October 1, 2003
Gr 1-3-Three volumes that are nicely organized, attractively packaged, and easy to understand. Each book discusses the history and some of the rituals, foods, customs, and activities associated with the holiday. Christmas and Hanukkah depend more on archival images and are less in-depth, and Hanukkah has no pronunciation guide for the Hebrew words. Kwanzaa is the most successful presentation, giving a basic overview with plenty of good, full-color photographs and a Swahili word guide. Dana Meachen Rau's Chanukah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa (all Children's, 2000) are written at the same level and provide a little more meat, but if you're looking for something new, these titles are suitable choices.-M. A.
Copyright 2003 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
July 1, 2003
Illustrated with photographs and drawings, each book in this series superficially traces the history and customs of a holiday, as well as how it is celebrated today. The quality of the books varies, with "Kwanzaa" offering the most clear presentation. In general, the simple texts are easy to read but inadequately convey information. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Buddy Books: Holidays titles: "Christmas, Halloween, Kwanzaa, Thanksgiving, " and "Valentine's Day". ]
(Copyright 2003 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)