Books about Holiday Traditions
Below we have compiled a list of fiction and nonfiction books and resources representing a wide variety of traditions, beliefs, and customs celebrated during the holiday season. This is just a small sampling of the hundreds of holiday books that can be borrowed from the Roslindale Branch Library.
Happy Holidays from the Friends!
Adult
The Book of New Family Traditions: How to Create Great Rituals for Holidays and Every Day
By Meg Cox
Families will treasure this collection of rituals and traditions for many occasions, from such personal milestones as a child’s first day of school or a teenager’s new driver’s license to mainstream holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries. Special celebrations in a warm family setting help foster self-esteem and creativity, open up communication channels, and may even entice older children to stay at the dinner table a little longer. Such cherished events can be as simple as a Sunday lunch orchestrated by the kids. Each ritual is inspired by those of real families. Their stories are shared, along with practical instructions on how to implement and tailor the ritual to one’s own family. All it takes is organization, imagination, and a willingness to resist outside interference for a few precious moments.
One Nation Under God: The History of Prayer in America
By James Moore
In this highly original approach to the history of the United States, James Moore focuses on the extraordinary role that prayer has played in every area of American life, from the time of the first settlers to the present day and beyond. A stirring chronicle of the spiritual life of a nation, One Nation Under God shows how the faith of Americans–from the founding fathers to corporate tycoons, from composers to social reformers, from generals to slaves–was an essential ingredient in the formation of American culture, character, commerce, and creed. One Nation Under God brings together the country’s hymns, patriotic anthems, arts, and literature as a framework for telling the story of the innermost thoughts of the people who have shaped the United States we know today. Beginning with Native Americans, One Nation Under God traces the prayer lives of Quakers and Shakers, Sikhs and Muslims, Catholics and Jews, from their earliest days in the United States through the advent of cyberspace, the aftermath of 9/11, and the 2004 presidential election.
Navidad latinoamericana (En Español)
By Charito Calvachi Wakefield
La navidad es una festividad maravillosa que despierta grandes emociones y los mejores sentimientos en quienes la celebran. En torno a esta fecha, a partir de una tradición de carácter universal, cada pueblo y comunidad ha ido enriqueciendo esta fiesta con sus particulares aportes y con su sensibilidad característica. Esta obra recoge la rica tradición navideña de 25 países latinoamericanos a través del vasto patrimonio que conforman las canciones, música, literatura, religiosidad y manifestaciones artísticas que tienen como motivo central la celebración del nacimiento de Jesús. De esta forma, las familias con raíces hispanoamericanas encontrarán aquí un espejo que reflejará aquellas tradiciones que están en el núcleo de su identidad, acercándolas a este valioso patrimonio mediante un conjunto de entretenidas actividades que pueden compartir y disfrutar en esta fecha con las personas que más quieren.
Hanukkah in America: A History
By Diane Ashton
The ways in which Hanukkah was reshaped by American Jews reveals the changing goals and values that emerged among different contingents each December as they confronted the reality of living as a religious minority in the United States. Bringing together clergy and laity, artists and businessmen, teachers, parents, and children, Hanukkah has been a dynamic force for both stability and change in American Jewish life. The holiday’s distinctive transformation from a minor festival to a major occasion that looms large in the American Jewish psyche is a marker of American Jewish life. Drawing on a varied archive of songs, plays, liturgy, sermons, and a range of illustrative material, as well as developing portraits of various communities, congregations, and rabbis, “Hanukkah in America” reveals how an almost forgotten festival became the most visible of American Jewish holidays.
Merry Christmas Songbook
A perennial bestseller–now with a new companion 23-track CD–this songbook contains a collection of more than 100 Yuletide favorites plus a 32-page lyric book.
Kwanzaa: Black Power and the Making of the African-American Holiday Tradition
By Keith Mayes
The book explores the political beginning and later expansion of Kwanzaa, from its start as a Black Power holiday, to its current place as one of the most mainstream of the black holiday traditions. For those wanting to learn more about this alternative observance practiced by countless African Americans and how Kwanzaa fits into the larger black holiday tradition, Mayes gives an accessible and definitive account of the movements and individuals that pushed to make this annual celebration a reality, and shows how African-Americans brought the black freedom struggle to the American calendar.
Festivus: The Holiday for the Rest of Us
By Allen Salkin
Looking to add a little bitterness to your holiday season? Then FESTIVUS is the book you cannot do without Take Frosty out behind the woodshed and hide your menorahs, kinaras, diyas and whatevahs…the time has come for Festivus The event celebrated by Frank Costanza (Jerry Stiller) on Seinfeld, in which a bare aluminum pole replaces all holiday and religious symbols, where participants compete in “feats of strength” and undertake the “airing of grievances,” has transcended television to become a worldwide phenomenon. In this side-splitting romp through the Festivus landscape, Allen Salkin meets Miss Festivus, tastes Festivus beer, and ponders the Festivus snail (along with Festy the cat), showing how anyone with a little creativity and a dash of Costanza can celebrate a Happy Festivus
An Advent Pilgrimage: Preparing Our Hearts for Jesus
By J. Peter Sartin
Where does Christ fit in your Christmas? The coming of Christ has a tendency to sneak up on us. We get caught in the whirlwind of activities, Events, gatherings, decorations, baking, entertaining and so much more. In and of themselves, these can be wonderful aspects of the advent season as we grow in love and community with those around us. But where does Christ fit into your Christmas preparation? This year, as it did for Joseph and Mary, let it begin with a pilgrimage. Archbishop J. Peter Sartain invites us to take an Advent trip with him, a journey that starts in our hearts and ends at the humble manger. These brief reflections are like letters from a close friend, in which he shares personal stories, perspectives, and advice — opening our minds to how we can best prepare our hearts for Jesus. This Advent, break out of your routine, hold back nothing, and really prepare for Christmas.
