"Lesley Bannatyne's fascinating book . . . will be widely appealing to anyone who ever wondered where witches, trick-or-treating, and jack-o-lanterns really came from. It is by far the best book on the history of Halloween available today."--Alison Guss, senior producer,"The Haunted History of Halloween," The History Channel"An excellent resource for research into the history of holidays . . . in the United States . . . Highly Recommended."--The Book Report"Deserves attention as a recommended library acquisition with years of 'life' to its information."--The Midwest Book Review"Overflows with rich and provocative details of ritual, feasts, superstition, and devilment."--North Carolina Historical ReviewHalloween has evolved from the Celtic celebrations of 2,000 years ago to become today the fastest-growing holiday in the country. This, the only book to completely cover All Hallow's Eve, from its beginnings to the present, examines the ancient origins as well as its traditions and celebrations, from costuming to bobbing for apples. Jack-o-lanterns, black cats, and witches are explained. Ghosts, ghouls, and goblins lurk behind every page.The book traces the contributions of America's ... [Read More]

Cross your fingers, knock on wood, and clutch your rabbit's foot a little tighter. In this charming and endlessly diverting book, Harry Oliver delves into the stories behind the traditions and superstitions that permeate our everyday lives, unearthing the fascinating histories of these weird and wonderful notions. So before you search for any more four-leaf clovers, worry about the next Friday the 13th, or avoid walking under any ladders, dip into this amazing tome and discover: *Why breaking a mirror brings seven years of bad luck. *The best day of the week to ask for a favor. *Why you should never jump over a child in Turkey.

Sit on the edge of your seat and enjoy master storyteller Ray Bradbury's classic adventure of four youths who try to save the spirit of their friend Pip from the ghosts of Halloween past. The four encounter a mysterious character, Moundshroud who takes them on a magical journey that sweeps them back as far as 4,000 years and touches down in exotic places all over the world like Egypt, England, France and Mexico. Along the way they discover the magic and meaning of Halloween - and friendship. This enchanting adventure features the voice talents of Leonard Nimoy as Moundshroud and the animation wizardry of Hanna-Barbera. It's a story as timeless as Halloween itself - a bubbling cauldron of thrills and suspense that will stir the imagination of the entire family. Bradbury's popular story is destined to become a perennial Halloween favorite.

Every year, children and adults alike take to the streets dressed as witches, demons, animals, celebrities, and more. They carve pumpkins and play pranks, and the braver ones watch scary movies and go on ghost tours. There are parades, fireworks displays, cornfield mazes, and haunted houses—and, most important, copious amounts of bite-sized candy. The popularity of Halloween has spread around the globe to places as diverse as Russia, China, and Japan, but its association with death and the supernatural and its inevitable commercialization has made it one of our most misunderstood holidays. How did it become what it is today? In Trick or Treat, Halloween aficionado Lisa Morton provides a thorough history of this spooky day. She begins by looking at how holidays like the Celtic Samhain, a Gaelic harvest festival, have blended with the British Guy Fawkes Day and the Catholic All Souls’ Day to produce the modern Halloween, and she explains how the holiday was reborn in America, where costumes and trick-or-treat rituals have become new customs. Morton takes into account the influence of related but independent holidays, especially the Mexican Day of the Dead, as well as the explosi... [Read More]

Use this vibrant African costume to spark imaginations and introduce kids to ethnic diversity. This costume set includes a top, skirt, and head scarf that allows kids to exercise their imaginations. Great for use during holidays, classroom lessons, or celebrations. Designed to fit children ages 4 to 7 years old.

Have you ever wondered…Why do we celebrate birthdays with cake and make wishes while blowing out candles? Why do we eat popcorn at the movies? Why do we acknowledge a sneeze?Why do we sing the Star-Spangled Banner before sporting events? Why do people wear costumes and give out candy on Halloween? Why do we say “break a leg” to wish somebody good luck? Why are we buried six feet under?This booklet explores the history behind Why We Do It. Actual pages 44.

“not just a hugely entertaining travel memoir or a delightfully dire catalogue of horrors; it’s first and foremost an insightful, personal exploration of humankind’s global fascination with the monstrous.” —Lisa Morton, author of Trick or Treat: A History of Halloween Inspired by a fascination with fear culture, writer Chris Kullstroem left her job and home to experience firsthand some of the world’s most legendary scare shows. Under the guidance of locals, she saw it all: attractions like the Day of the Dead, the haunts of New Zealand, and even the mythical Krampus brought to life in the streets of Austria. Each eerie enactment evokes a sense of wonder, demonstrating powerful emotions that transcend language and culture to reveal a connection we all share.   Chris Kullstroem is a lifelong Halloween, horror, and dark tourism enthusiast. She holds seminars on how scare venues blend history, theater, and social interaction, and she enjoys exploring what these shows can teach us about our society and the people around us. Kullstroem worked as a traveling correspondent on the radio show Paranormal Talk and received her master’s degree in philosophy from the University of... [Read More]

Have you ever wondered about the origin of our western cultural artifacts (symbols, myths, legends, customs and traditions)? Where was the Garden of Eden? From where did the magic spell Abracadabra originate? What was the original use of the zodiac? How did the concepts of sin and Hell come about? Was Hitler the first to use the Swastika symbol? Why is 13 considered unlucky? Why do we have 360 degrees in a circle? How did mermaids originate? Why is Christmas Day held on December 25th?The longevity of many cultural artifacts is simply remarkable. Some have been with us since prehistory

Friar Geronimo Boscana (Jeronimo Boscana) (1775- 1831) was an early nineteenth-century Franciscan missionary in Spanish and Mexican California. He is noted for producing the most detailed ethnographic picture of a Native Californian culture to come out of the missionary period. He was educated at Palma and joined the Franciscan order in 1792. He travelled to Mexico in 1803 and to California in 1806. He served at the missions of Soledad, La Purisima, San Luis Rey, and San Gabriel. For more than a decade (from 1812-1826) he was stationed at Mission San Juan Capistrano. His first ethnographic contribution resulted from an

The Origins of Popular Superstitions and Customs (Dodo Press)