Witches, Pumpkins, and Grinning Ghosts: The Story of the Halloween Symbols

by Edna Barth, Ursula Arndt (Illustrator)

Overview

Here are the stories behind all the familiar and not-so-familiar symbols of Halloween. 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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780618067824
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	08/21/2000
Pages:	96
Sales rank:	422,192
Product dimensions:	6.88(w) x 10.00(h) x (d)
Lexile:	990L (what's this?)
Age Range:	10 - 12 Years

About the Author

The late Edna Barth worked as a librarian, a teacher, and an editor of books for young people before becoming the author of many well-known books for children.

Ursula Arndt has illustrated a number of popular children's books, including the six holiday titles written by Edna Barth for Clarion. She is now retired and lives in Germany.

Table of Contents

	Halloween--and Before	8
	The Goblins Will Get You!	13
	The Halloween Witch	19
	The Witch's Familiars	43
	The Halloween Cat	46
	The Owl--Harbinger of Evil	50
	The Mysterious Bat	52
	The Unpopular Toad	54
	The Witch's Broomstick	57
	Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble	59
	Halloween Ghosts	61
	Rattling Bones	70
	Beware the Jack-O'-Lantern	72
	Black and Orange	78
	Nuts, Apples, and Cabbages Predict the Future	80
	Halloween Foods	85
	The Halloween Masquerade	88
	Stories for Halloween	95
	Index	96

Editorial Reviews

"The text is well-written and concise, and deals with the history." School Library Journal —

From the Publisher