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10 Holiday Children's Books With Rich Latino Holiday Traditions



Whether you’re looking for the perfect stocking stuffer for your budding bookworm or a gift that will teach your kids about their cultural roots, look no further than these holiday-themed books.
Here are 10 books that celebrate diverse Latino families and their rich holiday traditions.

  • A Piñata In A Pine Tree, by Pat Mora

    In this Latino twist on “The Twelve Days of Christmas” a little girl recounts the gifts her amiga gave to her, including doce angelitos celebrando (twelve angels rejoicing) and a piñata in a pine tree. The book includes both English and Spanish phrases, and features a handy glossary and pronunciation guide. 

  • ‘Twas Nochebuena, by Roseanne Greenfield Thong

    ‘Twas the night before Christmas and the jovial Latino family in this book is stirring up hot chocolate and decorating the house in preparation for a traditional Latino celebration known as Nochebuena

  • Merry Navidad, by Alma Flor Ada

    This book contains a collection of English and Spanish Villancicos (Christmas carols) from Peru, Chile, Argentina and many other Latin American countries.

  • When Christmas Feels Like Home, by Gretchen Griffith

    After moving from Mexico to the United States with his family, Eduardo’s family promises him that he will feel at home by Christmas. Though initially doubtful, Eduardo soon realizes his family was right.

  • Feliz Navidad, by Jose Feliciano

    Set to José Feliciano’s “Feliz Navidad,” this book teaches children about traditional Puerto Rican parrandas, a holiday tradition in which households are visited by a group of dancing and singing friends, family and musicians.

  • Pablo’s Christmas, by Hugo C. Martin

    When young Pablo’s mother announces that she is going to have a baby, his father decides to find work in America to support them. Pablo tries his best to fill his father’s shoes during the holidays by finding and decorating a Christmas tree and making his own gifts. In the end, Pablo receives a surprise gift of his own.

  • The Miracle Of The First Poinsettia: A Mexican Christmas Story, by Joanne Oppenheim

    Poinsettias are native to Mexico, but they can be found in households around the world during the holidays. This book tells the tale of how this beautiful red plant came to be.

  • Mimi’s Parranda, by Lydia M. Gil

    Parrandas (Puerto Rico’s version of caroling) are Mimi’s favorite holiday tradition. But when she finds out she and her family won’t be able to make their annual Christmas trip to Puerto Rico, she becomes morose and decides to spend the holidays in bed. That is until Mimi hears the familiar sounds of guiros, maracas and tambourines outside her bedroom door. Could it be that her family brought the parranda to her? 

  • Too Many Tamales, by Gary Soto

    Maria and her cousins offer to help her mother make tamales for Christmas Eve. Things were going well until Maria accidentally drops her mother’s diamond ring into a giant batch of the holiday staple. Children will enjoy reading about how Maria and her cousins attempt to eat their way out of trouble.

  • The Night Of Las Posadas, by Tomie dePaola

    Sister Angie always leads Las Posadas — a reenactment of Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter. But she’s too ill to attend this year. Making matters worse, the people who were supposed to play Mary and Joseph in the procession are caught in a snowstorm. But thanks to a mysterious couple who step in at the last minute, the show goes on and the town is able to celebrate this cherished religious tradition.

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