The winter solstice happens on December 21 and marks colder days, long nights, and vibrant holidays such as Christmas, the festival of Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. Explore the stories of winter and learn about its past during the season when the echoes of history ring the loudest!
Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner
Why do our roly-poly snow people wear their smiles each winter? Find out what they get up to while we’re warm in our beds! This is a great title for little ones who wonder how their snow buddies pass the time. Ages 3-7.
An Aboriginal Carol by David Bouchard
Best-selling Canadian author David Bouchard reworks one of Canada's oldest and most well-known carols, The Huron Carol. Written in English and Inuktitut, the Inuit language spoken in the central and eastern Canadian arctic, the book is accompanied by a CD that includes a reading in both languages and a performance by Susan Aglukark. Ages 4-8.
The People Remember by Ibi Zoboi
The People Remember tells the journey of African descendants in America by connecting their history to the seven principles of Kwanzaa. Ages 4-8.
The Christmas Mitzvah by Jeff Gottesfeld
Al Rosen, a Jewish man, takes on the jobs of his Christian neighbours on Christmas Eve and Day so they can spend the holiday with their families, starting a tradition that lasts for decades. A mitzvah, as Al explains, is a good deed, especially apt on holidays. This warm story is about kindness and differences bringing people together. Ages 4-8.
Celebrating Kwanzaa by Barbara M. Linde
Meant to celebrate the unity between African Americans and their African roots, Kwanzaa began in the 1960s. This book teaches readers about Kwanzaa's creation and how people celebrate this time. Ages 6-8.
The Shortest Day: Celebrating the Winter Solstice by Wendy Pfeffer
In lyrical prose and cozy illustrations, this book explains what the winter solstice is and how it has been observed by various cultures throughout history with simple science activities, ideas for celebrating the day in school and at home, and a further-reading list. Ages 6-9.
Truce: The Day the Soldiers Stopped Fighting by Jim Murphy
This title celebrates the spontaneous Christmas Truce of 1914. Author Jim Murphy describes how warring soldiers came together for temporary peace during one of the bloodiest conflicts in our history. Ages 9-12. Also see Joyeux Noël.
Le poids de la neige/ The Weight of Snow by Christian Guay-Poliquin
Telle a été l'entente : le vieil homme assurera la rémission du plus jeune en échange de bois de chauffage, de vivres et, surtout, d'une place dans le convoi qui partira pour la ville au printemps. Près du poêle à bois, les deux individus tissent laborieusement leur complicité au gré des conversations. Tiendront-ils le coup ?
Christmas: A Biography by Judith Flanders
In Christmas, bestselling author and acclaimed social historian Judith Flanders casts a sharp eye on its myths, legends and history, analyzing the origins of the holiday in the Roman empire, through the first appearance of Christmas trees in Central Europe, to what might be the origins of Santa Claus – in Switzerland – to draw a picture of the season as it has never been seen before.
Winter by Ali Smith
Ali Smith uses naturalism, linguistics, art and politics to paint beauty in nature's most extreme seasons. The loose narrative focuses on a mother, son, aunt and girlfriend-for-pay who descend on a Cornwall home during Christmas.
Hark! The Herald Angels Scream by Christopher Golden
Christmas stories with terrifying twists and turns! Hide under a blanket while reading these eighteen stories from bestselling authors, including Scott Smith, Seanan McGuire, Josh Malerman, Michael Koryta, and Sarah Pinborough.
Krampus, directed by Michael Dougherty
The horror-comedy tells the story of young Max, who turns his back on Christmas as his dysfunctional family comes together and comically clashes over the holidays. When they accidentally unleash the wrath of Krampus, an ancient entity from European folklore, all hell breaks loose.
The Swedish Christmas Table: Traditional Holiday Meals, Side Dishes, Candies, and Drinks by Jens Linder
The Swedish Christmas Table is a festive homage to the season of mulled wine, advent calendars, and family. Set your table with such seasonal delicacies as eggnog, and seasonal cocktails, roasted nuts, fudge, nougat, marzipan, Christmas ham, vegetable pie with roasted walnuts and frosted fruit. Smaklig måltid!
