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The holiday season is a time to think about traditions and rituals and what we want our children to get out of the holidays, but the following recommendations can be enjoyed all year:

For grown-ups:

• The Heart of a Family: Searching America for New Traditions That Fulfill Us; by Meg Cox
  According to the inside flap of the book, the author interviewed more than two hundred diverse families and reported on the unique ways in which they celebrate milestones and holidays and incorporate rituals into their family culture. For example, one family has a "happiness party" when everyone is down. She talks about why rituals have such an impact on children and how they guide them through transitions and give them a sense of identity.
• Unplug the Christmas Machine: A Complete Guide to Putting Love and Joy Back into the Season; by Jo Robinson and Jean C. Staeheli
  The guide talks about how to manage Christmas stress and combat commercialism, with practical advice on how to help children find meaning in Christmas (outside of the religious aspects) without focusing on presents.
• "Celebrating holidays in early childhood programs"; National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
  This article includes some signs of good practice in celebrating the holidays.
• "Holiday Celebrations Around the World"; National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
  This article includes a list of most winter holidays celebrated around the world with a brief explanation of each.
• "Traditions and Rituals"; Parenting the Preschooler, University of Wisconsin-Extension
  This article talks about the importance of family rituals and traditions to a young child.

For kids:

• Hanukkah: A Counting Book In English - Hebrew - Yiddish; by Emily Sper (Illustrator)
  A counting book that honors the Jewish holiday Hanukkah, or the Festival of Lights.
• Mama Had to Work on Christmas; by Carolyn Marsden
  In this book, a young girl is exposed to class differences, and learns over a Christmas spent in Mexico, that a family's love is what makes them rich.
• Winter's Tale : An Original Pop-Up Journey; by Robert Sabuda
  This shiny, three-dimensional pop-up book of winter wonderlands.
• Yoon and the Christmas Mitten; by Helen Recorvits
  This story is about a Korean family that figures out a way to combine holiday traditions to create special meaning for them.
• My First Kwanzaa Book; by Deborah Chocolate, Cal Massey (Illustrator)
  This is a picture book that tells the story of a how a little boy's family celebrates this holiday.

Do you have a favorite children's book or a great resource for parents or caregivers? Tell us about it. Also be sure to visit your local library, either in person or online at www.kcls.org or www.spl.org, for more great recommendations.

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