Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
New York : Clarion, c1972.
Description
Explains the origins of and relates stories associated with familiar Halloween symbols.
User reviews
LibraryThing member t1bnotown
I thought this would be a really cool book about the history of Halloween, etc. that I could put in my classroom library, but I eventually decided that it would be unfit. It did have a lot of history, even some stuff that was interesting or that I didn't know, but it was so loaded with
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exaggerations, misinterpretations, and untruths that I got really annoyed. I would definitely recommend going elsewhere for your history, because I found this book somewhat offensive. Show Less
LibraryThing member TheGoldenPen
In this delightful book, Edna Barth describes in detail about how Halloween originated from a centuries old tradition beginning in Irland with the Celts that survived through the centuries with trick-or-treating, parties, pumpkins and how the Irish started a tradition of their ancient customs in
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America that became a celebration loved by children and adults alike throughout America. Wonderfully illustrated and full descriptions and stories about Halloween and the meaning of the symbols behind this Holiday. Show Less
LibraryThing member karinnekarinne
I love the illustrations in Witches, Pumpkins, and Grinning Ghosts -- you can tell they were drawn in the 70s, in a charming way -- but the writing style is too choppy and random for me to enjoy.
I like that a children's book includes info about actual witches, Druids, celebrations of the dead,
Most of my problem, though, stems from Barth's writing style; the book reads like a grade-school essay, with info just dropped into each chapter randomly, with no smooth transitions between time periods or subjects. It's hard to read, or maybe just hard to focus on. It's not a book I'd recommend unless you really dig the art.
I like that a children's book includes info about actual witches, Druids, celebrations of the dead,
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etc., and I liked the background provided for jack o'lanterns, bobbing for apples . . . all those classic games and symbols associated with Halloween. I haven't gone through the book chapter-by-chapter to fact-check, but I suspect some facts might be a little jumbled; some bits just SOUND wrong, but I can't back that up.Most of my problem, though, stems from Barth's writing style; the book reads like a grade-school essay, with info just dropped into each chapter randomly, with no smooth transitions between time periods or subjects. It's hard to read, or maybe just hard to focus on. It's not a book I'd recommend unless you really dig the art.
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Subjects
Language
Physical description
95 p.; 26 cm
ISBN
0395288479 / 9780395288474