3rd - 4th March Holi

Just as Lunar New Year finishes, the Indian festival of Holi is celebrated. Holi  known as the festival of colours, is a Hindu festival celebrated on the last full moon in the lunar month of Phalguna which is usually in March. This ancient tradition marks the end of winter and honours the triumph of good over evil.

The night before Holi, people light bonfires to say goodbye to winter. They gather at temples to sing and dance to music. Then the real fun starts on the day of Holi. That’s when people throw gulal—bright powders and water—at anybody and everybody. These coloured powders have special meaning: red dye symbolises love; blue represents the Hindu god Krishna, and green stands for new beginnings.

There are families at school who celebrate Holi so we have a small number of books.

1st November Diwali

This year, the five-day Hindu festival of lights Diwali falls on 1st November. In Sanskrit, Diwali means "rows of lighted lamps", referring to the tradition of putting small lamps or candles in streets, houses, shops, and public places. Millions of Hindus worldwide gather with their family to feast and watch fireworks. 

Diwali celebrates  the return of Rama and Sita after their 14 years of exile.  Diwali is about the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, and the blessing of new beginnings.

Today a teacher sent a child to borrow books about Diwali because someone in the class had talked about it for their 'news' time. I was very pleased about this because we have so many books that are ideal for sharing at this time.

These are worth sharing:

• Shubh Diwali  by Chitra Soundar

• It's Diwali! by Kabir 

• Binny's Diwali  by Thrity Umigar

In past years when the Year 1 students have done a unit of inquiry on celebrations our concrete plaza has become a showcase for chalk-drawn rangoli. Rangoli is an artistic design pattern made on the floor. Coloured sands, coloured rice or flowers are used to make these patterns. In India, Rangoli is part of festive celebrations. Rangoli is not only aesthetic but it is also considered to be a good luck charm.The chalk rangoli were inspired by the book

• Rangoli by Anduradha Ananth

There are of course other books to seek out which will give you more background and other ideas to celebrate the festival.

Other religions also have festivals that celebrate 'light' and these books are good choices to show students what you mean

• Little Glow  by Katie Sahota

This book showcases the amazing celebrations of light across our diverse communities.

• Lighting Our World: A Year of Celebrations by Catherine Rondina

People all over the world come together and use light to celebrate important cultural events. This book shines a light on familiar and unusual festivals that are celebrated each month of the year.

• Zola and the Christmas Lights by Melina Marchetta

This year, Zola and Alessandro are going to decorate the street with Nonno Nino's Christmas lights. Zola's house and Boomerang Street haven't had Christmas lights for two years. But this year, Zola and Alessandro want to continue the tradition. They've learned a lot about tradition lately - and how some families have different beliefs, and others celebrate Christmas differently.