Seasons ‘Readings!’

The holiday season is fast approaching! Here at the library, we aim to celebrate all holidays! Our County is chock full of a multitude of cultures with vibrant and meaningful holidays. Across our library system, you can find inclusive programming, our ever-growing world language collection, and resources about festivities going on throughout the season across all of Mercer County. And don’t forget about the books! Share the joy of reading this season with your little ones by checking out some of our seasonal recommended reads based on our Youth Services collection.

Hanukkah (Evening of December 7th through December 15th)

Dino-Hanukkah (2015) by Lisa Wheeler and illustrated by Barry Gott

Hanukkah is coming, and the dinos are all busy getting ready! They make brisket and latkes, and the dino-kids play with a dreidel, act out the Hanukkah story, open gifts, and eagerly await their turn to light the menorah.

Hanukkah Upside Down (2019) by Elissa Brent Weissman and illustrated by Omer Hoffman

From their homes in New York and New Zealand, cousins Noah and Nora have a competition to decide who can have the world's best Hanukkah, winter or summer, but as the eight nights of Hanukkah go on, they realize they have more in common than they thought.

Mrs. Maccabee’s Miracle (2019) by Elka Weber and illustrated by Amelie Videlo

The five Maccabee sons are always losing things, and their mom is ever there to remind them where to look, but when they cannot find the oil to light the Temple menorah after defeating the Greek army, they must remember her sage advice. Includes the story of Hanukkah.

Christmas (December 25th)

Dasher Can’t Wait for Christmas (2023) by Matt Tavares

With only one sleep left before Christmas Eve, Dasher can't contain her excitement for her favorite holiday. With the sound of Christmas carols on the breeze and twinkling lights radiating from a nearby city, she sneaks off to visit the festivities. But as night deepens and snow starts to fall, Dasher realizes she can no longer spot the North Star in the sky to lead her home. Will the kindness of a child, an unexpected gift, and a dose of Christmas spirit get her back in time to help guide Santa's sleigh?

Snowmen’s Twelve Nights of Christmas (2023) by Caralyn Buehner

In this boisterous, fun-filled retelling of a classic Christmas carol, an enthusiastic dog chases an elf, penguins, squirrels and many more Snowmen and creatures up a tree.

Dreams of Green: A Three King’s Day Story (2023) by Mariel Jungkunz

Longing to be in Puerto Rico celebrating Dia de los Reyes with family and friends, Lucia wonders how she'll ever be able to guide the Three Kings to her new Midwestern home, until she finds a different way to celebrate her Puerto Rican heritage.

Kwanzaa (December 26th through January 1st)

The Night Before Kwanzaa (2023) by Natasha Wing and Kristi Jewel. Illustrated by Amy Wummer.

On Kwanzaa's eve a young boy cannot hold in his delight, as his family gathers together and lights a candle for each Kwanzaa night.

My First Kwanzaa (2014) by Karen Katz

A girl describes how she and her family celebrate the seven days of Kwanzaa.

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Kwanzaa! (2004) by Rex Perry

An African American boy and his family celebrate Kwanzaa in a rhyming text inspired by the popular Christmas song, "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.

- by Brielle Papaccio, Youth Services Librarian, West Windsor Branch