The Birds' Gift: A Ukrainian Easter Story by Eric A. Kimmel, illustrated by Katya Krenina (Holiday House, 1999).
This is a beautifully illustrated book that tells a story about pysanky, or Ukrainian decorated Easter eggs. When hundreds of small golden birds get stuck in the snow, a young girl inspires her village to help save them. As spring draws close, the birds fly away. But they return later to gift the villagers with their beautiful eggs.
Visit this link to learn how to make your own pysanky.
You can find more books about Easter on my Pinterest board here.
Bear in the Sky by Stefan Czernecki and Timothy Rhodes, illustrated by Stefan Czernecki (Hyperion, 1990).
This was a childhood favorite of mine. Judging from the little I could find online, it doesn't appear to be a well-known book, which is a shame. The folk art illustrations left a strong impression on me.
This is an origin story for the constellation Ursa Major, the Great Bear. The title bear loves to dance in the forest with the birds and other creatures. When he is shot with an arrow by hunters, a gypsy couple nurses him back to health, names him Zloty, and gives him a velvet vest. His joyful dancing cures a princess who cannot smile. However, she is a cruel princess, and keeps Zloty captive. When he will not dance for her anymore, she gets mad and throw his vest out the window, which disappears and leaves a stairway of stars. Zloty climbs the stars into the sky, where you can still see him dancing.
I'm compiling a list of multicultural Christmas picture books and will continually update. Please comment with any I've left out. Also, I haven't read all these books so if I've put any in the wrong category, please let me know.
African
African-American
- The 12 Days of a Soul Food Christmas by Lashonda M. Stewart, illustrated by JL Straw
- The All-I'll-Ever-Want Christmas Doll by Patricia C. McKissack, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney
- An Angel Just Like Me by Mary Hoffman, illustrated by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu
- The Bells of Christmas by Virginia Hamilton, illustrated by Lambert Davis
- Calvin's Christmas Wish by Calvin Miles, illustrated by Dolores Johnson
- Carla and the Christmas Cornbread by Carla Hall, illustrated by Cherise Harris
- Charlotte and the Nutcracker by Charlotte Nebres, illustrated by Alea Marley
- Chita's Christmas Tree by Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard, illustrated by Floyd Cooper
- Christmas for Ten by Cathryn Falwell
- Christmas Gif' by Charlemae Rollins, illustrated by Ashley Bryan
- Christmas in the Big House, Christmas in the Quarters by Patricia and Fredrick McKissack, illustrated by John Thompson
- Christmas Makes Me Think by Tony Medina, illustrated by Chandra Cox
- Christmas Soul: African American Holiday Stories edited by Allison Samuels, illustrated by Michele Wood
- Count with Santa by Angela Y. Nixon
- Danny's Christmas List by Tieska Jumbo, illustrated by Aquil Khan
- The Day Santa Got Sick by Deanne Samuels, illustrated by Oliver Kryzz Bundoc
- Elijah's Angel by Michael J. Rosen, illustrated by Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson
- Everett Anderson's Christmas Coming by Lucille Clifton, illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist
- Gullah Night Before Christmas by Virginia Geraty, illustrated by James Rice
- The Harlem Nutcracker by Susan Kuklin, photography by Donald Byrd
- Hold Christmas in Your Heart by Cheryl Willis Hudson
- In the Nick of Time by Deedee Cummings, illustrated by Charlene Mosley
- I Got the Christmas Spirit by Connie Schofield-Morrison, illustrated by Frank Morrison
- Irene Jennie and the Christmas Masquerade by Irene Smalls, illustrated by Melodye Rosales
- Jackie's Gift by Sharon Robinson, illustrated by E.B. Lewis
- Jingle Jangle: The Invention of Jeronicus Jangle (middle grade) by Lyn Sisson-Talbert and David E. Talbert
- Little Santa's Workshop by Lala Watkins
- The Magical Snowflake by Bernette Ford, illustrated by Erin Robinson
