Amazon.com Review
Valentine's Day wasn't always a time for pink cupcakes and mushy greeting cards. Most scholars say this love-focused day leapt gleefully from the Roman holiday Lupercalia, a festival celebrated more than 2,000 years ago to mark the beginning of spring. After Christianity came to Rome, the Church decided to use this day to honor a priest instead. They renamed the holiday St. Valentine's Day, and scooted the date back to February 14.
The Story of Valentine's Day, artfully illustrated by Susan Estelle Kwas, paints the history of this age-old occasion in a style and presentation that's as straight as a Cupid's arrow. Kids will learn about the mysterious character Valentine, how the tradition of the day spread to other countries, and when the very first valentine was written. If inspired, they can make their own old-fashioned valentines and sugar cookies with the instructions in the back! (Ages 8 and older)
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From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 3Colorful new illustrations update this text first published as St. Valentines Day (Crowell, 1965; o.p.). In it, Bulla offers a cheerful explanation of one of our oldest and most mysterious holidays, and gives the history and customs associated with it. From ancient Rome, through Victorian England, and on to modern celebrations, the author provides examples of how love and friendship are expressed. Craft ideas and a cookie recipe are appended. The information is more compact and is presented with more energy than in Edna Barths Heart, Cupids, and Red Roses (Clarion, 1982). An attractive addition to holiday shelves that gives librarians something to offer primary graders besides Gail Gibbonss Valentines Day (Holiday, 1986).Jane Claes, T. J. Lee Elementary School, Irving, TX
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
