Festivals Books

My 2-year-old absolutely loves this book (it's his favorite Christmas book). In fact, we had to sneak it back in the Christmas things we packed away last year, or he would have read it all year long. He especially liked the pop-up aspect of the book. And with the action of removable envelopes and letters, your child will likely not become bored with it. But be careful, it's best that a parent reads the book with a young child because some of the pop-ups and letters are easily torn. (That's why I'm buying another - my son looked at it by himself and accidentally ruined it!).

This is my 6 year old's favorite Christmas story! The artwork is wonderful, & really fun. The story is nice for parents, because it is about Christmas giving, rather than receiving. I would broaden the age recommendation, because older kids would continue to enjoy the details. This book contains pop-up elements that a preschooler could easily ruin. I hope for more from this author.

A book of this kind should be available for every culture. After having spent 5 years in Thailand, I continue to learn a lot from reading this wonderful book. It's a shame that it's not made available in the United States -- virtually NONE of the major book chains (Amazon, Borders, Barns and Noble, Books a Million... etc) carry this book.

If you are studying Thai culture, interested in learning more about it or teaching a class about the Thais, this book is invaluable and will definitely give you a lot of insight to this mysterious ancient nation. Long time Thai scholars may also learn something from this book!

I strongly recommend this book (including another one called 'More Thai ways') if you guys would like to see what a way Thai people think and act.

Once again the School Library Journal has given a negative review to
a book within the Advocacy series by the MarshMedia Press. They phone
this in with every book that is published in the series. However,
there is now over 20 books so someone must be enjoying them and finding
them useful. I am one of those.

I am a collector of children's books, most typically of the picture book
age group. This series is usually for the older end of that age group
and beyond. However, I became attracted to it because I love books
that present the landscape, architecture, and culture of different countries. Each book in this series takes place in a very distinct
locale. Most are from foreign countries, a few are in US cities such as
Boston and New Orleans. There are a few "misses" but most do a wonderful
job of depicting the locale. This book is particularly wonderful at it,
with page after page of a very Chinese setting.

For other users, each book has an ethical/moral reason for being. When I
want to teach my two grandchildren who are in this age group a particular
lesson I tend not to rely on a typical picture book story that may have an
ethic wrapped around it. Sometimes they "get it," sometimes not. These
books point it out and then have pointers for the teachers/parents/readers
to make sure that the child did in fact "get it." If this is didactic,
so be it. It does what it sets out to do. For those interested, teacher-
type guides and multimedia kits are available for each book. I have never
seen them so cannot speak to the effectiveness.

In addition to the moral of the story, there is more information on the
inside covers of the book and the back pages. In this instance, there
are paragraphs on the Moon Festival, Chinese Names, the People's Republic
of China as a country, Chinese Writing and Language, plus more. These
books are for those who want more than entertainment or a good story.
These books for those who are interested in having their children become
more intellectual and ethical.

I haven't seen any new books within this series recently. I hope it does not mean that it is done. I have 21 of the books and I am ready
to buy more, if they are available.

I recently read "Thank You Meiling" to my third grade class after reading Amy Tan's, "Moon Lady". The text was easy for them to understand. It blended a story about a duck who needed to learn how to share and information about the Chinese celebration of Moon Festival. It kept their interest and also informed without being just "factual". I am going to purchase a few copies to present as gifts to our daughter's teachers each year during autumn (Moon Festival time).

I was just at a huge retail bookseller yesterday looking at Thanksgiving books that I could read to my homeschooled Kindergartener. There is a large selelction of bland books about thanksgiving. The wise child will say, "But, WHO are we thanking?" after reading most of those books. THIS book answers that question...GOD! Yes, while it seems politically incorrect, the truth is that the first settlers to our country WERE religious pilgrims, seeking a safe haven from religious persecution. This book is a gem in a PC sea of bland, corny thanksgiving day books for children. Children will enjoy the simple story; those just getting into chapter books will enjoy feeling successful reading a 'big kid' chapter book; and they will enjoy seeing how God blesses the faithful when they endure through trying times and complete hard work. This is a great book that your early elementary aged children will enjoy and can become a traditional read aloud for your family on the holiday!

