HARVEST DAYS

Harvest time is celebrated around the world.

When the difficult work of an agricultural society is finished, and if conditions have been good, there is plenty of food both to be stored and made into special dishes. Parades, music, and special decorations usually play important roles. In simple, rhyming couplets, DePalma describes 12 holidays in various countries, such as Chuseok, a Korean festival celebrated according to the lunar calendar (in September or October), and Homowo (“hoot at hunger” in Gã), celebrated in Ghana in August. The simple text is enhanced by extensive backmatter that offers more detailed explanations as well as a calendar showing when each holiday is observed. The richly colored digital illustrations offer detailed depictions of traditional clothing and foods. A variety of countries are highlighted, including Liberia, India (Tamil Nadu and Punjab), Poland, and Bolivia, and characters are diverse, but the illustrator’s style lends a sameness to many faces. Some people with physical disabilities are pictured. Children from various countries are gathered together at the beginning and end as if they were celebrating together. Given that many schools study festivals from all over the world throughout the year, this attractive, informative book will be useful as a starting point, though it lacks sources and maps. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

An enticing look at harvest rituals, foods, and festivities.