Teaching our little learners about the holidays around the world with this polar express unit is such a fun unit to explore! There are so many other holidays out there that we know nothing about. With this unit, we get to explore all the holidays out there in such fun and exciting ways. We get to watch them explore and learn new things about the holidays around the world! It’s even more fun as you read through holidays around the world books related to this polar express unit.
Finding holidays around the world books to read with them is a fun addition to the polar express unit and they get to see all the different holidays out there!
Sitting down to read about the holidays around the world is so important as they explore this fun polar express unit! They’ll discover all kinds of new things about the holidays around the world! Some they’ll recognize like Christmas, others will be totally new to them like Ramadan and leave them in total awe!
I’ve come across some really interesting holidays around the world books for you to use with this polar express unit that can easily be purchased on Amazon. Click the links below and stock up on some of your favorites! I love using my prime membership to get them sent to me quickly with FREE 2-day shipping.
The Polar Express
A young boy, lying awake one Christmas Eve, is welcomed aboard a magical trip to the North Pole . . . Through dark forests, over tall mountains, and across a desert of ice, the Polar Express makes its way to the city atop the world, where the boy will make his Christmas wish. For millions of readers worldwide, this mysterious journey to the North Pole has become a beloved classic.
Carter’s Christmas
Christmas is coming! Carter and Grandma shop for gifts, visit Santa, pick out a tree, and decorate cookies. On Christmas Eve, they go to church. Then they open presents and share a big meal with family on Christmas Day. Find out how people celebrate this special time of year!
The Story of Christmas
A classic bestseller presented in a new size with fresh, bright illustrations. Here is the story of the Nativity told in 200 words that are simple enough for a toddler to understand. From the Annunciation by the angel through Jesus’s birth, the angels’ appearance to the shepherds, and the journey of the wise men, the Christmas story is presented in its most traditional form. Vibrant new illustrations are paired with classic text to bridge the connection between the biblical story of Jesus’s birth and today’s Christmas celebration. This book is unsurpassed as an introduction to the significance of the Christmas holiday.
The Night Before Christmas
Since it was first published anonymously in 1823, “The Night Before Christmas” has enchanted children with the story of St. Nicholas climbing down the chimney and filling all the stockings before springing back to his sleigh. Many families read the poem every year, and now they have an edition to treasure. The cherished verse, faithfully reproduced here, is accompanied by Charles Santore’s lavish illustrations.
Caleb’s Hanukkah
Caleb is excited to spin the dreidel! His family is celebrating Hanukkah. For eight days, they light candles on the menorah. They eat latkes and open presents. And of course, they play the dreidel game! Find out the different ways people celebrate this Jewish holiday.
The Story of Hanukkah
No celebration of Hanukkah would be complete without recountng the events of more than two thousand years ago that the holiday commemorates. In a simple yet dramatic text and vibrant paintings, the story of the courageous Maccabees and the miracle that took place in the Temple in Jerusalem is retold. For readers who want to continue the festivities, a recipe for latkes and directions for playing dreidel are included.
Latke, the Lucky Dog
Rescued from an animal shelter on the first night of Hanukkah, Latke has trouble learning the house rules. Despite a series of mishaps, he is one Lucky Dog!
Hanukkah Bear
A bear wakes to a wonderful smell that leads him to the house of Bubba Brayna. Bubba Brayna makes the best latkes in the village, but at ninety-seven, she doesn’t hear or see well. When the bear arrives at her door, she believes he is her rabbi. Bubba Brayna and the bear light the menorah, play the dreidel game, and eat all the latkes. The mix-up is revealed, Bubba Brayna has a laugh about it, and everyone works together to make more latkes.
Rashad’s Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr
For Muslims, Ramadan is a time for fasting, prayer, and thinking of others. Rashad tries to be good all month. When it’s time for Eid al-Fitr, he feasts and plays! Find out how people celebrate this special time of year.
Under the Ramadan Moon
We wait for the moon, we watch for the moon and we watch for the Ramadan moon. Next, we give to the poor, and read Qur_an, under the moon. As a family, we live our faith, until next year under the moon, under the moon, under the Ramadan moon. Ramadan is one of the most special months of the Islamic year, when Muslims pray, fast, and help those in need. Sylvia Whitman’s lyrical story, with luminous illustrations by Sue Williams, serves as an introduction to Ramadan, a time for reflection and ritual with family and friends. A detailed note about Ramadan is included.
