Winter Candle
What’s inside...
When each family at the diverse Juniper Court apartment complex needs something to light up the dark of winter, the stumpy, lumpy candle provides a glow brighter than the fanciest taper, revealing the true spirit of each holiday it illuminates.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-11
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the candle symbolizes in the story?
How do you feel about the way the different characters come together to celebrate?
What can we learn about the importance of community from this book?
How do the different traditions in the book make you feel about your own family traditions?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use a calm and inviting tone to make the child feel comfortable in expressing their thoughts and feelings about the story.
Relate the story to your own family’s or community’s traditions to help the child make personal connections.
Encourage the child to imagine alternative endings or events within the book, enhancing creativity and depth of understanding.
Discuss the emotions and actions of different characters to foster empathy and diverse perspectives.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of community and sharing
Explanation: In 'Winter Candle,' residents of an apartment building come together to share a single candle when they face individual challenges during festive celebrations. This candle travels from one apartment to another, symbolizing unity and shared experiences.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to value the power of community and the benefits of sharing with others. This lesson can encourage them to participate in community activities and help their neighbors.
Example Lesson: Resilience in overcoming obstacles
Explanation: Each character in the story faces a unique challenge, yet they find creative solutions by supporting one another. The flickering candle represents hope and perseverance through difficult times.
Real-World Application: Children can understand that obstacles are a part of life and that resilience is key to overcoming them. They can apply this by facing challenges positively and seeking support when needed.
Example Lesson: Respect for diverse cultural traditions
Explanation: The story highlights different cultural celebrations such as Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and Diwali. Through the shared candle, children learn about respecting and embracing cultural differences.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children to appreciate and respect various cultural traditions they encounter in school and in their community, promoting inclusivity and multicultural understanding.