Looking for some wintery books to get into the holiday spirit? Check out these festive reads from the New Orleans Public Library.
Children
Dinosaur-loving kids will go nuts for Bridget Heo’s Santa Claws. This fun picture book brings readers back to the Cretaceous Period, where Santa is a t-rex traveling the world by pterosaurs-pulled sled to bring little dinos gifts and spread holiday cheer.
Once upon a Kwanzaa by Nyasha Williams is a vibrant introduction to the traditions of Kwanzaa, highlighting ancestral practices across the Black Diaspora.
Weiwei’s Winter Solstice: A Dōngzhì Story by Michelle Jing Chan teaches children the customs and traditions of an important Chinese holiday. With beautiful illustrations bursting with color, this tender tale will warm even the darkest days of winter.
Middle Grade
What would you think if you saw a reindeer fly? When this happens to Virginia in Bobby Podesta’s North for the Winter, she isn’t sure what to do. When she reluctantly confesses what she saw to her neighbor, Benny, he’s convinced that flying reindeer can only mean one thing: this is Santa business.
Packed with more than 300 cheery, family-friendly, and sometimes groan producing jokes, Jingle Bell Jokes for Funny Kids by Gary Panton is a great way to bring cheer into your home this holiday season.
Spread seasonal cheer with Pokémon Happy Holidays, a colorful activity book full of puzzles, games, and festive fun featuring Pikachu and friends.
Teens
Narrated from different viewpoints, Tia and Quincy grapple with the aftermath of their recent breakups in Only for the Holidays by Abiola Bello. The two strike a deal: Tia agrees to accompany Quincy to the winter ball as his date in return for his help in winning back her ex. But, as their plan progresses so do their feelings for each other.
For the Rest of Us: 13 Festive Holiday Stories to Celebrate all Seasons showcases the beautiful and diverse ways holidays are observed. From Lunar New Year to Solstice, Día de Los Muertos to Juneteenth, and all the incredible days in between, it’s clear that Americans don’t just have one holiday. Edited by the esteemed Dahlia Adler, this joyful collection of stories shows that there isn’t one way to experience a holiday.
Manga fans can join Sanda and Shiori on an unforgettable journey to restore the magic of Christmas in Sanda: Volume 1 by Paru Itagaki. Along the way, they confront the true meaning of friendship, trust, and the possibility of magic in a world that has all but forgotten it.
E-Resource Spotlight
Looking to level up your crafting game this holiday season? Your New Orleans Public Library card unlocks unlimited access to Creativebug, an online catalog of thousands of video tutorials, featuring seasonal crafting tips of all kinds — from festive treats to tying the perfect bow.
Expert instructors provide step-by-step guides, making it easy to learn new skills and get inspired. Perfect for crafters of all levels, Creativebug offers endless creative possibilities at no cost with your Library card.