Lets celebrate special days around the world

Experience 13 special days from cultures around the world! Rhyming text and vibrant illustrations throughout encourages beginning readers, while educational notes at the end brim with facts about the special days for older children to explore. Complete with a calendar to reinforce learning, Let’s Celebrate! makes for a fun and informative companion to the award-winning Barefoot Books Children of the World.

Written by Kate DePalma, Illustrated by Martina Peluso

  • Product Dimensions: 10 x 9.75 inches
  • Page Count: 40 pages
  • Age Range: Ages 4-10 years

The featured festivals include:

  • Kodomo no Hi (Japan)
  • Spring Festival (Lunar New Year) (China)
  • Matariki (New Zealand)
  • Inti Raymi (Peru)
  • Carnival (Brazil)
  • Midsummer (Sweden)
  • Nowruz (Iran)
  • Passover (United States)
  • New Yam Festival (Nigeria)
  • Novy God (Russia)
  • Eid al-Fitr (the end of Ramadan) (Egypt)
  • Día de Muertos (Mexico)
  • Diwali (India)

Kate DePalma was born and raised outside Nashville, TN, USA. As Senior Editor at Barefoot Books, she has helped develop dozens of picture books, as well as co-authored the award-winning Barefoot Books Children of the World (2016). Publishing under her pseudonym, Sunny Scribens, Kate has also written Space Song Rocket Ride (TBD), My Friend Robot! (2017) and the critically-acclaimed Baby's First Words (2017). She holds an M.A. in Classics from the University of Texas and is also a published poet and scholar. Kate lives with her husband and daughter outside San Francisco, CA. Martina Peluso has wanted to be an illustrator ever since she read The BFG by Ronald Dahl when she was young. After growing up in Tuscany and Naples, Italy, she studied Art of Printing at the Institute of Art in Naples and has frequented illustration courses at Sarmede and Pavia. She has worked in all areas of illustration, including advertising, packaging, editorial and design; her artwork has been exhibited throughout the world. She has illustrated several children's books, including The Princess of the Springs (Barefoot Books, 2014; republished as The Ruler of the Springs in 2019) and Dara's Clever Trap (Barefoot Books, 2014). She lives in Edinburgh, Scotland.

We rated this book:

Lets celebrate special days around the world

Across the world all cultures celebrate. This book showcases thirteen such celebrations from diverse countries and cultures, some religious and some concerning the changing seasons or important days. Each celebration is presented across a two-page spread showing children celebrating with their families. The images depict contemporary family settings showing both genders. Wavy couplets (two lines on each page) focus on the activities prevalent for that celebration. The backmatter provides a little more detail on each holiday.

The holidays selected are truly from all parts of the world. If used in a classroom setting, facilitators are advised to review the celebrations’ background beforehand. In addition to the holidays, the images could be used to discuss attire and other aspects of the cultures depicted. An excellent book for globally-minded children and educators.



AuthorKate DePalma
Star Count5/5
FormatHard
Page Count40 pages
PublisherBarefoot Books
Publish Date2019-10-17
ISBN9781782858331
AmazonBuy this Book
IssueJanuary 2020
CategoryChildren's
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Lets celebrate special days around the world

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Lets celebrate special days around the world

Let's Celebrate!: Spec... by
Kate Depalma

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 ·  85 ratings  ·  23 reviews

Lets celebrate special days around the world

Start your review of Let's Celebrate!: Special Days Around the World

Lets celebrate special days around the world

A very good overview of celebrations around the world for a young child.

Lets celebrate special days around the world

Book Title: Let's Celebrate!: Special Days Around the World
Author/Illustrator: Kate Depalma /Martina Peluso
Reading Level: 3.0
Book Level: LG
Book Summary: Experience 13 special days around the world with a variety of cultures, such as the Spring Festival, Inti Raymi, Eid al-Fitr, Día de Muertos, and the New Yam Festival.

Bookshelf Mentor Writing Trait:
This book checks off so many different writing traits and genres! Kate Depalma and Martina Peluso do an excellent job tying the writing traits toget

Book Title: Let's Celebrate!: Special Days Around the World
Author/Illustrator: Kate Depalma /Martina Peluso
Reading Level: 3.0
Book Level: LG
Book Summary: Experience 13 special days around the world with a variety of cultures, such as the Spring Festival, Inti Raymi, Eid al-Fitr, Día de Muertos, and the New Yam Festival.

