5 Picture Books to Inspire Your Holiday Cooking

A World of Cookies for Santa, by M.E. Forman and Susan Gal
Imagining Santa’s trip around the world on Christmas Eve is always mind-boggling, but what about everything he eats along the way? This title takes readers on a delicious journey around the globe, listing traditional cookies made with everything from cherries to sweet potatoes, and plenty of cakes, puddings, pies and beverages besides. The only question is: which one of the delicious-sounding recipes at the back will you try first?

Hanukkah Cookies with Sprinkles, by David A. Adler and Jeffery Ebbeler
Sara wonders how she can help a man she sees scrounging for discarded food on the street. She begins to leave him leftovers and learns about the Jewish tradition of tzedakah, or charity. This story is a poignant reminder that the holiday season is for both enjoying bountiful celebrations with family and reaching out to those in need.

Gingerbread Friends, by Jan Brett
Perhaps no other children’s author boasts as treasured a collection of holiday stories as Jan Brett. This mouth-watering title, her second about the Gingerbread Baby, has the plucky cookie heading to a local bakery to find some friends. The detailed illustrations of all the treats he sees invite readers to pause to discuss what they’d taste if given the chance. Best of all is the fold-out page at the end showing Mattie’s delectable creation to cure the Gingerbread Baby’s loneliness.

Sweet Potato Pie, by Kathleen D. Lindsay and Charlotte Riley-Webb
Whether or not enjoying sweet potato pie for Kwanzaa or Christmas is one of your traditions, this touching story about a hardworking family desperate to save their farm is worth a read. When all that’s left of their harvest is sweet potatoes, Mama encourages her family to get creative and sets about baking pies to sell at the Harvest Celebration. The author provides a recipe for those interested in experiencing first-hand why Mama’s pies are a sell-out success.

Shanté Keys and the New Year’s Peas, by Gail Piernas-Davenport and Marion Eldridge
What does your family eat to ring in a new year? Shanté’s family eats black-eyed peas for good luck, but this year Grandma forgot to buy some. On her trip around the neighborhood in search of extra peas, Shanté talks to numerous neighbors about their new year’s food traditions, and of course, invites them to dine with her family. The author’s note includes a special recipe for Grandma Louise’s black-eyed peas, as well as more information about traditions in other cultures.