Wonderful easy to read chapter book dealing with everything from the Mayflower and Speedwell to Squanto in a very realistic, historical manner. As a first grade teacher, I have found this book to be both interesting for young readers as well as informative. It differs than other "Thanksgiving" books in that although it is most sympathetic to the abilities of the reader, it provides a very compassionate, "adult" look into our history. It is much more than just a "pilgrims, Mayflower, Indians and turkey" story book! It is an excellent resource for the home and the classroom!END

I bought this book to read to my grandchildren and their classmates. It was a huge success!

Three leprechauns have an important job: they must dig up the pot of gold before the rainbow comes to expose their hiding place - but on the way they can't resist some mischief involving farm animals, putting the pot of gold in danger. A fun story of animal encounters and lessons learned evolves.

This book is a light, entertaining hodgepodge of holiday poetry, short stories, recipes, and brief explosions of memory related by writers ranging from 3 to 93 years (members of the Papier Mache staff also contributed, no doubt lending a warm "family" feel to the project). Not necessarily limited to yarns of Christmas reunions, No Place covers Thanksgiving and Jewish High Holiday get-togethers--many humorous and predictably disasterous, other poignant and serious. SuzAnne C. Cole's "The One-Sweet-Potato Holiday" chronicle one couple's first holiday dinner in an empty nest, while another favorite of mine, "If Diamonds Grew on Orange Trees" by Pamela Ditchoff, reveals the labor of love behind a simple dessert made once a year (Ditchoff even provides the recipe).

The verse ranges from sing-song rhyme (Charlotte A. Cote's "Eternal Optimist", a saga of a whirlwind Christmas vacation, could have been a children's book) to clipped freestyle verse. Almost resembling a holiday family reunion, No Place has the look of being thrown together--frenetic, yet in the end very much appreciated. Buy one as a gift, or for yourself to read on the plane trip home.

A compilation of poems, stories (and even recipes) related to the holidays--a great gift for grandparents or parents.

My son positively loves this book and "My Valentine Counting Book." The illustrations are fabulous, and given that my son is only 10 months old, I'm guessing that's what he loves so much! He pages through them time and again, and sometimes the only way he'll lie still for a diaper change is when he's got one in hand. (My favorite part is the last page, when I get to kiss him and say "but most of all, I love you!")

Where has Varda Livney been hiding? Her illustrations are magnificant. Her color and creatvity are captivating. My kids love it and want to read it over and over. Can't wait to see more from her!

Santiago Cohen attended art school in Mexico and holds a master's degree from the Pratt Institute in New York City. In this board book for the youngest children, there are cute colorful drawings that explain the holiday and seder meal in under 16 pages. It begins with a set table, then wine and matzo are added to the place settings (and a dog and a girl); then Haggadahs (Haggadot) are added along with a boy; then the salt water, roasted egg, maror, grandma and an older boy; and then on successive pages, more symbols are added along with rhyming text and the story. The reader can point to different items at the table to reinforce their own commentaries. The rhymes are cute, and include pour/maror; brine/wine; and story/glory. By the final page, we have a full table, a story, a squared-off bottle of wine - hopefully sweet malaga - and as the candles light we are ready to begin the seder night.

What a pleasure to come across "This is Passover" in my local bookstore. It's simple rhyme and modern illustrations are perfect for toddlers and young kids. A breath of fresh air in a sea of stodgey, wordy, old-fashioned Passover stories.

A wonderfully illustrated book that retells the "This Piggy Went to Market" with a Christmas theme. Billin-Frye's 3D-style cut-outs work well with the pull tabs, which definitely bring an immediate chuckle to any youngster. Few words, great graphics, guaranteed laughs.

Any child who enjoys playing the familiar rhyming game of "This Little Piggy..." will truly love this fun holiday adaptation. The book has clear illustrations and sturdy interactive flaps My daughter asks t read it again and again. She loves to make the reindeer pop up and can even read the story to me. You won't be disappointed.

This was one of the very first books our baby daughter responded to. The finger puppets are cute and intriguing, and the "shhhhhh" sound always brought on a giggle. Great for infants (better than the kitten and puppy books from the same series).

This was one of the very first books our baby daughter responded to. The finger puppets are cute and intriguing, and the "shhhhhh" sound always brought on a giggle. Great for infants (better than the kitten and puppy books from the same series).