A celebration of the beauty, power, and faith of the African-American community as reflected in the principles of Kwanzaa, by the author of I Affirm Me: The ABCs of Inspiration for Black Kids.

Kwanzaa is a holiday steeped in ancestral traditions collected over generations of people across the Black Diaspora. Once Upon a Kwanzaa introduces communities of all colors to the interwoven history and lived experiences connected to this time of year when families and loved ones gather to celebrate, share, and reimagine the past, present, and future. Sawyer Cloud's stunning artwork showcases seven different BIPOC families and highlights how different peoples of the Diaspora can celebrate in their communities, from setting the table and lighting the Kinara to sharing meals and gathering at events. The book includes a glossary and pronunciation guide.

Elmore the Moose is back in a sweet and hilarious Christmas story about believing in yourself, even when under pressure. This adorable and funny picture book comes from the comic team that brought you I Don't Want to Be a Frog and Don't Eat Bees.

Ho ho ho . . . achoo! Santa is out with a cold . . . just days before Christmas! When Mrs. Claus shuffles him away on a warm vacation, Santa must choose a replacement to look after all the Christmas planning. Could Elmore the Moose be up for the job?

Elmore soon finds that his new responsibilities are overwhelming. The elves are angry and the reindeer are out of control! But just as Christmas looks like it will be a flop, Santa shows Elmore his confidence and appreciation, encouraging his unlikely young apprentice to rise to the occasion.

Young readers will love Elmore's desperate, funny letters to Santa as he tries to handle the chaos. And they will come away with a happy lesson in believing in yourself as they watch Elmore learn to trust his abilities. 

Families will love snuggling up (and giggling!) together with this hilarious holiday tale that's full of heart.

The classic "bear hibernation" story is turned on its head in this hilarious read-aloud full of surprises, perfect for a cozy winter read and story time year-round!



This is was supposed to be a sleepy bear book--a gentle, quiet story. Until Bear opened his cozy, quiet den, only to find--A DJ and a disco ball? Guitar riffs and a booming bass? A random jazz flute?Stop all these shenanigans! THIS ISN'T WHAT HAPPENS IN A SLEEPY BEAR BOOK!



Things only get noisier and more chaotic with every turn of the page. Winking at storytime conventions in a way that'll crack kids up, This Is Not a Sleepy Bear Book combines classic bedtime story tropes with visual, giggle-worthy surprises that offer a memorable twist and a great read-aloud.

"This holiday winner about friendship and cooperation is...a cheery charmer for truck aficionados and anyone who loves Christmas."--Kirkus

A festive holiday readaloud from the bestselling Digger series by Joseph Kuefler. For fans of big trucks, this is the ideal next book for readers of Construction Site on Christmas Night.

It's Christmas Eve and Digger and the other big trucks are hanging tinsel, stringing lights, and decking the halls. But when there are no decorations left for the tree, Digger and his friends seek out the help of a few curious critters. Together, they forage and craft in the hopes they'll be ready before Santa arrives . . . and discover the best gift of all along the way.

Discover the history and importance of Kwanzaa, a week-long December holiday celebrated in Black, African, and African American culture. 

In The Kwanzaa Story, little Alliah (of The Juneteenth Story fame) is all grown up and, along with her husband LeVaur, teaches their children Daphne and Alistair why they celebrate Kwanzaa as a family and as a community. This beautifully illustrated storybook shares the origins of the holiday—rooted in Africa, born in Los Angeles—giving historical and cultural context on how a joyful celebration was birthed after the Watts Rebellion and during the Civil Rights Movement. The journey includes:

 

• The history of the holiday, complete with timeline
• Key figures of the Civil Rights Movement and their part in the creation of Kwanzaa
• The seven guiding principles of Kwanzaa, known as Nguza Saba
• The seven core symbols used during Kwanzaa rituals, including the kinara (candle holder) and the mishumaa saba (the seven candles in red, green, and black)
• How Kwanzaa is celebrated today
• And more!

2025 marks the 60th observance of Kwanzaa. The Kwanzaa Story offers Black, African, and African American children the opportunity to connect with their culture and the holiday in a meaningful way, and to see themselves and their family traditions represented on the page with accuracy and joy. This book also exposes children of different backgrounds to a new end-of-year cultural celebration, taking them on an engaging and educational journey about the principles and traditions of the holiday. This visually captivating guide to understanding Kwanzaa encourages young readers to connect with the holiday and its social impact. 

Follow along as Alliah and her family discover the cultural significance of Kwanzaa's principles and symbols, providing a tangible element to the holiday that will allow kids and family members to fully and joyfully participate in its celebration. Readers of all ages will love learning about the amazing history and traditions of Kwanzaa through the wise and educational storytelling in The Kwanzaa Story.

