2 comments about St. Patrick's Day (Rookie Read-About Holidays).

1. I teach first grade and I've just recently dicovered this wonderful series of holiday books. Most of the children in my First Grade can read these books easily and they love them. I use them as a take off point to develope a mini unit on that particular holiday. Some holidays are difficult to explain to a 6 year old, but all of the Rookie Read-About Holidays books handle it very well. If you have small children or teach, I strongly recommend this book and all in the series.



2. This little book is a nice intro to what St. Pat's Day is all about. I'd recommend using it for grade 1 through 3. Some interesting pictures, i.e. girls with their faces painted for St. Patrick's Day that students are likely to find amusing and engaging. It's also short enough to be shared with a class in 5 or 10 minutes. Check it out!

3 comments about Mimi's First Mardi Gras.

1. Everyone knows about Mardi Gras in New Orleans, right?

   If you don't, or if you want to know more then Mimi's First Mardi Gras is the book to read. Written for a young age level it imparts information for everyone.

   In story form the book tells us about beignets ( doughnuts eaten for the holiday breakfast), the different groups that march in the parades, trinkets and doubloons thrown from the floats

   Illustrated in the vibrant colors of Mardi Gras ( purple, green and gold)the pictures make the story come alive.




2. I grew up in New Orleans and this book perfectly describes what Mardi Gras was like in my family. The only difference was that after the parades when we went to my cousins' house, we ate homemade fried chicken! We now live in Dallas but try to celebrate Mardi Gras here with music, beads, and king cake parties. We went to Mardi Gras in New Orleans last year so our children understand it but our friends don't have a clue! I read this book to my daughter's kindergarten class and they loved it. It explained to a bunch of "Texans" what Mardi Gras is all about. I would have given it 5 stars but it's a little too long and the song at the end is weird.



3. We live in Louisiana where we celebrate Mardi Gras at the beginning of Lent Season. Parents take their children to our local parades every year. "Mimi's First Mardi Gras" is certainly a nice beginner's book on the events of Mardi Gras, but nothing about religion is included. Since Mardi Gras is based on Lent, not to explain that, even in mention, is a serious omission. As for for reports in school, look further, although this book is certainly helpful. This is, however, Mimi's first Mardi Gras.
   
   As we walk through the story, I will convey the information for your edification. The double title page shows the colors of Mardi Gras--green, gold, purple, throwing of beads with hands upraised, but, ha ha, so orderly. Anyone who has been to a MG parade knows people are standing there almost riotously awaiting a throw for freebie beads and other trinkets!
   
   King Cakes are shown with Mimi discovering the baby figure and knowing the cake presages the parades. They eat the famous New Orleans beignets, a square of fried dough sprinkled with powered sugar and similar to a dough-nut taste. Quite yummy! The family puts on their costumes, as everyone, so it seems, wears costumes to the parades.
   
   When the MG Indians come by, Mimi's dad explains their history: black men form tribes and work on seriously elaborate costumes all year long. The the jazz funeral parade comes by (no explanation). Zulu is next--an African American parade in existence for 75 years. The big treat the Zulu members throw is coconuts.
   
   Mimi learns about cotton candy when her dad buys some. Next the Rex parade with its trappings of splendor arrives. "Throw me something, Mister" is the line that everyone shouts as they try to catch the multitude of trinkets. Mimi tries to catch a gold doubloon, her most wished for freebie and catches one.
   
   I give this book four stars and deducted one for three things that really bothered me (perhaps I am silly for them):
   1. In every illustration Mimi's face looks so adult
   2. She has anorexic legs that are just pitiful.
   3. At the parade Mimi's mother shows up in only one picture and I am not sure that is she. However, a black woman is beside the dad several times. We know that Mimi's mother is a honey-blonde because she is in the pages in the morning.
   4. The lack of explanation, even rudimentary, about the religious connection is just too glaring.
   
   None of these things are serious problems. The illustrations are really lovely. I do recommend this book, especially for parents with time to sit, read, and discuss the book.

2 comments about Gregory's Shadow (Picture Puffins).

1. Gregory is a groundhog who loses his shadow. He and his shadow finally find each other and make a plan for Groundhog Day.

   This was a little too wordy for my class. I also think this is too abstract for the Three Year Olds I teach. They need to see the shadow stay to learn reality; the fantasy of the shadow and groundhog being separated just didn't make sense to them. But they liked the illustrations and played "catch the shadow"; a game they invented after the story time.

