ghosts by Jon J. Muth. While the three main protagonists in this book are white, I am including it because the haunting ghost story about a woman who seems to live in two places at once and told by Stillwater the panda come from the Zen Buddhist tradition. The scenes of neighborhood trick-or-treating include children of color.

MORE: Make Bookmarks with Halloween Tessellations

Witches, Monsters and Other Creatures

Amara and the Bats by Emma Reynolds. Amara love bats and she seeks out as much information about them as she can. She's recently moved to a new town and is alarmed to learn there isn't a local bat population. Amara hopeful, however, that through their activism, she and her inclusive group of friends can educate others and set up a nature preserve where bats can come to live.

Which Witch is Which by Pat Hutchins. A diverse group of children at a Halloween party speculate on which identical twin is "which witch." A wonderful choice for preschoolers, and even though the text is simple, it asks questions that encourage children to pay attention to the details of the story.

The Pomegranate Witch by Denise Doyen, illustrated by Eliza Wheeler. The main protagonist of this marvelous story is a white boy, but he is accompanied by a diverse group of neighborhood kids, all of whom covet the delicious fruit on the local pomegranate tree located in the yard of a suspected witch. The lyrical, rhyming text is a real treat, as are the tricks both the witch and the kids play in order to get the fruit and have a joyful Halloween.

MORE: October Read Aloud Books: poetry, picture books and novels

Los Gatos Black on Halloween by Marisa Montes, illustrated by Yuyi Morales. This wonderful bilingual poem is a little spooky and a little funny. The text, describing the fantastical journey of spooky creatures on their way to a haunted ball is mostly in English, but includes Spanish words. Children will have no trouble understanding, however!  (Not to worry: a glossary is also included for us grown-ups.) A wonderful and unique multicultural Halloween book to add to your holiday reading line-up.

MORE: Halloween Poems for Kids and Families

Monster Trouble by Lane Fredrickson, illustrated by Michael Robertson. Winifred Schnitzel wants to get some sleep but she has a monster problem! She puts her creative skills to use and designs and builds a trap but it turns out the solution is quite simple: monsters don't like to be kissed.

We're Off to Find the Witch's House by Richard Kreib, illustrated by R.W. Alley. A diverse group of kids test their fears on Halloween night as they try to make it all the way to the witch's house. A great Halloween book for preschoolers.

Pumpkins

How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin? by Margaret McNamara, illustrated by G. Brian Karas. With the focus on numbers and classroom calculations, I really love this book about a class that compares how many seeds are in each child's pumpkin. There's enough skip counting, addition and estimations to keep even the most dedicated little mathematician happy. Perfect for elementary grades.

Pumpkin Eye by Denise Fleming. I've always loved Fleming's signature torn paper collage illustrations and her rhythmic, spunky text. In Pumpkin Eye, children of color enjoy the festivities of Halloween. A great Halloween book for children of all ages, and especially preschoolers.

MORE: Get ready for Thanksgiving with Diverse and Inclusive Thanksgiving Books!

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Babies and Toddlers

Fiesta Babies by Carmen Tafolla, illustrated by Amy Cordova. The lively, rhyming text and illustrations feature aspects of Latino and Hispanic culture like music, fiestas, food and of course, besos and abrazos. I really appreciated that illustrator Amy Cordova recognized that not all Latino Americans have the same skin color! Includes a short glossary.

Besos for Baby: A Little Book of Kisses by Jen Arena, illustrated by Blanca Gomez is a sweet little board book with repetitive and rhyming text. In English with a few Spanish words.

Arrorró, Mi Niño: Latino Lullabies and Gentle Games by Lulu Delacre. This is a wonderful bilingual resource, even for parents with no Spanish language experience. Short songs and interactive games (think: Pat-a-cake, and "To Market, to Market") will encourage caregivers to spend special one on one time with their children.

Maria Had a Little Llama / María Tenía Una Llamita by Angela Dominguez.  This classic nursery rhyme has a Peruvian twist. The illustrations are delightful. Bilingual.

Un Elefante: Numbers/Numeros by Patty Rodriguez, illustrated by Ariana Stein. The Lil' Libros board book series teaches beginning concepts through Latin American culture, history, and traditions. Bilingual.

MORE: Bilingual books in English and Spanish

Preschoolers and Up

¡Vamos! Let's Cross the Bridge! (series) by Raúl the Third. This is the sixth book in the ¡Vamos! series about Little Lobo and Bernabé. The pair has a new, red truck and are carrying party supplies across a bridge between two countries. When they get stuck in traffic, everyone comes together to pass the time. I highly recommend this entire series, which is also fun to read aloud.

