Celebrate the Holiday Season With Books and Activities for Kids

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Winter

While it might not be snowing in Florida, there are other tell-tale signs of Winter approaching... The shorter days, the drop in temperatures... Not to mention the various religious and secular celebrations that happen in December. Little ones can get pretty excited this time of year and have a lot of questions. Plus, with the kids out of school for several weeks... Parents are often looking for ways to entertain and spend quality time with their kids.

Fortunately, the Library has a few suggestions for how you can spend those chilly winter days! So, stop by your neighborhood branch to pick up a good book for your favorite cozy reading nook... or bring the family for a fun holiday-themed craft or other activity.

Chanukkah Book Recommendations

1. Eight Sweet Nights, a Festival of Lights: a Hanukkah Story by Charlotte Offsay
2. A Hanukkah with Mazel by Joel Edward Stein
3. Meet the Latkes by Alan Silberberg
4. Goodnight Bubbala: A Joyful Parity by Sheryl Haft
5. A Dragon for Hanukkah by Sarah Mylnowski
6. Mrs. Maccabee's Miracle by Elka Weber
7. The Eight Knights of Hanukkah by Leslie Kimmelman
8. There Was a Young Rabbi: a Hanukkah Tale by Suzanne Wolfe
9. This Is the Dreidel by Abby Levine
10. Way Too Many Latkes: A Hanukkah in Chelm by Linda Glasser

Christmas List

1. Three Kings: The Journey of the Magi by Geraldine Elschner
2. A City Full of Santas by Joanna Ho
3. How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? by Mac Barnett
4. The Twelve Hours of Christmas by Jenn Bailey
5. The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore
6. One Wild Christmas by Nicholas Oldland
7. Christmas in the Barn by Margaret Wise Brown
8. The Birds of Bethlehem by Tomie DePaola
9. Mortimer's Christmas Manger by Karma Wilson
10. A World of Christmas Cookies for Santa by M.E. Furman

Our Picks for Kwanzaa

1. Kwanzaa by Hannah Eliot
2. Seven Spools of Thread: A Kwanzaa Story by Angela Shelf Medearis
3. Kwanzaa Candles by Megan Borgert-Spaniol
4. My First Kwanzaa by Karen Katz
5. K is for Kwanzaa by Juwanda G. Ford
6. The People Remember by Ibi Zoboi
7. Soulful Holidays by Ciara Hill
8. Santa's Kwanzaa by Garen Eileen Thomas
9. Li’l Rabbit’s Kwanzaa by Donna L. Washington
10. Kwanzaa from Holiday to Everyday by Maitefa Angaza

More Wintery Reads for Kids

1. The Shortest Day by Susan Cooper
2. The Shortest Day: Celebrating Winter Solstice by Wendy Pfeffer
3. Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama by Selina Alko
4. Two New Years by Richard Ho
5. A Sweet New Year for Ren by Michelle Sterling
6. Shante Keys and the New Year's Peas by Gail Piernas-Davenport
7. The Last Slice: a Three Kings Day Treat by Melissa Seron Richardson
8. Dreams of Green: a Three Kings Day Story by Mariel Jungkunz
9. The Joyful Book by Todd Parr
10. Winter: a Solstice Story by Kelsey Ebben Gross

Explore the Digital Library

Listen to audiobooks or music, watch movies or TV shows, and read popular e-books and comics with Hoopla – free from your Library! Stream instantly or download something to enjoy offline. 

Turn on “Kids Mode” to search family-friendly content (for children ages 12 and under)!

• With Hoopla's Hanukkah for Kids collection, stories and traditions come alive in delightful ways.
• Their Christmas for Kids collection has festive stories to make the season even merrier!
• Learn how to catch reindeer, elves, and more with Alice Walstead's popular book series! 

Note: These e-books are available right now, with no waiting!

The Call of the Wild

Ready for something magical, inspiring, and a whole lot of fun! Show up as these special guest performers show out! Experience mind-blowing experiments with the STEAM Squad and get up close and personal with some wild animals and their friends; they are appearing Live From the Library in December and January! Early arrival is highly recommended, as attendance is limited and first-come, first-served. Check in will begin 30 minutes prior to the start of the program.

Four Programs to Choose From:

• Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens at South Mandarin Branch
  • 2 to 3 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 22
• Wild Wonders Animal Show at Mandarin Branch
  • 3 to 4 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 22
• The STEAM Squad at Beaches Branch
  • 11 a.m. to noon on Friday, Jan. 2
• Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens at Willow Branch
  • 3 to 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 2

These programs are made possible by the generous support of the

• Friends of the South Mandarin Branch Library
• Friends of Mandarin Library
• Friends of Beaches Branch Library
• Friends of Willow Branch Library