Despite intentions, both limited in scope and flawed in execution.
A Polish import matches together Christmastime traditions from many parts of the globe.
This in-depth cataloging of different Christmas celebrations worldwide draws ties and similarities among meals, decorations, activities, and more. The book opens with a no-nonsense discussion of whether or not Dec. 25 truly was Jesus’ birthday, stating, “to this day nobody knows…exactly when he was born.” From there it provides an overview of different kinds of celebrations and stories related to the season. The focus is strongly Eurocentric, though mention is made of observances in Colombia, the Philippines, Rio de Janeiro, Mexico, New Zealand, Venezuela, Japan, Ethiopia, and more. However, while the book aims to be international it maintains its very Polish roots throughout, using Polish customs as a reference point in the way that many U.S. readers are accustomed to seeing theirs. A long section is dedicated to Wigilia, or Poland’s Christmas Eve vigil (when “we eagerly await the birth of the most wonderful child in the world”), for instance, and a section on E.T.A. Hoffman’s famous Nutcracker story points out its Polish origins. The illustrations are colorful but miss some prime opportunities. Who wouldn’t want to see the pooping Tió de Nadal log of Catalonia as children hit it with sticks or watch Venezuelans rollerblade to midnight Mass? Far worse, the art sometimes dips deep into cultural stereotypes, portraying residents of Japan with slitted eyes and yellow skin.
Despite intentions, both limited in scope and flawed in execution. (glossary) (Nonfiction. 9-12)Pub Date: Sept. 14, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-7358-4443-8
Page Count: 136
Publisher: NorthSouth
Review Posted Online: Aug. 17, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2021
After surveying “competing claims” for the first Thanksgiving from 1541 on, in Texas, Florida, Maine, Virginia and Massachusetts, Colman decides in favor of the 1621 event with the English colonists and Wampanoag as the first “because the 1621 event was more like the Thanksgiving that we celebrate today.” She demonstrates, however, that the “Pilgrim and Indian” story is really not the antecedent of Thanksgiving as we celebrate it today. Rather, two very old traditions—harvest festivals and days of thanksgiving for special events—were the origin, and this interesting volume traces how the custom of proclaiming a general day of thanksgiving took hold. Yet, since many Thanksgiving celebrations in towns and schools are still rooted in the “Pilgrim and Indian” story, which the author calls “true and important,” but which many Native Americans find objectionable, a more in-depth discussion of it is warranted here. The solid bibliography does include some fine resources, such as 1621: A New Look at Thanksgiving (2001) by Catherine O’Neill Grace and Margaret M. Bruchac. (author’s note, chronology, index) (Nonfiction. 8-12)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2008
ISBN: 978-0-8050-8229-6
Page Count: 160
Publisher: Henry Holt
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2008
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
The intended audience may find this less interesting than educators and librarians looking for program ideas; nevertheless,...
A survey of birthday customs from ancient times to today’s birthday wishes on social media.
The special feature of this recently launched series is the inclusion of personal reminiscences, some of which are more unusual than others. Here, the mother-and-daughter co-authors have used some of their own, with the most compelling being Tate-Stratton’s memory of spending her 20th birthday in Japan, where she joined in Adult’s Day, Seijin no Hi, wearing an opulent kimono and participating in ceremonies at the local city hall and religious shrine. The origins of birthday customs in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome are described, as are celebrations in many contemporary countries. Special ceremonies and parties for specific ages, such as the Latin American quinceañera for 15-year-old girls, Jewish bar and bat mitzvahs (religious coming-of-age ceremonies for 13-year-old boys and 12-year-old girls), and parties for Korean 1-year-olds, are explained. The authors also call attention to birthdays for senior adults, especially in Asian countries. The color photos are excellent, and the text is well-researched (although not much is included on African countries), but the activities scattered throughout the book are less than exciting: a recipe or two (some measurements are only in metric units), a birthday calendar project, a simple game for kids younger than the target audience, and suggestions for thinking about and reflecting on the past year and goals for the next.
The intended audience may find this less interesting than educators and librarians looking for program ideas; nevertheless, a useful book. (glossary, references and resources, index) (Nonfiction. 9-12)Pub Date: March 7, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-4598-1297-0
Page Count: 80
Publisher: Orca
Review Posted Online: Dec. 25, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2017
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