- Messy Bessy's Holidays by Patricia and Frederick McKissack, illustrated by Dana Curtis Regan
- Mim's Christmas Jam by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Brian Pinkney
- Mrs. Granny Claus and the Christmas Cheer Cookies by Oretha Mobley, illustrated by Remi Bryant
- The Night Before Christmas: An African-American Retelling by Noland Nixon
- The Nutcracker in Harlem by T.E. McMorrow, illustrated by James Ransome
- The Real Santa by Nancy Redd, illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow
- The Secret of Santa's Songbird by D.S. Jackson
- The Snow Dragon by Marti Dumas
- Snowflake Kisses and Gingerbread Smiles by Tony Trent Parker, photography by Earl Anderson
- Snow Storm Before Christmas by Candida Palmer, illustrated by H. Tom Hall
- Over the River & Through the Woods by Rex Perry
- The Truth about Mrs. Claus by Meena Harris, illustrated by Keisha Morris
- 'Twas the Night Before Christmas by Angela Y. Nixon
- 'Twas the Night Before Christmas by Rex Perry
- 'Twas the Night Before Christmas by Melodye Rosales
- Twelve Dinging Doorbells by Tameka Fryer Brown, illustrated by Ebony Glenn
- Ty's Travels: Winter Wonderland by Kelly Starling Lyons, illustrated by Niña Mata
- Under the Christmas Tree by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Kadir Nelson
- Waiting for Christmas by Monica Greenfield, illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist
- What Color is Santa? by Whitley Oliver, illustrated by Polina Nechaeva
Afro-Caribbean
Asian
European
- The 12 Days o Yule by Susan Rennie, illustrated by Matthew Land
- Annika's Secret Wish by Beverly Lewis, illustrated by Pamela Querin
- Babushka by Sandra Ann Horn, illustrated by Sophie Fatus
- Babushka: A Christmas Tale by Dawn Casey, illustrated by Amanda Hall
- Bambinelli Sunday: A Christmas Blessing by Amy Welborn, illustrated by Ann Kissane Engelhart
- Belle & Boo and the Very Merry Christmas by Mandy Sutcliffe
- Carl the Christmas Carp by Ian Krykorka, illustrated by Vladyana Krykorka
- A Celtic Christmas Eve by Angela J Townsend
- A Child's Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas, illustrated by Edward Ardizzone
- A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, illustrated by Brett Helquist
- The Christmas Carp by Rita Törnqvist, illustrated by Marit Törnqvist
- Christmas Eve at Santa's by Alf Proysen, illustrated by Jens Ahlbom
- Christmas in Austria by World Book
- Christmas in Belgium by World Book
- Christmas in Britain by World Book
- Christmas in Denmark by World Book
- Christmas in Exeter Street by Diana Hendry, illustrated by John Lawrence
- Christmas in Finland by World Book
- Christmas in France by Jack Manning
- Christmas in France by World Book
- Christmas in Greece by World Book
- Christmas in Italy by World Book
- Christmas in the Netherlands by World Book
- Christmas in Noisy Village by Astrid Lindgren, illustrated by Ilon Wikland
- Christmas in Paris and the Provinces by World Book
- Christmas in Poland by World Book
- Christmas in Russia by World Book
- Christmas in Scandinavia by World Book
- Christmas in Scotland by World Book
- Christmas in Spain by World Book
- Christmas in Sweden by Cheryl L. Edelein
- Christmas in Switzerland by World Book
- Christmas in Today's Germany by World Book
- Christmas in the Ukraine by World Book
- The Christmas Tomten by Viktor Rydberg, illustrated by Harald Wiberg
- The Christmas Truce by Carol Ann Duffy, illustrated by David Roberts
- The Christmas Wish by Lori Evert, photography by Per Breiehagen
- Dorothy Wadworth's Christmas Birthday by Carol Ann Duffy, illustrated by Tom Doxbury
- Emily Brown and Father Christmas by Cressida Cowell, illustrated by Neal Layton
- Erik and the Christmas Horse by Hans Peterson, illustrated by Ilon Wikland
- Father Christmas by Raymond Briggs
- Hanna's Christmas by Melissa Peterson, illustrated by Melissa Iwai
- How the Russian Snow Maiden Helped Santa Claus by Gail Buyske, illustrated by Natasha Voronina
