Books with author Betsy Richardson

"This series explores the meanings and celebrations of holidays across religions and cultures around the world. It groups the holidays into volumes according to theme or by their common human experience. Each volume introduces readers to the origins, history, and common practices associated with the holidays before embarking on a worldwide tour that shows the regional variations and distinctive celebrations within specific countries. The reader will learn how these holidays started, what they mean to the people who celebrate them, and how different cultures celebrate them"--

In the modern era, and particularly in the Western world, Christmas and Hanukkah have become major events in the calendar. The Christian festival of Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, while Hanukkah celebrates a miracle that took place during biblical times. Although the events recalled in these holidays are unconnected, Christianity and Judaism spring from common traditions and holy books; in fact, their origins are so closely linked that people often refer to a Judeo-Christian tradition or heritage. Both Hanukkah and Christmas take place close to the winter solstice-the shortest day of the year. Each celebration, closely associated with light, symbolizes a source of comfort during the dreary winter months and encourages celebrants to look to the future. This book explores the origin, history, and customs of Christmas and Hanukkah and the unique ways people around the world celebrate these holidays. Each title in this series contains color photos and illustrations throughout, and back matter including: an index and further resource lists for books and online resources. Key Icons appear throughout the books in this series in an effort to encourage library readers to build knowledge, gain awareness, explore possibilities and expand their viewpoints through our content rich non-fiction books. Key Icons in this series are as follows: Words to Understand are shown at the front of each chapter with definitions. These words are set in boldfaced type in that chapter, so that readers are able to reference back to the definitions-building their vocabulary and enhancing their reading comprehension. Sidebars are highlighted graphics with content rich material within that allows readers to build knowledge and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information t

Regardless of who we are, we all make mistakes. We yearn for a chance to start over, to right our wrongs, and to create a better future by improving upon our pasts. Several religious holidays around the world are devoted to this very task. These holidays are called days of repentance or days of atonement. Atonement is the act of acknowledging one's sins and asking them to be forgiven. This is done through a process of repentance, or the act of expressing sorrow for one's sins, and penance, a form of suffering one puts upon him- or herself to make up for previous misdeeds. This book focuses on the observation of Lent in the Christian tradition, the Jewish observance of Yom Kippur, and Vassa, the Buddhist practice also known as the Rains Retreat or Buddhist Lent. The Christian, Jewish, and Buddhist days of atonement vary greatly in beliefs and customs across different regions, but each has the ultimate goal of the practitioners bettering themselves through prayer, humility, and repentance. Each title in this series contains color photos and illustrations throughout, and back matter including: an index and further resource lists for books and online resources. Key Icons appear throughout the books in this series in an effort to encourage library readers to build knowledge, gain awareness, explore possibilities and expand their viewpoints through our content rich non-fiction books. Key Icons in this series are as follows: Words to Understand are shown at the front of each chapter with definitions. These words are set in boldfaced type in that chapter, so that readers are able to reference back to the definitions-building their vocabulary and enhancing their reading comprehension. Sidebars are highlighted graphics with content rich material within that allows readers

Ramadan, the most sacred month of the year for more than 1 billion Muslims, is a holiday traditionally devoted to prayer, fasting, and charity, though more recently it has become an occasion for many Muslims to feast, party, and shop. Commemorating the revelation of the sacred Muslim text, the Quran, Ramadan is a time for Muslims to revitalize their spiritual lives. For one month, Muslims are required to fast during the daylight hours, and to abstain from certain behaviors, such as lying or smoking. The end of Ramadan is celebrated in a three-day festival called Eid al-Fitr, a time for friends and families to get together, make amends, and extend forgiveness. This book describes the various customs and traditions of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr celebrations around the world and how social and political influences have shaped these observances.

"This series explores the meanings and celebrations of holidays across religions and cultures around the world. It groups the holidays into volumes according to theme or by their common human experience. Each volume introduces readers to the origins, history, and common practices associated with the holidays before embarking on a worldwide tour that shows the regional variations and distinctive celebrations within specific countries. The reader will learn how these holidays started, what they mean to the people who celebrate them, and how different cultures celebrate them"--

