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K-3
Super SandCastle: Super Simple Holidays series.
Each volume in this appealing, child-friendly series begins with a short introduction to the designated holiday and a few of its celebratory customs, followed by directions for nine or ten holiday-related crafts. Projects include garlands, greeting cards, snacks, decorations, and games. Each project includes a materials list (requiring mainly standard craft supplies) and step-by-step instructions; clear photographs helpfully illustrate crucial steps. Glos. Review covers these Super SandCastle: Super Simple Holidays titles: Super Simple Christmas Activities, Super Simple Earth Day Activities, Super Simple Halloween Activities, Super Simple Presidents' Day Activities, Super Simple Thanksgiving Activities, and Super Simple Valentine's Day Activities.
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1-3
Illustrated by
Jeffrey Ebbeler.
When kindhearted second-grader Ellie May tries to distinguish herself, her less-than-optimal impulse control frequently causes her to misstep. In these first two entries, her quest for the funniest April Fool's joke misfires, as do her attempts to act presidential. Numerous grayscale illustrations highlight the diverse cast of characters, while subtle life lessons and Ellie May's antics should appeal to Clementine fans. Review covers these titles: Ellie May on April Fools' Day and Ellie May on Presidents' Day.
32 pp.
| Kane Press
| September, 2014
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-57565-726-4$25.26
|
PaperISBN 978-1-57565-649-6$7.95
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K-3
Holidays & Heroes series.
Illustrated by
Thomas Sperling.
This series highlights three U.S. holidays, providing information about their origins and reasons for continued celebration. Abbreviated biographies of Columbus (Columbus) and Washington and Lincoln (Presidents') are included; Veterans succinctly describes the five branches of the U.S. military and explains how Armistice Day was enlarged in 1954 to "honor all veterans, living or dead." Photographs and drawings accompany the lackluster texts. Review covers these Holidays & Heroes titles: Let's Celebrate Columbus Day, Let's Celebrate Presidents' Day, and Let's Celebrate Veterans Day.
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K-3
Illustrated by
Barry Blitt.
McNamara debunks the cherry tree fable plus others, intermingling them with real facts to imagine Washington's seventh birthday. Boxed notes distinguish truth from fancy, as does George's page-long first-person concluding note, which also summarizes his later life. Blitt's energetic, lighthearted pen and watercolor art, in colonial blues and browns, is evocative of the period while augmenting the text's humor.
Reviewer: Joanna Rudge Long
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
January, 2012
48 pp.
| Enslow/Elementary
| October, 2011
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-3726-7$23.93
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K-3
Paper Craft Fun for Holidays series.
Children use items such as recycled paper, glue, paint, and scissors to make simple holiday-themed craft projects including pop-up cards, hats, and decorations. Easter eggs, shamrocks, and hearts (for example) are the typical holiday fare; step-by-step directions and patterns to copy and enlarge enhance accessibility. Photographs illustrate the crafts in progress and the final products. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Paper Craft Fun for Holidays titles: Paper Crafts for Easter, Paper Crafts for Mardi Gras, Paper Crafts for Presidents' Day, Paper Crafts for St. Patrick's Day, Paper Crafts for Thanksgiving, and Paper Crafts for the 4th of July.
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K-3
Illustrated by
Lizzy Rockwell.
The kids in Mrs. Madoff's class are excited to celebrate Presidents' Day. Focusing on the Mount Rushmore figures, the kids pay tribute to our forefathers' contributions by creating art projects, performing a play, and holding a class election. Unfussy illustrations depict an ethnically diverse classroom of polite and happy children.
32 pp.
| Dial
| June, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8037-3138-7$16.99
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K-3
Illustrated by
Ard Hoyt.
For Presidents' Day, Caleb's teacher asks the class to "make something showing patriotism." Caleb is stumped until he realizes that his soldier dad, who is serving overseas, "is patriotism." Caleb's epiphany is kind of adult, but many communities will welcome this opportunity to discuss the concerns of children with parents in the military. The illustrations convey Caleb's pride.
24 pp.
| ABDO
| March, 2005
|
LibraryISBN 1-59197-590-5$21.35
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K-3
Buddy Books: Holidays series.
Following a short description of the featured holiday, Murray discusses its origin, its evolution, and the way it is celebrated today. The writing is simple and straightforward, but bolded key words are not always defined in the text, leading to disruptive detours to the glossary. Photos appear throughout the generally clean layouts. Columbus and King contain timelines. Ind. Review includes these Buddy Books: Holidays titles: Chinese New Year, Cinco de Mayo, Columbus Day, Independence Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and Presidents' Day.
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K-3
Historias de fiestas series.
Translated by Patricia Abello.
Each of the books in this series offer some background on a particular holiday. At times, the text's conversational tone verges on speaking down to young readers. The books, illustrated with historical photos and drawings, provide some basic and useful information for report writers. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Historias de fiestas titles: El dÃa de acción de gracias, El dÃa de los presidentes, and El dÃa de Martin Luther King Jr..]
(4)
K-3
First Step Nonfiction: American Holidays series.
With a simple text and large color photos, each small-size book in this series gives some very basic history about a U.S. holiday. While the writing is fairly dry, these books offer easy-to-read introductions for young readers. Oddly, photos of modern-day presidents in Presidents' Day are from the 1980s and 90s, giving the book a dated feel. A timeline and a page of additional facts are included. Glos., ind. [First Step Nonfiction covers these titles: Earth Day, Independence Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, and Presidents' Day.]
32 pp.
| Lerner/Millbrook
| October, 2001
|
LibraryISBN 0-7613-1813-5$$21.90
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K-3
Illustrated by
Gwen Connelly.
Brief profiles of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, glimpses of other White House occupants, and assorted presidential facts ("Can a President Start a War?" "Do Children Like Living in the White House?") make for a breezy, scattershot treatment of this February holiday. Generic illustrations are undistinguished but adequate. Directions for a related activity are included at the end of the book.