Happy Holidays from KidsPoint.org

CRRL has booklists, Web links, and All Fun articles to help you celebrate the holidays!

	Martin Luther King Jr. Day: January 21, 2008 Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday is January 15. In honor of this great man, Congress passed a bill in 1983, making a new national holiday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, to be celebrated the third Monday of January. Martin Luther King Jr. Book List Learn more about Dr. King by reading these books about his life and work.

	Groundhog Day: February 2, 2008 Each year on February 2, we look to the humble groundhog to forecast the rest of our winter weather. If he sees his shadow upon emerging from his cozy burrow, we will have six more weeks of bad weather; if not, spring is on its way. For more information on the history of Groundhog Day, visit Groundhog.org. Groundhog Day Book List Join in the fun with some books on this American tradition.

	Chinese New Year: February 7, 2008: The Year of the Rat Chinese New Year 2005: The Year of the Rooster Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is a time of traditions and lore. Customs center on bringing luck and happiness to the New Year. 2005 is the Year of the Rooster. Read on for more about this fascinating holiday. Books to Crow About A story featuring a rooster is probably a funny one for they are the proud and important know-it-all's of the barnyard. Chinese New Year 2004: The Year of the Monkey January 22, 2004 marks the start of another year in the traditional Chinese calendar. Start off the Year of the Monkey with great monkey books and crafts, and learn more about Chinese culture.

	Valentine's Day: February 14, 2008 Make a Valentine's Day Breakfast Your family does a lot for you: helping with homework, cooking your meals, and taking you to fun places. Why not give them a treat on Valentine's Day? A relaxing breakfast with a few special touches is a great way to show how much you love them. Valentine's Day Book List Hearts, flowers, chocolate candy, and special cards! Celebrate the red, white and pink with these books for Valentine's Day.

	Presidents' Day: February 18, 2008 Presidents' Day Book List This list features CRRL's collected biographies and books that discuss the power, risks, and human side of the highest office in the land.

	St. Patrick's Day: March 17, 2008 Stories from the Emerald Isle These books are good for St. Patrick's Day or anytime of the year you need some blarney! St. Patrick's Day Books Who was St. Patrick and why does he have a day named after him? How do we celebrate it? Some of these books will answer these questions and some will make you feel lucky to know the Irish in story and legend. And that’s no blarney!

	Easter: March 23, 2008 Have an Easter Parade Whether you stroll through your neighborhood with every bike you have festooned with ribbons or take a proud walk all around your own house, an Easter parade is a fun way to chase away gray rainy days. Easter Books Arts and crafts, Christian stories, and lovable characters enjoying Easter's bounty are all included here.

	Passover: Starts at sunset on April 19, 2008 Passover Books Stories about the history of Passover and how it is celebrated today.

	Earth Day: April 22, 2008 Celebrate Earth Day These books will help you with your conservation efforts. You can also check the catalog under these headings: Ecology, Endangered species, Environmental protection, Pollution, Recycling, and Wildlife conservation. Ask a librarian for more suggestions. Help the Earth Every Day There are lots of ways to get involved in conservation if you're a kid. From books you can read to organizations you can join, celebrate Earth Day by making our planet a better place.

	Cinco de Mayo: May 5th, 2008 The Story of Cinco de Mayo Cinco de Mayo is NOT Mexican Independence Day-- that's September 16. Cinco de Mayo, the 5th of May, celebrates an incredible victory by native Mexican soldiers over the imperialist French who tried to rule them way back in 1862. The Magic of Mexico Booklist Stories and poems set in Mexico are often lively and magical. Experience colorful narratives and unforgettable characters in these selections.

	Mother's Day: May 11, 2008 Making a Marvelous Mother's Day The birds are singing, the flowers are blooming, and a certain Sunday is just ahead. So, what are you getting that amazing mom for Mother's Day? You don't have to spend a lot, but you do need to remember her in a special way. Mom and Me Booklist Enjoy some special books for Mother's Day, or make any day special with a book about mothers.

	Memorial Day: May 26, 2008 Memorial Day While it's true that Memorial Day is a traditional time for family gatherings, this is one holiday whose original meaning shouldn't be let go. Memorial Day was first celebrated after the Civil War, when families on both sides of the conflict took a time for remembering the thousands and thousands of men who lost their lives in war. In the years to follow, Memorial Day would come to be a day to remember soldiers lost in all wars: the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Gulf wars.

