New Year

School Library Journal

ea. vol: 48p. photogs. reprods. bibliog. glossary index. (Holidays and Festivals Series). CIP. Rourke. l987. PLB $9.25. Gr 3-5 Three formula-written books that look alike but that have some inter nal differences. Christmas describes the origins and variations of celebra tions around the world. It is a more de tailed, choppier, and less charming ac count than Christmas (Crowell, 1967) by Barbara Cooney. New Year, which overlaps slightly with the descriptions and pictures in the Christmas book, speaks of historical, international, and religious celebrations. Thanksgiving and Harvest is the most original, as it describes different kinds of harvests and investigates historically the signifi cance of harvest celebrations. Unfortu nately this book has the choppiest writ ing and is the most disjointed of the three. Also, the first picture in ``Cele brating the Harvest in Britain'' shows a Russian harvest fair. The books may have some use: the many photographs and historical pictures are good, and the information is good in a sketchy sort of way. It's unfortunate that the writing and the organization are poor. Carolyn Jenks, Oyster River Elementa ry School, Durham, N.H.