Bookshelf Mentor Writing Trait:
This book checks off so many different writing traits and genres! Kate Depalma and Martina Peluso do an excellent job tying the writing traits together.

Word Choice: Kate Depalma does a fantastic job demonstrating the different ways that word choice can be used in this book. Depalma takes the reader on a journey through thirteen different cultures and special days that are celebrated around the world and uses authentic language and names (Kodomo no Hi, Matariki, Inti Raymi) while also provides pronunciation next to each. Another way that Depalma uses word choice in this book is through her rhyming that takes place on each page.

Presentation: The presentation in the book supports the advanced word choice that is used in this book. The presentation of short sentences on each page helps the reader understand what the writer is saying and pairs well with the illustrations. The text is printed in a non-traditional way and instead of being written in a straight line, the text flows in a squiggly line on the page that adds an aesthetic of what I believe poetry would look like coming to life. This book would not be as powerful without the combination of the text and illustrations; they are the perfect balance to bring this book to life.

Sentence Fluency: The sentence fluency in this book is meticulously chosen to support the word choice and rhyming. The flow and measure of each sentence are well crafted to support the smooth flow of the text both textually and visibly.

This book is a great resource to use in the classroom for students to learn about different cultures around the world while focusing on word choice specifically and also presentation and sentence fluency. This would be a great book to introduce students to when doing a research project that involves a writing piece. Students can choose to research the special days in this book or explore other days celebrated around the world. As students write they will need to use word choice and include authentic cultural language in their writing. Students can take their writing to the next level and use writing components like rhyming to help their writing flow.

...more

Lets celebrate special days around the world

Together, Kate DePalma and Martina Peluso joyfully provide a peek into celebrations of thirteen cultures from around the world, including lesser known ones: Kodomo no Hi, Matariki, Inti Raymi, Carnaval, Midsommar, Nowruz, New Yam Festival, and Novy God.

Told in rhyming couplets with four lines per two-page spread about each culture, the text dances across the page. Pronunciations of each holiday are included subtly alongside the text. DePalma provides the barest of introductions and information a

Together, Kate DePalma and Martina Peluso joyfully provide a peek into celebrations of thirteen cultures from around the world, including lesser known ones: Kodomo no Hi, Matariki, Inti Raymi, Carnaval, Midsommar, Nowruz, New Yam Festival, and Novy God.

Told in rhyming couplets with four lines per two-page spread about each culture, the text dances across the page. Pronunciations of each holiday are included subtly alongside the text. DePalma provides the barest of introductions and information about the celebrations - some seasonal, others religious in nature - however this will entice readers to learn more. Peluso's digitally enhanced acrylic, pastel and pencil illustrations provide much more detail. Families are shown celebrating together in contemporary dress, at their home or traditional place to celebrate. They are a treasure to behold.

Recommended to use with PreSchool-grade 1.

An author's note and pronunciation and setting guide are found in the front of the book, opposite the title page. Backmatter includes a calendar/timeline of when the holidays fall each year and a half-page of more detailed information about each celebration.

...more

Lets celebrate special days around the world

Not surprisingly, different countries and cultures celebrate different holidays. Complemented with illustrations created with acrylics, pastel, and pencils, and then digitally enhanced, the book provides a brief introduction to 13 different holidays celebrated in 13 different countries. Among them are Kodomo no Hi (Children's Day) in Japan, Matariki in New Zealand, Nowruz in Iran, and Diwali in India. A double-page spread shows various individuals enjoying the particular celebration while the mi Not surprisingly, different countries and cultures celebrate different holidays. Complemented with illustrations created with acrylics, pastel, and pencils, and then digitally enhanced, the book provides a brief introduction to 13 different holidays celebrated in 13 different countries. Among them are Kodomo no Hi (Children's Day) in Japan, Matariki in New Zealand, Nowruz in Iran, and Diwali in India. A double-page spread shows various individuals enjoying the particular celebration while the minimal text explains some of the practices during that day. The author uses rhyming text to provide the information, and the book contains a pronunciation guide for each holiday as well as back matter explaining each one in more detail and a timeline that shows when those celebrations occur throughout the year. It's worth noting the commonalities among some of the practices for each holiday as well as what makes them unique. This picture book offers many uses in a classroom devoted to cultural studies or diversity. ...more

