Easter Bunnies (Holiday Symbols)

Merrick, Patrick

ISBN 10: 1567666396 ISBN 13: 9781567666397

Publisher: The Childs World Inc, 1999

Synopsis

Introduces the holiday of Easter and some of the ways in which it is celebrated, explaining the origin and meaning of such symbols as Easter eggs and the Easter bunny

About this title

From School Library Journal:

Gr 2-3-These titles present basic information on holiday symbols. Easter Bunnies explains how the rabbit came to be associated with this season and introduces various traditions related to it. Religion is mentioned, but it is not the book's focus. The author also notes the importance of taking responsibility for baby rabbits that are sometimes impulsively purchased as gifts during this season. Fireworks follows a similar format, explaining the origin of Fourth of July celebrations and how fireworks are made and used. Halloween presents a history of jack-o'-lanterns along with a description of this holiday's origin. Stevens also discusses how Irish settlers brought the story of Jack and his lantern to North America in the 1800s. All of the texts are clearly written and well organized. Important terms are highlighted in boldface text and defined in glossaries. Each book includes clear, close-up, full-color photographs. Halloween and Fireworks also have black-and-white line drawings. With their easy-to-read texts, these are fine additions.-Denise Brna, Bentleyville Public Library, PA

Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist:

The Resurrection meets cuddly bunnies toting chocolate eggs—what is up with Easter, anyway? The Our Holiday Symbols series’ noble aim is to take these ingrained icons (Christmas trees, jack-o’-lanterns, shamrocks, etc.) and explain how we got from point A to point B. The meat of Merrick’s lesson comes midway through this slim volume, when he explains the old belief in the goddess Eastre, who was in charge of bringing spring (and whose favorite animal was the hare). From there, Merrick makes the leap to the character of the Easter Bunny. “He also brings eggs!” he enthuses, though the introduction of eggs into the myth is never explained. It’s a fine line the author treads between fact and fantasy, and not always a comfortable one. Easter eggs “are for the children who have been very good during the winter!” and a final page refuses to say whether the Easter Bunny is real. Though the typeface is small, the photos are appealing, and there is some good ancillary info, including warnings against buying a real bunny at Easter. Grades 1-3. --Daniel Kraus

About this edition

• Publisher: The Childs World Inc
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 1567666396
• ISBN 13: 9781567666397
• Binding: Library Binding
• Number of pages: 32