We Celebrate the Light

July 29, 2024
“When the days get shorter/ and the night sneaks in early,” write mother-daughter collaborators Yolen and Semple, “we celebrate the light.” The creators pay tribute to seven luminous holidays: Diwali, winter solstice, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Bodhi Day, and Lunar New Year. Chen’s velvety digital images allow each observance to shine across two spreads, visiting a variety of domestic settings, as well as, for solstice, a meadow lit up with a campfire and twinkle lights. Brief, lyrical lines, meanwhile, link holidays through common threads of close bonds, heritage, acknowledgement of a higher power, and a shared continuum of existence that encompasses “the good, the bad, the losses, the gains... and the hopeful days to come.” Characters are portrayed with various abilities and skin tones. Ages 3–6.

Starred review from September 1, 2024

K-Gr 3-The common themes of family and celebration are woven through this masterfully illustrated glimpse into seven fall and winter holidays. Whether hanging Christmas lights, playing with a dreidel, or sharing a meal with friends on the shortest day of the year, all people have many things in common: loved ones, hope, traditions, and looking forward and back while always celebrating the light. Mother-daughter duo Yolen and Stemple pair with Chen to create a visual masterpiece where the text flows across holiday illustrations, linking them through prose. Diwali, Solstice, Christmas, Chanukkah, Kwanzaa, Bohdi Day, and Lunar New Year are each given two spreads, showing differing friend and family units celebrating and a one sentence summary of each holiday. The text, which is full of phrases like "we celebrate our homes. Where we live today and others that hold memories," may hold deeper meaning for older readers, but even the youngest readers will delight in the artistic depictions. Richly detailed digital illustrations portray people of all colors and sizes, as well as two people using wheelchairs, a person accompanied by a service dog, a child wearing a hearing aid, and a child helping with decorations while sitting beside their leg braces. Various family units are depicted, including two dads, multiracial families, and multigenerational households. Back matter includes brief, but specific, descriptions of each holiday and some common traditions. On the dedication page, the creators thank a group of expert readers who weighed in on the accuracy of each holiday's portrayal. VERDICT This sweeping embrace of winter and fall celebrations is a visually stunning addition to holiday book collections.-Emily Beasley

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2024
Yolen and Stemple honor the ways many cultures spread light, literally and figuratively, during the darkest days of the year. Lyrical verse reflects on the commonalities shared by many traditions, while the illustrations highlight a diverse array of winter holidays. The juxtaposition of the universal and the specific embodies the book's profound message: The ways we are different can unify us, and both our differences and our similarities are worth celebrating. Various groupings of family and friends observe Diwali, Winter Solstice, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Bodhi Day, and Lunar New Year; amid the glow of rangolis, kinaras, lighted trees, menorahs, lanterns, and moonlight, they spend time with loved ones, decorate, sing, eat, and remember deceased ancestors. Unobtrusive footnotes provide a brief definition of each holiday, with longer descriptions in the backmatter explaining a few of the symbols and rituals. Rife with details for observant readers, the artwork sets a cozy tone, whether portraying families crowded round the kitchen table or outside by a roaring fire. The celebrants include people of many different ethnicities, abilities, and ages, and they gather in groups of various sizes and compositions. With its emphasis on inclusivity, this is an excellent choice for classrooms or libraries looking to discuss winter holidays. Luminous.(Informational picture book. 4-8)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

November 1, 2024
A thoughtful main text reflects in general on commonalities among late fall/winter holidays: e.g., gathering with loved ones, decorating, sharing food -- "When we honor traditions, / we celebrate our people's long history...and the hopeful days to come." Smaller type provides basic information about the seven celebrations shown in the lively illustrations: Diwali, winter solstice, Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Bodhi Day, and Lunar New Year. The digital art's emphasis on diversity reflects the overall message of embracing and learning about our differences. Kitty Flynn

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

July 1, 2024
A thoughtful main text reflects in general on commonalities among late fall/winter holidays: e.g., gathering with loved ones, decorating, sharing food -- "When we honor traditions, / we celebrate our people's long history...and the hopeful days to come." Smaller type provides basic information about the seven celebrations shown in the lively illustrations: Diwali, winter solstice, Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Bodhi Day, and Lunar New Year. The digital art's emphasis on diversity reflects the overall message of embracing and learning about our differences.

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)