- Irish Night Before Christmas by Sarah Kirwan Blazek, illustrated by James Rice
- Katie's London Christmas by James Mayhew
- Krampus: A Holiday Message by Johnny DePalma, illustrated by Kyle Brown
- The Legend of Old Befana by Tomie dePaola
- The Legend of the Icelandic Yule Lads by Heidi Herman
- Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien
- Little Tomte's Christmas Wish by Inkeri Karvonen, illustrated by Hannu Taina
- Lotta's Christmas Surprise by Astrid Lindgren, illustrated by Ilon Wikland
- Lucia Morning in Sweden by Ewa Rydaker, illustrated by Carina Stahlberg
- Lucia, Child of Light by Florence Ekstrand
- Lucia: Saint of Light by Katherine Bolger Hyde, illustrated by Daria Fisher
- Lucy and Tom's Christmas by Shirley Hughes
- The Miraculous Child: A Christmas Folktale from Old Russia by Alvin Alexsi Currier, illustrated by Nadezda Glazunova
- The Night Before Christmas in Scotland by Kristy Strange, illustrated by Jessie Willcox Smith
- Nikki Nisse and the Christmas Star by Deidre Doan
- Otto and the Secret Light of Christmas by Nora Surojegin, illustrated by Pirkko-Liisa Surojegin
- Peter and Lotta's Christmas by Elsa Beskow
- The Pfeffernüsse Goose by Aaron Smith
- Pip the Gnome and the Christmas Tree by Admar Kwant
- The Queen and the First Christmas Tree by Nancy Churnin, illustrated by Luisa Uribe
- Santa's Christmas Tomtens Jul by Linda Liebrand
- The Spider's Gift: A Ukrainian Christmas Story by Eric A. Kimmel, illustrated by Katya Krenina
- Tomten Saves Christmas by Linda Liebrand
- The Tomtes' Christmas Porridge by Sven Nordqvist
- The Village of Lights by Mitchell Stevens, illustrated by Emily Pritchett
- Waiting for Sinterklaas: A Family in the Netherlands by Helene Tremblay
- The Wren-Boys by Carol Ann Duffy, illustrated by Dermot Flynn
- The Yule Lads: A Celebration of Iceland's Christmas Folklore by Brian Pilkington
- The Yule Tamte and the Little Rabbits by Ulf Stark, illustrated by Eva Eriksson
Interfaith (Hanukkah/Christmas)
- Boris and Stella and the Perfect Gift by Dara Goldman
- A Chanukah Noel by Sharon Jennings, illustrated by Gillian Newland
- Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama by Selina Alko
- Dear Santa, Love, Rachel Rosenstein by Amanda Peet, illustrated by Andrea Troyer
- December's Gift by Ashley Smith-Santos and Stasie Bitton, illustrated by Sandra Salsbury
- Eight Candles and a Tree by Simone Bloom Nathan, illustrated by Brian Barber
- Elijah's Angel by Michael J. Rosen, illustrated by Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson
- Happy All-idays! by Cindy Jin, illustrated by Rob Sayegj Jr.
- Jackie's Gift by Sharon Robinson, illustrated by E.B. Lewis
- The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming: A Christmas Story by Lemony Snicket, illustrated by Lisa Brown
- Latkes for Santa Claus by Janie Emaus, illustrated by Bryan Langdo
- Light the Lights! by Margaret Moorman
- My Two Grandmothers by Effin Older, illustrated by Nancy Hayashi
- My Two Holidays by Danielle Novack, illustrated by Phyllis Harris
- Nonna's Hanukkah Surprise by Karen Fisman, illustrated by Martha Aviles
- The Trees of the Dancing Goats by Patricia Polacco
Latin American
- Another Christmas by Susan L. Roth
- Arturo and the Navidad Birds by Anne Bryoles, illustrated by KE Lewis
- Benito's Bizcochitos by Ana Baca, illustrated by Anthony Accardo
- Between Us and Abuela: A Family Story from the Border by Mitali Perkins, illustrated by Sara Palacios
- The Christmas Gift by Francisco Jimenez, illustrated by Claire B. Cotts
- Carlos, Light the Farolitos by Jean Ciavonne, illustrated by Donna Clair
- Celebrate Christmas and Three Kings Day with Pablo and Carlitos by Alma F. Ada, illustrated by F. Isabel Campoy
- Christmas in Brazil by World Book
- Christmas in Mexico by World Book
- Christmas in Puerto Rico by World Book
- Christmas Traditions in Latin America by Kerrie Logan Hollihan
- The Christmas Tree by Alma Flor Ada, illustrated by Terry Ybanez
- December by Eve Bunting, illustrated by David Diaz
