Let's Celebrate!

Synopsis

Lyrical, sensory nonfiction text and vibrant illustrations invite readers to experience a child's-eye view of 13 special days around the world, such as the Spring Festival, Inti Raymi, Eid al-Fitr, Dìa de Muertos and the New Yam Festival. Includes a global festival calendar and educational notes about why we celebrate.

Summary

Let’s Celebrate! is a guide to help families bring back the traditional values of celebration into their lives. The author, Shannon Ables, provides fun ideas for how to celebrate special occasions and events, from birthdays to national holidays, with creativity and enthusiasm.

Chapter One: Exploring the Value of Celebrations

In the first chapter of “Let’s Celebrate!” author Shannon Ables explains the importance of celebrating. She provides numerous examples of how celebrating special events and occasions can strengthen family bonds, create happy memories, foster an appreciation of history and tradition, and serve as a reminder of all the things we have to be thankful for. For example, she highlights that the celebration of Thanksgiving dates back to the Pilgrims and Native Americans, who gathered to give thanks for a successful harvest. Celebrating this holiday creates a lasting memory for families, while also reiterating a common goal of kindness and gratitude.

Chapter Two: Birthdays

In the second chapter, Ables discusses how to make birthdays special for every age. Whether you’re planning a large party for a group of children or keeping it small and relaxed for an adult, she provides helpful tips on how to have a fun and meaningful celebration. For example, for the adults in the family, she suggests setting up an intimate evening of dinner, drinks, and shared memories. For the children and young adults, Ables provides fun ideas like scavenger hunts, decorating cupcakes, or even flying kites. No matter the age, Ables encourages everyone to make a birthday celebration truly personal and heart-warming.

Chapter Three: Weddings

In Chapter Three of “Let’s Celebrate!” Ables delves into the long-loved tradition of wedding ceremonies and receptions. She notes that the celebrations surrounding weddings are a time for the community and family members to come together and share their excitement and well-wishes. In this chapter, Ables focuses on ways to make the wedding personalized and give the couple the best possible experience. She encourages embracing the couple’s unique love story and suggests finding creative ways to incorporate it into their day, such as providing unique wedding favors that tell the story of their relationship or incorporating special elements (such as a favorite book or restaurant) into the décor.

Chapter Four: Religious Holidays

In Chapter Four, Ables speaks to the religious holidays that bring people of different backgrounds and beliefs together. She highlights the importance of learning about the different religions and cultures that exist in the world and encourages families to find unique ways to celebrate holidays from different religions. For example, for Passover, Ables suggests reading a book about the holiday, sampling different ethnic delicacies, or even hosting a Seder dinner to gain a greater understanding of the Jewish tradition.

Chapter Five: National Holidays

The fifth chapter of “Let’s Celebrate!” focuses on national holidays like Independence Day, Labor Day, and Memorial Day. Ables encourages families to go beyond the common conventions of the holiday and reach out to the community, as these holidays are about uniting rather than separating. Some of her suggested activities include hosting a barbecue for the neighbors, setting up a movie night outdoors, or sponsoring a food drive to benefit a local shelter. By doing these activities, Ables states that we can come together and show our patriotism and appreciation for each other.

Conclusion

Let’s Celebrate! provides readers with the inspiration and resources to bring the joys of celebration back into family life. From sharing recipes to featuring special elements in décor, Ables provides numerous ideas to make any event or occasion a truly unique and memoriable experience. Whether it’s a birthday, a wedding, or the Fourth of July, Ables encourages families to focus on finding joy in the special moments that come with celebrating, and the traditions that make them last.