It’s a very Black Girl Magic Christmas blog post! YAAAAY! I love Christmas guys, like I go all in. My two girls 4 and 6 have inherited my Christmas glee, so it’s no surprise that I want books that my girls can see themselves in. Ya’ll this is the first year I’ve actually been able to count to 12 books that I would consider posting. I’m so excited to share these fun and beautifully illustrated books with you. So I’m not going to ramble long, I’m ready to break out the Christmas pajamas, some holiday music and a stack of these delicious holiday reads! Enjoy…and Merry Christmas!
I Got the Christmas Spirit by Connie Schoffiled-Morrison
In the same spirit of I got the rhythm a little girl and her mom explore all the wonderful sights and sounds of the season. When she reaches Santa she tells him her Christmas wish. I only wish that “in the spirit of the book” Santa had been African-American. But one book doesn’t have to do everything. I’ve got a few fun Black Santa books I’ll be posting soon.
The Square Root of Possible by Lyn-Sisson-Talbert and David E. Talbert
I don’t jump on bandwagons. I still have not watched one episode of Game of Thrones. So when EVERYONE started posting about Jingle Jangle the movie and how great it was, I was skeptical. This Netflix Christmas musical is EVERYTHING people said and more. Journey Jangle one of the female lead characters is brave, strong, spunky and a science wiz. Her Journey of finding her voice, and bringing hope back to those around her is a beautiful and unique Christmas story. This hardback book parallels the movie and it is THE BOOK that will be wrapped and under our Christmas tree in 2020.
The Nutcracker in Harlem by T.E. McMorrow
I snatched this one up last year, the illustrations are delicious. It reimagines the classic nutcracker by setting it during the harlem renaissance. Clara is able to find her voice as a musician after her enchanting night with her nutcracker.
Christmas in Lagosby Sharon Abimbola Salu
This new read is so much fun. Ranti a young girl in the modern Nigeriain city of Lagos feels left out when her friends start to talk about their far away holiday travel plans. When her teacher suggests that she journal her holiday break she looks at all that her own city has to offer at Christmas time with new eyes. The story is great, this window into another culture is fabulous, and the illustrations….are so stinkin’ cute! Thumbs up!!!
Snow Globe Wishes by Erin Dealey
This is a sweet read we found at the library. A little girl in a multi-racial family cozies up in a living room blanket fort as a big snowstorm approaches. When a winter wonderland greats her in the morning she wonders and wishes what the world would be like if all families shook off their busy lives and just went to play in the snow.
Grace at Christmas by Mary Hoffman
Grace and her big gorgeous brown eyes, always teaches such important lessons in her books. In Grace at Christmas a reluctant grace has to share her bedroom when her grandmother takes in a stranded family at Christmas. Even though one of the guests is a real ballerina.
What’s Cooking Jamela? by Niki Daly
Last month we read Gracias the Thanksgiving Turkey. What’s cooking Jamela? Is a similar tale. Jamela befriends a chicken close to Christmas, and does everything to keep her new friend from becoming part of the holiday dinner. This book seems to be out of print but I had no problem finding it at my local library.
The All-I-Ever-Want Christmas Doll by Patricia C. Mckissack and Jerry Pinkney
Set in an all Black town during the great depression, Nella knows that Santa only brings presents every once in awhile. Imagine her surprise when she receives her most wished for gift, Baby Betty. But is this doll better than playing with her two sisters?
Under the Christmas Tree by Nikki Grimes
Another rare/hard to find book. If you can grab it at your library this beautifully illustrated book of holiday themed poems would make a great addition to your Christmas poetry tea-time.
For the littlest holiday elves…..
My Baby Loves Christmas by Jabari Akim
Baby loves ribbons and bows and jingle bells and all the holiday things and she is so stinkin’ cute with Tara Nicole Whitakers illustrations. This book is a delight and would make a great stocking stuffer for a new baby.
Christmas in 100 Worlds by Sophie Beer
Increase your toddlers vocabulary with this walk through everything festive related, tree, star, chimney…. Cute illustrations feature an African American family enjoying a wonderful Christmas.
Jingle Bell Doc by Sheila Sweeny Higginson
We still love Doc Mcstuffins in this house. Our copy of this board book is pretty beat up looking, which is a testament to it being well loved. This is a simple tale of Doc fixing her Christmas bear, Jingle’s, broken bell before Christmas day.
