The holiday season is full of opportunities to have meaningful classroom conversations, and picture book read-alouds are the perfect place to start.
Many of the books in this post aren’t your typical holiday stories. But, they still fit perfectly for this time of year.
They cover themes like gratitude, kindness, and giving. And they can also be used to support vocabulary growth. It’s a simple way to keep lessons seasonal while still building strong literacy skills
If you’re looking for books that spark great discussions, and build word knowledge at the same time, these books are perfect for November and December.
📚 Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio
What It’s About:
When Grace learns there’s never been a female U.S. president, she decides to run in the school’s mock election. It’s a great intro to democracy, leadership, and civic responsibility.
Why It’s Perfect for November:
Election season! It’s the perfect read-aloud for election season and classroom discussions about voting and leadership.
📚 Turk and Runt: A Thanksgiving Comedy by Lisa Wheeler
What It’s About:
Turk is the pride of the flock, and Runt, not so much. But when Thanksgiving approaches, it’s Runt’s cleverness that saves the day. A hilarious twist on holiday traditions.
Why It’s Perfect for November:
A lighthearted way to introduce perspective, cleverness, and problem-solving—all in a fun, seasonal way.
📚 Ordinary Mary and the Extraordinary Deed by Emily Pearson
What It’s About:
Mary performs a simple act of kindness that sets off a chain reaction of good deeds. A sweet reminder that even the smallest actions can make a big impact.
Why It’s Perfect for November:
November is a season of gratitude, and this story helps you hold discussions about community and paying it forward.
📚 Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts
What It’s About:
Jeremy wants the cool shoes everyone else has, but his family can’t afford them. A story about needs vs. wants, kindness, and empathy.
Why It’s Perfect for December:
During gift-giving season, it’s easy for students to focus on what they want. This story helps redirect the conversation toward appreciation, generosity, and empathy.
📚 Silver Packages an Appalachian Christmas Story by Cynthia Rylant
What It’s About:
A wealthy man delivers gifts to Appalachian children from the back of a train. Years later, one of those children grows up to pay it forward. A beautiful full-circle story.
Why It’s Perfect for December:
A story of generosity, gratitude, and how one act of kindness can inspire another. Perfect for highlighting the spirit of giving during the holiday season.
📚 A Bike Like Sergio’s by Maribeth Boelts
What It’s About:
A boy wants a bike like his friend has, but his family can’t afford one. When he finds a lost $100 bill, he has to decide between keeping it or doing the right thing. It’s a powerful story about honesty, empathy, and making tough choices.
Why It’s Perfect for December:
Just like Those Shoes, this story fits perfectly with the themes of the season. It helps kids reflect on wants versus needs, and what it truly means to do the right thing.
These read-alouds let you have the kinds of conversations that naturally come up during the holiday season, while giving students a chance to connect with powerful vocabulary in context.
You can even use them as a supplement to the curriculum you’re already using. If you’d like ready-to-use vocabulary lessons that pair with each of these books, check out my Year-Long Vocabulary Book Companions.
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