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Books That Take You There: World Holidays

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Holiday celebrations are at the forefront of a lot of peoples' minds at the moment, so what better time than now to think about how other holidays are celebrated around the world? Whether you're experiencing Christmas, Diwali, Holi, Ramadan, or Carnival --there is always someone celebrating something year round! These informational books will let you take a deep dive into this fascinating subject without ever leaving the comfort of your own home --but they might make you want to! 

Let's Get Festive: Celebrations Around the World
Written by Joanna Kończak
Illustrated by Ewa Poklewska-Koziełło
New York: North-South Books, 2024. Informational. 173 pages.

Let's Get Festive is a visual delight that is jam-packed with joyous celebrations, such as: Nowruz, O-bon, Sogkran, and the Dragon Boat Festival. The lush illustrations add interest to the information itself, making it fun to digest, with most holiday entries being about 3 pages long --the perfect balance of facts and art!

We Celebrate the Light
Written by Jane Yolen and Heidi E. Y. Stemple
Illustrated by Jieting Chen
New York: Rise x Penguin Workshop, 2024. Informational. 

Bite-size informational snippets intermixed with a melodious rhyming text and soft illustrations makes We Celebrate the Light a cozy introductory read on world winter holidays. Brief descriptions of each holiday are provided in the back matter for those readers wanting a little more information.  

Come and Join Us!: 18 Holidays Celebrated All Year Long
Written by Liz Kleinrock
Illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat
New York: Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, 2023. Informational. 

Another visual feast for the eyes, Come and Join Us is written from the perspective of the children celebrating their specific holidays. For instance, Joy takes us through a simple explanation of how her family celebrates Kwanzaa. This inclusive book is set up to be used as a tool, as it includes thought-provoking questions on each page to extend conversations with children and a helpful glossary to illuminate potentially unfamiliar terms --making it a must read for the subject.

Celebrate With Us: Enjoy 20 Celebrations All Around the World
Written by Valerie Wilding
Illustrated by Asa Gilland
New York: Kingfisher, 2023. Informational. 48 pages. 

Follow 20 children around the world as they share more about the festivals, food, clothing, and (sometimes) the religious significance of the celebrations important to their families. While some of the holidays featured are location-specific, others, it should be noted, can be celebrated anywhere. All in all, an accessible reference book sure to spark an interest in the wider world. 










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