Even though I’m off on school break right now, as a teacher-librarian I’m always looking for books that tie in with holidays we’re celebrating. With New Year’s Eve coming up, I wanted to find a few books that I could read to my son – as well as read to my students when we get back to school in January.
Although there aren’t many New Years kids books published, I found a handful of fun ones to help usher in the new year, and even a few that help teach kids about different new years traditions around the globe.
Check out my list!
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New Years Kids Books
I’ve created this list in order from books most appropriate for young listeners/readers to older kids.
The Night Before New Year’s by Natasha Wing
This is a cute spin-off from “The Night Before Christmas” poem which features a family getting ready for midnight with streamers, cupcakes, and games. The text is rhyming and the illustrations are fun and colourful.
Perfect for 3 to 5 year olds.
Squirrel’s New Year’s Resolution by Pat Miller
Squirrel learns all about what a resolution is by visiting her friends in the forest. But can she come up with the perfect resolution for herself for the new year?
Perfect for KG to grade 2.
Shanté Keys and the New Year’s Peas by Gail Pearnas-Davenport
This wonderful rhyming story begins when Shante realizes she has no lucky black-eyed peas for her New Year’s dinner. As she travels her neighbourhood asking for peas, she learns all about how different families and cultures celebrate the new year.
Perfect for grades KG to grade 4.
New Year’s Day (Celebrations in My World) by Lynn Peppas
An up to date non-fiction book that overviews different new year’s customs from around the world. Informative and interesting with great pictures!
Perfect for grades 1 to 3.
Frog and Friends Celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve by Eve Bunting
The first in a new beginning reader series by beloved kids’ author Eve Bunting. A trio of humourous holiday tales about Frog and his animal friends, and how they celebrate the winter holidays.
Perfect for grades 1 to 2.
Happy New Year Around the World (Dover Holiday Coloring Book) by Sylvia Walker
Learn about the customs of 30 different countries from around the world by colouring in these festive pages! Each page is accompanied by the name of the country and a brief description of the tradition.
Perfect for kids that like to colour!
Happy New Year, Everywhere by Arlene Earlbach
This non-fiction book describes traditional New Year’s customs and celebrations in 20 different countries around the world, along with sharing a related game, song or craft for each.
Perfect for grades 2 to 5.
Calendar Mysteries #13: New Year’s Eve Thieves by Ronald Roy
An exciting conclusion to the early chapter book “Calendar Mysteries” series. The main characters are the younger siblings of the detectives in the “A to Z Mysteries” series.
Perfect for grades 1 to 4, early chapter book readers.
Happy New Year, Mallory! by Laurie B. Friedman
Part of the popular Mallory series, this story tells the tale of how Mallory’s New Year’s party plans are disrupted by an unexpected burst appendix and trip to the hospital.
Perfect for grade 2 to 5.
Who Stole New Year’s Eve? (Chickadee Court Mystery) by Martha Freeman
12 year old sleuths Yasmeen and Alex are on the case when all 37 ice sculptures go missing from their local winter carnival threatening the New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Perfect for grades 4 to 6, those who like mysteries.
Slappy New Year! (Goosebumps HorrorLand No. 18) by R. L. Stine
Awesomely creepy fun for fans of the Goosebumps series. When Ray brings home a wooden puppet from the gift shop at Horrorland amusement park and strange things start happening, Ray’s New Year’s party gets put in jeopardy!
Perfect for lovers of suspense, grades 3-7
Looking for more games and activities for a family New Year’s party with an around the world twist? You might also like my Family New Year’s Party Games and Foods post, or check out my Confetti Playdough recipe or the Baby New Year Search and Find Bottle craft.
Do you have a favourite book to read to your kids after the holidays? Tell me about it! Please leave a comment below – I’d love to hear from you!
Keep on celebrating and reading!