Since human beings first walked the Earth, spring has been a time to celebrate the renewal of the land. A time of longer days and warmer weather, spring, and the holidays celebrated during this season, inspire an apprectiation for renewal and rebirth. While today thousands of spring celebrations are enjoyed around the globe in the form of neo-pagan rites and environmental occasions such as Earth Day and Arbor Day, four festivals are widely observed by many cultures around the world-from Liechtenstein to India, Argentina to Zanzibar, and everywhere in between. These four are the Hindu celebration of Holi that originated in southern Asia, the Persian new year festival Navruz, the Jewish observance of Passover (or "Pesach" in Hebrew), and the Christian Easter celebration. This book discusses how these holidays encourage individuals to gather with family and friends, honor the sacrifices others have made, enjoy special foods, and exchange gifts or tokens of affection. Each title in this series contains color photos and illustrations throughout, and back matter including: an index and further resource lists for books and online resources. Key Icons appear throughout the books in this series in an effort to encourage library readers to build knowledge, gain awareness, explore possibilities and expand their viewpoints through our content rich non-fiction books. Key Icons in this series are as follows: Words to Understand are shown at the front of each chapter with definitions. These words are set in boldfaced type in that chapter, so that readers are able to reference back to the definitions-building their vocabulary and enhancing their reading comprehension. Sidebars are highlighted graphics with content rich material within that allows readers to build knowledge and

Throughout history, nations and peoples have marked their calendars with special days to celebrate, commemorate, and memorialize. We set aside times to reflect on the past and future, to rest and renew physically and spiritually, and to simply have fun. This series explores the meanings and celebrations of holidays across religions and cultures around the world. It groups the holidays into volumes according to theme or by their common human experience due to their closeness on the calendar. Each volume introduces readers to the origins, history, and common practices associated with the holidays before embarking on a worldwide tour that shows the regional variations and distinctive celebrations within specific countries. The reader will learn how these holidays started, what they mean to the people who celebrate them, and how different cultures celebrate them.

Religious new year's celebrations invite their participants to slow down and truly consider the passage of time and the opportunity for personal change. Many of the world's religions have new year's celebrations based on their own calendars, each with its own history and set of traditions. They are less about the transition from one year to the next than about the spiritual journey from an old self to a new one. Particular foods, prayers, and other customs strengthen the sense of this journey. Focusing on Divali (Hindu), Rosh Hashanah (Jewish), El am Hejir (Muslim), and Matariki (Maori), this book explores how cultures around the world contemplate the passage of time during these deeply sacred festivals. Each title in this series contains color photos and illustrations throughout, and back matter including: an index and further resource lists for books and online resources. Key Icons appear throughout the books in this series in an effort to encourage library readers to build knowledge, gain awareness, explore possibilities and expand their viewpoints through our content rich non-fiction books. Key Icons in this series are as follows: Words to Understand are shown at the front of each chapter with definitions. These words are set in boldfaced type in that chapter, so that readers are able to reference back to the definitions-building their vocabulary and enhancing their reading comprehension. Sidebars are highlighted graphics with content rich material within that allows readers to build knowledge and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Educational Video features throughout have QR codes linked to online videos that provide supplemental interviews, documentaries, and historical clips. Text-D

"This series explores the meanings and celebrations of holidays across religions and cultures around the world. It groups the holidays into volumes according to theme or by their common human experience. Each volume introduces readers to the origins, history, and common practices associated with the holidays before embarking on a worldwide tour that shows the regional variations and distinctive celebrations within specific countries. The reader will learn how these holidays started, what they mean to the people who celebrate them, and how different cultures celebrate them"--

Bryan was 10 when his brother, Adam, just . . . disappeared. That was five years ago, and now Bryan is the only one who seems to remember what happened. Until he meets two others with their own unsolved mysteries. It seems that Adam isn’t the first to disappear. Someone or something is after the kids in their neighborhood. The adults can’t hear it, and they can’t see it or feel it—but the kids can. And it all comes back to the skipping rhyme that every child in town knows by heart . . . and the Dark Man who haunts everyone’s worst nightmares—while they’re awake.

New York Interactive City Guide-Chinese, Spanish and English.Interactive City Guides searching in multiple languages. Job search, interactive notes, dictionaries, shopping and real estate guides.Using the power of the internet this guide is all about 9900 preset searches keeping you up to date about your city. Rolling out in 2020 with 8 search engines and 9900 links using your browser in over 10 different languages; point and click that's it! You can now avoid spelling mistakes and language difficulties making this guide simple enough for everybody to use. Simply click the icon, your search is done, read everything you want to know and it is never out of date.These guides have extensive hotel and restaurant search; not to mention real estate, shopping, job and employment opportunities available in the guides. Sit in the coffee shop and start searching away on their WiFi and start using our interactive city search guides and brochures with multiple languages! For PC, Mac, Pad, or iPhone or mobile phone enabled search tool with multi-search engine capability built right in.This guide searches for food, hotels, real estate, historical sites, sports, concerts, even public toilets and water closets and everything that’s fun to do; with travel planning, maps and transportation. Good for tourists, travellers, vacationers, people who have just moved to town, and even long term residents who want to stay on top of what’s new and current in their area or city.These guides are great for those with disabilities!New updated Interactive Notes and Glossaries for Economics, Financial, Markets, Money and Banking.Search translation in Chinese, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Indian, Portuguese and Japanese!Updated December 2019 R.G. Richardson City Guides using the power of the internet.