What If We Were All Merry!
A Cheerful Story About Giving, Empathy, and Celebrating Winter Holidays Together
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Pub Date 4 Nov 2025 | Archive Date 14 Dec 2025
Purple Diamond Press Inc | Purple Diamond Press
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Description
What if the merriest season was made brighter by the many ways we celebrate together? In What If We Were All Merry!, young readers explore the warmth, excitement, and traditions that make winter celebrations special. Through playful rhymes and vibrant illustrations, children discover different ways families and communities celebrate while learning that laughter, gratitude, togetherness, and sharing meaningful moments can connect us—even when our traditions are different. Perfect for homes, classrooms, school libraries, holiday read-alouds, and seasonal gifting, this cheerful children’s book helps parents and educators open conversations about winter holidays, cultural traditions, inclusion, gratitude, and celebrating differences. Because we may not all celebrate the same way—but there is always room to learn about one another and make the season a little merrier together.
A Note From the Publisher
Illustrated by Vitor Lopes
Advance Praise
"I loved What If We Were All Merry! because it charmingly addresses cultural diversity. It reminds us that traditions among friends may differ, but respect and affection should remain constant. C M Harris's narrative style is fun. She uses short sentences and rhymes that make reading entertaining, and her ideas highlight values such as kindness, empathy, and the joy of sharing...I also thought the illustrations by Vitor Lopes were wonderful."
--Reviewed by Diana Lopez for Readers' Favorite
"...This book could be read at home by parents, or in school by a teacher, both as an inspirational as well as an educational aid. I can't emphasize enough the importance of exposing young children to the message of tolerance for cultural differences and of embracing diversity in their own environment, especially during the holiday season that celebrates love and joy. I highly recommend What If We Were All Merry! by C.M. Harris."
-- Reviewed by Francis Mont for Readers' Favorite
"What If We Were All Merry! by C.M. Harris is a beautifully crafted book that conveys powerful themes such as love, kindness, joy, rest, togetherness, cooperation, peace, connection, family bonding, community love, and support. I appreciate how the book teaches young readers about the importance of spreading love and joy to both young and old by sharing, communicating with loved ones, and maintaining positive energy... I particularly love the representation of various cultures and how they celebrate holidays. The delightful rhymes and literary devices enhance the read, while the vibrant, colorful illustrations bring the story to life. I highly recommend this book."
-- Reviewed by Adanna Ora for Readers' Favorite
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Book signings and storytime meet-the-author in Southern California, Social media giveaways, press release, book reviews
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781639189625 |
| PRICE | $13.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 32 |
Available on NetGalley
Average rating from 60 members
Featured Reviews
Becca D, Reviewer
Thank you to NetGalley and Purple Diamond Press for this beautiful e-arc of this amazing book - I read this to my nephews (ages 10, and 6) and we all truly enjoyed this book. From the heartwarming and beautiful illustrations, to the gorgeous rhyming prose I think we all got quite a bit from it. It also brought up a great topic of discussion between us about giving back to our communities and helping others - even if it's just a small way like smiling at a neighbor, that can go a great way!
Sarah R, Reviewer
This was such a beautifully inclusive book about so many different winter holidays! I think it’s so important to teach kids why we say “happy holidays” and not just “merry christmas” because there are so many different holidays this time of the year and so many different ways of celebrating them!
This book shows the meaning of the winter holidays in a way kids will be able to enjoy and learn from!
Also the art was so beautiful and diverse and inclusive!
Overall loved this!
Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this in exchange for my honest review!
Danielle S, Bookseller
For readers looking for a fun, inclusive holiday book, this is it! I absolutely adored this story and my toddler loved the illustrations! It celebrates the merriment that can be found in little moments throughout the holiday season and how there is no right or wrong way for families to celebrate. Overall, I loved this one and can't wait to stock more of this series in my store!
Martha J, Educator
There is something powerful about a children's book that introduced a multitude of cultures and encouraged their acceptance. It is beautiful to see a children's story like this, and there needs to be more books like this. Sadly, a lot of books focus on only one holiday and those traditions. This is fine to an extent, as long as they acknowledge there are others too. Culture and tradition is important, and I would never want kids thinking otherwise. Yet, this is so powerful because it acknowledges the narrators briefs a d traditions, but it makes it clear there are so many others that are celebrated too.
The story's lessons doesn't stop at respecting the traditions of other cultures. The whole story speaks of helping others, of putting them first, and making sure everyone has a nice, safe, and warm holiday season, no matter what it is that they celebrate. It's a beautiful message, and it's one I can see as a valuable lesson to bring into the classroom. It easily accessible to all readers too, which makes this even more exceptional to me. There is something truly beautiful here, and I really hope to see this one the selves and in the hands of little ones in the future.
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