Holi (World of Festivals)
#1 in A World of Holidays Series
on Goodreads (4)
What’s inside...
Join in the festivities with this 'World of Festivals' series that takes young readers to major celebrations all over the world. This title focuses on Holi - the Hindu festival. It offers ideas for making decorations & food, enabling the reader to take part. Bonfires and street processions, music and dancing, spraying colored water are all part of the Holi celebrations. How and why is Holi celebrated? Why is it a fun holiday, especially for Hindu children? This book takes you to the festival to find out! Join in the holiday merrymaking with this World of Holidays series that takes young readers to major celebrations all over the world. A lively text and inviting color photographs and art reproductions show how each holiday is remembered. Young readers will also learn the cultural and religious importance to the communities involved. Each book also offers ideas for making festive decorations or foods, so that the reader can take part, too.
Discussion points
What did you learn about how people celebrate Holi? What part of the celebration do you find most exciting?
Why do you think colors play such an important role in Holi?
How do the celebrations of Holi in the book compare to other festivals we know or participate in?
What can we do as a family to learn more about different cultures and their celebrations?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts on the festival's vibrant colors and rituals by relating them to their favorite colors or activities.
Discuss the value of cultural diversity highlighted in the book and relate it to your child’s everyday experiences or school activities.
Plan a small, family-oriented Holi celebration using safe, washable colors to create a direct connection with the festival.
Use the book as a starting point to explore more about different world cultures together, perhaps through cooking a dish from that culture or watching related videos.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Cultural Awareness
Explanation: The book educates about the festival of Holi celebrated primarily in India, depicting its vibrant colors and rituals.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate and respect diverse cultures, increasing their global awareness and empathy towards others.
Example Lesson: Unity and Friendship
Explanation: Holi is presented as a time when people come together, forgetting grievances and strengthening bonds.
Real-World Application: This lesson is relevant in teaching children the importance of forgiveness and enjoying shared moments, promoting stronger social connections in their own lives.
Example Lesson: Importance of Tradition
Explanation: The story highlights the traditional practices and the significance of Holi, passing from one generation to the next.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by engaging with and valuing their own family or local traditions, fostering a sense of identity and belonging.
Example Lesson: Joy of Participation
Explanation: ‘Holi (World of Festivals)’ demonstrates the joy found in participating in community events, showing characters actively taking part in the festival.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to actively participate in community gatherings or school activities, enhancing their social skills and experiences.
Example Lesson: Significance of Colors
Explanation: The book describes the various colors used during Holi and their meanings, which adds depth to the understanding of the festival.
Real-World Application: Children learn that colors can carry meanings and symbolize different emotions or messages, encouraging them to express themselves creatively and thoughtfully through color.