Faith No More: Why People Reject Religion
By Phil Zuckerman
During his 2009 inaugural speech, President Obama described the United States as a nation of “Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus–and nonbelievers.” It was the first time an American president had acknowledged the existence of this rapidly growing segment of the population in such a public forum. And yet the reasons why more and more people are turning away from religion are still poorly understood. In Faith No More, Phil Zuckerman draws on in-depth interviews with people who have left religion to find out what’s really behind the process of losing one’s faith.
Teens/Young Adult
Three Kings Day: A Celebration at Christmastime
By Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith
Explores the legend, history, and traditions associated with Three Kings Day, and follows ten-year-old Veronica and her family as they celebrate the Latin American holiday along with neighbors in their Puerto Rican community in New York City.
The Oxford Book of Christmas Stories
When your family gets together at Christmastime, this book will prove to be the most treasured gift, bringing together children and parents, young and old. All the great stories of the holidays, along with some wonderful surprises, are waiting to be read aloud around the tree. This superb treasury of 30 seasonal tales, 10 of which were specially commissioned for this collection, brings together all the traditional Christmas characters and customs that children of all ages know and love–Grandfather Frost, Mr. Pickwick, the Snowman, carol-singing, and the birth of Jesus. Some of the stories–by authors such as Charles Dickens, Shirley Jackson, and Sue Townsend–will be familiar to young readers and their parents. Others–by modern writers including Robert Swindells and Philippa Pearche–will quickly become newly-discovered favorites. The selection presents a wide-ranging view of Christmas and its celebrations.
Merry Christmas: A History of the Holiday
By Patricia Bunning Stevenson
Traces the history and development of the Christmas holiday from ancient pagan festivals to contemporary American celebrations.
Religions of the World: The Illustrated Guide to Origins, Beliefs, Traditions & Festivals
By Elizabeth Breuilly
Discusses the religions of the world and their festivals, rituals, beliefs, ceremonial objects, and history.
What If I’m An Atheist: A Teen’s Guide to Exploring A Life Without Religion
By David Seidman
A guide to atheism and nonbelief shares counsel on the challenges of questioning the views of one’s upbringing, establishing beliefs about religion and spirituality and addressing the practical aspects of managing religious occasions.
Christmas in Italy
By Kristin Thoennes Keller
An overview of the symbols, celebrations, decorations, food, and songs that are part of Christmas in Italy.
Holiday Princess
By Meg Cabot
Princess Mia presents a guide to the winter holidays, including the story behind some traditions, gift suggestions, make-up and fashion tips for seasonal parties, recipes, and craft ideas.
A Kwanzaa Keepsake: Celebrating the Holiday With New Traditions and Feasts
By Jessica B. Harris
Filled with dozens of delicious recipes, meaningful ways to commemorate the seven days of Kwanzaa, and delightful suggestions for creating family traditions for years to come, “A Kwanzaa Keepsake” is a rich source of inspiration for the holiday season.
Children
The Christmas Book
By Jane Bull
Deck the halls with festive mobiles and flurries of snowflakes. Create snowstorms in jelly jars. Fill boxes with candies. Countdown to Christmas with a magical calendar. Easy-to-make, fun-to-do, for a sparkling Christmas.
The Stable Where Jesus Was Born
By Rhonda Gowler Greene
Rhyming verse introduces the people who appear in the story of the birth of Christ and describes the setting of this event.
Christmas Around The World
By Emily Kelley
Describes Christmas traditions in Mexico, Iran, China, Sweden, Iraq, Spain, and Norway.
Santa is Coming to Boston
By Steve Smallman
Have you been good? Are you ready to go to sleep? Then Santa is coming to town! Read about what happens to Santa when he visits Boston.
The Night of Las Posadas
By Tomie DePaola
At the annual celebration of Las Posadas in old Santa Fe, the husband and wife slated to play Mary and Joseph are delayed by car trouble, but a mysterious couple appear who seem perfect for the part.
Kwanzaa
By Deborah Newton Chocolate
Discusses the holiday in which African-Americans celebrate their roots and cultural heritage from Africa.
The 12 Days of Christmas
By Jane Cabrera
Merry animals celebrate the twelve days of Christmas in this version of the traditional folk song.
Honeyky Hanukah
By Woody Guthrie
A family celebrates Hanukkah with latkes, hugs, kisses, and dancing.
The Glorious Christmas Songbook
The Glorious Christmas Songbook features over 50 favorite songs, both contemporary and time-honored, from “All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth” to “Joy to the World.” It is the perfect musical companion for the most glorious season of the year.
Christmas Soul: African American Holiday Stories
With original stories by Debbie Allen, Halle Berry, Jamie Foxx, Whitney Houston, D.L. Hughley, Monica, and more. In this collection of poignant and witty original stories, African American celebrities recount their favorite childhood Christmas memories. Accompanied by evocative oil paintings, these stories will illuminate the holidays for years to come. A portion of the proceeds for Christmas Soul will be donated to The United Negro College Fund.
Christmas Crafts From Around the World
By Judy Ann Sadler
No matter where it’s celebrated, Christmas is a joyful time of year. In this book in the Kids Can Do It series, kids can enjoy their very own “international” Christmas with seventeen yuletide projects and some very special ideas for getting into the holiday spirit!
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