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Five Faves: Picture Books with Festive Treats

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In my family, December marks the beginning of the holiday season, where we get to spend time together and do all of our favorite traditions. And, of course, eat lots of yummy food. I love that holidays look different for different families, but so many families have special foods they eat during the holidays. These are some of my favorite picture books about families making (and eating!) special holiday treats. These books might even give you new ideas of festive treats to try!

Written by Mendiola Orlando
Illustrated by Teresa Martinez
New York: Harper, 2024. Picture Book.

Once a year, Luis' whole family gets together for their annual tamalada -- a party where they make tamales using a super-secret recipe. It's all love, family, and tradition until there is only one tamale left. Who will get it? It's an all-out family battle to decide who gets the last tamale. Colorful and humorous, this story is perfect for the holidays or whenever your family likes to enjoy tamales. 

Written by Melissa Seron Richardson
Illustrated by Monica Arnaldo
New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2023. Picture Book.

Marta loves Three Kings Day, but this year she is a little apprehensive. Her Abuela has announced that Marta is old enough to eat her own slice of La Rosca de Reyes, but Marta is terrified she will accidentally eat the baby Jesus figurine hidden in the sweetbread. This story, and the delightfully comic illustrations, will make you laugh out loud.

Written by Danielle Sedita & Francesco Sedita
Illustrated by Luciano Lozano
New York: Viking, 2023. Picture Book.

On Christmas Eve, Danielle and Francesco's extended family gathers at their Aunt Babe's house for all of their family traditions. The kids are immediately put to work in the busy kitchen, grating parmesan and helping prepare the Feast of Seven Fishes. But despite all the food, they are close to disaster when Uncle Robert arrives -- and he forgot to bring the struffoli! Luckily, Danielle and Francesco are ready to save the holiday with quick thinking and their mom's cheesecake recipe. 

Written by Billy Sharff
Illustrated by Eda Kaban
New York: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2022. Picture Book.

Many families bake Christmas cookies to leave out for Santa, but the family in this book made such delicious cookies that Santa came back for more. And not just Santa. For Valentine's Day, he brings Mrs. Claus. For Easter, he invites the Easter Bunny. But, by the 4th of July, this family is sick of Christmas and sick of Christmas dinner! It takes some quick thinking from the book's protagonist to get Santa back to the North Pole.

Boys Don't Fry
Written by Kimberly Lee
Illustrated by Charlene Chua
New York: Farrar Straus Giroux, 2023. Picture Book.

Jin longs to help his grandmother and aunties prepare the family's Lunar New Year feast, but will they let him? Though his sisters are all invited to help, Jin is kicked out of the kitchen with the other boys. Thankfully, his Mamah steps in, and soon Jin is in the kitchen preparing a delicious Peranakan Chinese feast. 



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