Multicultural Children's Books About Christmas

Reading holiday books on Christmas Eve was always a tradition that I enjoyed growing up. With Christmas right around the corner, I wanted to make a list of Christmas books that had characters from different backgrounds. Hopefully, this list will give people ideas on what books to read or buy next for the children in their lives. Here is the list: 

Miracle on 133rd Street by Sonia Manzano

"It’s Christmas Eve and Mami has bought a delicious roast for a Christmas feast. But, oh no! It’s too big to fit in the oven. Jose and Papa need to find an oven big enough to cook Mami’s roast. As they walk from door to door through their apartment building, no one seems to be in the Christmas spirit. So they head down the street to find someone willing to help, and only when they do, lo and behold, the scent—the magical smell—of dinner begins to spread, and holiday cheer manifests in ways most unexpected."

Tree of Cranes by Allen Say

"As a young Japanese boy recovers from a bad chill, his mother busily folds origami paper into delicate silver cranes in preparation for the boy's very first Christmas."

Christmas Makes Me Think by Tony Medina

"In this delightfully original Christmas story, our young narrator is thrilled. His favorite holiday is coming., and he looks forward to the presents, a great big tree, and baking a chocolate cake with his grandmother. But soon he starts to wonder: What happens to all the trees that get cut down and don't make it to the next Christmas? And what about all the people "who don't have a place to live or food to eat or presents in a stocking/or under a tree?" His thoughts shift — maybe he should give his extra presents to kids who don't have any, and give homeless people hats, gloves, and scarves. He realizes that Christmas is really about community, people coming together and helping each other. "Christmas makes me think/about others/and not just me!" His thoughtfulness leads to a magical celebration of the real spirit of Christmas."

Damon and the Magic Christmas Tree by Tash Creates

"Damon is a seven-year-old from Seattle, Washington. He wants a Superman action figure for Christmas, and he wants to spend the holidays with his family at their home in Seattle. Instead, his parents tell him that they're all flying to New York City to visit Damon's grandmother. Then Damon finds out about the magic Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center that lights up the entire city, and he begins to get excited about going to New York. When he and his family arrive, however, he finds out that his grandmother doesn't even celebrate Christmas! Instead, she celebrates Hanukkah. Will Damon be disappointed, or will he learn a lesson about the true meaning of these special holidays?"

The Christmas Coat: Memories of My Sioux Childhood by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve

"Virginia’s old coat is too small. The cold South Dakota wind blows across the Rosebud Indian Reservation, making her shiver as she walks to school. Virginia dreams of a new coat arriving in the Theast boxes—parcels of clothing from churches in “The East.” But, she knows she may not have a chance for a coat this year. Her father is the village Episcopal priest, so her family chooses last, and as Mama always says, “The others need it more than we do.” Generosity and unexpected joy remind Virginia of the importance of community within this story from the author’s childhood."

*The summaries above were provided by the publishers of each book.