Books in Holiday History series

Kwanzaa is a seven-day festival that begins on December 26th and is celebrated until the first of January each year. It celebrates African American culture as well as family and community. Families gather to eat delicious foods, exchange gifts, and honor their heritage and traditions. Using age-appropriate language, this book explores Kwanzaa's roots and the social significance of its founding. Colorful images allow readers to visualize the celebration and make connections with the text. Each day of the holiday focuses on one of seven principles that readers will be able to appreciate in their own life, even if their family doesn't celebrate Kwanzaa.

"Children around the world know that Earth Day is a holiday to show support for environmental causes, such as tree-planting initiatives or beach cleanups. But it actually started in 1970 as a way to protest the issues concerning the environment! Written in accessible language and with appropriate content, this volume introduces readers to the reasons we still celebrate Earth Day today. It encourages care for Earth and a sense of responsibility for the world around us. Full-color photographs show the beautiful world around us and what readers can do to take part on April 22 next year"--

Many cultures had their own way of counting the year before the western calendar became accepted around the world. The Chinese New Year, one of the biggest holidays in modern China, is based on an ancient lunar calendar. Readers explore the long history of this celebration as well as find out about the animals associated with particular years, the food, and ways people still celebrate it today. Amazing full-color photographs show off the fun of the Chinese New Year in history and today to correlate with the text for beginning readers.

It is November 11 and school is closed. But do you know why? It's Veterans Day, of course? Turn the pages of this book to find out: why veterans wear flowers on Veterans Day, what happens at the eleventh hour, on the eleventh day, of the eleventh month each year, who were the Axis Powers. Each book in the Holiday Histories series describes one of America's holidays or special days. Explore the history of each day and learn the real reason why it is important. Discover what special meaning each day might have for you.

Going to a fireworks display is a popular way to celebrate the Fourth of July, but why is that? And why do we use July 4 as the day to honor United States independence? These and many other questions about the history of the Fourth of July are answered for curious readers in this fun, patriotic volume. Historical images and full-color photographs correlate closely with the text, showing the Founding Fathers and modern July 4th events. Written especially for beginning readers, the main content provides just the right amount of historical context and supports early elementary social studies curricula.

Presidents' Day started out on George Washington's birthday and was established as a federal holiday in 1885. Today, it celebrates all U.S. presidents and is always celebrated on the third Monday in February. How and why was this change made? In this book, readers find out the answer and more. Carefully chosen photographs correlate with the text written especially for young readers. The historical context included complements the early elementary social studies curriculum as well as encourages an understanding of the role of the president in our nation.

It is the third Monday in February and school is closed. But do you know why? It's Presidents' Day, of course! Turn the pages of this book to find out: how George Washington almost became 'King George', which two holidays became Presidents' Day, which presidents can be seen on a mountain. Each book in the Holiday Histories series describes one of America's holidays or special days. Explore the history of each day and learn the real reason why it is important. Discover what special meaning each day might have for you