- A Doll for Navidades by Esmeralda Santiago, illustrated by Enrique O. Sanchez
- The Farolitos at Christmas by Rudolfo Anaya
- Federico and the Magi's Gift by Beatriz Vidal
- Feliz Navidad: Two Stories Celebrating Christmas by Jose Feliciano, illustrated by David Diaz
- Feliz Nochebuena, Feliz Navidad: Christmas Feasts of the Hispanic Caribbean by Maricel E. Presilla, illustrated by Ismael Espinosa Ferrer
- The Gift of the Poinsettia by Pat Mora and Charles Ramirez Berg, illustrated by Daniel Lechon
- Going Home by Eve Bunting, illustrated by David Diaz
- Grandma's Gift by Eric Velasquez
- Growing Up with Tamales by Gwendolyn Zepeda, illustrated by April Ward
- Home for Navidad by Harriet Ziefert, illustrated by Santiago Cohen
- La Nochebuena: A Christmas Story by Antonio Sacre, illustrated by Angela Dominguez
- Las Navidades: Popular Christmas Songs from Latin America by Lulu Delacre
- Las Posadas: An Hispanic Christmas Celebration by Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith, photography by Lawrence Migdale
- The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie dePaola
- Mama Had to Work on Christmas by Carolyn Marsden, illustrated by Robert Casilla
- Merry Navidad!: Christmas Carols in Spanish and English by Alma Flor Alda and F. Isabel Campoy, illustrated by Viv Escriva
- Mimi's Parranda by Lydia M. Gil, illustrated by Hernan Sosa
- The Miracle of the First Poinsettia by Joanne Oppenheim, illustrated by Fabian Negrin
- Miracle of the Poinsettia by Brian Cavanaugh, illustrated by Dennis Rockhill
- Miracle on 133rd Street by Sonia Manzano, illustrated by Marjorie Priceman
- The Night of Las Posadas by Tomie dePaola
- Nine Days to Christmas: A Story of Mexico by Marie Hall Ets, illustrated by Aurora Labastida
- N is for Navidad by Susan Middleton Elya and Merry Banks, illustrated by Joe Cepeda
- Pablo's Christmas by Hugo C. Martin, Lee Chapman
- Pancho Claus by Lalo Guerrero, illustrated by Bob Mackie
- Pancho's Pinata by Stefan Czernecki, illustrated by Timothy Rhodes
- Pedro: The Angel of Olvera Street by Leo Politi
- A Piñata in a Pine Tree: A Latino Twelve Days of Christmas by Pat Mora, illustrated by Magaly Morales
- The Santero's Miracle by Amy Córdova, illustrated by Enrique R. Lamadrid
- The Secret Stars by Joseph Slate, illustrated by Felipe Davalos
- Three Kings Day: A Celebration at Christmastime by Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith, photography by Lawrence Migdale
- Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto, illustrated by Ed Martinez
- 'Twas Nochebuena by Roseanne Greenfield Thong, illustrated by Sara Palacios
- The Twelve Days of Christmas: A Piñata for the Piñon Tree by Philemon Sturges, illustrated by Ashley Wolff
- Uno, Dos, Tres, Posada! by Virginia Kroll, illustrated by Loretta Lopez
- Verde Christmas by Mrinali Alvarez Astacio, illustrated by Juan Alvarez-O'Neill
- When Christmas Feels Like Home by Gretchen Griffith, illustrated by Carolina Farias
Multicultural
- 10 Trim-the-Tree'ers (Holiday Counting Books) by Janet Shulman, illustrated by Linda Davick
- All I Want for Christmas is You by Mariah Carey, illustrated by Colleen Madden
- Always Together at Christmas by Sara Sargent, illustrated by Mark Chambers
- The Bear Family's World Tour Christmas by Kestutis Kasparavicius
- Celebrate Christmas with Carols, Presents, and Peace by Deborah Heiligman
- Christmas Around the World by Emily Kelley, illustrated by Joni Oeltjenbruns
- Christmas Around the World by Mary D. Lankford, illustrated by Karen Dugan
- Christmas Around the World (Disney's It's A Small World) by Calliope Glass, illustrated by Susan Chen Fang
- Christmas Around the World Coloring Book by Joan O'Brien
- Christmas in Many Cultures by Martha E.H. Rustad
- Christmas Traditions Around the World by Ann Ingalls, illustrated by Elisa Chavarri
- Christmas Tree by David Martin, illustrated by Melissa Sweet
- The Christmas Truck by JB Blankenship, illustrated by Cassandre Bolan
