The holiday season is here. Looking to add some reading to your holiday fun? You must check out this list of African American Christmas Books We Love. From classic retold to poetry, these books are the perfect addition to hot cocoa this holiday season. They also make great gifts for the little ones in your life. Be sure to share images of your holiday fun with us using the hashtag #blacksouthernbelle
African American Christmas Books We Love
The Night Before Christmas: An African American Retelling
This book is sure to spread joy and cheer to your family storytimes. Written by teen Noland Nixon. The Night Before Christmas is an African-American retelling of Clement Moore’s classic holiday poem, which is complimented by illustrations of an African-American family.
I Got the Christmas Spirit
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and a mother and daughter are enjoying the sights and sounds of the holiday season. The little girl hears sleigh bells ringing and carolers singing. She smells chestnuts roasting–CRUNCH! CRUNCH! CRUNCH!–and sees the flashing lights of the department store windows–BLING! BLING! BLING! She spreads the spirit of giving wherever she goes. And when she reaches Santa, she tells him her Christmas wish–for peace and love everywhere, all the days of the year.
A Treasury of African American Christmas Stories
Back in print for the first time in over a decade, this landmark collection features writings from well-known black writers, activists, and visionaries such as Pauline Hopkins, Langston Hughes, and John Henrik Clarke along with literary gems from rediscovered writers. Originally published in African American newspapers, periodicals, and journals between 1880 and 1953, these enchanting Christmas tales are part of the black literary tradition that flourished after the Civil War.
Edited and assembled by esteemed historian Dr. Bettye Collier-Thomas, the short stories and poems in this collection reflect the Christmas experiences of everyday African Americans and explore familial and romantic love, faith, and more serious topics such as racism, violence, poverty, and racial identity. Featuring the best stories and poems from previous editions along with new material including “The Sermon in the Cradle” by W. E. B. Du Bois, A Treasury of African American Christmas Storiescelebrates a rich storytelling tradition and will be cherished by readers for years to come.
The Day Santa Got Sick
What would happen if Santa couldn’t drive his sleigh on Christmas Eve? The Day Santa Got Sick tells the story of what happens when a little girl elf and Mrs. Claus come up with a solution to deliver toys for Christmas after Santa gets sick. This multicultural Christmas story will bring joy to all your little ones who look for Santa during the holiday season.
Under the Christmas Tree
Presented from an African-American perspective by a Coretta Scott King Award-winning author, a holiday tale provides readers with twenty-three charming poems that capture the joy and happiness of one family’s Christmas celebration.
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Michiel is a Black Southern Belle living a lowcountry life. I love all things fashion, home decor and southern! When I am not running around doing fun stuff for Black Southern Belle, I live in antique stores and have a minor obsession with historic homes :)
