Wow! I can’t believe it’s already December, this year is definitely flying by. December is a busy but wonderful month full of so many great holidays. And, I am sure your students are so excited about all of the festivities happening throughout the month of December. Here is a list of December read aloud books to celebrate those interesting and unique holidays that might go unnoticed, otherwise.
I’m sharing all of these books on video as well! Check out the December Read-Aloud Books video on my Youtube channel.
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December Read Aloud Books
Rosa Parks Day- December 1
Rosa tells the story of a historical moment in time. In simple yet beautiful words, we learn about the injustices and racism that occurred in our history. This book is a powerful tool in teaching young readers oppression. And the illustrations are incredible!
National Cookie Day- December 4th
The Smart Cookie is the perfect book to read on National Cookie Day! This is a brand new book in the Bad Seed series. This story is adorable, sweet, and packed with great lessons to teach your students. This “smart cookie” is always comparing herself but this story shows that we all have different abilities, and that’s okay.
Pearl Harbor Day of Remembrance- December 7th
Baseball Saved Us is the story of Shorty and his family, along with thousands of other Japanese Americans who are sent to an internment camp after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Shorty channels his emotions towards baseball. This is a great right of passage story and a great way to introduce or discuss the events of Pearl Harbor with your students.
National Letter Writing Day- December 7th
December 7th is National Letter Writing Day, and what better story to celebrate than The Day the Crayons Quit. It is the story of Duncan and his crayons who have quit on him. But they didn’t leave without an explanation. Each crayon writes a letter to Duncan. This story is one of my favorites. It’s playful, fun, and is sure to be a hit with your students.
National Cupcake Day- December 15th
Happy Birthday, Cupcake is a great book to read in honor of National Cupcake Day. It’s Cupcake’s birthday, and he’s ready to celebrate, but he’s having trouble coming up with ideas. This story is full of neat photos that will definitely spark your craving for sweets! A wonderful story to celebrate friendship.
Wright Brothers Day- December 17th
To Fly is a great informational book about the Wright brothers and how they were determined to solve the mystery of flight from a young age. This is a bit of a longer book, and it can be chunked up and done over a couple of days, so it’s not too overwhelming for your students. Be sure to check out the flight timeline at the end of the book, as it’s a terrific addition to this educational read-aloud.
The Winter Solstice- December 21st
The Shortest Day is a lovely poem about the shortest day of the year. This story highlights how traditions are celebrated and enjoyed with engaging pictures. An interesting look at the shortest day of the year! If you are looking for more winter read-alouds, check out this blog post!
Christmas- December 25th
I Got the Christmas Spirit is a wonderful book that highlights the joys of the holiday season. The artwork is vibrant and truly is a great feel-good book for the Christmas season. Most importantly, it brings out the spirit of giving!
Kwanzaa- December 26th
The People Remember is an excellent story to teach your students about the history of Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa begins on December 26th and continues through January 1st. This nonfiction picture book explores African American history by connecting it to the seven principles of Kwanzaa. A lyrical and powerful tribute!
What are your favorite December read aloud books to share with your class?
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