Celebrate Columbus Day

* Reviews *

These books explain the background, development, cultural significance, signs and symbols, and celebrants of three holidays. New Year contains a collection of dryly written facts, sometimes confusing in their organization because of a lack of adequate topic sentences, transitions, and chapter titles. Although average-quality photographs show recent global celebrations, the majority of the text covers traditions within China, with the exception of a chapter highlighting international festivities. Information on cooking, arts and crafts, related legends, and the development of Chinese timekeeping is also included. The book concludes with seven pages of chapter notes of both primary and secondary sources, and its comprehensiveness will suit capable, curious researchers. Other students may find Judith Jango-Cohen's Chinese New Year (Carolrhoda, 2005) more accessible. Cinco de Mayo details the origin of the holiday in Mexican history and its ideological ties to the U.S. Civil Rights Movement. Differences between celebrations in the U.S. and in Mexico are explained. Columbus Day shows how the explorer's voyages shaped American history. The word "discovery" is used infrequently and always in quotes; Native American views on the event are outlined, explaining that people lived in America prior to Columbus, and that he never actually visited the U.S. mainland. Wikipedia is listed as a source, and conflicting dates are offered for two separate events. The illustrations in Columbus Day, primarily color photographs with a few drawings, can be poor in quality, and, in Chinese New Year, their placement does not always correspond to the text. Despite minor flaws, these titles will serve as additional report sources., School Library Journal January 2007