Books about Holidays

A Book Review Column

Linda D. Labbo
Reviews Section Editor
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia, USA

Editor's Note: The 17 books reviewed in this column by Joan Pagnucco will enhance children's holiday merrymaking and inform them of the origins, rituals, and festivals involved with various seasonal activities. In addition, several of the books that deal with December holidays might be read as a collection to explore the role of cultural traditions involving such things as menorahs, festivities surrounding Las Posadas, or even building a snowman. Two of the books, A Child's Calendar and Madeline in America and Other Holiday Tales, offer an overview of various holidays, and taken together, this holiday collection will shed light on celebrations that occur in the spring, summer, fall, and winter.

The books reviewed are as follows:

The Adventures of Snowwoman
Bats
The Birds' Gift
A Child's Calendar
The Christmas Menorahs: How a Town Fought Back
The Dragon New Year: A Chinese Legend
The Halloween Showdown
Hopper's Easter Surprise
The Last Snake in Ireland
Madeline in America and Other Holiday Tales
One Halloween Night
Las Posadas
The Teddy Bear's Night Before Christmas
The Thanksgiving Beast Feast
This Is Our Seder
Trick or Treat Countdown
Witches and Witch Hunts

Where possible, links to Web sites related to the books or their authors are provided.

The Adventures of Snowwoman. Retold and illustrated by Katya Arnold. New York: Holiday House, 1998. ISBN 0-8234-1390-X. 30 pages. Recommended for ages 5 to 7.

In this story, neighborhood children cooperate to ask Santa for some help on Christmas Eve and, with a little magic, are able to save the day. The book is based on an old Russian tale by V. Suteev, called “The Conifer.” In this version, colorful and lively illustrations depict lots of action. Discussion about the old tale and differences in traditions could occur after reading the story and the author's note at the end of the book.

Bats. Written and illustrated by Gail Gibbons. New York: Holiday House, 1999. ISBN 0-8234-1457-4. 32 pages. Recommended for ages 5 to 8.

This informational text is an excellent resource for October's focus on Halloween. Solid vocabulary is used to introduce young children to bats. The illustrations are labeled so that readers many different types of bats and their body parts. These mammals range in size from tiny to quite large. Myths about bats are discussed. Children will enjoy learning and discussing bats after reading this book or listening to it read aloud.

The Birds' Gift. Retold by Eric A. Kimmel; illustrated by Katya Krenina. New York: Holiday House, 1999. ISBN 0-8234-1384-5. 30 pages. Recommended for ages 6 to 9.

This is a wonderful Ukrainian story about the relationship between a grandfather and granddaughter. When a flock of tiny birds is caught in an early winter storm, Katrusya, her grandfather, her family, and the villagers bring them to the village church and then to their own homes, where they can wait for the weather to clear. The birds sing thank you to the families that saved them and, after a few days, they are released and fly away. As spring approaches, the villagers get ready to celebrate Easter. The children find special eggs, each decorated and no two alike, hidden in the spring grass. When they look around they see the golden birds and know who brought the eggs.

Thus the story explains the beautifully decorated eggs of the Ukrainian Easter tradition. The last page tells about this tradition and explains how to decorate eggs in the special Ukrainian way. Customs and dress of the Ukrainian culture are further depicted through the book's illustrations.

A Child's Calendar. Written by John Updike; illustrated by Trina Schart. New York: Holiday House, 1999. ISBN 0-8234-1445-0. 25 pages. Recommended for ages 5 to 8.

Rhyming quatrains describe seasonal activities, including holidays and weather, for each month of the year. Across each two-page spread, text and a small, window-like illustration are balanced by a full-page illustration opposite. The pictures portray family diversity and the artist shows views of seasonal activities from both within and outside the family.

The Christmas Menorahs: How a Town Fought Hate. Written by Janice Cohn; illustrated by Bill Farnsworth. Morton Grove, IL: Albert Whitman, 1995. ISBN 0-8075-1152-8. 39 pages. Recommended for ages 8 to 10.

Janice Cohn, a writer and psychotherapist, has written numerous books about difficult issues for children. This true story is about how a family and many in their community became united through an act of hate. During the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah, a rock is thrown through a young boy's window, where a menorah had been standing. Up to this point in his life, Isaac had not been aware of discrimination or prejudice. With the help of his parents and the support of many in his town, Issac learns how people can unite to fight against wrong. The incident also opens the opportunity for him to learn about the courageous past of many Jewish people. Bill Farnsworth's realistic illustrations add to the authenticity of the story, giving readers a sense of looking in on the lives of the people depicted. Muted colors lend to the serious subject matter.

From this story, children of all backgrounds can learn about cultural differences and the important notion that they do not have to separate people but can unite them against bigotry and discrimination. For the many children who may not have experienced it, the story can introduce the roots and evils of prejudice. The unity and support Isaac's community demonstrated can also serve as a model of what we hope to accomplish as citizens of the world.

The Dragon New Year: A Chinese Legend. Written by David Bouchard; illustrated by Zhong-Yang. Atlanta, GA: Peachtree, 1999. ISBN 1-56145-210-6. 29 pages. Recommended for ages 6 to 9.

cover image The ancient story of how the Chinese New Year came to be is retold by a Chinese grandmother to her granddaughter. Muted and bright paintings of both real and imaginary scenes give powerful support for the story. This retelling of the traditional tale describes how a brave mother with Buddha's help is able to free the villagers from the fierce sea dragon that has terrified them each new year. The bond between mother and son in the tale is reflected in the relationship between the grandmother who tells the story and the granddaughter who listens to it. Each year, the grandmother repeats the story to her granddaughter, who, in turn, will pass it on to her own children and grandchildren.

