It’s Christmas Eve and everyone is getting ready. But why does prababcia bring some hay and grandmother set an extra place at the table? Part of our "Celebration" series, this story explores the way people celebrate different festivals around the world. There are recipes and activities in this beautifully illustrated book that takes us to the heart of Christmas in Poland.
Book Review:
This brightly illustrated book is part of our celebration series, which explores the way people celebrate different festivals around the world. In the story, Marek, his sister Alice, and their parents are visiting their extended family including their babcia (grandmother), dziadek (grandfather) and prababcia (great-grandmother) in Poland. All are involved in preparing for the big Christmas celebration and Marek is full of questions. Why does prababcia put hay under the table? Why does she set an extra place at the table? Why do they look for the first star of the night before they begin their feast?
After the Christmas banquet, it is off to Midnight Mass for Marek, while Alice stays home with prababcia to see if at midnight “all the animals can talk.” But at midnight the kids are fast asleep, one at church, and one at home. After all, they have had a big day!
Marek and Alice’s Christmas describes many rituals of a traditional Polish Christmas, and invites readers to share in the celebration.
Review written by Maureen Pugh - From the November 2009 issue of Culture Connection Newsletter
