Holiday Reading and Season’s Greeting

‘Twas Nochebuena A Christmas Story in English and Spanish by Roseanne Greenfield Thong Illustrated by Sara Palacios

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas is told from the view of a Hispanic family. We look at a family preparing to celebrate by making tamales, hanging decorations, and participating in Las Posadas. Las Posadas is a religious festival celebrated in Mexico and some parts of the United States between December 16 and 24. After Las Posada, the family fiesta gets started. The story is written in English with Spanish vocabulary throughout. 

How to Catch an Elf by Adam Wallace and Andy Elkerton

Santa has a little elf friend who helps Santa bring boys' and girls' toys. The main character is not a shelf-sitting elf. The Elf’s job is to make sure Santa is kept out of the traps set by children that want to get a look at Old Saint Nick.

Twelve Dinging Doorbells by Tameka Frayer Brow and Illustrated by Ebony Glenn

This book is a “mirror” book for me. Written in the style of the Twelve Days of Christmas and told from the perspective of a young Black girl, the story takes a page right out of my childhood. More family members join the fun with each doorbell ring until the twelfth ring. By the end of the book, our young storyteller is slightly overwhelmed by the crowd and only wants to quietly enjoy a sweet potato pie that her grandmother made just for her. 

Hanukkah Bear by Eric A. Kimmel Illustrated by Mike Wohoutka 

Bubba Brayna was ninety-seven years old and made the best potato latkes in the village. All her friends loved coming to her home to enjoy Hanukkah and eat those delicious latkes. One year, Old Bear, freshly awakened and hungry, arrives at Bubba Brayna's house, and she mistakes Old Bear for the town Rabbi, which is pretty easy to do because even though Bubba Brayna is a great cook, she can not see or hear well.