Books about celebrations and festivals

Pick a Pumpkin

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!

  • Kipper's Birthday

    Kipper's Birthday

    Author: Mick Inkpen
    Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
    Interest age: 2+
    Reading age: 6+

    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.jpg

    The Perfect Present

    Author: Petr Horacek
    Publisher: Otter Barry Books
    Interest age: 2-3

    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.

  • Boa’s Bad Birthday

    Boa’s Bad Birthday

    Author: Jeanne Willis Illustrator: Tony Ross
    Publisher: Anderson
    Interest age: 2-5

    Boa the snake is expecting the best birthday ever, with all his friends bringing him wonderful presents, but things don't turn out quite as he hoped. Each animal brings something that would suit the giver rather than the birthday boy: grand pianos, sunglasses, and mittens aren't much use to someone without fingers, a nose or fingers. So it continues until th…

  • The front cover of Uncle Bobby's Wedding

    Uncle Bobby's Wedding

    Author: Sarah S Brannen & Lucia Soto
    Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books
    Interest age: 4-7

    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.

  • Pick a Pumpkin

    Pick a Pumpkin

    Author: Patricia Toht Illustrator: Jarvis
    Publisher: Walker Books
    Interest age: 2-5

    Fans of Jarvis’ gorgeous illustrations won’t be able to resist this seasonal treat that celebrates all things Halloween and plays down the scary side for younger readers. A real treat of a book – as sweet as a toffee apple and as warm as hot chocolate. 

  • The Great Henna Party

    The Great Henna Party

    Author: Humera Malik Illustrator: Sonali Zahra
    Publisher: Lantana
    Interest age: 6-8
    Reading age: 7+

    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.

  • Lunar New Year Around the World

    Lunar New Year Around the World

    Author: Amanda Li Illustrator: Angel Chang
    Publisher: Studio Press
    Interest age: 4-5

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

  • Best Eid Ever

    The Best Eid Ever

    Author: Sufiya Ahmed Illustrator: Hazem Asif
    Publisher: Bloomsbury
    Interest age: 6-8
    Reading age: 7+

    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?

  • Little Glow

    Little Glow

    Author: Katie Sahota Illustrator: Harry Woodgate
    Publisher: Owlet Press
    Interest age: 3-5

    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.

  • Binny's Diwali

    Binny's Diwali

    Author: Thrity Umrigar Illustrator: Nidhi Chanani
    Publisher: Scholastic
    Interest age: 4-8

    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.

  • Sadie’s Almost Marvelous Menorah

    Sadie’s Almost Marvelous Menorah

    Author: Jamie Korngold Illustrator: Julie Fortenberry
    Publisher: Lerner Publishing Group
    Interest age: 4-5

    Sadie has made her own menorah for Hanukkah – but what if it’s not quite perfect?

  • The Lost Homework

    The Lost Homework

    Author: Richard O’Neill Illustrator: Kirsti Beautyman
    Publisher: Child’s Play
    Interest age: 4-8
    Reading age: 6+

    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. 

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

    Let’s Celebrate! Festival poems from around the world

    Author: Various Editor: Debjani Chatterjee & Brian D’Arcy Illustrator: by Shirin Adl
    Publisher: Frances Lincoln

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

  • Agent Zaiba Investigates: The Missing Diamonds book cover

    Agent Zaiba Investigates: The Missing Diamonds

    Author: Annabelle Sami Illustrator: Daniela Sosa
    Publisher: Stripes
    Interest age: 7-11
    Reading age: 7+

    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.

  • Anisha Accidental Detective book cover

    Anisha, Accidental Detective

    Author: Serena Patel Illustrator: Emma McCann
    Publisher: Usborne
    Interest age: 6-11
    Reading age: 6+

    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?

  • My Life Out Loud Life: Mayhem Mission

    My Laugh Out Loud Life: Mayhem Mission

    Author: Burhana Islam Illustrator: Farah Khandaker
    Publisher: Knights Of
    Interest age: 9-11
    Reading age: 8+

    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.

  • Rent a Bridesmaid

    Rent a Bridesmaid

    Author: Jacqueline Wilson Illustrator: Nick Sharratt
    Publisher: Doubleday
    Interest age: 8-12
    Reading age: 9+

    Tilly's dream is to be a bridesmaid at her mum and dad's wedding, but until mum comes back, Tilly decides to offer to be a bridesmaid for hire. Jacqueline Wilson weaves a magical, tale of love, loss, diversity and friendship.

  • A Year Full of Celebrations and Festivals

    A Year Full of Celebrations and Festivals

    Author: Claire Grace Illustrator: Christopher Corr
    Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
    Interest age: 8-11
    Reading age: 8+

    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.