Review: We Celebrate the Light

We Celebrate the Light

by Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple, illustrated by Jieting Chen

RISE x Penguin Workshop (imprint of Penguin Random House), 2024

Category: Picture Books

Reviewer: Rinat Hadad Siegel

Buy at Bookshop.org

The concept of light, with its many facets, has long fascinated humanity. It's a theme that resonates across cultures and is at the heart of numerous traditions and celebrations worldwide. In this universal and uplifting book, We Celebrate The Light, we glimpse some of these light celebrations worldwide.

The story moves from one light celebration to another, starting with Diwali and continuing with the Winter Solstice, Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, and Bodhi Day, and ending with the Lunar New Year. Each holiday is defined very briefly on the story pages, plus there is a more detailed glossary for each holiday at the end of the book.

The words describing each celebration form a lyrical poem of hope, unity, and togetherness. Jane Yolen and Heidi E. Y. Stemple have crafted a unique perspective on these holidays, creating a beautiful dialogue that resonates with shared memories and feelings. The story brings forth the basic human feelings and connections that unite us, transcending religious differences and fostering a sense of empathy and connection in the reader.

The illustrations by Jieting Chen effortlessly and beautifully convey each celebration's different cultures, locations, and people. They also have a certain softness that goes hand in hand with the words so artfully, from the beautiful rangoli design in the celebration of Diwali to the decoration of a ficus tree with lights during Bodhi Day.

This book is for Jewish and non-Jewish readers as it marks light celebrations across the globe. It does an excellent job of introducing young readers to all of these beautiful traditions and festivals, and Jewish kids can find themselves in it, relate to it, and feel part of this global community.

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Reviewer Rinat Hadad Siegel was born in Israel to a Jewish Mizrahi family. She is a children’s book author and a former educator and resource teacher for elementary and middle-school-aged children. Rinat received her Bachelor’s Degree from the Ben Gurion University of the Negev and holds a Master’s in Education from the American Jewish University in Los Angeles. Exploring Mizrahi roots is one of Rinat’s passions, and she aspires to promote and add diverse Jewish history into children’s literature. Find more information at rinathadadsiegel.com or follow her on Instagram at @rinathadadsiegel.