Diverse Books for Winter Holidays
Huron County is celebrating the holidays this winter with some of our favourite new books suitable for readers of all ages. From Christmas, Hanukkah, Diwali, Kwanzaa, Lunar New Year and beyond, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this season. A staff-curated list of recent releases can be found on our online catalogue.
Cookbook: The Elf on the Shelf Family Cookbook: 50 Elftastic Recipes, Plus Playful Elf Ideas, Games, Activities, and More! by Chanda A. Bell
A full-colour Christmas book filled with fun Elf-ish activities and recipes that will help inspire even the youngest bakers in the family. The perfect book to draw inspiration on how to start new traditions and get the whole family involved this holiday season.
Mystery: The Mistletoe Mystery: A Maid Novella by Nita Prose
Written by best-selling Canadian author, Nita Prose, this sweet cozy mystery holiday novella features beloved Molly Gray as she celebrates her first Christmas without her Gran, reminiscing on past traditions and making new ones with her boyfriend, Juan Manuel. At the same time Molly finds herself solving another murder that takes place during a deadly Secret Santa gift exchange at the Regency Grand Hotel.
Historical Fiction: Christmas with the Queen by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb
The Crown meets When Harry Met Sally and Bridget Jones’s Diary, in this latest heartwarming historical fiction novel from best-selling author duo, Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb. Told from multiple perspectives, including the young Queen Victoria II, this story begins in 1952 during the Queen’s first Christmas as Monarch where single, unwed mother, Olive Carter is assigned to spend the holidays and report on the Queen’s first Christmas Day radio broadcast. While at Sandringham, Olive runs into her first love, Jack, working as a cook for the Queen and over the next few years we follow their will-they-won’t they romance. This is a highly recommended uplifting, second chance love story rich in historical detail that is sure to delight fans of the British Royals.
Romance: Three Holidays and a Wedding by Uzma Jalaluddin and Marissa Stapley
Co-written by two best-selling Canadian authors, this cozy holiday Hallmark style romance sees two seatmates stranded in a small Canadian town over Ramadan, Hanukkah and Christmas where they find love in unexpected places. Filled with many diverse winter traditions, characters and customs, this heartwarming story celebrates love in all forms and the many ways people in Canada celebrate the holidays.
Young Adult Fiction: Sleepless in Dubai by Sajni Patel
Nikki, an aspiring photographer, thinks she is embarking on a trip of a lifetime to Dubai to celebrate Diwali, until she finds out Yash, the boy-next-door with whom she has a rocky history, is also taking part. This heartfelt YA Diwali romcom by best-selling author Sajni Patel is perfect for fans of Canadian author, Sonya Lalli’s Holly Jolly Diwali.
Young Adult Fiction: Lunar New Year Love Story by Gene Luen Yang; illustrated by LeUyen Pham
A heartfelt YA graphic novel featuring Val, a Vietnamese American teen girl whose family is cursed in love but when she meets a cute pair of lion dancers at a Lunar New Year festival, Val is determined to find a way to break the curse. Beautifully illustrated, this book explores the art of Lion dancing and intergenerational trauma in an accessible but fantastical way.
Juvenile Non-Fiction: We Celebrate the Light by Jane Yolen & Heidi Stemple; illustrated by Jieting Chen
Diwali, Solstice, Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Bodhi Day, and Lunar New Year are visually depicted in turn, accompanying a stunning, read-aloud text that speaks of the traditions that link them all together. Beloved author Jane Yolen and daughter, author Heidi Stemple, have crafted a loving and poignant story with true reverence for our shared traditions of celebrating light, love, food, and family. An empowering, informative, and inclusive holiday book for families of all traditions.
Juvenile Fiction: Let it Glow by Joanne Levy and Marissa Meyer
Co-written with Marissa Meyer, best-selling local author, Joanne Levy’s latest middle grade story is told in alternating voices, featuring twelve-year-old identical twin sisters adopted into separate families who switch places to experience the other’s holiday traditions.
Picture Book: My Kwanzaa Wish by Yolanda T. Marshall ; illustrated by Jamie Ellis Pasquale
Written by award winning Guyanese-born Canadian author, Yolanda T. Marshall, this lyrical children’s book celebrates the core principles of the Kwanzaa holiday with warmth, positivity and upliftment and includes educational information and a delicious fruit drink recipe.
Board Book: Happy All-idays by Cindy Jin; illustrated by Rob Sayegh Jr.
Whether it’s putting up the Christmas tree, lighting the menorah, or getting ready for Kwanzaa, this story proves that the holiday season is a special time for everyone and a great way to learn about different winter holidays and send cheer to everyone you know!
