Celebrate with Books: Booktalks for Holidays and Other Occasions »

ROSANNE J. BLASS is former Professor of Education, University of South Florida, and author, and workshop presenter based in Clearwater, Florida.

A Florida educator recommends 200 recently published nonfiction and fiction holiday-themed titles for librarians and teachers to select for elementary and middle school-age children. Following general books on multicultural observances, chapters following the calendar offer annotations, suitable age level, curriculum areas, activities, and discussion questions. The literacy guide also covers such events as National Women's History Month, birthdays, and tooth fairy visits. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

School Library Journal

This collection of booktalks for children in kindergarten through sixth grade emphasizes picture books, chapter books, and poetry published from 2000 to 2004. The volume begins with general holidays celebrated by cultures around the world (African American, Asian, Indian, Islamic, Jewish, Spanish, North American), and then takes a month-by-month approach. Additional year-round celebrations (birthdays, visits from the tooth fairy, new siblings) are appended. For each observation, at least two selections are suggested and include a complete citation, genre, age level, culture (where appropriate), summary, the booktalk itself, and a learning extension, which appeals to Gardner's multiple intelligences. The short booktalks, often five to seven sentences in length, frequently use the plot summary or mood-creation style. Some read like promotional flap copy, others include lesson plan information, and many end with a question. Each section concludes with citations for additional titles for the particular celebration. A great aid for collection development and for thematic planning.-Julie R. Ranelli, Episcopal Center for Children, Washington, DC Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Introduction

Holidays in General

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Other Occasions

Appendix

Index