   Would be very good for Older Fours and Kindergarten age; especially ones in a good early learning program.




2. Skittish little Gregory Groundhog is used to having his Shadow follow him all the time, everywhere he goes. But on February 1st when Gregory ran back inside his house, he and his Shadow got separated. Each one searched for the other, and eventually they get together again, just in time for Groundhog Day. Gregory coaxed Shadow to hide closely behind him, unseen, so that winter would be soon over.
   
   This story is an interesting approach to Groundhog Day. The chalk illustrations lend texture to the pages, and even shadows -- an important part of the story -- are well portrayed. See my Listmania list for other recommendations on this topic.

No comments about A Cowboy's Night Before Christmas (Night Before Christmas (Gibbs)).

No comments about Frida Kahlo: Portrait of a Mexican Painter (Hispanic Biographies).

No comments about Holiday Jokes (Laughing Matters).

3 comments about Celebrating Norouz (Persian New Year).

1. This book ended my desperate search for material to present to my kids'
   schools about Norooz! Ever since my first child started pre-school (he
   is 8 now and in 3rd grade), I have been looking for a good book to
   introduce Norooz to his classmates. Every year, I have done my
   improvisation of what I thought was the best language for kids to
   follow. But needless to say, my presentations would go way over their
   head, and I could see that they were anxious for me to pass the goodies
   around!! Last year, I ordered a video called "bachehaye Bahar". It was
   supposed to have a description of Norooz in English as well. It was yet
   another disappointment. Besides the very bad quality of filming and
   sound, the whole thing was in Farsi!

   In this book, Yassaman talks about Norooz very eloquently from a child's
   perspective who is born and raised here in the US (San Jose). Both my
   kids, 6 and 8 enjoyed the book and now for the first time, I finally
   have a book to share with their class about Norooz! I highly recommend
   it to all parents with young children.




2. The book is well written and simple. Perfect for little ones who have a short attention span and love colorful pictures. The book is perfect to read to a pre-school class. The activities in the back of the book were also a hit with my 4 year old. Also a perfect gift for youngsters, your pre-school and local library.



3. My children attend the local Montessori program. I bought two copies of the book, one for them at home and one for their school. Before the new year I donated the book along with a small Sabzeh (sprouts grown for Persian New Year) to the classroom library. Their teacher loved it and read the book aloud for other children.
   I read this and all other books in Farsi for my children, so I wish the author had provided the Farsi translation as well. They are at an age now that can distinguish Farsi script from English, and wonder how or why I am reading an English book in Farsi!

1 comments about Awakening the Dragon: The Dragon Boat Festival.

1. This is the story of the cultural and historical origins of the dragon boat festival celebrated in China and by the Chinese around the world. Dragon boats represent the effort of villagers to protect the spirit of one of the emperor's advisors who drowned himself in the river. Many other legends accompany this festival, including the story of a nightmare from an emperor in the 700's who dreamed of a ghost. This book provides a nice overview of the legends and customs from the past and the celebrations today of this exciting festival time.

No comments about Arroz con frijoles y unos amables ratones.

5 comments about The Kids' Holiday Baking Book: 150 Favorite Dessert Recipes from Around the World.

1. This cookbook is so much fun, and very easy to follow because it's for kids. I love using it, and the recipes are delicious! It has something for every holiday.



2. This is a great book, I can't wait to try every recipe! The book is unique in that it encourages kids to learn about and celebrate holidays from all over the world. The recipes are easy and fun and the illustrations are cute. YUM!



3. I love to bake & around the holidays in particular I love to bake with my kids. We have lots of tried & true recipes but finding new ones -- like the great assortment in this book -- is also fun. There is something here for every concievable holiday and most are not complicated. You and the kids will both have fun and then enjoy great things to eat. Check out the marvelous selection today. This book also makes a great gift for bakers with kids.



4. I received this book as a gift and LOVED it. The recipes are easy and very delicious! It's also so informative to read of the origins and tradiditions of such varied holidays.

   I am planning to simplify my upcoming holiday shopping by giving "The Kids' Holiday Baking Book" to all the moms on my list.




5. This book is perfect for curious kids and adults who like to learn and eat. The recipes are delicious (especially the chocolate fondue and the banana bread), and you get to learn about cultures, traditions and religions around the world while cooking. It's a fun--and delicious--way to learn about other people and other parts of the world. It also gives you a great excuse to have lots of fun parties, like Cinco de Mayo and Chinese New Year. (Now you don't have to wait for St. Patrick's Day to roll around!).