Celebrations Of Light : A Year of Holidays Around the World
What’s inside...
Describes various festivals centered around light that are celebrated by different cultures throughout the year, including Candlemas, Bon Matsuri, Diwali, Hanukkah, Luciadagen, and Kwanzaa. The significance of light in human history is also explored, showing how it was used to keep warm, cook food, and provide safety. Light plays a vital role not only in daily survival, but also in cultural rituals and celebrations. The text and paintings highlight twelve festivals, showing the diverse ways in which people around the world use light as a major part of their celebrations.
Age
7-10
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What are some common themes you noticed in different celebrations around the world?
How do the ways people celebrate light make you feel and why?
Can you think of a holiday that isn't in the book? What light-related symbols are used?
Why do you think light is an important symbol in many celebrations?
How could you celebrate light in your own unique way?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to compare and contrast the holidays in the book with those they are familiar with to deepen understanding.
Discuss the symbolism of light in the context of hope, goodness, and renewal to enhance the moral takeaways.
Ask your child to draw or describe a new holiday based on the themes of light, incorporating elements from different celebrations they learned about.
Create a family tradition that involves celebrating light, using inspiration from the various holidays covered in the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Cultural appreciation
Explanation: The book explores various global festivals of light, illustrating the uniqueness and beauty of each cultural celebration.
Real-World Application: Children can develop an appreciation for cultural diversity, encouraging respect and empathy towards people from different cultural backgrounds in their everyday interactions.
Example Lesson: Significance of traditions
Explanation: Through its vivid storytelling, the book emphasizes the importance of traditions and how they connect communities and families.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand and value their own family's traditions and see the role they play in fostering a sense of belonging.
Example Lesson: Unity and peace
Explanation: Each holiday in the book, despite cultural differences, includes themes of unity and peaceful celebration, teaching children the global values of harmony.
Real-World Application: Children learn to prioritize peace and unity in their daily actions, contributing to a harmonious environment at school and at home.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and learning
Explanation: The book presents holidays children might not be familiar with, sparking curiosity about the world.
Real-World Application: Curiosity can prompt children to explore further learning opportunities about geography, cultural studies, or language, expanding their knowledge and understanding.
Example Lesson: Shared human values
Explanation: The book shows that despite cultural variations, many holidays around the world share common themes such as joy, gratitude, and renewal.
Real-World Application: Children will recognize shared human values, helping them to connect with and understand people from different backgrounds.