A growing number of households are interfaith families that celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas. It can be challenging to find books that reflect this reality. This book list contains wonderful holiday books that show the variety of ways families and communities combine multiple holiday traditions.
But you don't need to be an interfaith family to enjoy this book list! Along with our favorite Hanukkah books, and multicultural Christmas books, these titles can be enjoyed by kids and families of any faith.
Note: this list contains Amazon and Bookshop affiliate links. Purchases made through these links may earn a commission for this blog. Bookshop also supports independent bookstores.
Table of contents
Books about Interfaith Families
You don't need to be part of an multicultural and interfaith family to appreciate these books as long as you remember: Hanukkah is not the Jewish Christmas!
Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama by Selina Alko
In this cheerful story, a young girl describes her family's unique traditions like caroling to the neighbors, telling stories about both the Maccabees and the manger, and making latkes to leave for Santa. Family members from both sides come together for one large celebrations than having separate events for each holiday. There is also a recipe for Cranberry Kugel stuffing: the ultimate interfaith side dish!
The Trees of the Dancing Goats by Patricia Polacco
As Trisha prepares for Hanukkah with her family she learns that the neighboring Christian families are affected by a scarlet fever epidemic. Unable to enjoy the holiday celebrations while their neighbors are suffering, Trisha’s family work together to help them. A wonderful, positive story about finding joy in giving to others.
The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming: A Christmas Story by Lemony Snicket, illustrated by Lisa Brown
Tongue-in-cheek humor and an anthropomorphic potato pancake make this hilarious book one of my holiday favorites. After escaping from a hot frying pan, a Hanukkah latke runs through a forest encountering various Christmas icons like candy canes and holiday lights. Each one tries to convince him that Hanukkah is “just like Christmas, only different.” Eventually the frustrated latke finds his place with an understanding Jewish family. Unfortunately, they are just sitting down to dinner...
Light The Lights! A Story About Celebrating Hanukkah And Christmas by Margaret Moorman
Find it: Your Library | Amazon
For those looking for a secular exploration of the two holiday traditions, this book fits the bill. In a simple story, a girl describes how her family prepares for the two holidays.
My Two Holidays: A Hanukkah and Christmas Story by Danielle Novack, illustrated by Phyllis Harris
Find it: Your Library | Amazon
At school, Sammy worries that his friends won’t understand his interfaith family. Although it is hard to imagine anyone being embarrassed about celebrating both Christmas and Hanukkah, this is a nice, short story for teaching kids about the joys of practicing multiple religious traditions.
My Two Grandmothers by Effin Older, illustrated by Nancy Hayashi
Find it: Your Library | Amazon
Grammy Lane lives in the country, Bubbe Silver lives in the city. Their granddaughter loves both of them and their respective traditions but this year she decides it’s time to bring everyone together.
Elijah’s Angel: A Story for Chanukah and Christmas by Michael J. Rosen, illustrated by Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson
Find it: Your Library | Amazon
This is a beautiful and moving story about religious tolerance. An African-American barber gives a Jewish boy a carved wooden angel. Michael worries that he will offend his parents and God if he keeps it. When he tells his parents of Elijah’s gift they share with him the joy of having friendships that transcend religious boundaries. The illustrations are gorgeous. Due to some sensitive subject matter, I recommend this book for ages 7+.
Eight Candles and a Tree by Simone Bloom Nathan
Find it: Your Library | Amazon
Sophie tells her friend Tommy about how her family celebrates both Hanukkah and Christmas. In doing so, they learn the most important thing about the holidays is spending time with family.
Nonna's Hanukkah Surprise by Karen Fisman, illustrated by Martha Graciela Avilés
Find it: Your Library | Amazon
Rachel is headed to Italy to visit her grandmother. She worries that she will miss Hanukkah and takes along her menorah. When she forgets her menorah on the airplane, her non-Jewish grandmother steps in to save the day.
