Days to Celebrate: A Full Year of Poetry, People, Holidays, History, Fascinating Facts, and More - Hardcover

Hopkins, Lee Bennett

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0060007656 ISBN 13: 9780060007652

Publisher: Greenwillow Books, 2004

Synopsis

In Days to Celebrate Lee Bennett Hopkins has collected an astounding array of information to show us that each day of the year gives us a reason to celebrate. For every month he has compiled a calendar of birthdays, holidays, historic events, inventions, world records, thrilling firsts, and more.

And for every month he has selected surprising poems in honor of some of the people and events commemorated in the calendar. There are poems about the seasons and holidays, of course, but there are also poems about a "Flying-Man" (for February 4, Charles Lindbergh's birthday), birds (for April 26, John James Audubon's birthday), windshield wipers (patented November 10), and earmuffs (patented December 21).

Beloved poets, such as Walt Whitman, Langston Hughes, Gwendolyn Brooks, and Christina Rossetti, are joined by new voices in sixty poems that take us on a remarkable journey through a year -- and through the years. Stephen Alcorn's illustrations, based on the style of art found in old almanacs, are airy, whimsical, and thought provoking. They perfectly match the breadth and depth of this volume.

Brilliantly conceived and elegantly illustrated, Days to Celebrate is a book that pays tribute to the people, events, and poetry that make up our past and will inspire our future.

About this title

About the Author:

Noted poet Lee Bennett Hopkins has edited or authored numerous books for children, including the I Can Read Books Hamsters, Shells, and Spelling Bees; A Pet for Me: Poems; and the ALA Notable Children's Book Surprises. The recipient of a Christopher Award and the University of Southern Mississippi's Medallion for "lasting contributions to children's literature," Mr. Hopkins lives in Florida.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 1-5 - Each of the 12 sections in this beautiful, useful, and unique almanac begins with a large monthly calendar. This spread has a colored block for each day and delineates historical events and birth and death dates of famous people. Information about the name of the month, and the flower, birthstone, and zodiac sign associated with it are included in the border, along with a quote from a well-known individual and a "Weather Report" describing an extreme condition that occurred during that time of year. Subsequent pages within each chapter feature appropriate poems along with background information about the people and topics mentioned in the selections. The writers represented include Robert Frost, Langston Hughes, Richard Wilbur, and Gwendolyn Brooks. Alcorn's large, vibrant, whimsical artwork perfectly enhances the prose and verse to make this book a delight to the eye and the ear. The colorful pages are filled with seasonal icons, images of famous individuals, and depictions of children enjoying a variety of activities. In addition to attracting young readers, this volume will have special appeal for teachers who like to infuse the curriculum with poetry, holidays, and historical anniversaries. Many libraries will want copies for both reference and circulation. - Lynda Ritterman, Atco Elementary School, Waterford, NJ
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About this edition

• Publisher: Greenwillow Books
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0060007656
• ISBN 13: 9780060007652
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 112
• Illustrator: Alcorn Stephen