Hearts, Cupids, and Red Roses: The Story of the Valentine Symbols [Paperback]

Edna Barth (Author), Ursula Arndt (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

Describes the celebration of St. Valentine's Day from pagan festivals to present-day activities.

Each of our holidays has its own familiar traditions: Trick-or-treating on Halloween, eating turkey on Thanksgiving, waiting for Santa Claus on Christmas, exchanging cards on Valentine’s Day. But where do these customs come from, when did they begin, and why do we continue to observe them?

In the engaging blend of careful research and lively prose that has earned her books a lasting place on the holiday bookshelf, Edna Barth explores the multicultural origins and evolution of the familiar and not-so-familiar symbols and legends associated with our favorite holidays. Full of fascinating historical details and little-known stories, these books are both informative and engaging. Festively illustrated by Ursula Arndt, they are now available again in hardcover as well as paperback editions, featuring new, eye-catching jacket designs, and fun holiday activities inside the paperback covers. Each book includes an annotated list of holiday stories and poems and an index.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Why do we celebrate Valentine's Day? And what do cupids and lace have to do with anything? February 14 is a lighthearted occasion with ancient origins. No one is really sure who St. Valentine, patron of lovers, really was. According to one legend, he was a Roman priest who agreed to secretly marry young couples when Emperor Claudius II decreed that no one could be married because he needed men to fight wars instead. February 14, when Valentine supposedly died, was the eve of an important Roman festival--Lupercalia. On this evening, Roman youths drew the names of girls who would be their partners during the festival. In this lively and informative book, readers will read the first known valentine ever written (by Margery Brews in 1477), discover the golden age of English valentines, learn the difference between "rebus" and "puzzle purse" valentines, and more. "Enter Cupid" is a chapter tracing the symbolism and origins of the strange, heart-piercing, winged babies, and explanations of valentine symbols like flowers and hearts follow. Helpful supplemental material--a list of stories and poems for Valentine's Day, a bibliography, and index--will help young researchers as well. Edna Barth has a long and respected history of demystifying occasions in Shamrocks, Harps, and Shillelaghs: The Story of the St. Patrick's Day Symbols, Lilies, Rabbits, and Painted Eggs: The Story of the Easter Symbols, Witches, Pumpkins, and Grinning Ghosts: The Story of the Halloween Symbols, and more. She has a knack for snappy, straightforward, well-researched explanations of the history and traditions behind holidays, and illustrator Ursula Arndt adds a sprightly touch with delicate pen-and-ink illustrations. (Ages 9 and older)

Review

Why do we celebrate Valentine's Day? And what do cupids and lace have to do with anything? February 14 is a lighthearted occasion with ancient origins. No one is really sure who St. Valentine, patron of lovers, really was. According to one legend, he was a Roman priest who agreed to secretly marry young couples when Emperor Claudius II decreed that no one could be married because he needed men to fight wars instead. February 14, when Valentine supposedly died, was the eve of an important Roman festival--Lupercalia. On this evening, Roman youths drew the names of girls who would be their partners during the festival. In this lively and informative book, readers will read the first known valentine ever written (by Margery Brews in 1477), discover the golden age of English valentines, learn the difference between "rebus" and "puzzle purse" valentines, and more. "Enter Cupid" is a chapter tracing the symbolism and origins of the strange, heart-piercing, winged babies, and explanations of valentine symbols like flowers and hearts follow. Helpful supplemental material--a list of stories and poems for Valentine's Day, a bibliography, and index--will help young researchers as well. Edna Barth has a long and respected history of demystifying occasions in Shamrocks, Harps, and Shillelaghs: The Story of the St. Patrick's Day Symbols, Lilies, Rabbits, and Painted Eggs: The Story of the Easter Symbols, Witches, Pumpkins, and Grinning Ghosts: The Story of the Halloween Symbols, and more. She has a knack for snappy, straightforward, well-researched explanations of the history and traditions behind holidays, and illustrator Ursula Arndt adds a sprightly touch with delicate pen-and-ink illustrations. (Ages 9 and older) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

(Amazon.com Review ) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper (January 21, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618067914
• ISBN-13: 978-0618067916
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 6.9 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #579,976 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A little book with a lotta info !, January 27, 2001

By 

Margaret W Haynes (Grafton, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hearts, Cupids, and Red Roses: The Story of the Valentine Symbols (Paperback)

In only 64 pages the author traces the origins of today's Valentine's Day back to the pre-Christian Roman festival of Lupercalia, and finds the connections to various courting customs and symbols through the ages. Although small, the book is no lightweight -- it's packed with apparently well-researched and detailed information. The monochrome illustrations that accompany the text are appropriately sparing. There are plenty of other books with lots of big, colorful pictures but none with as much information conveyed so clearly and pleasantly in so little space!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book for Reference, April 2, 2007

By 

KiminVermont "Kim" (St Johnsbury, VT) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Hearts, Cupids, and Red Roses: The Story of the Valentine Symbols (Paperback)

This book would be excellent for any reference or school library- the author investigates the background of many of the traditions around Valentine's Day. Simple to read and follow, it would be great for adult or teenager- I am looking forward to reviewing some of the histories and legends around the other holidays in her series!