Celebrate With Holiday Stories
In my last post, I offered some suggestions for holiday music written by Classical composers. I hope you and your baby will be celebrating with those selections both the old and new.
But, now that Thanksgiving is over, most of us are really getting into preparing for the coming December holidays. Be sure to include your littlest ones in the preparations and celebrations.
Just as music is an integral part of Suzuki Early Childhood Education (SECE), so is reading. So, another way to celebrate with your baby is to introduce them to holiday story board books.
To be sure, the holidays will look different this year. There will probably be less partying and fewer shopping trips.
Parent may actually have MORE time to spend with their children than usual. I realize that everyone has a different “take” on that subject!
I prefer to think that I am safe at home rather than stuck at home with my children. In my case, I am helping my nieces and nephews with remote learning right now.
In any event, cherish this time with your children, especially if you have little ones. Reading together, you and your baby can deepen your relationship with each other.
“When love is deep, much can be accomplished.“
Shinichi Suzuki
To that end, I have searched out fun holiday board books for you to read to your baby. In this list, you will find books about Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa.
Learning From Holiday Stories
By no stretch of the imagination is this a complete list! I mainly chose children’s authors that I know and trust.
But, I also stepped up and did the research. I found some books that looked noteworthy and took a chance on them.
My sincere hope is that you will read about all three of these holidays. When we learn about the celebrations of others, we can enrich our own holiday experiences.
Dr. Suzuki said that we should educate our children rather than just instruct them. We can “instruct” our children about what to do. However, we “educate” them when they see us doing things that love and serve others.
“Educate children rather than instruct them.”
Shinichi Suzuki
These stories teach us that people really do have a deep desire to learn, share, help, and love others. I hope you and your baby enjoy these holiday board books.
Please note that there are several different, acceptable spelling of “Hanukkah”. I have chosen to use the spelling used by the authors of these holiday books about Hanukkah.
Christmas Holiday Board Books
The Nutcracker: A BabyLit Dancing Primer; Christmas Carol by Jennifer Adams. These two books are from the BabyLit Series. Certain characters and details of these classics are intermingled with teaching concepts such as, counting, colors, shapes, etc.
Bob; Merry Christmas Little Pookie; Christmas Parade by Sandra Boynton. Boynton is favorite author of mine. She has a knack for rhyming, understands little kids, and often speaks to us grown-ups, too.
Biscuit’s Pet and Play Christmas by Alyssa Satin Capucilli. I have been a Biscuit fan since my kids were little! This book is particularly fun because your little one can touch all the different textures in the book.
Dream Snow by Eric Carle. This book is pure Eric Carle! The art is enchanting, the story engaging, and will quickly become a favorite.
My First Christmas by Tomie de Paola. Tomie de Paola has been another favorite since my kids were little. de Paola has a distinct way of communicating and portraying how children think and feel.
Llama Llama Jingle Bells; Llama Llama Holiday Drama by Anna Dewdney. Anna Dewdney wrote thirty-seven books in her Llama Llama series. Sadly, she died in 2016.
But, these two Christmas books are staples in holiday board book for babies. In the first one, baby is introduced to the sights, sounds, and smells of Christmas.
In the second, Llama Llama is suffering the same “holiday drama” that all kids experience this time of year. Dewdney fills him with anticipation and impatience for the big day to come.
But, his mother reminds him that loving each other is the most important gift of all. We all need that reminder especially now when there may be just a bit too much togetherness than we are used to!
Hanukkah Holiday Board Books
Happy Hanukkah, Corduroy by Don Freeman. Corduroy, the little bear, has been favorite for three generations.
This book has a simple text and colorful pictures just right for little ones. It is also particularly good for introducing non-Jewish children to Hanukkah.
Happy Hanukkah, Curious George by H.A. and Margaret Rey. Curious George has been a favorite for three generations as well.
George attends a Hanukkah party where he plays dreidel and follow the leader. He also eats jelly doughnuts and helps make latkes.
George watches the Man in the Yellow Hat light the menorah. Then, he takes part in the cleanup of the party and wraps one of the treats for a sick friend.
George truly learns about the spirit of Hanukkah and so will you and your little one. Enjoy!
Where Is Baby’s Dreidel? by Karen Katz. Karen Katz is the master of “lift the flap” books. Your baby will be excited to explore and find the dreidel on each page. It is also a good introduction to the words, ideas, and activities involved in the Hanukkah holiday.
Bright Baby Touch & Feel Hanukkah-This book is perfect for very young babies. The text is simple with one word per page about the Festival of Lights.
The pictures are attractive and colorful. It also has various textures for baby to touch. It’s an excellent first board book about the Hanukkah holiday.
Baby’s First Hanukkah published by Dorling Kindersly (DK) Books. If you are not familar with DK Books, now is a good time to explore their book lists.
DK Books specialize in creating books using real-life photographs and simple language. So, your baby will learn about the miracle of the oil and the lighting the menorah with real pictures of them.
The jelly doughnuts, fried latkes, dreidel games, gelt, songs, and gifts are all there, too! This holiday board book brings alive the spirit and warmth of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights for your baby.
Kwanzaa Holiday Stories
My First Kwanzaa by Karen Katz. Katz uses simple words and colorful folklore pictures to create an engaging story about the Kwanzaa holiday.
The book presents the different traditions of the holiday and how they are celebrated. It also explains the principles and symbols of Kwanzaa.
In addition, the sidebars in the book provide background information that helps parents teach more about celebrating Kwanzaa. It is a wonderful holiday board book to introduce Kwanzaa to your baby.
It’s Kwanzaa Time: A Lift-the-Flap Story by Synthia St. James. Synthia St. James uses vibrant colors and bold shapes to introduce the seven principle of Kwanzaa. She also uses just one or two sentences to describe each principle.
St. James gives the definition and proper pronunciation of each principle to help out parents. Then, children can lift the flaps to find out how each principle is celebrated.
But, Kwanzaa is not just celebrated. Children are encouraged to live out the principles and create a better world for everyone.
K is for Kwanzaa: A Kwanzaa Alphabet Book by Juwanda G. Ford. This is not a board book, but still a good addition to you Kwanzaa collection.
Ford begins the book with a brief history of Kwanzaa. Then, she gives short definitions of its seven principles.
Pronunciations of African words are provided throughout the book. Also each letter of the alphabet teaches about a Kwanzaa food, custom, costume, and language.
The illustrations are simple, brightly-colored shapes outlined in black that show cheerful, festive scenes of people. This book is a very accessible introduction to Kwanzaa.
Holiday Stories Develop Character and Ability
All of these holiday books are fun and educational. However, they hold a deeper meaning as well. The stories they tell help to develop you child’s character, then develop their abilities.
Dr. Suzuki’s overriding concern was always that children develop fine character from what they learn. Therefore, if they have fine character, they will be open to learning and developing their abilities.
“Character first, ability second.”
Shinichi Suzuki
My holiday wish is that these stories will help you and your baby to develop fine character. May they also help to develop your abilities as a parent and develop your child’s abilities.
On the “Beautiful Heart Musical Journey with you,
Susan
Comments and Share
Did you find out in this post about a holiday book you haven’t read yet? Or do you have a favorite holiday story title you would like to share with others? Share and tell us about in the Comments below.
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