
A Year Full of Celebrations and Festivals
by Claire Grace, illustrated by Christopher Corr
Interest age: 8 to 11
Reading age: 8+
Published by Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, 2021
About this book
This richly illustrated non-fiction book showcases an entire year of festivals from across the globe, with each of the four sections focusing on a different season. A fascinating selection are featured, from ancient customs to modern-day festivities.
Religious celebrations include the colourful Hindu festival of Holi, the Islamic month of Ramadan, and Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights. There are events which commemorate the dead, such as Halloween, China’s Ghost Month, Mexico’s Day of the Dead and Walpurgis Night, observed across Northern Europe and Scandinavia. Also highlighted are some rather wacky practices, such as the Spanish tomato throwing festival La Tomatina and South Korea’s Boryeong Mud Festival.
What really makes this book stand out is the riot of colour which bursts from every page: from rainbow Pride parades to colourful carnivals, the vivid artwork helps transport the reader to the heart of each experience. Particularly impressive is a glorious double-page illustration rendered in rich, pink tones depicting Hanami, also known as the Cherry Blossom Festival, a Japanese tradition dating from the 8th century to welcome the start of spring.
This joyful collection of human celebration is sure to appeal to a broad range of readers.
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Lists of recommended reads
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Books about celebrations and festivals
Books are centred on celebrations such as birthdays, weddings and religious festivals
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Books about Lunar or Chinese New Year
Lunar New Year is now celebrated across the world, beginning in China 3,000 years ago. Here is a selection of books for young readers that reflect how much fun this festival is.