December is a month full of lists: to-do lists; wish lists; gift lists; and, of course, book lists of every category and description. So I’m jumping on the listicle bandwagon with six picture books that I read this year and why I think they’re great for this holiday season (as well as any season!).
HOPE RODE by Lauren Kerstein and illustrated by Becca Stadtlander is a historical nonfiction biography of the Packhorse Librarians of Kentucky — women who braved all sorts of weather and all types of personalities to deliver books to rural families. This book is a welcome dose of inspiration, heart, and hope — just what we need at year’s end.
For many, the holidays are about gift-giving, and those gifts are usually objects (hopefully that includes books!). I love that in BUD FINDS HER GIFT by Robin Wall Kimmerer and illustrated by Naoko Stoop, a young Indigenous girl named Bud discovers the gifts that flora and fauna give to each other. Her gratitude leads her to find her own gift – her ability to care for and protect Earth. This is a sweet STEM story with themes of thankfulness, generosity, reciprocity, and caring for the world we live in.
Sometimes a gift can inspire a child for a lifetime. That’s what happened to Mark Nagata, the subject of Debbi Michiko Florence‘s biography, MONSTER MAKER: THE STRANGE CREATURES OF MARK NAGATA, illustrated by Inko Ai Takita. Young Mark received two kaiju toys for Christmas. These Japanese monsters sparked his imagination and led to a career in dreaming up and creating his own fantastic kaiju toys. This is a wonderful book about creativity and following your passions. Pair it with a real kaiju toy for a great gift!
When we think about the holidays, we often think about home and family. But what if you don’t have a traditional home? Author and illustrator James E. Ransome explores this topic in his poignant A PLACE FOR US. In wordless spreads, we follow a young boy and his mother in the hours after she picks him up from school. They have dinner, the boy does his homework, and they settle down for the night…on a park bench. NGL — I teared up the first time I read this book, in front of James, no less. This is a reminder not to overlook the unhoused, and not to judge them, either.
Kitty Corn and Unicorn are the best of friends. In the latest installment of the Kitty Corn series, HOLLY JOLLY KITTY CORN, written by Shannon Hale and illustrated by LeUyen Pham, the two pals want to make their holiday celebration perfect for each other. In hilarious scenes, we see them trying to please each other by agreeing to activities that they don’t actually like. There is a kitty-strophic disaster with a Christmas tree but all ends well when they realize being together is the best way to celebrate. This book is a fun holiday romp with a sweet theme about friendship.
The last book in my roundup is also a book about friendship — and it’s also about creativity, grief, and nature’s gifts. In WONDER & AWE, written and illustrated by Annie Herzig, a young girl makes a snow friend and names her Wonder. Together, they share days filled with awe at the beauty of the world. But when spring comes and Wonder melts, the girl grieves for the loss of her friend. The world is sad and gray. But slowly, she begins to notice the beauty in the world again and magic, wonder, and awe return.
Please click on the links above to learn more about these amazing authors and illustrators and to purchase their books! Whether you celebrate the holidays or not, I hope you find much beauty, magic, wonder, awe, and friendship this season. ❄️
These titles will inspire kids long into 2026 – even Kitty Corn, who can be read any time!
As will your title. Saw that on Seasons of Kidlit!
These picture books would make lovely gifts!
I just read Hope Rode and it is fabulous! I will certainly acquire the rest of these lovely books. Thank you for the recommendations.
These are great! Thanks for sharing!