Lets celebrate special days around the world

Let's Celebrate! is a bright and colorful picture book that gives children an overview of special days and holidays from around the world! The book features 13 different days/holidays, including possible unfamiliar ones, such as: Kodomo No Hi, Matariki, Carnaval, Midsommar, Nowruz, and New Yam Festival. DePalma also includes pronunciations for each of the holidays, which I found to be very helpful, especially for children! The best part about this book is that each holiday comes with beautifully Let's Celebrate! is a bright and colorful picture book that gives children an overview of special days and holidays from around the world! The book features 13 different days/holidays, including possible unfamiliar ones, such as: Kodomo No Hi, Matariki, Carnaval, Midsommar, Nowruz, and New Yam Festival. DePalma also includes pronunciations for each of the holidays, which I found to be very helpful, especially for children! The best part about this book is that each holiday comes with beautifully detailed illustrations that give the reader an inside look into what each holiday would look like. I would highly recommend this book, especially to children who want to learn more about countries and holidays! ...more

Lets celebrate special days around the world

This book introduces 13 special religious and secular days from cultures around the world. The writing is in rhyming prose and accompanied by beautiful illustrations. Although not comprehensive of the global picture, the featured festivals include: Kodomo no Hi (Japan), Spring Festival (Lunar New Year) (China), Matariki (New Zealand), Inti Raymi (Inca Empire/ Peru), Carnival (Christian/ Brazil), Midsummer (Sweden), Nowruz (Iran), Passover (Jewish/ United States), New Yam Festival (Nigeria), Novy This book introduces 13 special religious and secular days from cultures around the world. The writing is in rhyming prose and accompanied by beautiful illustrations. Although not comprehensive of the global picture, the featured festivals include: Kodomo no Hi (Japan), Spring Festival (Lunar New Year) (China), Matariki (New Zealand), Inti Raymi (Inca Empire/ Peru), Carnival (Christian/ Brazil), Midsummer (Sweden), Nowruz (Iran), Passover (Jewish/ United States), New Yam Festival (Nigeria), Novy God (Russia), Eid al-Fitr (the end of Ramadan) (Islamic/ Egypt), Día de Muertos (Mexico), and Diwali (Hindus, Jains and Sikhs/ India). I selected this title for first and second graders because it reinforces a global understanding and promotes cultural diversity in the classroom. ...more

Lets celebrate special days around the world

Really a fantastic book for families with children of mixed ages interested in encountering our multicultural world and become more respectful of other's faith. A great way to expose children to the joyous moments of other cultures!

The first half of the book is especially well suited for young children, preK-1st grade probably. In this section, each celebration simply gets four informative rhyming lines, accompanied by lush and respectful illustration.

The back half is more encyclopaedic and wil

Really a fantastic book for families with children of mixed ages interested in encountering our multicultural world and become more respectful of other's faith. A great way to expose children to the joyous moments of other cultures!

The first half of the book is especially well suited for young children, preK-1st grade probably. In this section, each celebration simply gets four informative rhyming lines, accompanied by lush and respectful illustration.

The back half is more encyclopaedic and will help guide parents or educators in a more detailed discussion of world holidays with older elementary school aged kids

...more

Lets celebrate special days around the world

A fun introduction to special days from around the world. The brightly colored illustrations are eye catching and draw the reader in. Each celebration gets a few lines of rhyming text to sum up its main attributes, with more elaboration in the back matter. Personally I don’t love the formatting as it forces you to choose between fully learning about one holiday at a time or enjoying the flow of the story. It would be easier and more relevant to children if the factual information was included wi A fun introduction to special days from around the world. The brightly colored illustrations are eye catching and draw the reader in. Each celebration gets a few lines of rhyming text to sum up its main attributes, with more elaboration in the back matter. Personally I don’t love the formatting as it forces you to choose between fully learning about one holiday at a time or enjoying the flow of the story. It would be easier and more relevant to children if the factual information was included within the main holiday page rather than having to flip back and forth. ...more

Lets celebrate special days around the world

Note: This book includes the geographical location, a phonetic transcription on each page, a glossary, a chronological timeline and educational notes.

