It is Zola’s last day in year 2B and her teacher is reminding the class of the various cultural traditions and celebrations they have learned about that year. She asks, ‘What do these traditions and celebrations have in common?’ The class shouts ‘holidays’, but Zola asks, ‘What DO they have in common’, and she is told that she will work it out.
The story introduces various cultures and cultural traditions from the astronomical skills of Australia’s First Nations people to those celebrated by the various neighbours in Zola’s street. Omar offers Ramadan lanterns when Zola says she doesn’t know where their Christmas lights are. Decorating for Christmas had always been done by Zola’s late Nonno (grandfather) and Zola is worried they may not happen now.
Helping her Nonna, Zola discovers the Christmas lights in the cellar but forgets to close the door. The dogs get in with resulting chaos. There is a surprising and satisfying outcome. Now Zola understands what the various celebrations have in common. The illustrations reveal the cultural diversity of those living in the neighbourhood and conclude their diversity has one thing in common—‘light and hope’.
NCACL Cultural Diversity Database
