Customer Reviews

Festivals, Family and Food

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I found my copy of this book in a thrift store and soon had friends asking where to buy the book. It is a gem of information about holidays and how to celebrate them, including recipies (I baked the Autumn Nut Loaf for Thanksgiving this year) and games and songs. It's presented in an interesting and lovely manner, and even has a Birthday Calendar in the back to keep track of family and friend's birthdays. The author's premise is that the more celebrations and festivals you celebrate with your family, the closer you become. I second this opinion and urge you to read this book and start celebrating!!!

This book covers many festivals, or holidays, throughout the year. For each, a selection of poetry or very short stories excerpted from longer works is provided. Sometimes the legend(s) behind that day are given. Also included are games, recipes, and craft projects. The recipes use British measurements and ingredients, so for Americans they will require some adjustment to find ingredients in some cases.

This is a useful book, but given its length it could have been better. Perhaps it's that the recipes aren't as accessible for Americans; I can't quite put my finger on what left me underwhelmed. Common holidays in America are of course not covered. Still, it's a very useful resource. If you're just beginning with the celebration of seasonal holidays, I'd recommend Mrs. Sharp's Victorian Traditions by Breathnach instead to start off with, then add this one later when you're ready for more.

I really wanted to love this book, but I agree with some other reviewers, it is not easy to work with - and that's what I wanted: a book to work with. Once you get down to one season, however, it is manageable if you put in some time first. I like that it shows many aspects of celebrating and enjoying a season, but it reminds me very much of a notebook that someone gathered along a lifelong journey. I feel I need to add tabs and note myself to access the information that I find worthwhile.
It provides plenty of resources, but the always changing format with each content makes it also hard to go back to a certain section, as you may not find it easily. The recipes are confusing, ingredients are not listed in the order added, measurements are not clear and not well adapted for the US market. Altogether, I appreciate the book and will keep using it at occasions. I am certain the authors wanted to keep the style of the book simple and not flashy, but if the goal is to reach more people and invite them to celebrate our seasons with nature and family in mind, then I would have structured it a bit better - and really keeping it simple that way all around.

This book is full of good old-fashioned information for embracing yearly celebrations, however I did not find it enjoyable to read (because of it's outdated format) in comparison to the other books from 'Hawthorn Press' I have been enjoying.

Such an informative book, good for a growing child and mother. Enriches the childhood and relationship. I had this book myself as a child, and now I bought for my new nephew and his mother, the same. Its like a resource book for parents and rainy days: and would be oh so valuable also for early years and primary school teachers. Secondary school would be too late for this resource, but there are still great reciepes which work for Home economics teachers. It is centred around home life, festivals and family, and food! Just like the title says.

A rich resource which has not wasted money (printing cost) on glossy pictures, just has all of the information you need to make your home festive and real in a way children enjoy. Very good for a stay at home Mum.

Noticing some reviews that refer to the book as being outdated and too European...
Being a Midwesterner in the US, I loved the book, particularly the info related to European holidays and songs. Perhaps it was my Czech roots that so related to that European feel. I purchased the book in '85 when it was advertised in Hearthsong and started numerous traditions with my newborn son. Tonight my 23 and soon (tomorrow to be exact) 24 year old daughter called to remind me of and request the traditional verse for the night before a birthday. Same verse I've read her the past 20-some years. Many other wonderful verses and stories and patterns that I've referred to over the years and my children obviously remember. This is one book I am definitely very pleased to have purchased back in 1985. Worth every penny. Priceless to me.

It would be nice to have more pictures... very interesting book with many things for kids. My kids love it!!!

I was looking for a book exactly like this one. It is organized by Seasons and Holidays, with songs, stories, crafts and recipes that relate to the season/holiday. It is very easy to come up with nice additions to your family celebrations with this book. The holidays tend to be European Christian holidays, which is different than the typical American holidays, but not so much that you can't work in many of the activities in the book. Plus, you may discover new holidays. We have added Michealmas to our celebrations- it is a great way to distract my kids so that we don't have to start Halloween in September!

This book might be useful for northern hemisphere dwellers but not so much for southerners. The recipes are not metric and refer to ingredients that I have not heard of(single cream?). There are many songs but unless you can read music there is no way of knowing the tune. And of course the songs and poems all relate to seasons,animals and plants of the northern hemisphere. There are still useful bits of information for me but I have to pick and choose carefully. Some of the festivals refer more to the christian history rather than the celtic or pagan origins for example under the heading"Candlemas" there is no mention that it is the Celtic festival of First Light instead it refers only to "...the feast of the presentation of Christ in the Temple..."etc. As a non-christian this turns me off. Quite an old fashioned book as far as crafts and songs go but this seems to be in keeping with Waldorf Steiner philosphy. So if that's what you want enjoy!

this book seems like a good idea, but most of the content is outdated and with european holidays and songs, it's of little use for us here in the states.

there are a few good recipes but not enough to warrant the purchase of the book.