Books about celebrations and festivals

Books are centred on celebrations such as birthdays, weddings and religious festivals

These books are centred on celebrations such as birthdays, weddings and religious festivals. In each instance, it is family, friends and the wider community who make the occasion so special. Enjoy sharing them together!

  • Let’s Celebrate! Festival poems from around the world

    illustrated by Shirin Adl 

    2011 6 to 12 years 

    • Around the world
    • Poetry and rhyme

    Everyone loves a celebration and with this lively, multicultural, poetry anthology there is an excuse to celebrate almost all year round

  • Kipper’s Birthday

    by Mick Inkpen 

    2014 2 to 9 years 

    • Classics
    • Funny
    • Picture books

    Kipper is working hard preparing for his birthday. He bakes a very interesting cake to share with his friends and makes beautiful invitations but is too tired to deliver them.

  • The Perfect Present

    by Petr Horacek 

    2022 2 to 4 years 

    • Picture books

    Tom and Mot give each other brilliant presents, but what would be the best present of all? A heart-warming picture book about the power of imagination and friendship.

  • Little Glow

    by Katie Sahota, illustrated by Harry Woodgate 

    2021 2 to 6 years 

    • Disability

    This glimmering, gorgeous book is a gentle story that showcases the amazing celebrations of light across different communities, including Lunar New Year, Diwali, Hanukkah and Ramadan.

  • The Lost Homework

    by Richard O’Neill, illustrated by Kirsti Beautyman 

    2019 4 to 9 years 

    • Picture books
    • Travel

    Sonny lives on a Traveller community site with his family and he’s super excited about a family wedding. This smart, charming book is written by an author of Traveller heritage and has a lovely message about informal learning opportunities being all around. 

  • Uncle Bobby’s Wedding

    by Sarah S Brannen and Lucia Soto 

    2021 4 to 9 years 

    • Love and romance

    This huggable treat of a book is a gorgeous and heartfelt celebration of weddings, as Chloe learns that just because her Uncle Bobby is marrying his boyfriend, it doesn’t mean he’ll love her any less.

  • Lunar New Year Around the World

    by Amanda Li, illustrated by Angel Chang 

    2022 4 to 6 years 

    • Picture books

    A delightful introduction to all the similar and different ways that the Lunar New Year festival is celebrated across the world.

  • Binny’s Diwali

    by Thrity Umrigar, illustrated by Nidhi Chanani 

    2020 4 to 9 years 

    • Picture books

    It’s Diwali and Binny is so excited! She has a snazzy new outfit to wear and lots of beautiful streamers and sweet treats to share with her classmates. A charming picture book celebrating the joy of Diwali, just one of the thousands of religious festivals around the world.

  • The Best Eid Ever

    by Sufiya Ahmed, illustrated by Hazem Asif 

    2024 6 to 9 years 

    • Picture books

    Eid al-Fitr is Aisha’s favourite festival. Every year, her family hide gifts in a treasure hunt for her Aisha and her brother Samir to find. But between the chaos and celebrations, will Aisha ever get her presents?

  • Anisha, Accidental Detective

    by Serena Patel, illustrated by Emma McCann 

    2020 6 to 12 years 

    • Funny

    Anisha’s ultra-dramatic Aunty Bindi is getting married tomorrow and the groom, Uncle Tony, has been kidnapped! Can Anisha and her best friend Milo track down the culprit – and Uncle Tony – in time for his wedding?

  • The Great Henna Party

    by Humera Malik, illustrated by Sonali Zahra 

    2024 6 to 9 years 

    • Picture books

    Noor’s cousin is getting married and Noor’s family is throwing a henna party to celebrate. Noor is especially excited to play the henna name game’ – when you choose a loved one’s name to be hidden in the henna. A heart-warming tale of tradition, family and love.

  • Agent Zaiba Investigates: The Missing Diamonds

    by Annabelle Sami, illustrated by Daniela Sosa 

    2020 6 to 12 years 

    The mysterious disappearance of some diamonds at her cousin’s henna party gives Zaiba the perfect opportunity to prove that she’s just as good a detective as her Aunty Fouzia. An energetic adventure set against the background of a traditional Pakistani pre-wedding ceremony.

  • A Year Full of Celebrations and Festivals

    by Claire Grace, illustrated by Christopher Corr 

    2021 6 to 12 years 

    • Around the world
    • Non-fiction
    • Picture books

    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.

  • My Laugh Out Loud Life: Mayhem Mission

    illustrated by Farah Khandaker 

    2022 9 to 12 years 

    • Diaries and journals
    • Funny

    At the heart of this amusing diary-style novel is the story of Yusuf – a little boy who is sad that his beloved big sister is leaving home, perhaps especially so because Affa has been his closest support in a single parent household. Readable, relatable and accessible to all.