The Holiday Celebration series from becker&mayer! kids honors the diverse holidays and milestones that shape the cultural fabric of the United States. Though these traditions may have originated elsewhere, brought to our shores by ancestors from around the world, they have endured and evolved to weave the vibrant tapestry of American life. The series includes picture books and their companion kid-friendly cookbooks that share stories uniquely representative of the American experience—an experience that is multilayered, eclectic, inclusive, and joyfully beautiful.

Also available from the series:The Juneteenth Story, The Juneteenth Cookbook, The Dia de Los Muertos Story, and The Dia de Los Muertos Cookbook.

Discover the joy and meaning of Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights.

Lior and his parents, aunties, uncles, grandparents, and cousins are inviting you to celebrate with them! Join in as they make latkes, light the Menorah, recite the Hanukkah blessings, play the dreidel game, and share presents.

Along the way, you’ll learn how Hanukkah is an eight-day celebration marked by the daily lighting of a new candle on the Menorah. It brings the Jewish community together by commemorating the victory of the Maccabees over the Greeks.

This bright and engaging picture book covers:
 

• The Miracle of Hanukkah
• The delicious food eaten, such as latkes, noodle kugel, Shabbat, and sufganiyot
• The fun to be had playing the dreidel game
• How the Menorah is lit every night using the Shamash
• The community celebrations at the Synagogue

and more!

…and this glowing gift book is further brought to life with:
 

• Instructions to make an edible Menorah
• A guide to make a Hanukkah tzedakah box
• A recipe for delicious latkes and apple sauce

In this immersive exploration of Hanukkah, young readers join a practicing family as they commemorate the miracle of Hanukkah. Seen through the eyes of young children celebrating themselves, this is a simple and exciting way to introduce little ones to this important Jewish occasion.

Part of the Celebrations & Festivals series, you are invited into a family's celebrations as you explore the magic and excitement of religious and cultural festivals around the world.

A fun, heartwarming holiday adventure about a girl, a flying reindeer, and the biggest Christmas mission ever!

When Virginia (yes, Virginia) spots a real flying reindeer in the sky, she can hardly believe her eyes. She’s just moved to a new city, she misses her mom, and nothing feels right—until magic quite literally lands in her life. But when she tells her neighbor Benny what she saw, he’s sure of it—this has to be Santa business.

Now Virginia and Benny have to help the lost reindeer find its way back to the North Pole before Christmas! Along the way, they’ll face sneaky hunters, suspiciously convincing department store elves, and even the people who track Santa on radar.

Get ready for a hilarious, heartwarming graphic novel about friendship, courage, and keeping the spirit of Christmas alive—no matter what.

Celebrate Hanukkah with this festive introduction for kids ages 6 to 9!

Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that is also called the Festival of Lights. For thousands of years, Jewish people have celebrated Hanukkah by lighting candles, chanting prayers, and playing games! Learn all about the history, traditions, food, and more with this book of facts and activities that encourage you to join in on the fun.
 

• So many ways to get festive—Discover how Hanukkah is celebrated by different people around the world with songs, gifts, and gatherings.
• Celebrate at home—Kids will explore Hanukkah customs with included activities like making your own stained-glass menorah decoration and learning how to play dreidel.
• Fascinating facts and pictures—Vibrant illustrations and kid-friendly language help bring Hanukkah to life.

Discover Why We Celebrate Hanukkah!

Have you ever wondered why we exchange gifts on Valentine's Day? Or why we wear green on St. Patrick's Day? Get the rest of the Why We Celebrate series and learn about holidays from around the world!

A secret is in the air as the unlikely friends return in four more stories threaded with Jarvis's signature warmth and subtle humor.

Best friends Bear and Bird may not always understand each other, but they always want the other to be happy. So when Bird feels left out because Bear has given a cute nickname to everyone but her, she's relieved when her hasty list of names for Bear doesn't reach him (Stinky Sock Muffin, anyone?). And when the two of them learn they have zero dislikes in common--from lasagna to chess to the word armadillo--and wonder if they can still be friends, they soon realize there's one important dislike they can both agree on. Whether the challenge is being hopeless at keeping a secret (Bear), or getting befuddled about the rules for hide-and-seek (Bear again), this ever-endearing pair continue to charm in a sixth set of gentle stories.

NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST

An illuminating novel about the importance of reclaiming the past, based on the author’s family history

Summer and her family always spend relaxed summers in Alberta, Canada, on the reservation where her mom’s family lives. But this year is turning out to be an eye-opening one. First, Summer has begun to have vivid dreams in which she's running away from one of the many real-life residential schools that tore Native children from their families and tried to erase their Native identities. Not long after that, she learns that unmarked children’s graves have been discovered at the school her grandpa attended as a child. Now more folks are speaking up about their harrowing experiences at these places, including her grandfather. Summer cherishes her heritage and is heartbroken about all her grandfather was forced to give up and miss out on. When the town holds a rally, she’s proud to take part to acknowledge the painful past and speak of her hopes for the future, and anxious to find someone who can fill her in on the source of her unsettling dreams.