Holidays Are For Togetherness
The CBC looks for a theme to spotlight in each month’s Hot Off the Press list so that we can alert parents, teachers, librarians, booksellers, and all children’s book enthusiasts to cool new offerings from our member publishers.
While it might feel like we just got through the biggest holiday season, around the world many important holidays are happening all the time. These new titles from our January Hot Off the Press list explore holidays of great cultural significance along with more light-hearted days. The one commonality between all of them is that holidays are ultimately better and more meaningful when you can spend them with those you love while also spreading kindness.
Dreaming of Valentine’s Day, written & illustrated by Sarah Nettuno (Arcadia Publishing / Arcadia Children’s Books) — Holidays / Seasons / Celebrations, Concepts, Math, ages 0-3.
Counting down to bedtime has never been so much fun!
With beautiful illustrations on each page, we’ll count down from 10 to 1 while celebrating friends and loved ones on Valentine’s Day! From sharing sweet treats and making crafts at school, to snuggling with loving pups at home, there’s so much to see—won’t you join me?
The Eidi Bag, by Shazia Afzal; illustrated by Shiva Delsooz (Owlkids Books) — Immigrant Experience, Holidays / Seasons / Celebrations, Family / Community, BIPOC Characters and Creators, ages 4-6.
A little girl adapts to the Eid traditions of her new home.
Today is Sarah’s first Eid Ul Fitr in her new country. She’s excited to celebrate the breaking of the fast with her loved ones, and collect enough money in her Eidi bag to buy goodies for her friends, and a new set of markers for herself. In Pakistan, after the Eid prayer at the masjid, Sarah’s friends and family would fill her bag with coins. But in her new country, no one pays any attention to her waiting Eidi bag. Sarah is disappointed–this year’s Eid celebration is nothing like she thought it would be.
Later that evening, friends and family arrive at Sarah’s house to celebrate Eid. She greets them at the door, wearing her Eidi bag just in case. But instead of money, the guests come bearing other gifts: baklava, candies, flowers, and a new set of markers! Sarah still misses Pakistan, but she’s delighted by the gift-giving traditions of her new home.With lively, colorful illustrations and subtle humor, this cheerful holiday story gently explores an experience kids who immigrate to new countries often face: adapting to new traditions. The Eidi Bag is an authentic look at Eid Ul Fitr through the eyes of a child, and a comforting tale about discovering joy in what is unfamiliar to us.
The Elephant and the Purim Crown, by Haviva Kierzenblat; illustrated by Rebeca Luciani (Lerner Publishing Group / Kar-Ben Publishing ) — Religion / Spirituality, Animals, Holidays / Seasons / Celebrations, Kindness / Generosity, ages 4-6.
Rachel thinks she will feel like Queen Esther when she rides an elephant draped in fancy fabric through the streets of Rangoon. Then she notices the old elephant’s bruised and cracked feet, and she doesn’t feel so royal. So when Rachel wins the gold Purim crown at the synagogue celebration, she has an idea about how she can help the elephant. Inspired by the author’s mother’s memories of growing up in the Burmese Jewish community.
Ellis Island Passover, written & illustrated by Marissa Moss (Creston Books) — Holidays / Seasons / Celebrations, Immigrant Experience, Cultural Diversity, Family / Community, ages 4-6.
Marissa Moss shares a story from her own childhood in this Passover gem.
Miriam feels disconnected from the Passover celebration until Uncle Ezra shares the story of his first seder in America with her. Uncle Ezra gives her a broader, more personal sense of the meaning of Passover and the importance of sharing family stories.
Passover on Everest, by Rachelle Burk; illustrated by Craig Orback (Intergalactic Afikoman) — Holidays / Seasons / Celebrations, Action / Adventure, Biography / Memoir, Religion / Spirituality, ages 4-6.
The two things Nikki loves most are huge family holiday gatherings and huge mountains. This year, she is forced to choose between them.
In this true story about kindness across cultures, Jewish mother-daughter mountain climbing team Cheryl and Nikki Bart experience a seder like no other—seder on Mt. Everest, the highest mountain in the world! Initially Nikki expected they would spend their Passover huddled with strangers on an icy slope with only a bit of matzah to mark the holiday. Then came a very special surprise! An inspiring note from Cheryl and Nikki is included at the end.
Some Bunny Loves You, by Helen Foster James; illustrated by Petra Brown (Cherry Lake Publishing Group / Sleeping Bear Press) — Holidays / Seasons / Celebrations, Family / Community, Animals, Kindness / Generosity, ages 4-6.
Some bunny loves you. Now, who could it be? Honey, my sweet bunny, that some bunny is me!
One little bunny spends a sweet day in nature with a special loved one. They gather with friends for a fun Valentine’s Day picnic, making cards and baking treats to share. As the day draws to a close, the bunnies exchange their own Valentines and snuggle in for a goodnight cuddle.
A tender Valentine’s Day treat from Helen Foster James and Petra Brown.
Why We Eat Fried Peanuts, by Zed Zha; illustrated by Sian James (The Quarto Group / becker&mayer! kids) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Cultural Diversity, Holidays / Seasons / Celebrations, Family / Community, ages 7-12.
Celebrate Lunar New Year through a story of ancestral bravery while learning about Chinese history, language, and food.
Join Mèng, a Chinese American girl, as she prepares for the Lunar New Year festivities with her family and discovers the significance of ancestral stories and the history behind the Mandarin language and traditional foods eaten during the holiday.
Meng’s father shares with her the family story of tài nai nai, Meng’s great-grandmother, and a very important ancestor for the family. Tài nai nai’s brave act of courage many years ago inspired generations after and teaches valuable lessons that every child can learn from today.
Along the way, see how food plays an important role in the festivities and why one food—peanuts—is an important snack. The simple recipe for fried peanuts at the end of the story provides a fun, easy way to include the Lunar New Year in your annually celebrated holidays.
Through the tale of tài nai nai, you will also learn significant moments in Chinese history and how to say a few words in Mandarin, such as:
- 太奶奶 – great-grandmother
- 热心 – warmhearted
- 故事 – story
- 帮助 – help
- 宝宝 – baby
- 幸运 – lucky
- 母亲 – mother
- and more!
Rich with vibrant and joyful illustrations, Why We Eat Fried Peanuts honours the concept of ancestry, a pillar of Chinese culture that is remembered during the Lunar New Year celebrations. Through this engaging story, discover the rich history and culture of the Lunar New Year and learn how to apply the values of strength and courage all year round.
For more great book suggestions, be sure to check out the full January Hot Off the Press list!
List compiled by CBC’s resident book connoisseur, Brooke Pisarsky. Check out other Hot Off the Press Spotlight book lists on our blog.
