Don't Sing Before Breakfast, Don't Sleep in the Moonlight: Everyday Superstitions and How They Began

Examines common superstitions associated with the events of a typical day, how these superstitions developed, and how they influence our behavior today

Grade 3-6 Perl's compendium of superstitions, loosely organized by the day's events, is similar to Alvin Schwartz' book Cross Your Fingers, Spit in the Wind (Lippincott, 1974), yet each has its own strengths. Schwartz' book has a more open look, with brief descriptions of the superstitions; lots of white space; and humorous, scratchy drawings by Glen Rounds. The superstitions are grouped logically in brief chapters by type. It has an extensive list of sources and a comprehensive bibliography but no index. Perl's book, which has more of a narrative flow, cites no sources, and has only a meager bibliography, but it does include a good index. The stark black-and-white woodcuts throughout are workmanlike but give a folk quality to the book that is suitable to its content. Libraries that already have Schwartz' book may not need Perl's book, as Perl presents little new information, but some collections may want to own both because of the different appended material. David Gale, ``School Library Journal''
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Perl and Weihs, whose Blue Monday and Friday the Thirteenth was an excellent assemblage of the facts and fictions surrounding the days of the week, have put similar care into this book. The author begins at sun-up and concludes at bedtime, listing almost everything that can go wrong or right, depending on certain foreshadowing actions. There are several instances that will allow evil spirits to leap into the body or give them power over human beings: leaving fingernail clippings around, crossing the knife and fork at the dinner table, sneezing and yawning, just to name a few. The writing is smooth, the tone humorous, and Weihs's graceful pictures show some of the quirkier aspects of superstition and self-induced fear. An offering to be enjoyed with a grain of garlic salt and a brisk "gesundheit." Ages 8-11.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.