Easter [Paperback]

Gail Gibbons (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

The reason why Easter is celebrated--the death and resurrection of Christ--is explained clearly and simply, as are many Easter traditions. Illustrated by the author.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2 --This clear, simply-written explanation of the religious aspect of Easter is suitable for young children. Jesus' life and death are treated briefly but with enough detail to provide an excellent basic introduction to the subject. The crucifixion is shown from afar to soften its cruelty, and afterward the risen Jesus happily astonishes his followers. Next the symbols of candles and spring flowers lead logically into a discussion of the other aspects of the holiday, including Easter egg decoration, hunts, and baskets; Eostre, the spring goddess who gave the day its name; and the special Easter foods and clothes. The crisp ink and watercolor pictures have a naive simplicity that gives the Bible story and Easter customs warmth and appeal. Gaily colored, each is in a green frame with its enclosure broken by a stylized flower, candle, chick, bunny, or heap of decorated eggs. A short explanation of the special holy days such as Ash Wednesday and Palm Sunday is given at the end. An excellent presentation of the Biblical events, done truthfully and with consideration for young children. --Patricia Pearl, First Presbyterian School, Martinsville, Va.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Gail Gibbons has published close to fifty distinguished nonfiction titles with Holiday House. According to "The Washington Post", "Gail Gibbons has taught more preschoolers and early readers about the world than any other children's writer-illustrator." She lives in Vermont. Her website is www.gailgibbons.com

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Holiday House (January 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823408663
• ISBN-13: 978-0823408665
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 8.3 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #618,483 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #60 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( G ) > Gibbons, Gail

More About the Author

Gail Gibbons has published close to fifty distinguished nonfiction titles with Holiday House. According to "The Washington Post," "Gail Gibbons has taught more preschoolers and early readers about the world than any other children's writer-illustrator." She lives in Vermont. Her website is www.gailgibbons.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Made me upset!, March 21, 2005

By 

B. K. (Pittsburgh, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Easter (Paperback)

If you are prepared to tell your kids that the Easter Bunny is not real, this would be the book for you, if not DON'T buy this one!

I purchased this book and read to my 6 year old daughter tonight. All was going well, it told the story of Jesus and the resurrection and how eggs were given as a sign of new life. Then it moved on to tell about Easter celebrations now with the colorful eggs and baskets. Then it goes on and tells how the "legend" of the Easter Bunny came about. I was floored! Reading the story tonight I was not prepared to tell my daughter that the Easter Bunny is not real. I know it would happen some day in the future but not from a childs Easter story at age 6. I'm lucky my 4 year old wasn't in the room while I read this to her!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful story, April 16, 2006

By 

Ricki P (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Easter (Paperback)

I don't agree with the last review. As far as the explanation of the legend of the Easter bunny goes, it's easily explained to a child as just that, "legend," what some people believe. The poster could have easily gone on to say, "hmm, I wonder if the author has ever met the Easter Bunny?" I believe in showing my kids all the aspects of the holiday but most importantly, of course, the story of the Resurrection, which is the focus of this story. I wondered how she'd get through the Crucifixion as I was reading, but it is shown far off, not glazing over it, but softening the cruelty of it so as not to frighten the very young. To get really philosophical here, believing in the Easter Bunny is faith-based, just believing in the improbable, like a child does, my son's belief was not swayed.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Beware - this book will tell your child that there is no Easter Bunny!!!!, May 11, 2006

By 

P. Ergueta "ribanna4" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Easter (Hardcover)

I bought this book to read to my 3 children for Easter. Luckily, my oldest, who is 8 got hold of the book before I could read it to his younger siblings. He took me aside and told me: "Mum, you don't want to show this book to my brother and sister. It will tell them that there is no Easter Bunny." He just about prevented disaster!!!!! What was the author thinking?! You write a picture book aimed at the preschool/elementary school age group and then you put a whopper like that in there?! Without any warning to the parents? I mean - hello?! What was that author thinking?!!!