Diwali--Hindu
Festival of Lights (Best Holiday Books) Grade 4-8. Two series entries with
solid, clearly presented facts and dull, unappealing layouts. Diwali is an
excellent resource for information about the festival and how it relates to the
history, culture, and people of India. The beliefs, important stories, sacred
books, common practices and influence on society of those who practice Hinduism
are discussed. Foods, crafts, instruments, and costumes are described, giving
readers a full picture of the meaning and value of this festival. The carefully
researched and thorough text of Thanksgiving Day is excellent. An explanation of
the universality of holiday feasts is a preface to a detailed description of the
history and common traditions of our own celebration. Modern history is given
equal weight, making this title stand out from others on the subject.
Unfortunately, the black-and-white and color photographs and reproductions that
appear throughout both books are boring and unattractive. With illustrations by
Thomas Locker, Jean Craighead George's The First Thanksgiving (Putnam, 1993) is
more visually interesting.?Sabrina L. Fraunfelter, Kings Glen Elementary School,
Springfield,
Hindu
Festivals Focusing on Hinduism, this is one of a series which provides an
introduction to the main festivals of the world's major religions. Extracts from
sacred texts and stories explain why the festivals are celebrated and how they
began, and children are quoted on religious aspects of their lives.
South
Indian Hindu Festival and Traditions Many color illus, background on major
festivals, with calendar. traditional recipes, rituals and pujas