Green is a Chile Pepper and Round is a Tortilla by Roseanne Greenfield Thong, illustrated by John Parra. These two concept books with Spanish words sprinkled throughout are perfect for preschoolers. Colorful, folksy illustrations and rhyming text make these great for story time.

Gracias/Thanks by Pat Mora, illustrated by John Parra. In this joyful book, a biracial boy narrates all the things he is thankful for, from the mundane to the surprising. The illustrations include a range of multicultural children, so kids of all colors will see themselves represented. Bilingual.

MORE: Children's Books about Gratitude

Niño Wrestles the World  by Yuyi Morales. Niño imagines himself as a “Lucha Libre” wrestler. He wrestles with stellar moves, like the “tickle tackle” and the “puzzle muzzle” and bests intergalactic opponents, but when it comes to his biggest challenge, “Las Hermanitas”, Niño pulls out his very special moves.  An endnote describes this type of theatrical wrestling, popular in Spanish-speaking countries.

What Can You Do With A Paleta?/ ¿Qué Puedes Hacer con una Paleta? by Carmen Tafolla, illustrated by Magaly Morales.A paleta is a traditional Mexican popsicle treat. This joyful book about kids running to get a summer treat will spark your preschoolers imagination and maybe he or she will even offer to share a paleta with you! Bilingual.

Looking for Bongo by Eric Velasquez, featuring an Afro-Latino family, is absolutely delightful. A boy is looking for his missing stuffed toy and he asks everyone around him for help. His family's answers are sprinkled with Spanish words and the decor of the house reflects the cultural background of the family. Preschoolers will love spotting clues to find the real culprit of Bongo's disappearance.

Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl's Courage Changed Music by Margarita Engle, illustrated by Rafael López. This wonderful picture book is inspired by the life of Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, a Chinese-African-Cuban girl. Millo bucked Cuba's taboo against female drummers and became a famous musician, even playing the bongos at a birthday celebration for FDR. The book is written as a poem, following a girl's longing to beat on all sorts of drums: congas, bongos, and timbales. She practices secretly until finally she is allowed to share her gift with the world.

MORE: Latinx and Hispanic Biographies for Kids

Kindergarten and Up

Papá’s Magical Water-Jug Clock (series) by Jesús Trejo, illustrated by Eliza Kinkz. This delightful story will have your child giggling at the antics of a boy who accompanies his father to work. Papá tells his son that work will be done when the water jug is empty. In order to make the work day go faster, the boy gives away the water bit by bit to thirsty creatures, only to find out that's not exactly how the "clock" works!

Spanish Is the Language of My Family by Michael Genhart, illustrated by John Parra. A boy asks his grandmother for help preparing for a Spanish language spelling bee. As they study, she tells her grandson about her experience growing up when speaking Spanish in school was forbidden. Genhart's story sensitively reveals past wrongs while demonstrating how individuals can take pride in their cultural heritage and language, as well as express hope for the future.

MORE: Children's Books about All Kinds of Families

Martina Has Too Many Tías by Emma Otheguy, illustrated by Sara Palacios. In this reimagines the Caribbean folktale “La Cucaracha Martina,” a young girl feels overwhelmed by the boisterousness of her tías! She seeks out a quiet place to escape from the sensory overload. After a peaceful afternoon she returns to her tías who welcome her back with warmth and love.

My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero, illustrated by Zeke Peña. As someone who has been on a motorcycle once and never will again, I was sort of freaked out by the premise of this picture book! Nevertheless, it is a wonderfully joyous read aloud about the special time a girl spends with her father cruising the familiar places in the neighborhood. In fact, I loved the book!  Also available in Spanish.

Viva's Voice by Raquel Donoso, illustrated by Carlos Vélez Auiglera. Five-year-old Viva is loud and her bus-driving Papi is quiet. When Papi and his fellow union workers go on strike, Viva joins him on the picket line and uses her big, bold and confident voice to helps Papi find his. A touching story of both family and worker solidarity.

Marisol McDonald Doesn't Match / Marisol McDonald no combina by Monica Brown, illustrated by Sara Palacios. I loved Marisol from the moment I met her, and as a result, she’s made an appearance on several of my lists, including books with diverse characters and books for Hispanic Heritage Month. Red-headed half-Scottish half-Peruvian Marisol bounces off the page with great enthusiasm and loves her mismatched life. When her friend, Ollie, challenges her to “match”, Marisol finds she is unhappy with life as a conformist. This is a great story that emphasizes the importance of embracing and accepting one’s uniqueness. Bilingual.

