A World Full of Christmas Crafts

Christmas seems to arrive earlier and earlier each year- or perhaps I’m just getting older! As children eagerly anticipate its arrival, having enjoyable and interesting things to do which keep little people engaged and content is an excellent idea. ‘A World Full of Christmas Crafts’ offers just this- a wonderful selection of easy to complete activities, linked to the festive season!

Starting with a note about the origins of Christmas, the book then offers information about 24- one for each day of December until Christmas Eve- festive customs from around the world with an engaging activity for each. Clear instructions are given for each and, where needed, templates are included at the end of the book.

Children can make a heart-shaped paper basket, inspired by the first ‘julehjerte’ made by Hans Christian Andersen, or a hot chocolate kit to celebrate the Peruvian tradition of the ‘chocolotada’. A wonderful range of customs is included, allowing children not only the opportunity to learn about places and traditions across the globe, but also the chance to make, cook and play in the run up to Christmas Day.

This lovely book is sure to become an annual favourite!

A World Full of Christmas Crafts

Helen Mortimer, illustrated by Joy Laforme

Frances Lincoln ISBN: 978-0711293502

Solstice

Using solstice celebrations to take the reader on a journey around the world, this lovely book introduces fourteen fictional children from fourteen different locations as they experience the summer solstice. Whilst those living in the top half of the world have the longest day of the year, those in the bottom half experience the shortest, offering a fantastic snapshot of life around the Earth.

‘Solstice’ is a joy to read. Taken on a trip around the world, the reader is invited to share the daily lives of each child and discover, not only what happens on the solstice, but also something of the similarities and differences of those living in different locations. Each chapter starts with a map of the world showing where the child lives, the hours of sunlight on the 21st June and the average temperature range in addition to a small glossary featuring a selection of vocabulary with definitions used in the following text.

Each child then recounts their day, sharing cultural details about traditions and festivals as well as things about their daily routine. Kjersti from Svalbard, for example, comments on how normal it is for her that the sun doesn’t set and that she can sometimes see polar bears from her windows whilst for Bahasa, living in a city on the equator, the day is the same length all year round. Each section is illustrated by an artist with a connection to that country, making for a pleasing range of styles throughout the book. A section at the end of the book shows photos of each illustrator and offers a short autobiography. There is also a glossary of terms for the book as a whole and an index, making it easy to locate relevant information.

An excellent text to support the science and geography curriculum, ‘Solstice’ is also perfect for browsing at leisure.

Solstice: Around the World on the Longest, Shortest Day.
Jen Breach, illustrated by 14 global artists

What on Earth ISBN: 978-1913750770