Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. And rather than letting our excitement for Christmas distract us from learning, our family has embraced Christmas and allowed it to become the basis for much of our homeschool studies leading up to Christmas.
Here is an excerpt from our new book Christmas Around the World:
When you study Christmas, you study a way of life. And life incorporates all of our subject matters together. There is science in electric tree lights. There is history in decorations. There are measurements and counting and multiplying and budgets in preparing a Christmas feast. There is reading and writing involved in our legends. There is art and music in our beautiful family memories and in our gifts. There is history and geography in our family traditions and stories of the holidays passed down from one generation to another.
Christmas Books From Around the World
This list of books includes not only Christmas books, but also other titles that give great insight into the peoples and places of the world. Go ahead and bookmark it or pin it now, for I am certain it is one you will return to over and over again.
Australia Books
1. Christmas Wombat by Jackie French, 2012, ISBN-13: 978-0547868721
2. Christmas in Australia by John Williamson, 2014, ISBN-13: 978-0670077724
3. DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Australia, by DK Publishing, 2014, ISBN-13: 978-1465411471
Bahamas Books
DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Caribbean, by DK Publishing, 2014, ISBN-13: 978-1465412119
Netty's Junkanoo Christmas by Lynette Hepburn-Sinclair, 2014, ISBN-13: 978-1499166774
Junkanoo: Festival of the Bahamas by Clement E. Bethel, 1992, ISBN-13: 978-0333554692
A-Z of Bahamas Heritage by Michale Craton, 2007, ISBN-13: 978-1405002424
Belgium Books
The Belgian Cookbook by Mrs. B. Luck, 2015, ISBN-13: 978-0908346035
DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Belgium & Luxembourg, by DK Publishing, 2015, ISBN-13: 978-1465426130
Dream Songs Night Songs from Belgium to Brazil by Patrick Lacoursiere, 2008, ISBN-13: 978-2923163321
Belize Books
Navidad latinoamericana / Latin American Christmas (Spanish Edition) by Charito Calvachi, 1999, ISBN-13:978-0966069013, bi-lingual
Belize Living Alphabet by Dorothy Beveridge, 2013, ISBN-13: 978-9768142511
Belize in Pictures, by Thomas Streissguth, 2009, ISBN-13: 978-1575059587
Flavors of Belize, by Tanya McNab, 2012, ISBN-13: 978-9768197566
Brazil Books
Pele, King of Soccer/Pele, El rey del futbol by Monica Brown, 2008, ISBN-13: 978-0061227790
Marco’s Travels: Hello Brazil by Jason Louis, 2014, ISBN-13: 978-0990326700
Brazil Abcs: A Book About the People and Places of Brazil (Country ABCs) by David Seidman, 2007, ISBN-13: 978-1404822481
DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Brazil, by DK Publishing, 2012, ISBN-13: 978-0756685805
Canada Books
The Kids Book of Canada by Barbara Greenwood, 2007, ISBN-13: 978-1554532261
Kids Book of Canadian History by Carlotta Hacker, 2009, ISBN-13: 978-1554533282
That’s Very Canadian!: An Exceptionally Interesting Report About All Things Canadian, by Rachel (Wow Canada! Collection) by Vivien Bowers, 2004, ISBN-13: 978-1897066058
DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Canada, by DK Publishing, 2012, ISBN-13: 978-1465411372
Canada and the Canadian Provinces Map Coloring Book by J. Bruce Jones, 2012, ISBN-13: 978-1479220823
China Books
The Coming Day: A True Christmas Story from China by Alice Burnett Poynor, 2011, ISBN-13: 978-1449720025
China (DK Eyewitness Books), by Poppy Sebag-Montefiore, 2007, ISBN-13: 978-0756629762
China ABCs: A Book About the People and Places of China (Country ABCs) by Holly Schroeder, 2004, ISBN-13: 978-1404803589
Tikki Tikki Tembo by Arlene Mosel, 2007, ISBN-13: 978-0312367480
Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself (Build It Yourself) by Lance Kramer, 2008, ISBN-13: 978-1934670026
Denmark Books
