We Are What We Celebrate

How did Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday become a national holiday? Why do we exchange presents on Christmas and Chanukah? What do bunnies have to do with Easter? How did Earth Day become a global holiday? These questions and more are answered in this fascinating exploration into the history and meaning of holidays and rituals. Edited by Amitai Etzioni, one of the most influential social and political thinkers of our time, this collection provides a compelling overview of the impact that holidays and rituals have on our family and communal life. From community solidarity to ethnic relations to religious traditions, We Are What We Celebrate argues that holidays such as Halloween, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, New Year's Eve, and Valentine's Day play an important role in reinforcing, and sometimes redefining, our values as a society. The collection brings together classic and original essays that, for the first time, offer a comprehensive overview and analysis of the important role such celebrations play in maintaining a moral order as well as in cementing family bonds, building community relations and creating national identity. The essays cover such topics as the creation of Thanksgiving as a national holiday; the importance of holidays for children; the mainstreaming of Kwanzaa; and the controversy over Columbus Day celebrations. Compelling and often surprising, this look at holidays and rituals brings new meaning to not just the ways we celebrate but to what those celebrations tell us about ourselves and our communities. Contributors: Theodore Caplow, Gary Cross, Matthew Dennis, Amitai Etzioni, John R. Gillis, Ellen M. Litwicki, Diana Muir, Francesca Polletta, Elizabeth H. Pleck, David E. Proctor, Mary F. Whiteside, and Anna Day Wilde.

Venture on a rich journey of festivities! From Diwali to Chinese New Year, discover fascinating traditions and customs that unite us all. Sprinkled with stunning illustrations, We All Celebrate! is bursting with facts about the many cultures and religions of the world. This joyful book offers a glimpse into the beautiful multicultural traditions, language, history, food and so much more-a true celebration of diversity!

Christmas is more than just gift-giving. It holds a much deeper meaning that has something do with Jesus Christ and the history of Christianity. If you trace its historic roots, you can see that the first Christmas was actually the beginning of a worldwide change. Treat this book as a prelude to the Christmas celebration. Grab a copy today!

Fourteen holidays celebrated around the world come alive in this kid-friendly guide of how to celebrate each holiday. The wide-ranging collection of holidays includes Holi, Purim, Halloween, and more!

Independence Day is a holiday known for the many ways in which people choose to celebrate, parades, cookouts and, of course, fireworks. To many, the holiday is known simply as the Fourth of July. Some readers may not know the reasons we celebrate this holiday. What is the significance of celebrating on this specific date? What exactly happened on July 4, 1776? With accessible vocabulary and eye-catching photographs, this book will teach readers about the history behind the holiday, and the different ways that families across the country celebrate Independence Day.

Do you know the truth behind the dressing up and trick-or-treating that are important parts of this holiday? If not, you need to read this book with your child. Halloween comes every yearand so does the question: Mommy, Why Dont We Celebrate Halloween? Most likely, your child has either asked you this, or will ask you in the future. This is why you should be ready to explain Halloween to a kid, sharing the dangers of Halloween and discussing Halloween as a pagan holiday. This book will help your child have a Christian perspective on Halloween, making it clear why you dont celebrate the holiday. It reveals, in story form, the truth behind the activities that have become such an accepted part of Halloween traditions. Children who read this book and talk about it with their parents will learn how the "fun" of Halloween harms them. They will also learn what to say to others who do not understand the true meaning of Halloween.

An inclusive picture book for grandparents everywhere. In every country around the world are grandpas short and tall. Though they go by different names, we love them one and all. From brilliant new talents Ashleigh Barton and Martina Heiduczek, comes a charming and heart-warming book that celebrates the many different ways we say grandpa. What Do You Call Your Grandpa? is a love letter to grandfathers and families from every corner of the globe. Young readers will learn how to say Grandpa in thirteen different languages including Hebrew, Welsh, Portuguese, Swahili, Mandarin, Maori, Flemish, Igbo, Hindi, Spanish, Italian, Tagalog, and Gurindji.

Discusses the origins and symbols of Kwanzaa, the holiday that focuses on African American history, culture, and experiences, and offers suggestions for ways to celebrate this holiday.