The Halloween Showdown. Written by Eileen Ross; illustrated by Lynn Rowe Reed. New York: Holiday House, 1999. ISBN 0-8234-1395-0. 32 pages. Recommended for ages 5 to 7.

Repetitive language and bright child-like paintings make this story appealing to young readers. A wicked witch snatches Tabitha the cat away from her grandmother's care. Grandmother gathers some animal friends to get Tabitha back. Each of the helpers has a story about the witch, and each is glad to join in the battle to gain both Tabitha and their own revenge. A happy ending for all and a party to celebrate ends the story.

Hopper's Easter Surprise. Written by Marcus Pfister; illustrated by Kathrin Sigenthaler. New York: North-South, 1993. ISBN 0-7358-1077-X. 13 pages. Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

This board book about a wannabe Easter bunny is beautifully illustrated with muted spring colors. The simple, short text is appropriate for very young children.

The Last Snake in Ireland. Written by Sheila Macgill; illustrated by Will Hillenbrand. New York: Holiday House, 1999. ISBN 0-8234-1425-6. 23 pages. Recommended for ages 6 to 8.

Patrick, an old priest, loses his temper when a snake teases his old dog, Finbar. There is humor in reading how the snake must match wits with Patrick until Patrick finally succeeds, and in this interesting take on the origins of the Loch Ness monster. Will Hillenbrad's illustrations are colorful and match the text well. Children will enjoy this story, which teachers could use to discuss St. Patrick and St. Patrick's Day, Loch Ness, and a match of wits.

Madeline in America and Other Holiday Tales. Written and illustrated by Ludwig Bemelmans. New York: Arthur Levine (an imprint of Scholastic), 1999. ISBN 0-590-03910-5. 112 pages. Recommended for ages 5 to 7.

This collection includes three Madeline stories and a family memoir by Barbara Bemelmans, as well as a directory of the places found in the story. Consider this a classic collection of Madeline with a Christmas theme.

One Halloween Night. Written and illustrated by Mark Teague. New York: Scholastic, 1999. ISBN 0-590-84625-6. 32 pages. Recommended for ages 5 to 8.

A very cute story about three friends who have an unwanted adventure on what had originally appeared to be an ordinary Halloween night. The three battle some witches with the help of a little magic of their own. When the witches go away in defeat, all that was wrong is fixed after Mona uses her magic wand. Illustrations fill up the pages on both sides, and the text is embedded in the pictures.

Las Posadas. Written by Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith; illustrated with photographs by Lawrence Migdale. New York: Holiday House, 1999. ISBN 0-8234-1449-3. 32 pages. Recommended for ages 8 to 12.

This journal introduces an 11-year-old Hispanic girl and her family from New Mexico and describes how they celebrate Christmas. Photographs of her family and of religious artifacts used in their celebrations lend authenticity to this expository text. There is a glossary of terms and vocabulary in the story as well as an index. This book would be useful in a social studies unit about customs and traditions or to use as a resource to share information about cultural differences and similarities.

The Teddy Bear's Night Before Christmas. Written by Clement Moore. New York: Scholastic, 1999. ISBN 0-590-03243-7. 32 pages. Recommended for ages 4 to 6.

The classic poem “The Night Before Christmas” is celebrated in traditional teddy bear ways by a teddy bear family and a teddy bear Santa. The attractive photo illustrations make this book appropriate for young children.

The Thanksgiving Beast Feast. Written and illustrated by Karen Gray. New York: Holiday House, 1999. ISBN 0-8234-1511-2. 32 pages. Recommended for ages 5 to 7.

In this chapter book for young children, members of a cat family learn about the origins of Thanksgiving -- and, unexpectedly, about the value of sharing. The pictures depict the cat family taking on human characteristics. Young children are sure to find this book enjoyable and the lessons taught memorable.

This Is Our Seder. Written by Ziporah Hildebrandt; illustrated by Robin Roraback. New York: Holiday House, 1999. ISBN 0-8234-1436-1. 28 pages. Recommended for ages 6 to 8.

This book describes a seder, the ritual supper on each of the first two nights of Passover. Through it, Jewish children in a class could share one of their celebrations with other children. The descriptions of food and events portray family, extended family, and friends enjoying a special meal and activities together. The pictures tell the story with close-ups of important parts of the meal on one side of the page and depictions of how the family partakes of particular rituals on the other. At the end of the book there is a page describing the food and events of the traditional seder and the historical background of how it began.

Trick or Treat Countdown. Written by Patricia Hubbard; illustrated by Michael Letzig. New York: Holiday House, 1999. ISBN 0-8234-1367-5. 29 pages. Recommended for ages 3 to 6.

This book offers up a visual “treat” through the counting up (1 to 10) and down (10 to 1) of Halloween sights and sounds. Colorful, “tricky” illustrations combine with descriptive verse to help young readers learn number concepts in a humorous and inviting way. Adults who wish to share Halloween books with children but to avoid potentially frightening images will appreciate the very colorful and not-scary illustrations.

Witches and Witch Hunts. Written by Milton Meltzer. New York: Blue Sky (an imprint of Scholastic), 2000. ISBN 0-590-48517-2. 128 pages. Recommended for ages 12 and up.

This chapter book, written in interesting and informative Meltzer style, is about the history of witches from the 15th century right up to the present. It covers how prejudice, discrimination, and murder were practiced against accused witches for the so-called “betterment of society.” The book is likely to be found interesting and informative by middle schoolers and above.

About the Reviewer

Joan Pagnucco (e-mail l.pagnucco@worldnet.att.net) teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in the Department of Reading Education at the University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA. She taught elementary school in the past and is an avid reader of children's literature, which she enjoys sharing with her students who are prospective elementary teachers.