- Countdown to Christmas by Greg Paprocki
- Is Santa Black or White? by Rossella Barr
- It's Christmas Everywhere: Celebrations from Around the World by Hannah Barnaby, illustrated by João Fazenda
- Joy to the World!: Christmas Stories from Around the Globe by Saviour Pirotta, illustrated by Sheila Moxley
- Let's Get a Christmas Tree! by Lori Haskins Houran, illustrated by Nila Aye
- Lights of Winter by Heather Conrad, illustrated by DeForest Walker
- The Magic of a Small Town Christmas by Megan Alexander, illustrated by Hiroe Nakata
- Murry Christmas by E.G. Keller
- The Night Before the Nutcracker by John Robert Allman, illustrated by Julianna Swaney
- Pick a Pine Tree by Patricia Toht, illustrated by Jarvis
- Roc and Roe's Twelve Days of Christmas by Nick Cannon, illustrated by AG Ford
- Season of Light by Jess Redman, illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki
- S is for Santa by Greg Paprocki
- Walk This World at Christmastime by Debbie Powell
- The Weed That Woke Christmas by Alayne Kay Christian, illustrated by Polina Gortman
- When Santa Came to Stay by Billy Sharff, illustrated by Eda Kaban
- When's It Gonna Be Christmas Again?! by Brandon Gray and Daniel Thompson, illustrated by Carissa Bower
- Where Would Santa Go? by Julia Inserro, illustrated by Natalie Merheb
- A World of Cookies for Santa by M.E. Furman, illustrated by Susan Gal
Native American
Nativity Stories
- All is Bright by Clay Anderson, illustrated by Natalie Merheb
- Babushka: A Christmas Tale by Dawn Casey, illustrated by Amanda Hall
- The Black King by Ponç Pons, illustrated by Cynthia Farrell Johnson
- Brown Baby Jesus by Dorena Williamson, illustrated by Ronique Ellis
- Carol of the Brown King: Nativity Poems by Langston Hughes, illustrated by Ashley Bryan
- Every Man Heart Lay Down by Lorenz Graham, illustrated by Colleen Browning
- The Good News of Christmas by Rousseaux Brasseur, illustrated by Sian James
- Hallelujah: A Christmas Celebration by W. Nikola-Lisa, illustrated by Synthia Saint James
- The King of Christmas by Todd R. Hains, illustrated by Natasha Kennedy
- Leah's Christmas Story by Margaret Bateson-Hill, illustrated by Karin Littlewood
- Let the Faithful Come by Zetta Elliott, illustrated by Charity Russell
- The Most Precious Gift by Marty Crisp, illustrated by Floyd Cooper
- Silent Night by Lara Hawthorne
- Spirit Child: A Story of the Nativity by John Bierhorst, illustrated by Barbara Cooney
- The Third Gift by Linda Sue Park, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline
- Three Wise Women by Mary Hoffman, illustrated by Lynne Russell
- Who Built the Stable?: A Nativity Poem by Ashley Brian
Oceanian
- Aloha Santa by Dana Taylor, illustrated by Jaana Baker
- An Aussie Night Before Christmas by Yvonne Morrison, illustrated by Kilmeny Niland
- The Australian Twelve Days of Christmas by Heath McKenzie
- A Bush Christmas by C.J. Dennis, illustrated by Dee Huxley
- Christmas in Australia by World Book
- Christmas in Kangaroo Land by Alda M. Hannon, illustrated by Mark Hannon
- Christmas Wombat by Jackie French, illustrated by Bruce Whatley
- The Hawaiian Christmas Tree by Dawn Adrienne, illustrated by Susan Brooks
- John Williamson's Christmas in Australia by John Williamson, illustrated by Vane Mitch
- Ke Ahiahi Mamua O Kalikimaka: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas in Hawaii by Valjeanne Budar, illustrated by Barbara Ewald
- A Kiwi Night Before Christmas by Yvonne Morrison, illustrated by Deborah Hinde
- The Legend of Kalikimaka, the Christmas Auntie by Rob Westerman, illustrated by Eleykaa Tayleh
- A Pukeko in a Ponga Tree (12 Days of Christmas) adapted by Kingi M. Ihaka, illustrated by Dick Frizzell
- Santa Claus and the Molokai Mules by Jeffrey Garcia, illustrated by Jamie Meckel
- Santa Koala by Colin Buchanan
- Santa's Secret by Mike Dumbleton, illustrated by Tom Jellett
- Tea and Sugar Christmas by Jane Holly, illustrated by Robert Ingpen
- True Blue Santa by Anne Mangan, illustrated by Kim Fleming
