Come and Join Us!
What’s inside...
Meet kids who share how they celebrate holidays all year long—perfect for discussions about de-centering winter holidays! Who says the holidays only happen in the winter? Every day’s a holiday when you live in a world as diverse as ours! From Juneteenth to Vesak, and Yom Kippur to Día de las Muertos, the festivities never end. Come and join us and learn about eighteen holidays celebrated by a diverse group of children in this inviting and joyful picture book written by renowned antibias and antiracist educator, Liz Kleinrock of Teach and Transform, with vibrant illustrations by Chaaya Prabhat. This book is useful for discussing holidays in the classroom and can be an enjoyable resource for making sure no one holiday is more valued than the other. Holidays featured include Seollal, Holi, Nowruz, Passover, Vaisakhi, Vesak, Juneteenth, Homecoming, Onam, Obon, Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur, Makahiki, Día de los Muertos, Diwali, Kwanzaa, Ramadan & Eid al-Fitr.
Discussion points
What did you think about the different characters joining together in the story? How did it make you feel?
Why do you think it's important to invite new friends to play with us?
How would you help a new friend feel welcome if they were shy or nervous?
What are some ways you can tell someone wants to be part of the group?
Can you think of a time you joined a new group or activity? How did others make you feel welcomed?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about making new friends and joining new activities, relating it back to the story.
Pause after significant moments in the book to ask your child how they think a character might be feeling, or why they acted a certain way.
Ask your child to predict what might happen next in the story, or how they would have handled a situation differently.
Connect the story to real-life situations by discussing similar experiences your child might have had in school or during playdates.
Reinforce the themes of inclusivity and friendship by highlighting how characters in the book benefit from working and playing together.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Inclusivity
Explanation: The story portrays characters from various backgrounds coming together to play and learn. They share experiences and learn from each other, emphasizing the importance of accepting and valuing everyone's differences.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by embracing diversity in their classrooms and playgrounds, making an effort to include peers who might feel left out, and learning from the unique perspectives each child brings.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: The characters in the book collaborate on a project, showing how working together towards a common goal can be more effective and enjoyable than working alone.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be echoed in group activities at school or collaborative games, teaching children that cooperation and communication are key to achieving shared objectives.
Example Lesson: Conflict Resolution
Explanation: When disagreements arise among the characters, they learn to communicate and resolve their conflicts peacefully and thoughtfully.
Real-World Application: Children can use these strategies in their interactions with friends and siblings, learning to express their feelings and viewpoints respectfully and to listen to others.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Expression
Explanation: The book encourages expressing oneself through various forms, whether in art, music, or creative play, highlighting the importance of creativity in personal and cognitive development.
Real-World Application: Kids can be encouraged to explore their creative interests, be it drawing, building models, or storytelling, fostering a sense of achievement and personal expression.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: As characters in the book interact, they show empathy by listening and responding to each other’s feelings and needs.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand the importance of considering others' emotions in school and at home, promoting compassionate relationships.