It's surprisingly difficult to find children's picture books about New Year's Day traditions and New Year's Eve. Holiday books are not usually in short supply and there are quite a lot of books about Chinese New Year and Rosh Hashanah, but surprisingly few for the January 1st holiday.
Nonetheless, fearless book finder that I am, I rustled up a few New Year picture books for you to read with the kids. I was even able to collect a few diverse New Year's picture books depicting celebrations from around the world as here at home. You will be able to find a few more nonfiction books about New Year's traditions in the library if that is what you are after.
So whether you stay up all night, counting down the hours until the start of a brand new year, or if you all head off to bed early for a good night's sleep make it your New Year Resolution to read all of these books and continue in the same way throughout the year. (Note: Book covers and titles are affiliate links that may earn commission.)
Books about New Year's Day Celebrations
Freedom Soup by Tami Charles. Don't miss this marvelous picture book about a joyous New Year's tradition! Ti Gran teaches Belle about the Haitian tradition of making Freedom Soup for New Year. Ti Gran shares the cultural history of the revolution as well as the recipe. By the end of the book your kids will be dancing, singing and clapping along with Ti Gran and Belle.
Every Month Is a New Year: Celebrations Around the World by Marilyn Singer. This is a fantastic poetry collection which introduces readers to global new year holidays. Most western children know about January 1, the Lunar New Year and Rosh Hashanah, but there are 9 more! Singer shares a poem for each month to celebrate a different new year tradition.
Shanté Keys and the New Year's Peas by Gail Piernas-Davenport. Eating black-eyed peas on New Year's is a southern tradition signifying good luck for the coming year. When Shanté goes out to her neighbors, looking for the requisite peas, she learns all about how other cultures celebrate New Year's. If you've been reading multicultural Christmas books this season, this is the natural successor.
The Stars Will Still Shine by Cynthia Rylant. This is not really a New Year-specific book, but is still one of my top of my list of books to read when everyone is talking about new beginnings. I love this gentle reassuring book about how cycles of events continue to come and go. It's optimistic, reaffirming the goodness of life and the kindness of individuals no matter what comes. Read it all year long.
Happy New Year, Spot! by Eric Hill. So, you need a New Year book for toddlers and preschoolers to explain why they can't stay up until midnight? Good old Spot is your answer! This lovable, dependable children's book character can't stay up either, but he still finds a way to join in the celebration. Expect to read it twelve dozen times in a row. But if it gets the kids to bed, you'll read it twice as many times, right?
I really like Owen Paul Lewis' simple illustrative style in P. Bear's New Year's Party: A Counting Book, and it's great for toddlers and preschoolers. There are some nice components: a clock for teaching time, interesting vocabulary for groups of animals ("flock", "herd", etc), as well as counting.
Squirrel's New Year's Resolution by Pat Miller is a fun choice to read if you are discussing resolutions with your children. Squirrel walks through the forest wondering what resolutions she should make for the new year, finally realizing that all her kind and helpful actions are what's really important. After reading, be sure to craft your own family kindness resolutions.
Happy New Year Everywhere! by Arlene Erlbach. Are you the kind of person who has the energy for New Year's themed crafts and activities organized by country? If you are, then this is the book for you.
The Night Before New Year's. Author Natasha Wing has a series of "night before [insert holiday here]" books. This one looks at… you guessed it. New Year's. It's a fun choice for kids addicted to counting down the hours.
More books you will love:
- Family Read Aloud Books for Every Season
- The Giant Hug: a Family Valentine Craft and Book
- 15 Smile-Inducing Children's Books about Happiness and Joy
Tracey M. says
I never thought about getting special books to read for the New Year. What a nice idea. Thanks for stopping over at my blog too! Have a great holiday.
Joyful Learner says
I agree with you, Natalie is the most dedicated commenter! Love the list of New Year's books as well as your math books, chapter books, etc.!
Raising a Happy Child says
Thanks for all the blogging love and for joining WMCIR again 🙂 We have only read one book for New Year so far - a picture book Squirrel's New Year Resolutions (or something like this). By the way, I wanted to give you heads up about Santa's Snow Cat for your Storied Cities - it's set in New York 🙂 Oh - and we are focusing on Christmas in Russia for New Year, because I used to get presents from Grandfather Frost on New Year's Eve.
Fanny Harville says
Oooh, thanks for linking to this Blog Hop -- introduced me to lots of fun blogs!
Alison at NOVA Frugal Family says
This is a great idea. I didn't even think about picking out books for New Years!! I am going to have to head to the library and try to get some tomorrow. I wonder if I have any that I didn't realize around the house 🙂
Erica MomandKiddo says
There are surprisingly few books about New Years! There are some nonfiction ones, but not too many picture books.
Theres Just One Mommy says
I never thought to look for New Year's books.... It sounds like some great titles here!
Even in Australia says
Do you have any nonfiction ones to recommend?
Erica MomandKiddo says
I never found one I really liked. They were all pretty much the typical dry stuff. Hopefully you will have better luck.
Rachel says
I always figured the dearth of New Year's books is because it is really an adult holiday, focused on staying up late and drinking!
Erica says
That may be true!
Ruby Zhang says
For me, New Year means family reunion and a good blessing for the coming year. In our hometown, there are also some new year traditions, such as visiting the elders of the family to show respect, having a feast with all the family members on new year's eve, putting up Spring Festival cuplets... I will read these books with my kid and get him to know about some traditions of other countries during the holiday.
debra luger says
P. Bear book is not really available to buy.... > $50-$100 on amazon! not easily available from library either 🙁
Erica says
Such a shame when books go out of print!
Natasha Wing says
Thank you for including my book, The Night Before New Year's. Just wanted to note that my name is Natasha Wing (not Natalie) just in case people want to look up my other holiday books.
Erica says
Thanks for the correction. I'll update right away.