SUBSCRIBE
SUBSCRIBE
SLJ Blog Network +
  • 100 Scope Notes
  • A Fuse #8 Production
  • Good Comics for Kids
  • Heavy Medal: A Mock Newbery Blog
  • Teen Librarian Toolbox
  • The Classroom Bookshelf
  • The Yarn
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About/Contact
  • Fusenews
  • Reviews
  • Librarian Previews
  • Best Books
    • Top 100
    • Best Books of 2022
    • Best Books of 2021
    • Best Books of 2020
    • Best Books of 2019
    • Best Books of 2018
    • Best Books of 2017
    • Best Books of 2016
    • Best Books of 2015
    • Best Books of 2014
    • Best Books of 2013
  • Fuse 8 n’ Kate
  • Videos
  • Press Release Fun

December 25, 2018 by Betsy Bird

31 Days, 31 Lists: 2018 Transcendent Holiday Picture Books

December 25, 2018 by Betsy Bird   2 comments

Merry Christmas! And what a lovely day it is. But why should we designate today’s list to only a single, solitary holiday when there are so many that had such lovely books out this year? This is one of my favorite lists of the month, so it only seems fitting to post it today. Here are the books based on different holidays that I’d feel perfectly happy reading all year long, they’re so good.


 

2018 Transcendent Holiday Picture Books

All-of-a-Kind Family Hanukkah by Emily Jenkins, ill. Paul O. Zelinsky

AllofaKindFamilyHanukkah

I think a lot of people heard that there was to be a “new” All-of-a-Kind Family and had the same reaction I did: skeptical skepticism. Then it ended up being all-round perfect. Marjorie Ingall in her round-up of The Best Jewish Children’s Books of 2018 said it better than I ever could, though: “Just look at that cover! Zelinsky captures the essence of the girls in bold, powerful strokes: There’s Henny, giving epic side-eye! Gertie, with happily squinchy eyes, a closed-mouthed grin and a slightly bulbous Sendakian nose! Buttoned boots and pinafores on everybody! The art throughout is luscious, framed in rich color and heavy yet soft black lines. The heavy paper, too, conveys that this book is a keeper.”

SCROLL TO KEEP READING THIS POST

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Coming Home by Michael Morpurgo, ill. Kerry Hyndman

ComingHome

Fun Fact: The Scandinavian robin migrates south to Britain around Christmastime every year. What better subject matter for a picture book then? Beautiful art and deft writing make this one of the lovelier Christmas books out this year. It pairs particularly well, both in tone and subject matter, with Red & Lulu by Matt Tavares. It was like they were made for one another.

Decked Out for Christmas by Ethan Long

DeckedOutChristmas

Bit of a picture book for the young ‘uns here. Of course, small small children don’t really get the whole Christmas thing for a while, but that’s okay. A book where mouse elves “trim” Santa’s Christmas turbo-charged sleigh is good enough for me. It’s fun. It’s peppy. It’s Ethan Long, who’s always a ton o’ fun.

Festival of Colors by Kabir Sehgal & Surishtha Sehgal, ill. Vashti Harrison

FestivalColors

Holi, the Indian Festival of Colors, is one of the most kid-friendly holidays out there, but we’re not exactly drowning in books about it. The board book Holi Colors by Rina Singh doesn’t really talk about the holiday itself (more of a concept book), but this one does! You’ve got your historical and cultural context. You’ve got a range of different skin tones and colors. You’ve got yourself a darn nice book.

Little Christmas Tree by Jessica Courtney-Tickle

LittleChristmasTree

This is one of those books that sort of a picture book and sort of a board book. I’ve always found the flaps to be nice and strong. And, naturally, the artistic style is very appealing to the old peepers. Unusual and beautiful.

Meet the Latkes by Alan Silberberg

MeetLatkes

I think I already told you that this is one of my favorite Hanukkah picture books in years, and I stand by that statement. Takes the Hanukkah story, makes it completely and utterly ridiculous, and then adds in the real story so you never forget it. The sole problem with it? Every time I look at it I get hungry for latkes. Nom nom nom.