December's Gift: An Interfaith Holiday Story by Ashley Smith-Santos and Stasie Bitton, illustrated by Sandra Salsbury
Clara spends December with her two grandmothers, baking Christmas cookies with one and frying latkes with the other. Like most of the books on this list, the overriding lesson is that holidays are about family above all.
MORE: Want more holiday picture books? Try one of these Multicultural Winter Holiday Picture Books.
Books about Community Hanukkah and Christmas Celebrations
The following books are not about interfaith families per se, but about the co-existence of Hanukkah and Christmas. Also check out our favorite winter picture books.
Red and Green and Blue and White by Lee Wind, illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky
This picture book is based on a 1993 incident in Billings, Montana. In a neighborhood adorned with red and green lights, one house stands out with its blue and white lights. Isaac's family celebrates Hanukkah and his friend, Teresa, who lives across the street celebrates Christmas. After Isaac's house is targeted in an anti-semitic attack, Isaac's family continues to light the menorah rather than hide. In solidarity, Teresa draws a menorah and places it in her window. The paper menorah becomes a catalyst for community solidarity. Includes author's note about the real life events.
MORE: Picture books about standing up for others
The Hanukkah Magic of Nate Gadol by Arthur A. Levine, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes
Think of this as a pourquoi tale for Hanukkah gifts! Nate Godol is a spirit who uses his magic to make things "last as long as they needed to." He loves bringing small joys to others as well as solving larger problems. In 1881, Nate Gadol watches the immigrant Glaser family suffer through a cold and hungry winter. But then he meets his old friend, Nick, whom he knew from "way, way back." Nick is having trouble with his sleigh and the two realize that if they help each other, they can bring joy to all families.
The Christmas Mitzvah by Jeff Gottesfeld, illustrated by Michelle Laurentia Agatha
Mitzvah is the Hebrew word for a good deed that is done to fulfill a commandment from God. In this inspiring story, Al Rosen, a Jewish man, performs mitzvahs for his neighbors every Christmas by working their shifts so they can celebrate their Christmas holidays at home. The neighbors return the favor on the Jewish High Holidays of Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah. Gottesfeld based his story on the real-life Al Rosen who performed the mitzvahs for many years, beginning in 1969. Includes author's note. Ages 5 and up.
Boris and Stella and the Perfect Gift by Dara Goldman
Goldman's story about two bears is a retelling of O. Henry's short story, "The Gift of the Magi." Boris, who celebrates Hanukkah and is from Russia, and Stella, who celebrates Christmas and is from Italy are neighbors and friends. Each wants to get the other a special holiday gift, but both have limited funds. This is a sweet story about two individuals who seek to show kindness to each other.
Dear Santa, Love, Rachel Rosenstein by Amanda Peet and Andrea Troyer, illustrated by Christine Davenier
Rachel is Jewish but she really wants to celebrate Christmas like her classmates so she secretly writes a letter to Santa. Santa doesn't visit, however. When Rachel's family has their Christmas dinner at a Chinese restaurant, she finds other families that also don't celebrate Christmas.
The Only One Club by Jane Naliboff, illustrated by Jeff Hopkins
Find it: Your Library | Amazon
Jennifer is the only Jewish member of her school class. When her classmates want to join her "only one" club, everyone discovers their individuality.
Oskar and the Eight Blessings by Tanya Simon and Richard Simon, illustrated by Mark Siegel
A boy arrives in New York after living through Kristallnacht. It is the 7th night of Hanukkah as well as Christmas Eve and he must walk 100 blocks to find his aunt. Along the way he sees the holiday sights of the city, encounters people who show him kindness, and passes landmarks which inspire him to reflect on his circumstances.
More holiday book lists:
Don't miss our printable interfaith ornament!
Even in Australia says
I love Elijah's Angel, which I think I found via one of your previous recommendations! My daughters are confused about why some non-Christians celebrate Christmas as a sort of secular holiday. It's hard to explain! I don't want to say it's an American holiday since we're American and do NOT celebrate Christmas. Not easy.