Glædelig Jul: A Danish Christmas Recipe Book by Dagmarette Yen, 2010, ISBN-13: 978-1453635896
DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Denmark, by DK Publishing, 2015, ISBN-13: 978-1465426833
Melk, the Christmas Monkey: Teaching God's Character through Bible Lessons and Activities the Entire Family Can Enjoy, by Katie Hornor, 2014, ISBN-13: 978-1500945701
Dominican Republic Books
Top 10 Dominican Republic (Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guide) by DK Publishing, 2015, ISBN-13: 978-1465429636
A Kid's Guide to Latino History: More than 50 Activities (A Kid's Guide series) by Valerie Petrillo, 2009, ISBN-13: 978-1556527715
Ecuador Books
Ecuador and Galapagos, Insight Guides by Luke Waterson, 2013, ISBN-13: 978-1780051574
The Lonely Planet Kids Amazing World Atlas: Bringing the World to Life, by Lonely Planet Kids, 2015, ISBN-13: 978-1743604335
England Books
Queen Victoria's Christmas by Jackie French, 2013, ISBN-13: 978-0732293574
The 12 Days of Christmas: The Story Behind a Favorite Christmas Song (Traditions of Faith from Around the World) by Helen C. Heidle, 2011, ISBN-13: 978-0310722830
Inventing the Christmas Tree by Bernd Brunner, 2012, ISBN-13: 978-0300186529
Christmas Ornaments Kids Can Make by Kathy Ross, 1998, ISBN-13: 978-0761303374
Germany Books
A Year of Gingerbread Houses: Making & Decorating Gingerbread Houses for All Seasons by Kristine Samuell, 2015, ISBN-13: 978-1454708919
DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Germany, by DK Publishing, 2014, ISBN-13: 978-1465411525
Waiting for Christmas: A Story about the Advent Calendar (Traditions of Faith from Around the World) by Kathleen Long Bostrom, 2010, kindle
Silent Night, Holy Night: The Story Behind Our Favorite Christmas Carol (Traditions of Faith from Around the World) by Myrna A. Strasser, 2004, kindle
Greece Books
DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: The Greek Islands by DK Publishing, 2015, ISBN-13: 978-1465428219
Ancient Greece!: 40 Hands-On Activities to Experience This Wondrous Age (Kaleidoscope Kids Books) by Avery Hart, 1999, ISBN-13: 978-1885593252
Iceland Books
The Legend of the Icelandic Yule Lads by Heidi Herman, 2014, ISBN-13: 978-1478743309
Iceland Insight Guides, by Insight Guides, 2014, ISBN-13: 978-1780052250
India Books
India ABCs: A Book About the People and Places of India (Country ABCs) by Marcie Aboff, 2006, ISBN-13: 978-1404819191
India For Kids: Amazing Facts About India by Shalu Sharma, 2013, ISBN-13: 978-1494709976
Going to School in India, by Lisa Heydlauff, 2005, ISBN-13: 978-1570916663
The Story of Little Babaji, by Helen Bannerman, 2002, ISBN-13: 978-0060080938
Ireland Books
S is for Shamrock: An Ireland Alphabet (Discover the World) by Even Bunting, 2007, ISBN-13: 978-1585362905
Fiona’s Lace by Patricia Polacco, ISBN-13: 978-1442487246
DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Ireland, by DK Publishing, 2015, ISBN-13: 978-1465410573
Christmas Flavors of Ireland: Celebrating the Festive Season by Margaret M. Johnson,2013, ISBN-13:978-1620202074
Italy Books
The Legend of Old Befana by Tomie dePaola, 1980, ISBN-13: 978-0152438173
Nonna, Tell Me a Story: Lidia’s Christmas Kitchen by Lidia Bastianich, 2010, ISBN-13: 978-0762436927
Christmas Around the World Coloring Book (Dover Holiday Coloring Book) by Joan O’Brien, 2003, ISBN-13: 978-0486426518
DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Italy, by DK Publishing, 2015, ISBN-13: 978-1465428929
Japan Books
My First Book of Japanese Words: An ABC Rhyming Book by Michelle Haney Brown, 2013, ISBN-13: 978-4805312018
Fun with Asian Food: A Kids Cook Book by Devagi Sanmugam, 2005, ISBN-13: 978-0794603397
The Way We Do It in Japan by Geneva Cobb Iijima, 2012, ISBN-13: 978-0807578223
DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Japan, by DK Publishing, 2015, ISBN-13: 978-1465425713
Mexico Books
Read a History of Day of the Dead written from the perspective of a Christian living in Mexico.
