Author, Matt Tavares, shares his holiday favorites: One of the best things about being the author and illustrator of a few holiday-themed picture books is hearing from readers who have incorporated my books into their annual holiday traditions. Whether they read my illustrated version of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas every year on Christmas Eve or they bake their own Gingerbread Pirates, it’s an honor to know that my books have woven their way into people’s holiday memories.
Here are some of my favorite holiday-themed picture books. In compiling this list, I tried to stay away from obvious titles that everyone already knows about. You don’t need me to tell you about How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Here are ten books that deserve to become a part of your holiday traditions.
The Polar Express
Chris Van Allsburg Age: 4-7
Okay, I already broke my rule about not including books that everyone already knows — just for this one book. For me, any list of holiday picture books has to start with The Polar Express. It’s magical, and it’s one of my all-time favorite picture books, holiday or otherwise. A young boy, lying awake one Christmas Eve, is welcomed aboard a magical trip to the North Pole. Through dark forests, over tall mountains, and across a desert of ice, the Polar Express makes its way to the city atop the world, where the boy will make his Christmas wish.
Who Built the Stable? A Nativity Poem
Ashley Bryan Age: 4-8
Here’s one you might not know about, a tale of kindness and empathy, starring a young boy who welcomes Mary and Joseph into his stable. The rhyming text tells the traditional story of Christmas, but Ashley Bryan’s majestic paintings bring something completely new to the story, featuring a diverse cast of characters and surreal, brightly-colored landscapes.
All-of-a-Kind Family Hanukkah
Emily Jenkins (Author) and Paul O. Zelinsky (Illustrator) Age: 3-7
As an illustrator, I’m always impressed by Zelinsky’s ability to adapt his artistic style to fit the story he’s illustrating. His use of heavy, expressive black lines feels just right with Jenkins’s cozy story, featuring characters from Sydney Taylor’s classic book series All-of-a-Kind Family.
The Shortest Day
Susan Cooper (Author) and Carson Ellis (Illustrator) Age: 4+
Celebrate the Winter Solstice with a short, 20-line poem by Susan Cooper and gorgeous artwork by Carson Ellis. Most holiday picture books are bright and cheerful, but this one stands out for its dark, moody strangeness. Written for a theatrical production that has become a ritual in itself, Susan Cooper’s poem "The Shortest Day" captures the magic behind the returning of the light, the yearning for traditions that connect us with generations that have gone before, and the hope for peace that we carry into the future.
Ruby's Chinese New Year
Vicky Lee (Author) and Joey Chou (Illustrator) Age: 4-8
On her way to deliver a special Chinese New Year gift to her grandmother, Ruby is joined, one by one, by all twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac. The bright, colorful, stylized menagerie of smiling animals adds a warm, playful feel to this charming story.
Oskar and the Eight Blessings
Richard and Tanya Simon (Authors) and Mark Seigel (Illustrator) Age: 4-8
Set on the final day of Hanukkah and Christmas Eve in 1938, this book tells the story of a young refugee arriving in New York City, and making his way through the city in search of his new home. So much of the story is told visually, with multiple panels on each page. This is an excellent choice for kids who love comics!
Shooting at the Stars: The Christmas Truce of 1914
John Hendrix Age: 8-12
For older kids fascinated with history, Shooting at the Stars is the moving story of a young British soldier on the front lines during World War I who experiences an unforgettable Christmas Eve. With intricately detailed ink and watercolor illustrations and his signature hand-lettering, Hendrix tells the story of how English and German soldiers took a break from the fighting to celebrate Christmas together during World War I. His story celebrates the humanity and kindness that persists even during the darkest periods of history.
Seven Spools of Thread: A Kwanzaa Story
Angela Shelf Medearis (Author) and Daniel Minter (Illustrator) Age: 4-8
This original African folktale introduces young readers to the seven principles of Kwanzaa. It’s a perfect book for kids who celebrate Kwanzaa, and also a nice introduction to the holiday for kids who want to learn more! The story feels timeless and is brought to life by powerful, bold linoleum block prints by Daniel Minter.
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey
Susan Wojciechowski (Author) and P.J. Lynch (Illustrator) Age: 6-9
Here’s another one of my personal all-time favorite holiday picture books: a beautifully-written story with luminous watercolor illustrations that tells the tale of a lonely woodcarver who experiences a joyful miracle. If you’re a fan of P.J. Lynch, you should check out his illustrated versions of A Christmas Caroland The Gift of The Magi.
Chanukah Lights
Michael J. Rosen (Author) and Robert Sabuda (Illustrator) Age: 5-9
To call Robert Sabuda a “pop-up artist” feels like an understatement — he is a pop-up wizard! The pop-ups in this beautiful book are magnificent, with intricate white paper sculptures against a colored background and Rosen’s poetry telling the story of Chanukah. Open one page to see a tall ship sailing across the spread, open another and an entire city springs from the pages, then somehow folds neatly back inside. You’ll have to see for yourself.
-Matt Tavares