Review
'The Blastoff! Beginners Happy Holidays series introduces children to both familiar and new holidays that will increase their understanding of the diverse culture and traditions of people in America and around the world. Each title includes information about when and why the holiday is celebrated and the traditions and activities surrounding the holiday. One of the newer holidays that is introduced is Indigenous Peoples’ Day. This holiday honors the diverse Native people of America and their way of life. This holiday is celebrated on the second Monday of October. The book explains that people learn about indigenous peoples’ culture and ways of life by reading books, making music, studying art, and various activities. Vibrant photos accompany each page with two-three simple, descriptive sentences. The high-frequency words will encourage children to learn about the holidays, practice their comprehension, and enhance their vocabulary. Each book also contains a facts page with pictures and terms that creates a summary to enhance the readers’ understanding of the holiday. Readers can use the glossary and index for easy reference and access to key terms. Each book provides a list of sight words that readers will see when reading the book. These nonfiction books are an excellent resource to help children develop an understanding of different nationalities and cultures. They will also appreciate the traditions and values that different people share while also learning about key terms (such as menorah) that may not be introduced often in other books.', Alana Jara, District Librarian, Clear Lake Community School District
