Holiday History
Series of 13 titles
How are holidays celebrated around the world? Where did holiday traditions like Christmas trees and Halloween costumes come from? Learn about the history of some of the most celebrated holidays in this fun series. Each book highlights a holiday or celebration, covering its history, associated cultures and religions, and different celebrations around the world. Each book also details the holiday's symbols and traditions such as decorating, fasting, feasts, clothing, and gift-giving.
Real-life photographs take readers around the world, while an At a Glance feature provides a map and quick facts on each holiday or celebration. Each title includes a table of contents, infographic, glossary, index, compelling What Do You Think? sidebars to encourage deeper inquiry, and reading tips for teachers and parents.
Reviews
SLJ Series Made Simple Review of Holiday History
What is the background of holidays? What traditions are associated with them? How are they celebrated around the world? This series addresses these questions in short paragraphs and large-scale images with helpful labels.
Text boxes ask “Did you know?” or “What do you think?” and then explain where the name of Halloween came from, or encourage readers to consider whether Kwanzaa should be a national holiday.
A final “Quick Facts” page includes the date and place of origin, and a review of common symbols, foods, and traditions associated with the holiday.
Sidebars focus on particular aspects, such as how to play dreidel during Hanukkah or common altar offerings for the Day of the Dead. Additional support includes tips for teachers and parents, and access to the Factsurfer website to learn more.
Verdict: Recommended for those looking to add variety to their collections or update existing titles.