Happy New Year by Emery Bernhard and Illustrated by Durga Bernhard

Happy New Year

by Emery Bernhard and Illustrated by Durga Bernhard

"People around the world celebrate the new year in many different ways. How these traditions began and what they mean is the focus of this lively and engaging book. Why is noise-making such an important part of greeting the new year? Why do Nigerian children stay inside their homes until the old year is gone? Why do people in Burma pour buckets of water over one another? Here's a chance to travel to places as diverse as Ecuador, India, Italy, and China to find out how the new year is welcomed."

This delightfully written celebration of New Years tells the story of New Year's celebrations all over the world.

"People from all over the world welcome the new year. For everyone, it is a time of hope for the future. Different cultures measure time in different ways. The dates for New Year's celebrations vary from place to place and have changed through the ages."

This colorful fun book tells us that "Those of us who celebrate New Year's Dayon January 1 are using the calendar introduced by the Roman emperor Julius Caesar about two thousand years ago... January--the first month--was named after Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and endings, of planting and harvesting.

Cowboys in the Wild West of nineteenth century United States rode into town to celebrate on December 31st. They began a tradition of going into the streets at midnight to fire their pistols in the air.

Ibo children in Nigeria must remain in doors until the year is gone, for if they are caught outside, the old year might carry them off when it leaves.

In Ecuador, families burn a straw man along with a list of everyone's faults at midnight on December 31st.

Rosh Hashana is the New Year holiday celebrated by Jews around the world. It takes place in early autumn.

On the Islamic New Year, Muslime worship quietly. They read their holy book, the Koran, which tells how the Prophet Muhammad fled from Mecca to Medina to escape death.

Chinese everywhere celebrate their New Year between mid-January and mid-February, which is the beginning of spring in China... The dragon that leads the Chinese New Year procession is a symbol of strength and good luck.

The Japanese also have a way of sealing their homes to keep out evil spirits on New Years Eve.

You will have to read this book to learn more about New Year's celebrations all over the world.

This book contains a glossary at the end that will be helpful to young children who might not understand some of the words that are included in this wonderful book.

This book is well written. The pictures are bright,cheerful, and very colorful. This book is a great read for young children to learn how people all over the world celebrate New Years Day.

Happy reading....

Until the next time!

A children's book a day, keeps the scary monster away!