CHRISTMAS USA

Lankford and Dugan have collaborated on previous volumes about Christmas and birthday traditions around the world. In this disjointed effort, the author divides the U.S. into seven broad regions, presenting one page of historical, social and geographic information for that region, including commentary on Christmas traditions that relate to that region. This approach is problematic due to the inclusion of information that has nothing to do with Christmas, while leaving out major traditions such as taking children to visit Santa Claus, hanging up stockings or enjoying classic Christmas stories, poems and plays. Additional sections cover the history of the holiday at the White House and in the postal system, with added pages of activities and crafts. A recipe for Scripture Cake is included, and a few Bible verses are oddly incorporated into the text, although the custom of attending church on Christmas Eve is barely mentioned. The final spread is a timeline of commercial American toys. Dugan’s illustrations are bright and cheerful, with the cover showing smiling children waving American flags around a Christmas tree decorated in red, white and blue. (bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 6-9)