Customer Reviews

A Calendar of Festivals

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4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a wonderful book with a story for each festival. There are 8 stories and a short description of how each festival is celebrated, and it's history. It is a multicultural-multi-religion book, including Purim (Jewish), Holi (Hindu), Vesak (Buddhist), Tanabata (Japanese), Halloween (Celtic), Christmas (Christian), Kwanzaa (Carribean) and New Year (Russian). Obviously this book isn't meant to be the "last word" on any of these festivals, but to give a bit more background to festivals you might celebrate, and increase knowledge of those you don't. There are full color pictures and edgings done in the style of the country involved for each story. Although the reading level is listed at 8-12, children much younger will be happy to sit and listen. My 5 yo loves it, and I expect many children as young as 4 will enjoy it.

Only about 8 festivals are included in this book, both major (Christmas) and minor (Tanabata from Japan) lumped together. Corresponding stories are quite long, sometimes stilted and oftentimes violent, and don't always pair well with their festivals. For example, the Indian festival of Holi appears with a story about Krishna, a Hindu god who has no involvement in the festival of Holi. This book is best for older children (10 and up, I'd say) with a strong interest in a particular festival. If you're looking for a comprehensive book of world festivals, buy Children Just Like Me: Celebrations! - it's the undisputed monarch in this category.

The illustrations are by far the best thing about this book. They're unequivocally gorgeous. Now that I've bought it, I think the best use for this book might be to take it apart and frame a few of the two-page spreads.

i was excited about the title of this book as both a parent and a montessori directress...until i realized there was no mention of muslim festivals or holidays. how does one write a book like this and ignore the religion of ...what is it? one fourth of the world's population?

... this is a great book for kids who are doing a project on different kind of festivities or to sit down and talk about cultural things with your kids, however this isn't really an interesting read for the average reader.