One Minute Easter Stories - Softcover

Kindergarten-Grade 3-- As with Lewis' other books, this features 20 intentionally short tales. Presenting a religious, historical, and sociological view of Easter, the stories are adapted from New and Old Testament Biblical accounts and other legendary tales. Among those featured are the legend of the dogwood, why the robin's breast is red, tales of the egg as both a symbol of life and of holiday celebrations, the origins of Faberge's golden eggs, the symbolism of the pretzel and hot cross buns, and the historical accounts behind the Holy Thursday foot-washing ceremonies performed by British royalty and Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus" ovation. Easter is portrayed as a season of universal rebirth with prehistoric roots, not merely those found in Christian rites. Each two-page story features pleasantly realistic watercolors. This title is better than most in the series; the majority of these legendary accounts lend themselves to brief retellings, saccharine though they may be. With its primary value as a source for the background of legends rather than as a read-aloud anthology, the book, with its fictionalization of legends, could be used as a companion to Barth's standard Lilies, Rabbits and Painted Eggs (Houghton, 1979). An additional purchase, but not an unreasonable one. --Celia A. Huffman, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Cleveland
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