Mango, Abuela and Me by Meg Medina, illustrated by Angela Dominguez. I love picture books with intergenerational stories! Mia's Spanish-speaking abuela has come to live with the family. Mia and her grandmother now share a room, but they don't know how to communicate. Abuela can't read Mia's English books and Mia doesn't have enough Spanish words to share her experiences. One day Mia brings home a parrot which reminds Mia of her grandmother's previous home and eventually, through practice, the family learns how to communicate fluently with each other.

MORE: Children's Books about Grandparents

Abuela by Arthur Dorros. A girl and her Abuela hop on a bus to the park where she imagines flying high above New York City. On their imaginary flight they take in all the diverse and exciting scenes of city life. The text is peppered with Spanish words and phrases. I adore the vibrant, colorful illustrations, full of details to study. 

Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book by Yuyi Morales. I adore trickster tales and this one about a grandmother who outsmarts a skeleton is quite a treat. A skeleton comes to fetch Grandma Beetle on her birthday, but the clever woman thwarts him as she claims to have too many chores to do first.  The tale seamlessly weaves Spanish language numbers into the humorous narrative as grandma counts up the tasks she must do in order to keep the skeleton at bay.

Dear Primo: A Letter to My Cousin by Duncan Tonatiuh. Two cousins—Charlie, who is American, and Carlitos, who is Mexican—write letters to each other describing life in their home country, thus inviting readers to compare and contrast the different experiences. Tonatiuh's illustrations are heavily influenced by Mixtec tradition (Mixtec was a major civilization of Mesoamerica). In English, with some Spanish words, plus a glossary.

Feathered Serpent and the Five Suns by Duncan Tonatiuh. Tonatiuh's retelling of a Mesoamerican creation myth is surpassed only by his amazing illustrations. Four gods set out to create humans, but their attempts result in turning the humans first into mountains, then fish, and finally, in frustration, the gods turn them into monkeys. The gods are discouraged and want to give up–except for Quetzalcóatl, the Feathered Serpent. Quetzalcóatl travels to the underworld and during his journey he undergoes trials of strength and bravery. A mesmerizing story–and I'm guessing, as you are here on Earth, reading this, you can predict how it all turns out.

MORE: Folktales from Latin America

Yo Soy Muslim: A Father's Letter to His Daughter by Mark Gonzales, illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini. The narrative is written as a letter from a father to his daughter, but it reads like a poem. The father recognizes that his child will have questions about who she is and what she can accomplish. Celebrating their shared faith and culture and language, the father's letter aims to give his daughter confidence and pride in her identity as a Muslim Latina.

Poetry

Poetry, songs and free verse are wonderful additions to story time!

Book Joy Word Joy by Pat Mora, illustrated by Rafael López. This is a cheerful collection of poems about adventures with language, whether it be reading, singing, writing secrets, or going to the library. Many of the short, dynamic poems incorporate Spanish words or phrases and Colón's illustrations bring a sense of movement to the printed words.

The Magical Cycle of the Seasons. This is a four book series of poems by Francisco X. Alarcón, illustrated by Maya Christina Gonzalez.

De Colores and Other Latin American Folksongs for Children ed. by Jose-Luis Orozco, illustrated by Elisa Kleven. Okay, so these are songs, not poems, but still! These fun tunes will charm you and your kids.

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Picture Books

There are a lot - I mean A LOT of children's books set in NYC. I would venture to guess it is the most illustrated city in children's literature. In order to keep this list from getting out of hand, I chose to leave off some popular NYC children's books like Eloise, The Snowy Day, and Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile, so don't forget about those, too!

Abuela by Arthur Dorros. A girl and her Abuela hop on a bus to the park where the girl imagines flying high above New York City. On their imaginary flight they take in all the diverse and exciting scenes of city life. The text is peppered with Spanish words and phrases. Those of you looking for good books featuring positive grandparent-grandchild relationships, you will like this one. I also adore the vibrant, colorful illustrations, full of details to study. Also available in Spanish. Ages 4 and up.

MORE: Picture books about grandparents

The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordicai Gerstein tells the story of funambulist (there's your word of the day!) Philippe Petit's 1974 feat. The dizzying views and magnificent skyline in the illustrations is accompanied by quite a poetic, but spare text. The book ends with an acknowledgement that the towers are no longer standing, but the overall tone of the book is optimistic and a tribute to both the towers and the daring ingenuity of Petit. Ages 5 and up.

