No comments about Holiday Histories.

2 comments about Diwali (Celebrations).

1. This book shows the story of Diwali in home school and wider settings. Very good in helping children to understand some of the diversity in our society.



2. Several of the teachers at our culturally diverse Montessori preschool liked this book enough to order it for their classrooms. The pictures are bright and show children preparing for and celebrating Diwali. Some of the Hindu teachers found the book's "Britain-centric" text a little disturbing and considered the treatment of Diwali very superficial. On this last point, perhaps a superficial treatment is to be expected in a book that is basically a brief first introduction to the holiday. We like this book as a starting point for discussion of the holiday that is celebrated by many of our students.

No comments about Cinco de Mayo (American Holidays).

No comments about A Telling Time.

No comments about Beto and the Bone Dance.

4 comments about The Hanukkah Candle Kit.

1. The book had interesting information but the wax was brittle and there was not nearly enough wick material to make 44 candles my children almost 5 and 3 were incredibly disappointed as was I - be sure to buy candles from elsewhere because these are miserable!



2. This is a charming idea and is a great project to do with kids (you do have to take care with the beeswax and soften it between your hands before you roll the candles). I did it at school with my daughter's 2nd grade class but was so disappointed to find that there was not nearly enough wick to make 44 candles! For nearly 20 dollars this was a serious shortcoming, as the labeling says in several places it has "everything you need!"



3. We celebrated the first night of Hanukkah using Mr. Abramson's Hanukkah Candle Kit with our 11, 7 and 5 year old sons. Our boys thoroughly enjoyed making their own Hanukkah candles supplied in the kit. The instructions were easy to follow and the materials were fun for them to work with. I was concerned that there might not be enough wick material for 44 candles (based off of another reviewer). I e-mailed the publisher (www.runningpress.com) and was told they would send me additional wick material if I needed it. Our kids could not wait to light their just made candles and recite the Hanukkah prayer. It was truly a fun and creative way for our kids to celebrate Hanukkah. Thank you Mr Abramson for putting together this wonderful kit and book!



4. My family of five sat down with this kit for a fun afternoon of candle-making. We were very disappointed to discover that, despite the package's claim of "everything you need to make eight nights of lights," there was only enough string to make wicks for about 12 candles! (You need 44 candles for all 8 nights of Hanukkah.) My three children (ages 4,6,and 8) and my husband and I were really looking forward to this activity. Because of the lack of adequate supplies, as well as the brittleness of the wax, it turned out to be a huge waste of money and expectations. Until the company fixes the supply problem, I would not recommend this product. Good potential, so that's why I gave it 2 stars and not 1.

No comments about Bring in the Holly.

1 comments about Hillel Builds a House.

1. Hillel is a boy who loves to build houses. It does not matter if it is a treehouse, a tent, a house costume or even just a picture, Hillel is determined to build a house that he can use during the Jewish holidays.
   
   The story starts with Chanukah but Hillel is not allowed to light his menorah in a cardboard house because of the risk of fire. And so it goes. Each holiday there is some reason he can not use his house. But at the end of the book, the holiday of Sukhot, a holiday just perfect for building houses.
   
   The book touches on most of the Jewish holidays but some are skipped over during the story. But still, it is a nice look at many holidays and not just a book for Sukhot (although it is especially appropriate).
   
   My only problem was with the artwork. I did not like the drawings of the father (neither did my wife). Otherwise check this one out.

No comments about Counting Chrismtas Angels.

No comments about Christmas (Celebrations in My World).