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At the behest of Pete, the pirate parrot, a group of grubby pirates clean themselves up for a little girl’s party. Polly, however, wants real pirates at her birthday celebration! Comic illustrations combine with straightforward text.

Unique observances for everything from rats to limericks are celebrated in a variety of poems and poetic forms. When combined with comic illustrations, the lighthearted collection is sure to keep readers chuckling from cover to cover.

Animated illustrations and a variety of poems from around the world celebrate well and lesser known occasions. From Arbor Day to Diwali, from Pancake Day to Purim — and lots in between — readers are introduced to a range of poets and poetic forms in this appealing book.

Maria looks to her grandmother to explain the rituals and traditions she observes at her first wedding. Their conversation, sprinkled with Spanish words, is carried by the evocative illustrations that depict this Zapotec Indian wedding celebration in Oaxaca, Mexico. A helpful Spanish glossary and an introduction to Zapotec culture and religion are included.

Join Strega Nona and Big Anthony for holidays in Calabria (Italy) where feasts, food, and fun abound from early December to Epiphany. Of course, Big Anthony gets into trouble, but all ends well in this cheerful holiday offering with these enduring characters.

A range of colorful birds share what they see in Bethlehem on the night of the Nativity, including the child and mother. Soft color and gentle line – characteristic of dePaola – and fluid text present a warm Christmas story.

Tony Sarge grew from a boy who liked to figure out how to make things move to the man who invented marionettes controlled from below. It was Sarge who invented huge “articulating” balloons that have been the focus of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade since 1928. Mixed media art combines with lively text to present Tony Sarge, his creativity, and contributions.

Product Description: The yellow dress Erandi wants for her birthday will look beautiful with her long, thick braids. But Mama’s fishing net is full of holes, and there isn’t enough money to buy both a new net and a birthday dress. The only solution lies with the hair buyers from the city. But Mama’s hair isn’t nearly as beautiful as Erandi’s. Will Erandi have to choose between her birthday present and her braids? This touching tale of love and sacrifice is sprinkled throughout with Spanish words and expressions.

Product Description: “Let me help! Let me help!” Perico learns this phrase from little Martita, who’s been saying it a lot lately. When the whole family scrambles to prepare for Cinco de Mayo, Perico knows there must be some way he can help — even if he is just a parrot. But at every turn Perico is shooed away, until he finally figures out how he can add to the Cinco de Mayo fun.

Autumn is a season during which there are many changes: leaves turn colors, air becomes cooler, and crops are harvested. These and more seasonal signals are presented in conversational language and vivid photographs. Easy-to-do autumn activities conclude this attractive and appealing book.

From one end of the United States to the other, the 4th of July is celebrated: on beaches, with parades, picnics, and of course fireworks. Cut paper collage combine with appealing, rhyming, short poetry to re-create the heat and rhythm of summer and the pleasure in its goings-on.

What happens when you plant a kiss? After “Doubt./Pout./Sprout!/SHOUT! SHOUT!” comes the sharing — and ultimately “endless bliss!” Simple, lined cartoon illustrations highlighted by sparkly kisses on open pages combine with brief rhythmic language to create a joy-filled book just right to share.

During his first spring, the narrator was shorter than the grasses but grew into a fine but small evergreen tree. When people with saws came, they took the little evergreen by its roots where it was decorated with sparkles then planted. Lush, realistic illustrations show the passage of time and how the no longer small evergreen provided a home to other creatures.

The narrator recalls his first Christmas in Japan and why his mother decorated a tree with a thousand paper cranes as she relives her holidays in California. Based on a family story, Say’s illustrations evoke a holiday in two cultures.

Gerald the elephant feels left out when his buddy, Piggie, celebrates Pig Day. All ends well as Piggie reaffirms his friendship with in this addition to an ever popular series.

A considerable amount of information is packed into this pictorial presentation of the reenactment of the first Thanksgiving, held at Plimoth Plantation museum in October, 2000. Five chapters give background on the Wampanoag people, colonization, Indian diplomacy, the harvest of 1621, and the evolution of the Thanksgiving story. — School Library Journal

Erin loves dinosaurs and so describes all the fun they’ll have in a letter inviting a tyrannosaurus to her birthday party. The broad humor of the huge dinosaur playing party games and similar activities conveyed in comic illustration and understated text is sure to create giggles galore.

This introduction to the Chinese New Year from National Geographic is filled with colorful photos from China and beyond, as well as informative descriptions of different New Year traditions and activities. Whether they are reading about Shanghai, Brazil, or San Francisco, readers will enjoy learning how the festivities are celebrated around the world!

The characters first introduced in this novel (originally published in 1952) remain fresh and engaging. Orphaned sisters, Nancy and Pamela (aka Plum), are determined never to spend another Christmas with mean Mrs. Monday. It is available again with new illustrations and an introduction by National Book Award winner, Jeanne Birdsall.

Celebrate each day of school from 1 to 100 with a different activity. The suggestions are diverse and illustrated by photographs placed in a large format. They range from science to physical movement to personal hygiene with lots more in between.

Jack is invited to the princess’ birthday party but is too poor to buy a worthy gift so instead bakes a cake. It never gets delivered, however, but the clever boy gives the most lasting gift of all: an engaging story. Lively language and humorous illustrations are used in the original story told in the tradition of a folktale.

Bright illustrations convey the festive traditions of the Latin American celebration known as the Day of the Dead accompanied by a straightforward Spanish/English text. An endnote about the holiday as well as the inspiration for the art are included.

Learn how to make special paper crafts for the Day of the Dead, from skeleton pets to paper marigolds! Easy instructions make this an excellent book for learning about the holiday.