Lyrical, sensory nonfiction text and vibrant illustrations invite readers to experience a child's-eye view of 13 special days around the world, such as the Spring Festival, Inti Raymi, Eid al-Fitr, Día de Muertos and the New Yam Festival. Includes a global festival calendar and educational notes about why we celebrate.

Subject: Festivals -- Juvenil

Note: This book includes the geographical location, a phonetic transcription on each page, a glossary, a chronological timeline and educational notes.

Lyrical, sensory nonfiction text and vibrant illustrations invite readers to experience a child's-eye view of 13 special days around the world, such as the Spring Festival, Inti Raymi, Eid al-Fitr, Día de Muertos and the New Yam Festival. Includes a global festival calendar and educational notes about why we celebrate.

Subject: Festivals -- Juvenile fiction.
Holidays -- Juvenile fiction.

...more

Lets celebrate special days around the world

Wonderful illustrations, but I wish they would tell you what the holiday is in English. The holiday in the native language is great, but I don't know what holiday it is until the end of the book where it explains each holiday that is mentioned. Wonderful illustrations, but I wish they would tell you what the holiday is in English. The holiday in the native language is great, but I don't know what holiday it is until the end of the book where it explains each holiday that is mentioned. ...more

Lets celebrate special days around the world

Introducing special celebratory days from around the world.

Lets celebrate special days around the world

Loved reading about all the celebrations, but each page needs to have the extra info rather than make me hunt in the back.

Lets celebrate special days around the world

Lets celebrate special days around the world

Apr 02, 2020 Alyssa rated it liked it

Loved reading about all the celebrations, but each page needs to have the extra info rather than make me hunt in the back. A great read for the classroom or school library.

Lets celebrate special days around the world

Great book for introductions to celebrations around the world! Now I'm going to look for specific books about each of these as well! Great book for introductions to celebrations around the world! Now I'm going to look for specific books about each of these as well! ...more

Lets celebrate special days around the world

The story was ok? I mostly enjoyed reading about the different days at the end of the book though.

Lets celebrate special days around the world

Feb 01, 2021 Marisa Taylor rated it it was amazing

This is one of those books every household should have. I myself am learning through reading this as well. A great book to teach about different cultures .

Lets celebrate special days around the world

Confusing - no explanation of the culture that is celebrating.

Lets celebrate special days around the world

This book is a pleasant introduction to a big range of celebrations around the world. From Kodomo no Hi in Japan to Inti Raymi in Peru to Eid al-Fitr in Egypt and many more, these celebrations are depicted through rhyming lines and soft, colorful illustrations. I like the celebration of diversity. I like that it is incredibly readable so it could be shared with a class or storytime. I wish a little more was included on the main pages rather than at the back. I found myself and my kids had tons o This book is a pleasant introduction to a big range of celebrations around the world. From Kodomo no Hi in Japan to Inti Raymi in Peru to Eid al-Fitr in Egypt and many more, these celebrations are depicted through rhyming lines and soft, colorful illustrations. I like the celebration of diversity. I like that it is incredibly readable so it could be shared with a class or storytime. I wish a little more was included on the main pages rather than at the back. I found myself and my kids had tons of questions as we read and flipping to the back constantly was inconvenient. I can see the trouble with including more without disrupting the flow of words and illustrations, but with so many of these holidays being new to us (which we loved!) we wanted to know more right then when it was introduced rather than waiting for the back-matter. Otherwise, this is a great book for exposing kids to different celebrations and cultures. We will definitely re-read again and again. ...more

Lets celebrate special days around the world

This is a great book to use in the classroom. The purpose of the book is to explore the many holidays that are around the world.

As a science teacher, I would find it interesting to have the students identify the science that is a part of various holidays. For instance, many holidays are based upon the seasons, the moon, time of day, lights, or it may involve cooking and other science concepts.

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Lets celebrate special days around the world

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What do you celebrate Book summary?

From Brazilian carnival and Chinese New Year to France's Bastille Day and our very own Fourth of July, What Do You Celebrate? presents 14 special occasions where people dance, dress up, eat yummy foods, and enjoy other fun traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation.

How do you celebrate book?

About the Book From bestselling duo Ashleigh Barton and Martina Heiduczek comes a joyous book that explores the many different ways we celebrate the close of one year and the beginning of another. What Do You Do to Celebrate? is a fascinating look at festivities and traditions from all around the world.