Learning Spanish Workbook: Level 1 Spanish by Katie Hornor, 2014, ISBN-13: 978-1505406986
Mexico: Coloring Book & Geography Study, by Katie & Tap Hornor, 2015, ISBN-13: 978-1511782067, reproducible
Mexico, Insight Guides, by Insight Guides, 2014, ISBN-13: 978-1780051741
Middle East Books
The Star of Bethlehem, DVD by Frederick A. Larson, 2009, rated NR
Humphrey’s First Christmas, by Carol Heyer, 2010, ISBN-13: 978-0824956165
The Very First Christmas by Paul L. Maier 2003, ISBN-13: 978-0758606167
Insight Guides: Egypt by Insight Guides, 2009, ISBN-13: 978-9812820655
Insight Guides: Israel by Insight Guides, 2015, ISBN-13: 978-1780052434
Norway Books
The Impossible Voyage of Kon-Tiki by Deborah Kogan Ray, 2015, ISBN-13: 978-1580896207
History of Norway by John A. Yilek, 2015, ISBN-13: 978-1681110240
Norwegian RoseMaling for Young People, by Diane Edwards, 2003, ISBN-13:978-0967458342
DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Norway, by DK Publishing, 2014, ISBN-13: 978-1465411815
Peru Books
Secret of the Andes by Ann Nolan Clark, 1976, ISBN-13: 978-0140309263
The Children's Book of Machu Picchu: The Amazing Story of the Mysterious Inca City in the Clouds by Roger Winters, 2015, Kindle
The Inca: Activities and Crafts from a Mysterious Land (Secrets of Ancient Cultures) by Arlette N. Braman, 2003, ISBN-13: 978-0471219804
DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Peru, by DK Publishing, 2014, ISBN-13: 978-1465411761
Philippines Books
A Child's Treasury Of Philippine Christmas Stories – Philippine Book by Lin Acacio-Flores, 2004, ISBN-13: 978-9716300598
Philippines: Insight Guides, by Insight Guides, 2013, ISBN-13: 978-1780051222
Poland Books
Marta and the Manger Straw: A Christmas Tradition from Poland (Traditions of Faith from Around the World) by Virginia Kroll, 2005, ISBN-13: 978-0310709947
DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Poland by DK Publishing, 2015, ISBN-13: 978-1465428226
A Polish Christmas Eve: Traditions and Recipes, Decorations and Song by Czeslaw Michal Krysa, 2003, ISBN-13: 978-0966109900
Russia Books
The Blessing Cup by Patricia Polacco, 2013, ISBN-13: 978-1442450479
Baboushka: A Christmas Folktale from Russia by Arthur Scholey, ISBN-13: 978-0763616199
DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Russia, by DK Publishing, 2013, ISBN-13: 978-0756695491
Spain Books
Feliz Navidad: Learning Songs and Traditions in Spanish (Teach Me) (Book & Audio CD) by Anna Maria MaHoney, 2006, ISBN-13: 978-1599720609
Bobby Bright Spends Christmas in Spain, by John R. Brooks, 2010, kindle
Spain, Insight Guides, by Insight Guides, 2014, ISBN-13: 978-1780051994
Switzerland Books
Natalie's Swiss Cookies: 5 Must-Have Cookie Recipes by Natalie Ann, 2015, kindle
The Silent Bells by William MacKellar, 1978, ISBN-13: 978-0396076186
DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Switzerland, by DK Publishing, 2015, ISBN-13: 978-1465426819
Thailand Books
Toy is from Thailand by Whitney Badgett, 2009, ISBN-13: 978-1439250389
DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Thailand, by DK Publishing, 2014, ISBN-13: 978-1465411853
The Umbrella Queen by Shirin Bridges, 2008, ISBN-13: 978-0060750404
Easy Thai Cooking: 75 Family-style Dishes You can Prepare in Minutes by Robert Danhi, 2012, ISBN-13: 978-0804841795
USA Books
Experiments with Electricity (True Books: Experiments) by Susan HeinRichs Gray, 2011, ISBN-13: 978-0531266441
Who Was Thomas Alva Edison by Margaret Frith, 2005, ISBN-13: 978-0448437651
The Legend of the Christmas Tree by Pat Matuszak, 2001, ISBN-13: 978-0310700432
Creative Haven Christmas Trees Coloring Book (Creative Haven Coloring Books) by Barbara Lanza, 2015, ISBN-13: 978-0486803906
DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: USA, by DK Publishing, 2015, ISBN-13: 978-1465412065
Read more about Christmas lights
Christmas Carol Books
Christmas Carols: Complete Verses by Shane Weller, 1992, ISBN-13: 978-0486273976
International Book of Christmas Carols by Walter Ehret, 1980, ISBN-13: 978-0828903783
Ring the Bells! (A Choice Selection of Beautiful Songs and Carols That Herald The Real Meaning of Christmas) by Alfred B. Smith, 1998
Gloria, A Christma Hymnstudy by Kim Sorgius, 2013 at NotConsumed.com
Count Your Blessings: A Thanksgiving Hymnstudy by Kim Sorgius, 2013, at NotConsumed.com
This post is part of our Teaching Christmas Around the World Series for 5 Days of Autumn Learning Activities. See the other posts by clicking the link below: