Holiday Histories

Trick or treat! Halloween is one of the most exciting holidays. Dressing up in creative costumes and going door-to-door for candy with friends is something most children look forward to all year. It can also be a pretty spooky holiday full of skeletons, demons, and monsters. This book looks at how Halloween has changed over thousands of years, from the ancient Celtic celebration of Samhain to modern-day trick-or-treating. Age-appropriate text and colorful, spooky images will have readers turning the page. Everyone will love this haunting look at the history of Halloween.

Young readers learn about the early traditions which have led to our present-day celebration of Halloween.

Six more weeks of winter! That's what people shout each year on February 2nd if the famous groundhog in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, sees his shadow. An animal might seem like a strange and unreliable way to predict the weather, but people have been consulting critters on this for hundreds of years. With age-appropriate text, this book explores the history of Groundhog Day from its origins as a pagan celebration to today. Full-color images provide an up-close look at these furry little weather predictors. Readers might hope for a sunny start to February and an early start to spring, but what will the groundhog say?

April fools! Whether you're the trickster or the tricked, the first day of April each year is filled with fun pranks and practical jokes. April Fools' Day has been celebrated for hundreds of years, but believe it or not, nobody is really sure how and when it started. Using accessible language, this book explores the stories behind the history of this joke-filled holiday. Readers will love learning about how April Fools' Day has been celebrated in the past and the creative ways people celebrate today. It's never too early to learn about this fun holiday and start planning next year's big prank.

Young readers learn about the early traditions which have led to our present-day celebration of Valentine's Day.

Many people think St. Patrick's Day is all about shamrocks, leprechauns, and green clothing, but there's actually a lot of history behind this popular holiday. This book is packed with fun facts about the origins of St. Patrick's Day. St. Patrick, for example, wasn't even Irish! Readers will learn about past and present traditions surrounding this day of celebration. Today, many cities hold parades, and some local rivers are even dyed green. Each spread features colorful images that encourage readers to make connections with the text. This book will help students appreciate the history of St. Patrick's Day as well as its festivities.

The Day of the Dead is a holiday with an incredible history. The celebrations that became this holiday started more than 3,000 years ago. Today, the Day of the Dead is an important celebration for people throughout Latin America, especially in Mexico. Children will love reading about the many traditions of the holiday and learning how Day of the Dead celebrations have changed over time. Vivid images on each spread encourage young readers to make connections with the text. Learning about how deceased loved ones are remembered on this special day will help readers appreciate other cultures as well as their own. It will also help them view the topic of death in a whole new light.

Young readers learn about the early traditions which have led to our present-day celebration of Christmas.

Kwanzaa is a seven-day festival that begins on December 26th and is celebrated until the first of January each year. It celebrates African American culture as well as family and community. Families gather to eat delicious foods, exchange gifts, and honor their heritage and traditions. Using age-appropriate language, this book explores Kwanzaa's roots and the social significance of its founding. Colorful images allow readers to visualize the celebration and make connections with the text. Each day of the holiday focuses on one of seven principles that readers will be able to appreciate in their own life, even if their family doesn't celebrate Kwanzaa.

Juneteenth, which is celebrated each year on June 19th, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. This holiday began in 1865, more than two years after President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. News spread much slower back then, and when slaves in Texas finally learned of their freedom, the holiday was born. In this book, readers are given an in-depth look at the history of Juneteenth, including the events leading up to its creation. Readers will love learning about how this important moment in U.S. history is celebrated each year.

Despite what many people believe, Cinco de Mayo isn't the day Mexico celebrates its independence. The holiday, celebrated on May 5th each year, actually commemorates the date Mexican troops defeated the French more than 150 years ago. In this book, readers will find information about the history of Cinco de Mayo, including where and how it's celebrated around the world. Interestingly, it's a much bigger deal in the United States than in other countries, even Mexico. Colorful images bring the celebration to splendid focus on each page, drawing readers into the fascinating history of this Mexican holiday.

Young readers learn about the early traditions which have led to our present-day celebration of Thanksgiving.