Birthdays Around the World
on Goodreads (9)
What’s inside...
Describes the way birthdays have been celebrated in the past and the customs used to mark these special occasions in such countries as Finland, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand and others.
Why read this book
- Explores diverse global birthday traditions.
- Enhances cultural awareness and appreciation.
- Colorful illustrations captivate and engage young readers.
- Ideal for interactive parent-child reading sessions.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-10
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What did you notice about how birthdays are celebrated differently in other countries?
Which birthday tradition from the book would you like to try on your next birthday and why?
How do you think celebrating birthdays helps bring families and friends together?
If you could create a new birthday tradition, what would it be and who would you celebrate it with?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts about different traditions by asking them how they feel about each one.
Help your child relate to the content by discussing your own family’s birthday traditions and how they might be similar or different to those in the book.
Use the book as a starting point to explore cultural diversity by identifying countries on a map and discussing other famous customs from those places.
Inspire creativity by asking your child to think of their own unique way to celebrate birthdays, encouraging them to pull elements from various traditions shown in the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Cultural Appreciation
Explanation: The book showcases birthday traditions from various cultures around the world, demonstrating how people celebrate in different ways.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate and respect cultural diversity, fostering a sense of global citizenship and understanding from an early age.
Example Lesson: History of Traditions
Explanation: Readers explore the origins and meanings behind different birthday customs, linking current celebrations to historical contexts.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to explore the history and significance behind their own family's traditions and others', enhancing their historical knowledge and appreciation.
Example Lesson: Importance of Community
Explanation: Many birthday traditions depicted involve communal celebrations, highlighting how birthdays are not just personal, but also a community affair.
Real-World Application: This can teach children the value of celebrating together, promoting social skills and the importance of building community bonds.
Example Lesson: Sharing and Generosity
Explanation: Several stories involve sharing food, gifts, or experiences with others during birthday celebrations.
Real-World Application: This lesson equips children with the understanding of generosity and sharing, encouraging them to practice kindness in their daily interactions.
Example Lesson: Joy in Diversity
Explanation: The book portrays the joy found in the diverse ways birthdays are celebrated around the world, promoting a positive view of diversity.
Real-World Application: Children learn to find joy and excitement in discovering and embracing differences, which can lead to more inclusive attitudes as they grow.