Multicultural Holiday Picture Books for Kids

In this beautiful, deeply moving poem, Maya Angelou inspires us to embrace the peace and promise of Christmas, so that hope and love can once again light up our holidays and the world.

A young girl finds an exciting role for herself at the Chinese New Year celebration in her family’s restaurant. At last, she isn’t being told that she’s too young to help!

While visiting her grandma in Louisiana, nine-year-old Frances is excited to help prepare the New Year’s Day meal. She listens as Grandma tells stories — dating back to the Atlantic Slave Trade — about the food for their feast. Through these stories, Frances learns not only about the ingredients and the dishes they are making but also about her ancestors and their history.

Join in the fun and celebrate Diwali, a festival of lights! This Little Golden Book is a great read-aloud for families getting ready to enjoy the holiday, as well as for those who want to learn more about it. From clay lamps and colorful rangoli designs to fragrant flowers and delicious foods, Diwali is a festival with lots to enjoy!

Ring in the Lunar New Year with this sweet picture book by Emmy-winning TV host Michelle W. Park. This heartwarming story follows two sisters as they explore the Korean traditions of Seollal while learning about the importance of family. The author’s own dumpling recipe and a fun activity are included at the end!

A festive, joyful Indigenous picture book that explores both Christmas traditions and Anishinaabe culture, for fans of Santa in the City and Go Show the World.

A new picture book from Simran Jeet Singh, A Vaisakhi to Remember celebrates community and heritage as a young girl looks for points of connection in a new country through the joyous Sikh spring harvest holiday of Vaisakhi.

A reimagined and modern take on the holiday favorite, this picture book weaves together the classic Christmas tale of The Nutcracker and the true-life story of 12-year-old ballerina Charlotte Nebres, the first Black girl to play Marie in the New York City Ballet’s production.

It’s the night before Passover, and a little girl is excited to spend it with her family. They read the Haggadah to honor their history, eat matzoh, ask the Four Questions, and more! Celebrate Passover in this installment of the Night Before series, told in the style of Clement C. Moore’s classic tale.

The Day of the Dead is a happy day when Mar’s family gathers together. There are favorite dishes to enjoy, games to be played, and most importantly, stories to tell. No one in the family is forgotten because this is the day of the year when the dead come to visit the living — and for this holiday it is almost as if they’re alive again, as the family takes great joy in celebrating the things that made them special. Ana Aranda’s tender text and vibrant art make the joy felt on this sweet day totally palpable.

Luna and the Case of the Missing Mooncakes is a playful exploration of logic, featuring Chinese American characters, and includes a cultural note about the Mid-Autumn Festival.

It’s the first day of Ramadan and Hannah wants to be a part of this important month every way she can. But if she’s too young to fast, how can she observe Ramadan? By saving the world, Dada Jaan tells her. And so Hannah learns that by helping her friends and neighbors and by showing kindness and generosity, she can make the world a better place. The debut picture book by human rights activist and attorney Qasim Rashid tells a timely story full of warmth and heart about the observance of Ramadan and the power of good deeds.

A festive nochebuena treat for little ones who believe in the magic of Christmas (and the deliciousness of cake)!

A warm and yummy Hanukkah-themed picture book about the joys of coming together to celebrate with family and food. Set in a cozy house full of latkes, applesauce, sufganiyot, and other Hanukkah holiday treats, this warm and emotional story highlights the importance and joy of passing along traditions from one generation to the next, and making new traditions too!

Celebrate Chinese New Year with a big, brainy STEM board book. Satisfy your baby’s growing curiosity of their world, with the science behind it! This clever board book explores the lunar calendar, the moon’s orbit, and the reason the moon seems to change shape. Beautiful, visually stimulating illustrations complement age-appropriate language to encourage baby’s sense of wonder. Parents and caregivers may learn a thing or two as well.

Deck the halls and mix up the eggnog! It’s Christmas Eve for little Danielle and Francesco — a time for family, presents, music, and most importantly … food! This festive tribute will get young readers in the holiday spirit and make them hungry for a Christmas feast — Italian style!

Kwanzaa is Kayla’s favorite time of year. But this year, it looks as if a heavy snowstorm will keep her big brother, Khari, from getting home in time for the festivities! Will Khari miss the celebration completely? Or will Kayla and her brother somehow find a way to be together for Kwanzaa? A perfect introduction to Kwanzaa, this book will teach children all about the traditions and practices that make it a special winter holiday.

Before the first Christmas light is strung, Grandma is hard at work, making thousands of tamales to sell so she can buy gifts for her family! This heartwarming tale, based on a true story, explores a grandmother’s boundless generosity, and the irresistible magic of tamales.

The candles are lit and the latkes are frying — Hanukkah is here! Welcome in the holiday with poems — and a sheet of stickers! — from author D. J. Steinberg that highlight the family fun, dizzying dreidels, and mighty Maccabee stories that Hanukkah is sure to bring.

Ramadan Mubarak! Teach children about the holy month of Ramadan — the tradition of fasting, what the Qur’an is, what kind of food is served between fasts, and how a modern family celebrates. Filled with colorful illustrations and simple, yet informative text, this Little Golden Book is perfect to share with your family this Ramadan!

Muriel’s family can’t afford a Passover seder this year — but an act of kindness and a mysterious stranger change everything.

From the advent of the spring season to celebrating with colors, and from delicious treats to Holi music and fun with family and friends, this educational book includes all the elements of this joyful festival of colors. With one main image per page to focus on and short text, this wonderful board book is easy for babies and toddlers to follow and perfect for reading aloud and sharing with young children.