Lailah’s Lunchbox: A Ramadan Story
Lailah is in a new school in a new country, thousands of miles from her old home, and missing her old friends. When Ramadan begins, she is excited that she is finally old enough to participate in the fasting but worried that her classmates won’t understand why she doesn’t join them in the lunchroom. Lailah solves her problem with help from the school librarian and her teacher and in doing so learns that she can make new friends who respect her beliefs. This gentle, moving story from first-time author Reem Faruqi comes to life in Lea Lyon’s vibrant illustrations. Lyon uses decorative arabesque borders on intermittent spreads to contrast the ordered patterns of Islamic observances with the unbounded rhythms of American school days.
Tell me More About Ramadan
Follow the story of Laila, a curious young Muslim girl that wants to learn about Ramadan. Through a fun story for both children and parents, allow your kids to start comprehending religious concepts while also sparking their curiosity for further knowledge about their Islamic religion. Enjoy with your little one a unique and creative journey that will introduce her/him to one of the five pillars of the religion and offer your child a positive perception of the Islamic holy month of mercy, the Ramadan. A must-have children’s story that shouldn’t be missing from any family’s bookcase or Islamic books’ collection!
Kevin’s Kwanzaa
Kevin’s family is celebrating the seven days of Kwanzaa! They light candles and learn a special word each day. They talk about working together. On the sixth day, everyone dances at a big feast! Find out the different ways people celebrate this holiday.
Together for Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa is Kayla’s favorite time of year. But this year, it looks as if a heavy snowstorm will keep her big brother, Khari, from getting home in time for the festivities! Will Khari miss the celebration completely? Or will Kayla and her brother somehow find a way to be together for Kwanzaa? A perfect introduction to Kwanzaa, this book will teach children all about the traditions and practices that make it a special winter holiday.
Li’l Rabbit’s Kwanzaa
Li’l Rabbit is not having a very good Kwanzaa. Granna Rabbit is sick, and so his family won’t celebrate his favorite part of Kwanzaa this year: a big feast called Karamu. Li’l Rabbit knows what to do! He’ll find Granna Rabbit a special treat for Karamu so she can celebrate anyway. He looks under a pile of logs, in the field, and in the pond and along the way meets Groundhog, Momma Field Mouse, and the frogs—but he doesn’t find anything for Granna Rabbit. Maybe I’m just too little to help Granna Rabbit celebrate Kwanzaa, Li’l Rabbit thinks. Or maybe he just needs a little help from his family and friends. Inspired by Brer Rabbit, a trickster character from the African-American folklore tradition, the story of Li’l Rabbit captures the true meaning of Kwanzaa—coming together to help others.
Seven Spools of Thread: A Kwanzaa Story
In an African village live seven brothers who make life miserable with their constant fighting. When their father dies, he leaves an unusual will: by sundown, the brothers must make gold out of seven spools of thread or they will be turned out as beggars.
Chelsea’s Chinese New Year
Chelsea’s family is celebrating Chinese New Year! Chelsea gets to stay up late. She watches fireworks and a parade with a dragon! She and her family have a big feast. Find out the different ways people celebrate this special day!
Ruby’s Chinese New Year
Ruby has a special card to give to her grandmother for Chinese New Year. But who will help her get to grandmother’s house to deliver it? Will it be clever Rat, strong Ox, or cautious Rabbit? Ruby meets each of the twelve zodiac animals on her journey. This picture book includes back matter with a focus on the animals of the Chinese zodiac.
Dragon Dance: A Chinese New Year Lift the Flap Book
It’s Chinese New Year and there are so many fun things to do! Shopping at the outdoor market for fresh flowers, eating New Year’s dinner with the whole family, receiving red envelopes from Grandma and Grandpa, and best of all-watching the spectacular Chinese New Year’s parade! Introduce the customs of Chinese New Year to even the youngest readers with this festive new lift-the-flap book.
Chinese New Year for Kids
Why do dragons dance during Chinese New Year? Allow your children to find the right answers on their own with the help of this very informative book. The great thing about this book is that it’s been specifically designed for children. Therefore, you can see colors, pictures and as few texts as possible. This formula is surefire way of boosting the interest for knowledge.
Teaching the polar express unit is so much for our little learners as they explore holidays around the world they may not be familiar with. It’s fun for us too as we watch them learn and grow! Grab some fun holidays around the world books and this polar express unit and explore all the different holidays around the world!
