Holidays & Celebrations

Holi – the Hindu Festival of Colors – heralds the coming of spring. This vibrant title explores the ancient history and modern practices of this joyful holiday. Holi’s food, dance, music, and More →

On June 19, 1865 – two years after the Emancipation Proclamation – Galveston, Texas became the last place in the country to learn the slaves were free. Today, Juneteenth is a joyful occasion… More →

Day of the Dead sounds like it should have a morbid, depressing tone. But the Latin American holiday is really focused on love and remembrance. Yes, people gather in cemeteries, but for… More →

The name of this Mexican holiday gives away the date it is always celebrated. Cinco de Mayo means “fifth of May” in Spanish. This title gives young readers a history lesson about the Battle… More →

For five days every fall, India shines especially bright. The occasion is Diwali, the country’s Festival of Lights. Clay lamps, fireworks and sparklers, and colorful rangoli sand art all add… More →

A celebration of new life. That is the point of Easter for Christians and non-Christians. So the holiday’s spring backdrop of budding trees and blooming flowers could not be more fitting.… More →

Spinning the dreidel. This is what many Jewish children most look forward to during Haunukkah. A twirl of the four-sided dice-like top can earn a candy jackpot! Young readers will learn how… More →

Black, red, and green. These are the colors of Kwanzaa, the celebration of African-American culture. Black represents African heritage. And red and green stand for the hard times of the past… More →

Lunch is the favorite time of day for many kids. So it might be hard for them to understand why Muslims would choose to skip this meal for a whole month. This look at Ramadan explains the… More →

Often called Turkey Day, Thanksgiving is a scary time to be a gobbler. The bird is often at the center of the celebration, but unfortunately in the center of the table for feasting. In this… More →

You could say the best is saved for last when it comes to Chinese New Year. The Lantern Festival stands as the holiday’s grand finale. Dragon and lion puppets dance by day. At night, glowing… More →

Christmas is a holiday of symbols. Evergreen trees stand for life in the dead of winter. Nativity scenes remind Christians of Jesus’s birthday. Santa Claus is the image of cheerful… More →