Starred review from April 1, 2018
Grades K-3 *Starred Review* This celebration of new year celebrations around the world is itself worth celebrating. Readers must turn the book on its side to enjoy the wall-calendar dimensions of each spread, all of which feature a short, gently rhyming poem told from an individual child's point of view about commemorations from Times Square to Chile, China, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Iran, Jordan, New Zealand, Scotland, Spain, and Thailand. They're organized chronologically across the Gregorian calendar, as a piece about Wep Ronpet (as marked in ancient Egypt and now some U.S. communities) explains: Everyone believes in a different beginning. / The Year may start for me, for you, anew in January, April, May, / or in some other month, on some other day. . . . But what is true and what is clear is that all of us hope for a luminous year. The collage illustrations, using paper sourced from across the globe, are spectacular, with culturally distinctive elements yet a consistent style, and the back matter is stellar and solid, with additional information, pronunciations, a map, and thorough source notes. This complete package is an illuminating and respectful appreciation of both our global uniqueness and our commonality.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)
Starred review from April 1, 2018
The passing of the year celebrated round the world through verse and collage.While many regard Jan. 1 as the first day of the calendar year, in this magnificent collaboration, Singer and Roth show that cultural observances of that new beginning happen each month. Presenting 16 celebrations from over 14 countries, they explore 12 months' worth of events that mark time's passage. "From the earth's movement, / from the moon's phases, / these clocks and calendars / we create. / Together /... / we / celebrate." Such remembrances can involve purification rituals, whether "washing the bad away" in April, by cleaning house and starting "the new year right / with a gigantic water fight" in Thailand, or setting "the bad ablaze" in Ecuador, at midnight on Dec. 31, by burning giant effigies representing the "a�o viejo." Scots look ahead to the "First Footer" (or visitor); Spaniards try to eat 12 grapes in 12 seconds for good luck--"so each new month will be sweet." Throughout the collection, which opens like a wall calendar, each of Roth's intricate collages animates Singer's verse, bursting with texture in a riot of color. "Happy New Year" in 15 languages precedes extensive notes, a glossary and pronunciation guide, and an impressive list of sources.A visually and sonically stunning introduction to the importance of appreciating time and the change of seasons throughout the world: a multicultural gem. (Picture book/poetry. 4-12)
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January 1, 2019
In this spectacular volume, child-centered poems and intricately designed collages, incorporating papers from all over the world, introduce religious and secular New Year celebrations. Familiar festivities, such as the ball dropping in Times Square, are celebrated beside the less-familiar (to American readers): Nowruz in Iran (March); Enkutatash, the Ethiopian New Year (September); and more. Enjoyable for young children, yet all ages will learn much from the excellent supplementary material. Bib., glos.
(Copyright 2019 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)
April 1, 2018
Gr 3-6-A rich compendium of poetry, collage, and cultural and historical information on various New Year celebrations from a celebrated poet. Formatted to resemble a calendar, the book is to be held horizontally with the top page of each spread depicting a scene and the bottom one, the poem. (With the labeled monthly scenes, from December on to the next December, educators might be tempted to actually hang this on the wall for ongoing use and enjoyment.) Singer's opening poem, rephrased at the end, acknowledges the turning of the year. ("We choose the date./From the earth's movement, /from the moon's phases, /these clocks and calendars/we create.") Sixteen poems are written from the perspective of children and detail events such as A�o Viejo, the ball drop in New York City, the first day of Muharram, Rosh Hashanah, and more. Roth skillfully assembles myriad colorful papers in broad swatches and tiny bits, some skillfully cut and others torn, into bright, busy views. People gather around the holiday table, smash pots, dance, splash water, and much more. Quieter opening and closing views of Earth in space and the vivid red dragon are here, too. The substantial end materials include a page explaining calendar history and variation, a list of New Year's greetings from each country, five full pages of background information about each celebration, a glossary of terms used in the verse, and a long list of the author's sources. VERDICT A complex and rewarding package that will be cherished by children and adults alike. A strong choice for poetry collections.-Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston
Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.