Did you know that when you go trick-or-treating on Halloween, you are taking part in an ancient Celtic festival? Or that many of the old customs of Christmas were adopted from the Romans? This collection takes us back to the origins of many festivals that are celebrated throughout the world & traces the stories that are connected to them. Some of the tales honor special times of year while others relate to religious festivals -- yet each one is full of the excitement that surrounds times of celebration. Beautifully illus., this book includes stories about Halloween; the Jewish Story of EstherÓ; a tale from the West Indies for Kwanzaa; the Japanese festival of Tanabata; the Russian New Year; the Indian festival of Holi; the Moon Festival of China; & Christmas.