Samurai Scarecrow: A Very Ninja Halloween by Rubin Pingk

SamuraiScarecrow

SCROLL TO KEEP READING THIS POST

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

I’ve a weakness. It’s for Halloween books. I like them all the time. Morning, noon, and night. And this one is so much fun to read to large groups or one-on-one. The reason is clear. It’s positively bonkers. Here, I’ll sum it up: Ninjas dress up for Halloween but are terrified of Samurai Scarecrows. Hunhuna? Does that make sense? Who cares! There’s even a spooky scarecrow song you get to sing. Bonus.

Silent Night by Lara Hawthorne

SilentNight

I think there are two different kinds of Christmas picture books in this world. On the one hand, you have the kind that tell an original story and convey some aspect of the time and season. They can be religious or not, depending. Then you have the picture books that are based on hymns and poems and songs. These I find enormously interesting, because they allow the creators a chance to put their own personal spin on the proceedings. Ms. Hawthorne pictures Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus as dark-skinned, as are some of the shepherds and Three Kings. Created in gouache and then run through Photoshop, this is a book of contrasts. The sky is not merely dark, but black, set so that the white of the ground and the animals stand out. Take note of how Hawthorne uses patterns as well, whether it’s in the stars, or the fabric on the manger. We’ve seen this story so many times, but Ms. Hawthorne gives us new things to consider. Even better, at the end she includes information on how the Carol of “Silent Night” began. A great edition to any Christmas collection.

Stumpkin by Lucy Ruth Cummings

Stumpkin

Of all the Halloween books this year, this one probably got the most universal attention and praise. It’s a sweet, understated story about FOMO. Or being left behind. Or being forgotten. Feelings we can all identify with. One of the more understated Halloween stories. And a good one.

The Twelve Days of Christmas by Anna Wright

TwelveDaysChristmas

You know, there just weren’t that many Christmas carols turned into picture books this year. There was the aforementioned Silent Night and there was this. Both beautiful in their own separate ways. This is a very traditional telling. Not a reinterpretation by any means, but sometimes? Sometimes you’re just looking for something familiar. This not only fits the bill, but is pretty to boot.


Interested in the other lists? Here’s the schedule of everything being covered this month. Enjoy!

December 1 – Board Books & Pop-Ups

December 2 – Board Book Reprints & Adaptations

December 3 – Wordless Picture Books

December 4 – Picture Book Readalouds

December 5 – Rhyming Picture Books

December 6 – Alphabet Books

December 7 – Funny Picture Books

December 8 – CaldeNotts

December 9 – Picture Book Reprints

December 10 – Math Books for Kids

December 11 – Bilingual Books

December 12 – Translated Picture Books

December 13 – Books with a Message

December 14 – Fabulous Photography

December 15 – Fairy Tales / Folktales / Religious Tales

December 16 – Oddest Books of the Year

December 17 – Poetry Books

December 18 – Easy Books

December 19 – Early Chapter Books

December 20 – Comics for Kids

December 21 – Older Funny Books

December 22 – Fictionalized Nonfiction

December 23 – American History

December 24 – Science & Nature Books

December 25 – Transcendent Holiday Picture Books

December 26 – Unique Biographies

December 27 – Nonfiction Picture Books

December 28 – Nonfiction Chapter Books

December 29 – Fiction Reprints

December 30 – Middle Grade Novels

December 31 – Picture Books

Filed under: 31 Days 31 Lists

SHARE:

Read or Leave Comments
31 days 31 listsholiday books

About Betsy Bird

Betsy Bird is currently the Collection Development Manager of the Evanston Public Library system and a former Materials Specialist for New York Public Library. She has served on Newbery, written for Horn Book, and has done other lovely little things that she'd love to tell you about but that she's sure you'd find more interesting to hear of in person. Her opinions are her own and do not reflect those of EPL, SLJ, or any of the other acronyms you might be able to name. Follow her on Twitter: @fuseeight.

