Level: Early childhood - Lower Primary
Fiction
- Daniels, Lucy; Ellis, Andy (illus) 2002, The cheeky chick,
(Little animal ark series), Hodder Children's Books, London.
Mandy, Grandma and their friends are preparing for the Easter carnival to
be held at the local church. Mandy organizes friends to bring along their
pet rabbits and chicks. Charlie is the cheekiest chick Mandy has ever met.
Charlie loves to escape from his basket and trying to catch him during the
Easter service grabs everyone's attention.
- Sibley, Irena 2000, Grandma Bilby, Mr Budge & the Easter tree,
Lothian, Port Melbourne, Vic.
Grandma Bilby, tired after hauling her towering load of Easter eggs, falls
asleep in the hollow of a big old tree. Possums distribute the eggs throughout
the tree and Grandma Bilby wakes to find an Easter egg fiesta in progress
and Bill and Miss Button starry-eyed, under the tree. The appealing soft
toned illustrations reflect the gentle tenor of the story. OZ
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Non-Fiction
- Chambers, Catherine 1998, Easter, (A World of festivals),
Evans Brothers Limited, London.
The Easter story is told in simple language and emphasises the significant
details of the passion and crucifixion of Jesus with some indication of
the teachings the form the basis for Christian belief. The book also indicates
the particular festivals associated with Easter such as the Procession of
palms, Maundy Thursday and the Good Friday celebrations. These are covered
in two-page spreads using captioned colour photos and large, clear text.
Other features of the season such as the food eaten, the decoration of eggs
and the making of Easter cards are described and instructions given for
making examples. Useful resource for Studies of Society and Environment,
Culture and identity, Level 1 and Level 2.
- Ely, Jo 1998, Festivals, (Pelican big books), Longman, Harlow.
Basic information on festivals provides younger students with an accessible
introduction to Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Jewish and Sikh religions. The
name of the festival and its corresponding religion clearly heads each two-page
chapter. Large, bold print and simple sentence structures make understanding
the text easy. This book would make a very useful resource for Studies of
Society and Environment, Culture and identity, Level 1 and Level 2.
- French, Fiona 2002, Easter, Lincoln, London.
Exquisite stained glass designs illuminate the story of Easter, in the language
of the King James Version. A reading aloud by a competent reader would provide
opportunity to explore the effects of time on sentence structures, vocabulary
and spellings. May stimulate some interesting art and literature activities
revolving around the Middle Ages as well as religious celebrations.
- Goldish, Meish 2002, Holidays through the year, (Inquizitive
series), Pearson Education, South Melbourne, Vic.
This title, from a valuable guided reading series for early readers, is
supported by a well-informed and comprehensive teacher's guide. Australia's
special days are discussed and a contents page is included. Short eye-spans
of simple text and bright, glossy photographs will appeal to the intended
audience. OZ
- Jenkins, Rhonda 2002, We celebrate, (Inquizitive series),
Pearson Australia, South Melbourne, Vic.
This book celebrates Australia's multiculturalism. Brief double-page spreads
outline traditions and events: Chinese New Year, St Patrick's Day, Vesak
(Buddha's birthday), Children's Day (Japanese), Rosh Hashanah (Jewish new
year) and Eid-Ul-Fitr (Muslim). Large sized print, simple sentence structure
and large related illustrations assist students' comprehension of the text.
Suitable for Studies of Society and Environment, Time, continuity and change,
Level 2 and Level 3. OZ
- Kindersley, Anabel; Kindersley, Barnabas (illus) 1997, Celebration!,
Dorling Kindersley, London.
This sparkling companion to 'Children just like me' features twenty-five
festivals from around the world in a lively format focussed on the children
involved. Each opening shows the children participating in particular festivals,
with the related costumes, ceremonies, games, food and artefacts explained
in ample text. There are ten Spring festivals such as Chinese New Year and
Holi (India).
- Senker, Cath 2002, My Christian year (A year of religious
festivals series) Hodder, London.
Janay Bromley is nine years old and a Catholic, who provides short diary
entries to show the various ceremonies that her church celebrates during
the Christian year. Examples of these ceremonies are taken from different
countries, including Australia, as the year unfolds.
- Witherington, Anne 1998, Food for festivals Addison Wesley
Longman, Harlow.
This glossy big book is large enough to share with a class group for investigating
cultural diversity. The significance of festivals from a wide variety of
cultures is discussed in simple language, easily understood by young students.
Magnificent photography enhances the attractive presentation.
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Last updated: February 2005
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