Richard Sebra

This is a very simple book that explains the very basics behind Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr. The illustrations, which are actually photographs, tell the story with a few words and some questions that the reader can think about. There are some further resources mentioned at the back of the book for further investigation. This book would work with young students (SK to grade 2) who are studying about holidays in other cultures, countries and religions.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.… (lisätietoja)

Part of the It’s a Holiday! series by Bumba Books that introduces young readers to different holidays.

This entry provides brief and very limited information about Cinco de Mayo that borders on a detrimental oversimplification of the holiday and why it’s celebrated. Statements such as “It’s a Mexican holiday. People in Mexico celebrate. People in the United States celebrate too” and “Cinco de Mayo is a day to honor Mexican culture. People eat Mexican food. We eat tacos” only serve to reinforce stereotypes about Mexico and offer nothing factual to the reader. Questions that are meant to foster critical thinking – What does ‘cinco’ mean in Spanish? and What are some other Mexican foods? are neither insightful nor likely to foster curiosity about the holiday. And despite mentioning that the holiday honors a battle that Mexico won, there is no mention of why the battle was significant, how celebrations in Mexico and the USA differ or anything substantial regarding the holiday. Instead, the reader gets sombreros, tacos, parades, and Mexicans wearing Mexican clothing. Not recommended – kids (and Mexico) need and deserve better.… (lisätietoja)