Picture Books about Family Traditions with Stefanie Hohl
We are so excited to have Stefanie Hohl join us today to share information about Picture Books about Family Traditions!
Stefanie Hohl loves to write books for kids! She is the author of The Remember Tree and Where is the Star. As the creator of ABC See, Hear, Do, a learn-to-read program that teaches reading through movement, she shares her passion for discovering better methods for teaching young children and sharing that knowledge with others. She has a Masters in Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Penn State and a Masters of Fine Arts in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Stefanie lives in Pittsburgh with her husband, five children, a very silly dog, and two cuddly cats.
With the recent focus on representation in picture books, a slew of picture books focused on family traditions have emerged in the past few years. This includes books about food, culture, holiday celebrations, heritage, and more. These books allow us to see diverse groups of people more clearly as we learn about what’s important to them, how they live, and the value of our shared humanity.
I’m a bit obsessed with family traditions, so I highly recommend these books. Traditions allow families to build a strong foundation by connecting with each other through shared experience. They are also a way to pass customs and rituals to the next generation.
Let’s take a look at some specific types of picture books about family traditions. As we do, think about your current family and/or back to your childhood. Hopefully, these stories (& the questions I pose after each specific type) will trigger ideas for stories only YOU can write!
Food Traditions
Soul Food Sunday by Winsome Bingham, illustrated by C.G. Esperanza
Bee-bim Bop by Linda Sue Park, illustrated by Ho Baek Lee
Fry Bread by Keven Noble Maillard, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal
Does your family eat traditional foods for family dinners, holidays, or special occasions? What does it taste like? Smell like? What stories are connected to this food?
Holiday Traditions
All-of-a-Kind Family Hanukkah by Emily Jenkins, illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky
Freedom Soup by Tami Charles, illustrated by Jacqueline Alcántara
Binny’s Diwali by Thrity Umrigar, illustrated by Nidhi Chanani
Which holidays do you celebrate? What traditions go along with these holidays? What stories are connected to your family holiday celebrations?
Religious Traditions
Fridays Are Special by Chris Barash, illustrated by Melissa Iwai
Deep in the Sahara by Kelly Cunnane, illustrated by Hoda Hadadi
The Night Before Eid: A Muslim Family Story by Aya Khalil, illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh
Do you or your loved ones practice religious traditions? Why is faith important to them or to you? How have faith traditions drawn your family members closer?
Cultural Traditions
Suki's Kimono by Chieri Uegaki, illustrated by Stéphane Jorisch
We are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Frane Lessac
Leila in Saffron by Rukhsanna Guidroz, illustrated by Dinara Mirtalpova
What is your heritage? Where do you come from? What stories have been passed down from generation to generation?
Daily Life
Auntie Yang’s Great Soybean Picnic by Ginnie Lo, illustrated by Beth Lo
The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family by Ibtihaj Muhammad, illustrated by S.K. Ali
Going Down Home with Daddy by Kelly Starling Lyons, illustrated by Daniel Minter
What daily rituals or customs does your family observe? Why do these matter to you? What stories are connected to these daily rituals?
Hopefully, writing stories about your family traditions and heritage can help you feel connected to your family members, both past and present.
These stories can also help us connect with each other, as we share and learn with understanding and open minds.
What stories from your family are waiting to be told?