Review by Booklist Review
Christmas often evokes church services, evergreen trees, Santa Claus, and--a giant goat? This Polish import recounts myriad religious and secular ways that Christmas is celebrated around the world. Sections with several paragraphs of text cover variations of familiar traditions involving songs, food, lights, decorations, greenery, gift giving, and who delivers presents, such as Saint Nicholas arriving by steamboat in the Netherlands, instead of by sleigh, as well as lesser-known customs, like a giant goat in a town square in Sweden, which recalls that country's Viking roots. Throughout the book, the author recognizes that Christmas is not just one day and honors many celebratory days of the season, from Saint Nicholas' Day in Turkey to Las Posadas in Mexico to a Christmas period observed in January by Orthodox Christians in Ethiopia, Russia, and Ukraine. Readers will even learn a little about Coca-Cola's influence on the American Santa. Adding a fitting charm to the fascinating details are stylized illustrations with folk art colors and patterns from the represented countries and cultures. A merry offering, indeed.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3--5--This informative nonfiction Christmas traditions collection takes students on a journey around the world. From Sweden to Ethiopia, the traditions and celebrations that surround the Christmas holiday are told with a combination of text and beautiful illustrations. The author presents facts and traditional tales from diverse locations in each section of the book, presenting readers many ethnically diverse perspectives on the Christian holiday. Upper elementary readers will learn fun facts and interesting backstories that follow each country's unique traditions. The spreads make the collaboration between the text and illustrations come to life. Poklewska-Koziello adds so much to the text with her colorful and detailed illustrations. Some pages and chapters are more text\\ heavy then others, and students may have trouble staying engaged or reading those independently. VERDICT Overall, a beautiful combination of facts and bold, colorful images, and a great addition to library collectio.--Elizabeth Pelayo, St. Charles East H.S., IL
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
In thirty-nine sections consisting of a few pages each, plus a glossary, readers are provided with a wealth of information about religious and secular Christmas (and some New Year) traditions celebrated around the world. Some occur in just one country (the Christmas lottery in Spain), while others (the festival of Saint Nicholas's Day) are more widespread, so Utnik-Strugaa organizes the book by topic rather than by geography; a table of contents makes it easier to browse. The text, lengthy but conversational, is full of illuminating facts about decorations, foods, festivals, and more. Poklewska-Kozieo's highly colorful and detailed illustrations depict a cast of people from the enthically diverse cultures described. Cynthia K. Ritter November/December 2021 p.27(c) Copyright 2021. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A Polish import matches together Christmastime traditions from many parts of the globe. This in-depth cataloging of different Christmas celebrations worldwide draws ties and similarities among meals, decorations, activities, and more. The book opens with a no-nonsense discussion of whether or not Dec. 25 truly was Jesus' birthday, stating, "to this day nobody knows…exactly when he was born." From there it provides an overview of different kinds of celebrations and stories related to the season. The focus is strongly Eurocentric, though mention is made of observances in Colombia, the Philippines, Rio de Janeiro, Mexico, New Zealand, Venezuela, Japan, Ethiopia, and more. However, while the book aims to be international it maintains its very Polish roots throughout, using Polish customs as a reference point in the way that many U.S. readers are accustomed to seeing theirs. A long section is dedicated to Wigilia, or Poland's Christmas Eve vigil (when "we eagerly await the birth of the most wonderful child in the world"), for instance, and a section on E.T.A. Hoffman's famous Nutcracker story points out its Polish origins. The illustrations are colorful but miss some prime opportunities. Who wouldn't want to see the pooping Tió de Nadal log of Catalonia as children hit it with sticks or watch Venezuelans rollerblade to midnight Mass? Far worse, the art sometimes dips deep into cultural stereotypes, portraying residents of Japan with slitted eyes and yellow skin. Despite intentions, both limited in scope and flawed in execution. (glossary) (Nonfiction. 9-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