	Flag Day: June 14, 2008 Flag Day History On June 14, 1977, the Continental Congress adopted a resolution to prepare a flag for our new republic. According to a well-known story, George Washington asked a Philadelphia seamstress named Betsy Ross to make a flag for our new country. Patriotic Books For information on our country’s flag, patriotic holidays, and history, try these books and other materials.

	Father's Day: June 15, 2008 A Day with Dad Do you think that Father's Day is another Hallmark holiday, created just to sell greeting cards? Not so! In 1909, Sonora Smart Dodd in Spokane, Washington was listening to a lecture on Mother's Day, and thinking about her father's incredible accomplishment in raising his six children alone after the death of her mother. Dad and Me Check out these books from the library for Father's Day, your dad's birthday, or any other time you want to appreciate how special fathers are in our lives.

	Juneteenth: June 19, 2008 Celebrate Juneteenth Juneteenth is a yearly celebration of the end of slavery. Across the country, African-American communities pull together to make this a special day of remembrance. In 2007, the Commonwealth of Virginia recognized Juneteenth as a state holiday. Although the Emancipation Proclamation (January 1, 1863) officially ended slavery, it wasn't until after the Civil War that many slaves were truly freed. But on June 19, 1865, the last slaves were given the news by General Gordon Granger in Galveston, Texas.

	Summer Solstice: June 21, 2008 The Longest Day: Traditions for the Summer Solstice This year's summer solstice will occur on Monday, June 21. Take a moment to savor the summer delights and craft some new traditions while learning the legends of summer.

	Independence Day: July 4, 2008 Red, White, and Blue Music On July 4th, burgers sizzle on the grill, and cold drinks are passed around. Happy dogs play with frisbees, and sunburned kids finally climb out of the pool. In the growing darkness, fireworks begin to crackle and zoom overhead. At last a special song starts playing, and everyone gets quiet as they remember the reason for the celebration. The Red, White, and Blue For information on our country’s flag, patriotic holidays, and history, try these books and other materials.

	Labor Day: September 1, 2008 Labor Day Books If you were a child from a poor family a hundred years ago, you and your brothers and sisters might already be working long days in the dark, dusty spaces of mineshafts, gas-lit streets, and factories. There was no way out of this hard life as bosses paid as little money to their workers as they could, so they could barely afford necessities, let alone put aside any money to make a better life for themselves and their families. "Bread for all -- and roses, too!" was the rallying cry of one of the early women's unions. The stories of the brave children, women, and men who fought for better lives are an important part of our American history.

	Grandparent's Day: September 7, 2008 Grandparent's Day Books They go by so many names: grandma, maw-maw, mimi, nanny, nana, babi, gram, granny, gran, grandpa, gramps, grandad, grandaddy, and paw-paw. Across the country and around the world, grandparents give their time and their wisdom to their grandchildren. You may only see them in person once a year, but you are certainly in their thoughts every day. This Grandparents' Day share a terrific book about grandparents with your family, then call or write your grandparents to tell them how much you love them!

	Ramadan: September 1st through September 30th The Fourth Pillar of Islam: Ramadan Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, calculated according to when the crescent moon is sighted. During this entire month, adult Muslims do not eat from sunup to sundown. This is called fasting. More!

	Rosh Hashanah: Sunset September 29, 2008 Yom Kippur: Oct. 9, 2008 Days of Awe: Books for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur Rosh Hashanah begins the Jewish New Year. The ten days following are called the High Holy Days or the Days of Awe that lead up to Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement. Some of these children's books explain the customs and symbols associated with this time. Others have marvelous stories that help to convey the rich meaning behind the celebrations.

	Columbus Day: October 13, 2008 (observed) Columbus Day: A Day of Discovery Columbus Day is sometimes called Discoverers' Day. In the spirit of discovery, take some time to learn about the world as it was in the days of the European explorers. You can make a compass, learn about the stars, read about other explorers and discoverers, and find how even our way of eating has changed since the Europeans came to the Americas looking for gold, glory, and, yes, tasty cooking spices. Columbus Day Booklist Every year, on the second Monday in October, the country remembers Christopher Columbus who was the first European in recorded history to sail to the New World. Read on for books about Columbus and his times.

	Halloween: October 31, 2008 Halloween Fun Get ready for some spooky good times! We found lots of games to play, stories to share, crafts and recipes beyond compare. More! Halloween History Did you know that Halloween is one of the world’s oldest holidays? It has gone through many changes, but was originally a Celtic festival called Samhain (pronounced sow-in), marking the end of harvest and the beginning of the new year (November 1st). More! Spooky Stories Ghoulish, ghastly and deliciously fun books for all ages! More!