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Posts

December 2022

31 Days, 31 Lists: 2022 Picture Books

by Betsy Bird

December 2022

31 Days, 31 Lists: 2022 Middle Grade Fiction

by Betsy Bird

December 2022

31 Days, 31 Lists: 2022 Best Audiobooks for Kids

by Betsy Bird

December 2022

31 Days, 31 Lists: 2022 Nonfiction Books for Older Readers

by Betsy Bird

December 2022

31 Days, 31 Lists: 2022 Nonfiction Picture Books

by Betsy Bird

ADVERTISEMENT

SLJ Blog Network

100 Scope Notes

2023 Caldecott Jump

by Travis Jonker

A Fuse #8 Production

Creating a Collective Black Ancestry: Researcher Kimberly Annece Henderson Discusses Dear Yesteryear

by Betsy Bird

Good Comics for Kids

Recent Graphic Novel Deals, Early Mar 2023 | News

by Johanna

Heavy Medal

March suggestions: early Mock Newbery possibilities

by Emily Mroczek-Bayci

Teen Librarian Toolbox

Popular Middle Grade Author Stuart Gibbs Launches a New Venture to Help Inspire and Guide Young Writers

by Karen Jensen, MLS

The Classroom Bookshelf

The Classroom Bookshelf is Moving

by Erika Thulin Dawes

The Yarn

Newbery Medalist Amina Luqman-Dawson visits The Yarn

by Colby Sharp

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles on SLJ

SLJ Reviews of the 2022 Youth Media Awards

Bank Street Names Irma Black Award Semifinalists

2022 Notable Books: NCTE's 21 Best Poetry and Verse Novels for Kids

Jack Gantos on the Real Norvelt, Propaganda, and Good News | The Newbery at 100

Children’s and Teen Choice Book Awards Voting Is Open

About Betsy Bird

Betsy Bird is currently the Collection Development Manager of the Evanston Public Library system and a former Materials Specialist for New York Public Library. She has served on Newbery, written for Horn Book, and has done other lovely little things that she'd love to tell you about but that she's sure you'd find more interesting to hear of in person. Her opinions are her own and do not reflect those of EPL, SLJ, or any of the other acronyms you might be able to name. Follow her on Twitter: @fuseeight.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Carl in Charlotte says

    December 26, 2018 at 12:23 pm

    “Silent Night” is especially appropriate this year since 2018 marks the 170th anniversary of its composition and the 135th anniversary of its being translated into English.

    • Elizabeth Bird says

      December 26, 2018 at 8:05 pm

      Really? Makes me wonder why we didn’t see more versions this year!

ADVERTISEMENT

Archives

  • External Links

    • A Fuse #8 Production Reviews
  • Follow This Blog

    Enter your email address below to receive notifications of new blog posts by email.

    This coverage is free for all visitors. Your support makes this possible.

    This coverage is free for all visitors. Your support makes this possible.

    Primary Sidebar

    • News & Features
    • Reviews+
    • Technology
    • School Libraries
    • Public Libraries
    • Age Level
    • Ideas
    • Blogs
    • Classroom
    • Diversity
    • People
    • Job Zone

    Reviews+

    • Book Lists
    • Best Books
    • Media
    • Reference
    • Series Made Simple
    • Tech
    • Review for SLJ
    • Review Submissions

    SLJ Blog Network

    • 100 Scope Notes
    • A Fuse #8 Production
    • Good Comics for Kids
    • Heavy Medal
    • Neverending Search
    • Teen Librarian Toolbox
    • The Classroom Bookshelf
    • The Yarn

    Resources

    • 2022 Youth Media Awards
    • The Newbery at 100: SLJ Celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the Award
    • Special Report | School Libraries 2021
    • Summer Reading 2021
    • Series Made Simple Spring 2021
    • SLJ Diverse Books Survey
    • Summer Programming Survey
    • Research
    • White Papers / Case Studies
    • School Librarian of the Year
    • Mathical Book Prize Collection Development Awards
    • Librarian/Teacher Collaboration Award

    Events & PD

    • In-Person Events
    • Online Courses
    • Virtual Events
    • Webcasts
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Subscribe
    • Media Inquiries
    • Newsletter Sign Up
    • Content Submissions
    • Data Privacy
    • Terms of Use
    • Terms of Sale
    • FAQs
    • Diversity Policy
    • Careers at MSI


    COPYRIGHT © 2023


    COPYRIGHT © 2023