Comments on: Multicultural Winter Holiday Picture Books

By: Erica

Erica — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 13:46:41 +0000

In reply to Mani Farhadi. Thanks for your suggestion!

By: Mani Farhadi

Mani Farhadi — Tue, 15 Dec 2020 18:21:41 +0000

Thank you for putting together this multicultural list. I had some comments.
1) Eid & Ramadan in Islamic celebrations are based on the lunar calendar and no leap year, with 10-12 days less than the Gregorian calendar year. As such, they are not on fixed dates. Sometimes they occur in winter or spring or fall or summer. Its different in Northern & Southern Hemisphere. It’s not like Xmas or Hanukkah which are always in winter. Please try to include them in your list; so that Muslim children can feel included in your multicultural celebrations. More importantly it will help non-Muslims to learn and create a bridge of understanding, rather than by excluding them. People won’t learn if it’s not presented as part of a multicultural setting. If a Library or teacher or parent wants to collect a set of cultural holidays, it would be an omission and lost opportunity, which is the whole point of multiculturalism.
2) Please consider adding Winter Solstice celebrations, such as Yalda, which Persians & Iranians celebrate on Dec. 21. Dating back to Zoroastrian religion, couple thousand years ago, they celebrate the power of light to overcome dark; for good to overcome evil. People stay up all night by reading stories & poems, eating dried fruits & nuts & pomegranate, sitting with family around a low table, until they greet the sun. I’m sure there are some books about it!
3) My Japanese friend told me they also celebrate Winter Solstice sitting around a low table, so maybe that can be researched as well.
Thank you again!

By: Erica

Erica — Tue, 29 Nov 2016 13:53:57 +0000

In reply to Rachel Fremmer. I love that one, too! It's on the interfaith holiday book list!

By: Erica

Erica — Tue, 29 Nov 2016 13:53:28 +0000

In reply to Julia. Try The Miracle of St. Nicholas by Gloria Whelan, or The Baker's Dozen: A Saint Nicholas Tale by Aaron Shepard. Let me know what you think!

By: Julia

Julia — Tue, 29 Nov 2016 04:33:21 +0000

Would love a good book about St Nicholas Day

By: Rachel Fremmer

Rachel Fremmer — Mon, 28 Nov 2016 22:08:49 +0000

In reply to Erica. Yes, I saw that one when I searched the NYPL and I put it on hold. Also, my favorite Chanukah book is Oskar's Eight Blessings.

By: Erica

Erica — Mon, 28 Nov 2016 20:37:34 +0000

In reply to Rachel. I had originally planned on including Eid books but then when I looked it up and asked around I discovered it's not a winter holiday! For some reason I thought it was. I read one book called Nabeel's Pants which I loved but it didn't really explain the Eid holiday. Still, a fun book!

By: Rachel

Rachel — Mon, 28 Nov 2016 18:07:06 +0000

Love this list! Any recommendations for Eid and Ramadan?