Hold Christmas in Your Heart: African American Songs, Poems, and Stories for the Holidays
by Cheryl Willis Hudson
32 pages
Heartwarming holiday poems and songs by Langston Hughes, Paul Dunbar, Lucille Clifton, Gwendolyn Brooks, and others!

It's Hanukkah!
by Jeanne Modesitt, Robin Spowart (Illustrator)
32 pages
For the youngest child's understanding of this blessed holiday, here is the story of Hanukkah, as well as information on the Menorah, traditional Hanukkah blessings and the game of the Dreidel. Also includes a recipe and song.
Available in the Scholastic Teacher Store.

Polar Express
by Chris Van Allsburg
32 pages
A magical train ride on Christmas Eve takes a boy to the North Pole to receive a special gift from Santa! Caldecott Medal winner.

Seven Candles for Kwanzaa
by Andrea Davis Pinkney, Brian Pinkney (illustrator)
32 pages
The music, the stories, the traditions—learn all about this great African American holiday.

Who's That Knocking on Christmas Eve?
by Jan Brett
32 pages
"Brett transports readers high above the Arctic Circle in this vivid, well-paced retelling of an old Norwegian folktale." —Booklist

Dear America: Christmas After All:
The Great Depression Diary of Minnie Swift. Indianapolis, IN, 1932 by Kathryn Lasky
185 pages
At the age of twelve, Minnie Swift is living through one of the toughest times in America's history, The Great Depression. She keeps a detailed diary over the span of one Christmas month. Reflecting the sadness — but also optimism — that characterized the time, this is an intimate portrait of a midwestern family's days and nights, ups and downs, triumphs and losses. It is the story of one family's persevering spirit. The Christmas Spirit.
Available in the Scholastic Teacher Store.

The Gift of the Magi
By O. Henry
O. Henry's classic story of young love at Christmastime.

Snowflake Bentley
by Jacqueline Briggs Martin
illustrated by Mary Azarian
32 pages
This beautiful biography, winner of the 1999 Caldecott Medal, tells the true story of a Vermont farm boy who was mesmerized by snowflakes.

A Very Special Kwanzaa
by Debbi Chocolate
112 pages
Charlie's school is holding a Kwanzaa festival and his teacher chooses him to lead the celebration.
Available in Scholastic Teacher Store.

Wind in the Willows Christmas
by Kenneth Grahame
illustrated by Michael Hague
32 pages
Rat and Mole catch the holiday spirit! "This chapter from Grahame's classic novel works well as a stand-alone story, and Hague's artwork captures both the setting and the personalities of the enterprising Rat and the sensitive Mole."
—Horn Book