Wish: Wishing Traditions Around the World
What’s inside...
Explore the diverse traditions and customs of wishing in this beautifully illustrated book that takes readers on a journey around the world. Discover the fascinating ways people have wished for good fortune, good health, and happiness throughout history and across cultures. From blowing out candles on a birthday cake to tossing a coin into a fountain, this book showcases the many ways people have wished for good fortune, good health, and happiness throughout history and across cultures. With a foreword by the renowned anthropologist, Dr. Margaret Mead, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in the power of tradition and the human experience. This lively compilation of wishing traditions from around the world is sure to educate and inspire young readers and makes a perfect gift! Each charming custom provides insight into the cultures of lands far and near while reminding us of the similarities we all share. Includes Japan, China, Thailand, Russia, Iran, Israel, India, Australia, South Africa, Italy, Ireland, Brazil, Guatemala, Mexico, and the United States.
Age
4-8
Length
36 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What are some ways people in different cultures make wishes? Which tradition was the most interesting to you?
Why do you think people all around the world have traditions for making wishes?
If you could create your own wishing tradition, what would it be like and why?
How do you feel when you make a wish? Do you think it's important to believe in wishes?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before starting the book, ask your child about their own experiences with making wishes, such as on a birthday or seeing a shooting star.
While reading, pause on pages with new traditions and ask your child how they think it compares to their own experiences.
Encourage your child to think creatively by asking them to come up with their own wishing tradition, discussing the elements that would make it special.
After finishing the book, help your child draw or write about different wishing traditions that stood out to them, fostering deeper connections with the book's themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Cultural Appreciation
Explanation: This book takes readers on a journey through various cultures and their unique wishing traditions, showcasing the diversity of human expression.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to respect and appreciate cultural differences, leading to a more inclusive attitude in their daily interactions with peers from diverse backgrounds.
Example Lesson: The Power of Hope and Dreams
Explanation: Each tradition depicted in the book emphasizes the significance of hope and the act of making wishes, underscoring the universal nature of dreaming big.
Real-World Application: This story encourages children to dream and aspire towards their goals, teaching them the importance of having hopes and working toward fulfilling them in life.
Example Lesson: Unity and Shared Human Experiences
Explanation: By exploring a common theme like wishing across different cultures, the book highlights how certain human experiences, like hopes and dreams, are shared globally.
Real-World Application: Children can see how despite cultural differences, people around the world share similar emotions and aspirations, fostering a sense of global unity and empathy.
Example Lesson: Importance of Traditions
Explanation: The book introduces children to various traditional practices related to wishing, illustrating how traditions help in preserving cultural heritage.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to learn more about their own family or local traditions, understand their origins, and participate in them with a deeper sense of value and respect.