Mom and Kiddo says
True, it's not an easy explanation, but I have several secular Jewish friends who are either agnostic or atheist and they still celebrate the Jewish holidays because it's part of their tradition.
B says
In the United States, many people celebrate Christmas regardless of their religious background. However, Christmas has many aspects to it. The tree is from a much older tradition that was incorporated into Christmas, and this is what non-Christians are celebrating- not the birth of Jesus. Only Christians are celebrating the birth of Jesus along with everything else.
Historically, although many people came to America for religious freedom, they often tended to put up divisions once here. Meaning, there were hard borders for Catholics and Protestants, etc. But the Philadelphia was different, thanks to Benjamin Franklin. He was very influential in encouraging all religions to celebrate together, and they notably had Catholics, Protestants, and Jews celebrating together. As he has been so influential in our country, I do think that this influenced the future of the rest of our country as well.
Today, we still struggle with different sects trying to put up divisions. But we also have an overriding ideal of "let's celebrate everything." (Even the atheist have Christmas trees). Of course the latter is just so much more loving and fun, so in the end, most people just enjoy celebrating something- even if they can't name it!
Even in Australia says
Yes, but this one is trickier - we know someone who is Hindu and celebrates Hindu holidays, but also Christmas. But not Easter, for example. Confusing!
Mom and Kiddo says
Agree: Very confusing!
The Cath in the Hat says
The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming sounds like a hoot! Have to check it out.
Mom and Kiddo says
It is so, so, so funny and the dry kind of humor Lemony Snicket does so well!
Katie @ Youth Literature Reviews says
The Latke Who Couldn’t Stop Screaming is a great one! I love Lemony Snicket. The Lump of Coal is another good one.
Mom and Kiddo says
Yes, I love The Lump of Coal, too. Come to think of it, I pretty much love everything by Lemony Snicket!
Natalie says
Great list. We are one of those confused secular families who celebrate holidays of our choice in the manner suitable to us. For example, we celebrate Hanukkah, but not Yom Kippur. I am looking forward to reading some books on your list, especially Patricia Polacco book. We also own a couple of entries on this list.
Jill@MomsGoneGlobal says
Great list! I am pinning it on my Child Reads board. Thank you for sharing!
Mom and Kiddo says
Thanks for leaving a comment, Jill. I just checked out your site. I love it.
Renee C. says
Fabulous list of books for kids whose families celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas. We currently have a giveaway for a book on Winter Celebrations (various options for diverse ages). I won't be linking that one into The Children's Bookshelf though. I have a post coming tomorrow that I'll link in then! Thanks for hosting this Hop. I love participating in it! 😀
Mom and Kiddo says
Thanks, Renee. That's why it's open all week -- come back anytime! 🙂
thepicturebookreview says
The Latke Who Couldn’t Stop Screaming: A Christmas Story sounds fantastic! I'm already laughing. I'll also have to check out Katie's recommendation: The Lump of Coal. These sounds like my kind of holiday books.
Thank you for hosting TCB!
Mom and Kiddo says
They are definitely books for those of us who like a little wit and irony with our holiday celebrations!
Bethany @ No Twiddle Twaddle says
We actually have Polacco's book checked out from the library right now, but I haven't read it yet. I enjoy her books too.
Mom and Kiddo says
Sometimes I avoid Polacco because all her books are so looooooong, but I loved this one.
Bethany @ No Twiddle Twaddle says
lol. I know what you mean, my voice goes dry trying to read them. And, I'm still confused by her Abraham Lincoln book trying to figure out whether she was trying to say the kids went back in time or not.
Ellen Press says
Please go to my website http://www.ellenpress.com
There you will find Ollie and Taavi Celebrate the Holidays. I hope you consider pinning it on your board.
Rebekah Taboada says
I really enjoy the book Winter Candle by Jason Ashford. It's about a series of families who live in the same apartment building, all celebrating different winter holidays by passing along the same candle to use for their holiday traditions.
Erica says
Agree. Great book! It's on my list of multicultural winter holiday picture book list!