Basic texts and colorful pictures are the hallmarks of these age-appropriate introductions to different cultures. The first book looks at when Chinese New Year is observed, the types of celebrations, and typical gifts that are exchanged. The second title explains why Hindu and Sikh families light candles and decorate their doorsteps, and other ways that people observe Diwali. The third volume shows how Muslim families pray, fast, and then celebrate at the end of Ramadan. The texts are full of sight words in simply constructed sentences. The pictures are rich in color and show the vibrant diversity of each culture and the children who participate in the festivities. Each book has a "look and see" page and a picture glossary.–Kris Hickey, Columbus Metropolitan Library, OHSchool Library Journal December 2010
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Basic texts and colorful pictures are the hallmarks of these age-appropriate introductions to different cultures. The first book looks at when Chinese New Year is observed, the types of celebrations, and typical gifts that are exchanged. The second title explains why Hindu and Sikh families light candles and decorate their doorsteps, and other ways that people observe Diwali. The third volume shows how Muslim families pray, fast, and then celebrate at the end of Ramadan. The texts are full of sight words in simply constructed sentences. The pictures are rich in color and show the vibrant diversity of each culture and the children who participate in the festivities. Each book has a "look and see" page and a picture glossary.–Kris Hickey, Columbus Metropolitan Library, OHSchool Library Journal December 2010
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Tells why we have Earth Day and what it is. Great photos-It’s nice having easy-to-read non-fiction books. – Beth Curry, Suburban Park School Norfolk Public Schools 11/23/2010

A good book to introduce Earth Day to preschool and primary students. It explains what a holiday is, the planet Earth, pollution, cleaning up pollution, celebrating Earth Day, and Earth Day symbols. It is also a good example of a nonfiction book with a Table of Contents, a Picture Glossary and an Index. – Karen Crary, King Elementary School Omaha Public Schools 3/30/2012

Provides an overview of Earth Day, discussing how, when, and why the holiday is celebrated, what symbols are associated with it, and other related topics. The photographs are colorful and interesting. Many of them show children working to help the environment. –Kelly Groenlykke, O.K. Adcock Elementary School Clark County School District Library Services 11/18/2010
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The Holidays and Festivals series is not messing with its tried-and-true formula: large pictures on the top three-fourths of the page and a simple line or two of text below. But the mix of period photos (some blackand-white, some sepia-toned, some color) with contemporary shots keeps this title from succumbing to repetition fatigue. Pictures of segregation—in particular, a "For Colored Only" water fountain—still retain their power to shock and will compel children to ask questions. Rissman uses five very short chapters to take the youngest readers through some simple facts about slavery ("Black people in Atlanta could not go to the same places as white people") before touching on King’s life ("He studied religion. He became a minister"). Few specifics are offered, but the pictured crowds say a mouthful. King’s assassination is referred to vaguely along with a shot of mourners. The final pages insist that celebrating the holiday involves doing service for the community, which may not square with children’s experience, but this is nonetheless a fine introduction.— Daniel KrausBooklist 2/1/2011
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Basic texts and colorful pictures are the hallmarks of these age-appropriate introductions to different cultures. The first book looks at when Chinese New Year is observed, the types of celebrations, and typical gifts that are exchanged. The second title explains why Hindu and Sikh families light candles and decorate their doorsteps, and other ways that people observe Diwali. The third volume shows how Muslim families pray, fast, and then celebrate at the end of Ramadan. The texts are full of sight words in simply constructed sentences. The pictures are rich in color and show the vibrant diversity of each culture and the children who participate in the festivities. Each book has a "look and see" page and a picture glossary.–Kris Hickey, Columbus Metropolitan Library, OHSchool Library Journal December 2010
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Barely a day goes by without a preschool teacher asking me for "age-appropriate" nonfiction titles on a particular topic. Some requests are easy - apples, winter. Some are more abstract - community, kindness. (Today's preschoolers work so much harder than I ever did) Now for ages 4-6, Heinemann Library has just introduced its Holidays and Festivals series under the Acorn brand. The books are a small 8x7 inch size and a uniform 24 pages each. Each page contains one large photo and one or two sentences. The Veterans Day title is a simple explanation of the holiday including a definition of a veteran, how we celebrate Veterans Day and Veterans Day symbols. A calendar page (showing the date of Veterans Day), a picture glossary and an index complete the book. There are 18 titles in the series, including Election Day, Arbor Day, Hanukkah, Labor Day and Diwali. Not riveting reads, but teachers will like them and they can be paired with longer fiction titles for themed storytimes. http://shelf-employed.blogspot.com/2010/11/veterans-day.html 11/1/2010
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