A Few December Holidays

• Explore our complete Holiday Collection to find more titles and resources for holidays celebrated throughout the year and around the world. Filter by cultural experience to find diverse experiences.

• Looking for additional holiday titles beyond the traditional classics? Explore this list for additional titles and resources: Beyond Polar Express: Unsung Holiday Books.

• Listen to author Gary Soto share the family tradition that inspired his book Too Many Tamales in this Meet-the-Author Recording. Discuss together, or have them each write a paragraph about any family holiday traditions they may have, whether it be making a special dish, going to a special place, decorating a special way, or anything else.

Hanukkah

• Learn about Hanukkah in this complete video reading of All-Of-A-Kind Family Hanukkah, then sing a Hanukkah song and play a dreidel game, as found in this classroom activities kit from the publisher.

• Share the complete video reading of Moishe's Miracle: A Hanukkah Story, an original Hanukkah tale in the tradition of Jewish folklore about generosity and the holiday season. Then customize or use as-is a Fairy Tales / Folklore Multi-Leveled Lesson.

Christmas

• Listen to the Meet-the-Author Recording for It's Christmas Everywhere, Celebrations from Around the World to hear how the author researched global traditions, then share this activity kit with your students and have them color decorations from four different cultures. Continue with a discussion about decorations they may use for any holidays they may celebrate.

• Watch this complete video reading of The Polar Express in American Sign Language and English, then try one or more of the many printable lesson activities in this teaching unit.

Kwanzaa

• Learn about the history, traditions and principles of Kwanzaa by watching this complete video reading of Kevin’s Kwanzaa, then create a word search using words from the text for your students to complete.

• Create a flyer or bookmarks with the complete video reading for Li’l Rabbit’s Kwanzaa and share with families so they may enjoy over the holiday break.