Celebrate with Books: Booktalks for Holidays and Other Occasions

(Paperback)

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Description

Catch the wave of enthusiasm that accompanies holiday celebrations, and use it to promote reading and literature throughout the year. Focusing on books for elementary readers published within the past five years, Blass introduces you to 200 of the best new fiction and nonfiction titles about world holidaysfrom New Year's Day, Ramadan, and Mardi Gras to Juneteenth, Pioneer Day, and the Bon Festival. The guide offers full bibliographic information; a plot summary; a booktalk, bookwalk, or read-aloud for promoting the book to young readers; and ideas for discussion and extension learning activities. Chapters are organized chronologically from January to December, with additional chapters on Holidays in General and Other Special Occasions, covering such events as birthdays and losing a tooth. Alternative title suggestions for each holiday are given at the end of the section. A source of inspiration for reading assignments, book lists, and library displays, this guide is also a great resource for multicultural units. Grades K-6.

Reviews

Blaas provides a model for holidays and other special days that a library aide, a parent volunteer, or the teacher-librarian can use.The book is also a good way to check the collections to see that you have a range of the world's cultures represented. If you need quick suggestions and idea starters in the library, this book answers that need. * Teacher Librarian *
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.A great aid for collection development and for thematic planning. * School Library Journal *

Author Bio

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