Konczak, Joanna. Let’s Get Festive: Celebrations Around the World. Ewa Poklewska-
Koziello, Illus. Translated from the Polish by Kate Webster. North South, 09/2024. 180pp.
Nonfiction. Trade $27.95. 978-0-7358-4570-1. GRADES 4–8. HIGH ADDITIONAL.
Holidays and celebrations from around the world are described in this detailed and diverse informational book. For example, new year celebrations from various countries are described, including sections on Nowruz (the Persian New Year holiday), Chinese New Year, Songkran in Thailand, and Rosh Hashanah. Readers will often see similarities in celebrations across a wide array of cultures. The full-color cartoon artwork, which appears to be done using gouache, features ethnically diverse people, often wearing traditional clothing specific to certain countries. Readers will find this very useful for school reports due to the detail on each holiday, although there is nothing on some American holidays such as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day or Labor Day. Originally published in Poland in 2023. Review based on an ARC.
Penny Peck—San José State University iSchool