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

by Edna Barth

Book 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...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0618067825
• ISBN13: 9780618067824
• Release Date: August 2000
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
• Length: 96 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 6.9" x 10.0"
• Age Range: 10 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 7

Customer Reviews

A favorite from my childhood....

This book was in my elementary school library (when it wasn't checked out by me!). It was one of the first nonfiction books I remember reading, and I really loved it. It's a great introduction to the study of folklore and tradition, written in a lively style for the independent reader. While some of the "facts" may not hold up in light of current scholarship, I still think it's the best book on the subject for the 3rd through 5th grader.

Witches get respect

This 19-chapter, 95-page delight, written in 1972, covers a multitude of areas, from the history of Halloween, to the ways it is celebrated today. The book is intended for an audience of third and fourth graders. And it has something for everyone. Most children wonder about the origins of Halloween. This book offers them just enough of the history to fascinate them and whet their appetites for more, but not so much that they will never want to read history again. Did you know, for example, that the Celtic people, who lived more than 2,000 years ago in France and the British Isles, feared October 31, as the eve of their festival of Samhain, Lord of the Dead? Celtic priests, called Druids, held fire rites at these times, at which they sometimes burned prisoners alive, to punish them and to predict the future. But Samhain was also a joyful festival, marking the death of the old year and the start of a new one. There are also brief sections on the history of fairies, Goblins and Little People. The book relates how the stories of these creatures came into being, and leaves open the possibility that they were real. Barth also offers tasteful sections on the history of witches (whose sabbaths were joyful) and the Horned God, from Biblical times through the Middle Ages. She touches on the Christian war against the Devil and the witch-hunts of Germany, England and America. Finally, she relates that how the wicas of lore and yore became the respectable costumed revelers of modern-day Halloween.Barth clearly had no intention of writing an exhaustive history. On the contrary, she intended to explain briefly, providing a nice lead-in to chapters on ghosts, toads, broomsticks and owls. To that end--fun--she also explains the Halloween colors of orange and black and current-day masquerades. She offers several not-too-scary Halloween stories and a set of wonderful Halloween recipes.This book is great for kids who love Halloween--and want to know how it started. Alyssa A. Lappen

Great Background Information

As a teacher, I so appreciate how simply this book gives broad background on all the traditions and history that feed into one of America's most celebrated holiday. Great background for preparing multicultural lessons, history lessons or art. Could be read by 5th grader as well.

HALLOWEEN HISTORY

THIS 96 PAGE BOOK DOES AN EXCELLENT JOB OF EXPLAINING MANY OF THE COMMON TRADITIONS AND SYMBOLS ASSOCIATED WITH MY FAVORITE HOLIDAY, HALLOWEEN. EDNA BARTH'S ENTERTAINING SERIES OF BOOKS (WONDERFULLY ILLUSTRADED BY URSULA ARNDT) DO A GREAT JOB OF DETAILING THE HISTORY BEHIND EACH HOLIDAY THAT SHE COVERS. THE BOOKS HAVE ENOUGH DETAIL TO HOLD THE ADULT READER'S ATTENTION WHILE BEING EASY ENOUGH FOR INQUISITIVE YOUNGER READERS. I PLAN TO PURCHASE ALL OF HER BOOKS (AND GIBLIN'S 4TH OF JULY, ALSO ILLUSTRATED BY ARNDT) TO READ AND SHARE WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THIS PARTICULAR BOOK IS A GREAT COMPANION TO A & E'S HAUNTED HISTORY OF HALLOWEEN VIDEO. ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAY(S).

A Halloween Tradition

I pulled it out of the same section in the elementary school library where they keep books on the Loch Ness Monster and UFO's. The book gave some really cool insights into the history and symbolism of Hallowe'en. If you really, and I mean REALLY love Halloween, this book will make you proud sitting on whatever creepy old bookshelf you have at home (put it next to the skull and severed hand!). The watercolor(?)illustrations truly capture that autumn spirit also. They say that the best children's books are those aimed at older readers, and this goes for this too!