Mardi Gras

Readers are made to feel a part of the story in this collection that uses variations of “we.” Text introduces each festival, describing historical background and religious and cultural roots in just a few sentences, followed by several examples of how it is celebrated. Pages generally have one or two short sentences, and the large color photos, most of which feature children participating in related activities, are the set’s best feature. A concluding page contains photos of each festival’s symbols or celebratory items along with a picture glossary. These books are attractive and compelling enough to draw an audience, and compare favorably with many well-written, recently published works on similar topics. VERDICT A fine supplementary option for new or replacement purchase.