	Día de Muertos/Days of the Dead: November 1-2, 2008 The Days of the Dead Booklist The dead are beloved and remembered in Mexico, especially on November 1 and 2. November 1 is usually set aside to remember angelitos (little angels), family members who died as children. Those who died as adults are remembered on November 2. The Days of the Dead or Día de Muertos is a true festival. Mothers and grandmothers make special delicious foods, and beautiful flowers are gathered, all to honor the dead.

	Veterans' Day: November 11, 2008 On the Homefront War has an impact on kids and adults alike, whether they live in a place where the daily peace is broken by bombing or in a "safe" area where wartime means learning to do without a lot of luxuries that are needed at the front. Kids also "did their part" by collecting scrap, volunteering at soldiers' hospitals, and growing their own vegetables in Victory Gardens. It is the children who experience the changes to families that war often brings and children who listen to the stories their grandparents are finally ready to tell about their days of war. More!

	Thanksgiving: November 27, 2008 An American Thanksgiving Everybody knows that the Pilgrims celebrated the first Thanksgiving, right? Well, probably not, but it was the Pilgrims' Thanksgiving that gave us our Thanksgiving holiday as we know it today. More! Thanksgiving Stories Let's talk Turkey . . . Pilgrims, Native Americans and more! Check out these great books for Thanksgiving!

	Hanukkah: Dec. 21, 2008 from sundown to sundown thru Dec. 28, 2008 Hanukkah: A Festival of Lights Hanukkah, or Chanukkah, begins on the 25th day of the Jewish calendar month of Kislev, at sundown. Lasting eight days, Hanukkah usually occurs during December, but sometimes begins in November. This Jewish holiday is known as the Festival of Lights, commemorating the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in 164 B.C. after three years of war. Hanukah means "dedication." Hanukkah: Light Up the Night! Celebrate the Festival of Lights with these great books about Hanukkah.

	Christmas: December 25, 2008 Christmas Around the World - Homework Help If it's December, it's time for that familiar topic for reports: Christmas Customs Around the World. Fortunately, the library has a number of resources to help you. Christmas Customs Around the World Our Christmas holiday owes a lot of its fun and joy to celebrations around the world with roots that extend far back in history. Do you hang stockings by the mantle or display a nativity scene, also called a crèche, depicting the birth of Christ? During the month of December, churches may be hung with evergreens, and often children perform in nativity plays. Many churches will hold special services both on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Magical Christmas Books With all its holiday traditions and celebrations, December is a magical month. Prepare for Christmas with some of these great holiday books from the library. Make a Gingerbread House Gumdrops, lollipops, chocolate squares, jelly bears, and peppermint candies. The sky is the limit as far as decorating your own gingerbread house. They are a ton of fun to decorate, but first you need to make the house itself. Read on to learn how. Nutcracker Sweets On Christmas Eve, a young girl dreams her beloved toy comes to life. He becomes her Nutcracker Prince and dances his Clara through the land of sweets and defeats the wicked Mouse King. Perhaps you've seen the ballet-- it's so popular that many ballet schools make it their featured holiday production year after year.

	Kwanzaa: December 26, 2008 - January 1, 2009 Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family and Heritage Kwanzaa, celebrated between December 26 and January 1, is a time for families in the African-American community to come together and enjoy their heritage. Unlike many holidays, Kwanzaa was created by one person, Maulana Karenga, in 1966. He named the celebration Kwanzaa, which means "first fruits" in Swahili. Celebrate Kwanzaa! Celebrate Kwanzaa with great stories, crafts and food.

Recent Holiday Articles

Celebrate Juneteenth! -- In 2007, the Commonwealth of Virginia recognized Juneteenth as a state holiday. Although the Emancipation Proclamation (January 1, 1863) officially ended slavery, it wasn't until after the Civil War that many slaves were truly freed. But on June 19, 1865, the last slaves were given the news by General Gordon Granger in Galveston, Texas.

Hanukkah: A Festival of Lights -- Hanukkah, or Chanukah, begins on the 25th day of the Jewish calendar month of Kislev, at sundown. Lasting eight days, Hanukkah usually occurs during December, but sometimes begins in November. This Jewish holiday is known as the Festival of Lights, commemorating the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in 164 B.C. after three years of war. Hanukkah means "dedication."

The Longest Day: Traditions for the Summer Solstice -- 2006's summer solstice will occur on Wednesday, June 21, 8:26 A.M. (Eastern Daylight Time). Take a moment to savor the summer delights and craft some new traditions while learning the legends of summer.

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