Come and join us! 18 holidays celebrated all year long

K-Gr 5--On the opening page, a teacher and her students sit in a circle. They take turns describing holidays they celebrate with their families. The first holiday description acknowledges that these are celebrations that do not just take place in a certain part of the world, but wherever these families live: "Even though we are far from our families across the ocean, my cousins and I wear our hanbok and honor our ancestors." Another valuable addition are questions on each page to encourage students to engage with the book and make personal connections. The uniqueness of this book is that it is not holidays around the world. Instead, it is holidays celebrated by families of different cultures, religions, and traditions. Prabhat represents 18 children and their celebrations in gorgeous color and detail that will engage young people. With a high reading level, this is a book to be shared with, not read by, early readers. A glossary in the back defines some of the terminology used in the descriptions of each holiday. VERDICT A beautiful book meant to be shared and inspire discussion. Purchase for all library shelves.--Peggy Henderson Murphy

Join a classroom of children as they describe festivities from faith and cultural traditions around the world. An unnamed, Asian-presenting teacher and a diverse group of elementary school students sit in a circle ready to share some of the holidays they and their families observe. The kids acknowledge that many people associate holiday celebrations with "winter, decorated trees, and everything colored red and green." But they invite readers to experience 18 celebrations that take place throughout the year, from Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur to Diwali to Juneteenth and much more. The description of each festivity is followed by a question; for instance, "What VALUES are uplifted on your holidays?" From the candles and flowers with which Buddhists decorate their homes on Vesak to the ofrenda of Día de los Muertos, Prabhat brings each holiday to life with beautiful, vibrant digital illustrations that capture important cultural details like clothing, food, and decorations. Careful readers will notice a little white cat who appears on nearly every page--a fun, whimsical detail. While the author's note rightfully acknowledges that it's impossible to include every nonwinter holiday, the book features good representation across groups, making it an appropriate classroom tool to foster an inclusive environment. A helpful glossary defines potentially unfamiliar terms. An important read to support equity in discussions around holidays. (Informational picture book. 4-9) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.