MORE: Books for Remembering 9/11

What Happens on Wednesdays by Emily Jenkins, illustrated by Lauren Castillo. Head over to your library and check out this marvelous tale of a young child's daily Wednesday routine in her Brooklyn neighborhood. I love how both parents are equal partners and the illustrations hit all the right notes in the details of the neighborhood's inhabitants. Ages 4 and up.

Miracle on 133rd Street by Sonia Manzano, illustrated by Marjorie Priceman. On Christmas Eve, José's family is getting ready for a big dinner, but when the roast won't fit in the oven, José and Papi ask for help from the local pizzeria. On their way they notice that their neighbors are not feeling the Christmas spirit. But once the roast is finally ready, the delicious smell brings everyone together to recapture the true spirit of the holidays. A wonderful, diverse celebration of a book! Ages 4 and up.

MORE: Diverse Christmas Books for Kids

Herman and Rosie by Gus Gordon. Herman and Rosie are two musicians, but they are lonely, just waiting to meet someone they can call a friend. There is a lot of delectable detail in the book, both in the descriptions of the characters, and also in the drawings. It’s truly a love story – of the city, of music, of life. Ages 4 and up.

MORE: Children's books about friendship

City Hawk: The Story of Pale Male by Meghan McCarthy. When you think "New York City", do you think "wildlife"? I thought not. It just so happens that the city is filled with wildlife other than pigeons and rats. Pale Male was a well-known red tailed hawk who lived at the edge of Central Park. There was even a PBS movie made about him and his mate who took up residence on the balcony of a chic 5th avenue apartment building. Their nest caused quite a kerfuffle, sparking protests and government intervention. Ages 5 and up.

Keats's Neighborhood: An Ezra Jack Keats Treasury. Keats' most famous book is The Snowy Day, but he wrote many other books about the diverse children that populate the borough of Brooklyn, New York. I've always felt Keats' mixed media collages perfectly capture the vibrancy of urban life and the wide range of experiences that kids have playing and growing up on sidewalks and in apartments. Ages 4 and up.

The Tree by Karen Gray Ruelle, illustrated by Deborah Durland Desaix follows the 250 year story of a single elm tree in Madison Square Park, from its beginnings as a seedpod, through its determination to grow during both turbulent and calm years of the city's history. Each double page spread includes a time line of historical events and the book emphasizes the co-existence of nature and society as both evolve side-by-side. Ages 5 and up.

Chinatown. William Low's gorgeous saturated illustrations reflect the vivid experience that is NYC's Chinatown. Spare text takes readers on an intergenerational tour of the lively neighborhood. The narrator imparts the wisdom of his grandmother as he describes Chinatown from a variety of perspectives, such as shop windows, dense apartments, crowded sidewalks, subway entrances, and of course, the New Year celebration. Low has illustrated several other stellar NYC books such as Old Penn Station and Me and Momma and Big John. Ages 4 and up.

MORE: Books for Lunar New Year

Tell Me a Mitzi by Lore Segal, illustrated by Harriet Pincus is a classic I remember well from my childhood. It consists of three stories. In the first, Mitzi wants to visit grandma but since her parents are asleep, she gets her brother ready all by herself and gets them into a taxi, only to realize she doesn't know that address. The middle story will be familiar to moms everywhere who have to take care of everyone else when they are sick... until she gets sick herself. In the third story, the children and their father turn a presidential motorcade upside down over a piece of gum. All the stories are charming vignettes of daily life, sweet without being saccharine, and set in the city without screaming "Look at me! I'm an important landmark!" Ages 5 and up.

MORE: 1970s Picture Books

ABC NYC: A Book About Seeing New York City and 123 NYC: A Counting Book of New York City by Joanne Dugan are wonderful books suitable for toddlers on up. While they are marvelous teaching tools for kids learning their letters and numbers I like them because they encourage the reader to look a little closer at the world around them. All of the locations are identified in the back of the book so whether you live in the city or are just an armchair traveller, you can put the photos in a city-wide context. All ages.

Subway by Christoph Niemann. Our beloved copy of Subway is worn thin. Every page is covered in tape holding it together. As soon as this book was published (2010) I snapped up a copy since I knew my boys would love it. With its snappy rhymes, copious use of the MTA (Metro Transit Authority) icons, and the spot on scenarios (what parent hasn't ridden the the subway just because their kids wanted to?), this is a book every subway-riding kid will want to snuggle up to. Ages 3 and up.

MORE: Pair your NYC reading with this sponge painted cityscape art project.

Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale by Mo Willems is a book you have likely heard of and perhaps already read to your kids. What you may not know is that the first two Knuffle Bunny books are photographed exclusively in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Park Slope, with its characteristic brownstones and wide sidewalks bordering the beautiful Prospect Park. Ages 4 and up.

Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold. At a family picnic on a hot summer evening on the roof of their Harlem apartment, a young girl imagines coasting through the starry sky on a blanket with her brother over the George Washington Bridge (you would be surprised at how many books there are that feature flights over NYC, I could make a list just about that!), which her father helped build. The girl's optimistic dreams of her own future and the possibilities ahead of her do not gloss over the hardship that her family faces. Ringgold's gorgeous illustrations are quilts come to life. Ages 5 and up.

The Castle on Hester Street by Linda Heller, illustrated by Boris Kulikov is a notable read for many reasons. First because Jewish immigrants play such an important role in the history of the city, but also because the idea of NYC as a place of opportunity is still firmly rooted in our consciousness. Grandpa Hester's storytelling is filled with fanciful details about immigrating to NYC with a singing goat, and selling jeweled buttons from a pushcart. He sees his past through joyful rose-colored glasses. Grandma, on the other hand, describes their immigrant experience through more practical lenses, but no less joyful. Ages 5 and up.

The Subway Sparrow by Leyla Torres. When a sparrow is trapped on a subway train, a group of diverse individuals work together to capture and release the frightened bird. Even though the subway riders don't all speak the same language, their desire to cooperate for the greater good helps them overcome their differences. Ages 4 and up.

Novels

To be honest, the number of great children's novels set in New York City that I want to recommend would fill its own novel. Reluctantly, I confine myself to the following handful with a knowing nod to Harriet the Spy, Stuart Little and Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing.

Treasure Island by Jewell Parker Rhodes is a delightful reworking of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic adventure tale! After a mysterious captain at his mom's boarding house makes predictions that come true, Zane and his friends head to Manhattan to find treasure. On their skateboards, they follow clues on a map that take them to important historical sites. Their journey is filled with pirates, rival skateboards, riddles and danger! Ages 8 and up.

All-of-a-Kind Family (series) by Sydney Taylor. All-of-a-Kind Family is the first title in a classic series about a Jewish family with five girls growing up on the Lower East Side of New York City in the early 20th century. The old-school adventures of the family are heart-warming and entertaining. Ages 7 and up.

The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street (series) by Karina Yan Glaser. It is just before Christmas and the Vanderbeekers are going to be forced to move from their beloved Harlem brownstone unless they can change the mind of their grumpy landlord who just happens to be their upstairs neighbors. This creative, bi-racial family sets to work to win him over in this heartwarming story. Ages 8 and up.

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead. This book has an amazing "Wow!" ending. After an incident in which her best friend stops speaking to her, Miranda starts getting mysterious letters asking for her help. Miranda tries to interpret the letters and discusses time travel with another boy, Marcus. Part mystery, part sci-fi, part coming of age novel, this Newbery winner is not to be missed.  Ages 9 and up.

The Harlem Charade by Natasha Harpley. Good deeds bring Jin and Alex together. When they meet the homeless Elvin, he tells his new friends about a mystery surrounding his grandfather, who was just attacked and is now in a coma. Rare paintings by a mysterious artist of the 1960s is at the heart of it all. Harpley deftly weaves woven past and present in this spirited tale in which the culture and vibrancy of Harlem are center stage. Ages 8 and up.

Under the Egg by Laura Marx Fitzgerald. Just before Theodora's grandfather died, he whispered to her, "There's a letter… And a treasure" hidden "under the egg." Theodora, whose mother is incapable of taking care of her, must find away to pay the bills and she starts her search for this mysterious treasure involving a work of art. Her hunt takes her all over New York City, into the past, and introduces her to a diverse group of new friends. The secrets Theodora uncovers take her (and the reader!) by surprise. Ages 9 and up.

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg. This classic tale for tweens is so well known it hardly needs an introduction. Claudia and her brother Jamie run away to NYC where they hide out in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and try to solve the mystery of a statue’s identity. Ages 8 and up.

MORE: Classic Books for Tweens

Better Nate Than Ever (series) by Tim Federle. Nothing says NYC more than Broadway! 13-year-old Nate's snappy narrative about his adventure in New York City auditioning for E.T. The Musical (yes, you read that right) is marvelous and incredibly funny. The scene in which Nate reads the "sides" during his audition had me laughing so hard I could barely see the words through my tears.  The two sequels are just as hilarious as the original. Ages 9 and up.

MORE: Middle Grade Books that Celebrate the Joy of Theater

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