Holiday Handbook

by Elizabeth James

Overview

The only complete guide to secular holidays arranged by season describes their origins and celebrations. Includes the world's major religions and their holidays. "This is a great resource for students and teachers. A long bibliography of books and articles and an appendix with addresses for various celebrations round out the guide." -- Booklist

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780395650110
Publisher:	Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publication date:	04/18/1994
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	6.29(w) x 9.35(h) x 1.10(d)
Age Range:	9 - 13 Years

Editorial Reviews

Gr 4-7-Seasonal sections present overviews of the religious and ethnic observances during each period. Traditional holidays such as Thanksgiving and Veteran's Day are noted here, but the real fun is the inclusion of National Grouch Day, National Sandwich Day, Mother Goose Day, and the like. Earth Day, International Children's Book Day, and Kwanzaa entries provide information and ideas for school-wide activities. For each holiday, historical explanation and background, trivia and interesting asides, and suggestions for celebrating are included. An appendix of addresses to write for more information is a plus. This volume does not replace the American Book of Days (Wilson, 1978) for comprehensive and detailed information, but rather focuses on those days that may be meaningful in a school setting. The clear, concise writing and creativity make it a good buy.-Valerie Childress, J.W. Holloway Middle School, Whitehouse, TX

School Library Journal

Everyone loves a holiday, and this new book, arranged by seasons, offers a comprehensive accounting of celebrations, centering on the secular but including many major religious holidays. Each seasonal section begins with a short introduction, followed by holidays specific to the season, with fascinating background information, tidbits, and creative activities and culinary projects. Newer holidays, such as Kwanzaa (1966) and International Lefthanders Day (1976), are tucked in with those traditional and well-known holidays for which resources abound. Surprises come to light, too, as readers learn that Johnny Appleseed Day is March 11, his death date, rather than in the fall, as many think. There actually is a National Grouch Day (October 15), established by a student in a middle school in Michigan. The authors handle controversial issues head-on: for example, in their discussion of Columbus Day, they acknowledge the death and destruction that followed the explorer's landing, and propose a day in which multicultural sharing can take place. Small black-line drawings decorate each beginning holiday page. This is a great resource for students and teachers. A long bibliography of books and articles and an appendix with addresses for various celebrations round out the guide.

Deborah Abbott