Let's Celebrate!

Debjani Chatterjee has been called 'a poet full of wit and charm' (Andrew Motion), 'a national treasure' (Barry Tebb) and 'the UK's best-known Asian poet' (Elisabetta Marino). She has written and edited well over 60 books, including Animal Antics, Masala, Monkey King’s Party and The Elephant-headed God & Other Hindu Tales - selected for Children's Books of the Year. Her multilingual interactive play The Honoured Guest was toured by Twisting Yarn Theatre. She enjoys performing her work at schools and children's libraries. Her residencies have included the Ilkley Literature Festival, Bedfordshire Schools, Kelvingrove Museum & Art Gallery, Sheffield Children's Hospital and the Millennium Galleries. Sheffield Hallam University awarded her an honorary doctorate in 2002, in 2008 she received an MBE for services to Literature, and in 2012 she was an Olympic Torchbearer in the Arts & Culture category. She lives in Sheffield. For more about her books and work see www.debjanichatterjee.moonfruit.comBRIAN D'ARCY is an Anglo-Irish poet who has contributed to many anthologies of children's poetry and has had two collections published. He retired from lecturing at Sheffield Hallam University, after having previously lectured in Huddersfield, Blackburn and Lancaster. Brian is a member of the Mini Mushaira writers, has a passion for horses, retelling Irish folktales and writing poetry for children and adults. His poetry prizes include First Prize in the Edward Lear Centenary Limerick Competition. He lives in Sheffield with his wife Debjani Chatterjee, with whom he has edited Let's Celebrate! Festival Poems from around the World and Let’s Play! Poems about Sports and Games from around the World.  SHIRIN ADL was born in Harlow, England, in 1975. She received a first class BA honours in illustration from Loughborough University, and won the Hallmark M&S division Talented Designer Award. She currently lives in Oxford with her husband.

A great classroom and assembly resource and gives a super look at the diversity of world celebrations in a very refreshing way. || An exhilarating teaching resource that makes for a fine poetry anthology for the home too. || An excellent way to celebrate the diversity of festivals and seasonal celebrations with children. || An ideal introduction to the significance of celebrations for everybody, and reflects something of the world's diversity.

• Contents IntroductionThe Chinese Dragon by Catherine BensonThe Pancake by Christina RossettiTossing Pancakes by Nick ToczekIce Festival by Brian D'ArcyCarnival by Valerie BloomThree Loud Cheers for Esther by Debjani Chatterjee and Brian D'ArcySaint Patrick's Day by Brian D'ArcyA Card for me Mom by Bashabi FraserColours of Holi by Debjani ChatterjeeBaisakhi by AnonymousCherry Blossom Haiku by Uejima Onitsura and Kobayashi IssaEaster Lily by June Masters BacherGrandma's Easter Eggs by Wes MageeDance, Dance by AnonymousPoe-Tree for Arbor Day by Sue Hardy-DawsonOn Buddha Purnima by Bashabi FraserOde to Tomatoes (extracts) by Pablo NerudaHarvest by Joan PoulsonHarvest Festival by Simon FletcherEid Mubarak! Eid Congratulations by Kazi Nazrul IslamMoon Cakes for Trung Thu by Mandy CoeHallowe-en by Jill TownsendDiwali by Debjani ChatterjeeHannukah by Andrea ShavickThanksgiving by Ralph Waldo EmersonThe Pilgrims Came by AnonymousChristmas Bells (extract) by Henry Wadsworth LongfellowChristmas Pudding by AnonymousKwanzaa by AnonymousAbout the Festivals