From School Library Journal
Grade 1-5 - Each of the 12 sections in this beautiful, useful, and unique almanac begins with a large monthly calendar. This spread has a colored block for each day and delineates historical events and birth and death dates of famous people. Information about the name of the month, and the flower, birthstone, and zodiac sign associated with it are included in the border, along with a quote from a well-known individual and a "Weather Report" describing an extreme condition that occurred during that time of year. Subsequent pages within each chapter feature appropriate poems along with background information about the people and topics mentioned in the selections. The writers represented include Robert Frost, Langston Hughes, Richard Wilbur, and Gwendolyn Brooks. Alcorn's large, vibrant, whimsical artwork perfectly enhances the prose and verse to make this book a delight to the eye and the ear. The colorful pages are filled with seasonal icons, images of famous individuals, and depictions of children enjoying a variety of activities. In addition to attracting young readers, this volume will have special appeal for teachers who like to infuse the curriculum with poetry, holidays, and historical anniversaries. Many libraries will want copies for both reference and circulation. - Lynda Ritterman, Atco Elementary School, Waterford, NJ Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
Gr. 4-7. Teachers will embrace Hopkins' latest collection, a wide-reaching selection of poems that tie in with commemorative dates throughout the year. Each month begins with a calendar page noting important historical events and background about the month's name. Following pages match a poem with a relevant date. In the January section, for example, Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday is observed with a short, biographical paragraph, a quote from King, and Nikki Grimes' poem "A Question for Martin." Hopkins' focus is as wide as the sky, resulting in a somewhat arbitrary collection; included in the celebrated events is "the patent of the first pencil with attached eraser." But the selection of accessible, relevant poems is excellent, and Alcorn's clean-lined illustrations enhance the humor and emotion in the words. An ideal resource for teachers looking for supplemental poems to liven up the classroom. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Book Description

In Days to Celebrate Lee Bennett Hopkins has collected an astounding array of information to show us that each day of the year gives us a reason to celebrate. For every month he has compiled a calendar of birthdays, holidays, historic events, inventions, world records, thrilling firsts, and more.

And for every month he has selected surprising poems in honor of some of the people and events commemorated in the calendar. There are poems about the seasons and holidays, of course, but there are also poems about a "Flying-Man" (for February 4, Charles Lindbergh's birthday), birds (for April 26, John James Audubon's birthday), windshield wipers (patented November 10), and earmuffs (patented December 21).

Beloved poets, such as Walt Whitman, Langston Hughes, Gwendolyn Brooks, and Christina Rossetti, are joined by new voices in sixty poems that take us on a remarkable journey through a year -- and through the years. Stephen Alcorn's illustrations, based on the style of art found in old almanacs, are airy, whimsical, and thought provoking. They perfectly match the breadth and depth of this volume.

Brilliantly conceived and elegantly illustrated, Days to Celebrate is a book that pays tribute to the people, events, and poetry that make up our past and will inspire our future.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

In Days to Celebrate Lee Bennett Hopkins has collected an astounding array of information to show us that each day of the year gives us a reason to celebrate. For every month he has compiled a calendar of birthdays, holidays, historic events, inventions, world records, thrilling firsts, and more.

And for every month he has selected surprising poems in honor of some of the people and events commemorated in the calendar. There are poems about the seasons and holidays, of course, but there are also poems about a "Flying-Man" (for February 4, Charles Lindbergh's birthday), birds (for April 26, John James Audubon's birthday), windshield wipers (patented November 10), and earmuffs (patented December 21).

Beloved poets, such as Walt Whitman, Langston Hughes, Gwendolyn Brooks, and Christina Rossetti, are joined by new voices in sixty poems that take us on a remarkable journey through a year — and through the years. Stephen Alcorn's illustrations, based on the style of art found in old almanacs, are airy, whimsical, and thought provoking. They perfectly match the breadth and depth of this volume.

Brilliantly conceived and elegantly illustrated,Days to Celebrate is a book that pays tribute to the people, events, and poetry that make up our past and will inspire our future.

About the Author:

Lee Bennett Hopkins was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, on April 13, 1938. As a child Mr. Hopkins read little other than comic books and movie magazines until a teacher inspired in him a love of the theater and of reading. He credits this teacher with his lifelong interest in education.

Mr. Hopkins began teaching sixth grade at a public school in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, in 1960. He enjoyed his job, and in his third year at Westmoreland School in Fair Lawn, he became the school's resource teacher, providing curricular support materials for the elementary school teachers. It was while serving in this position that Mr. Hopkins first used poetry to help children with reading problems.

In 1968 Mr. Hopkins became a curriculum and editorial specialist at Scholastic, Inc. His career as a writer soared. More than two dozen of his books were published during his eight-year tenure there. In 1976 Mr. Hopkins left his job at Scholastic in order to become a full-time writer and anthologist.

Mr. Hopkins is widely recognized as the nation's spokesperson for Children's Poetry. He has edited and written numerous books for children as well as several professional texts, including Pauses: Autobiographical Reflections of 101 Creators of Children's Books and Pass the Poetry, Please!, and his column, "Poetry Plus," is a regular feature in Creative Classroom magazine. Mr. Hopkins has been honored with the University of Southern Mississippi Medallion for "lasting contributions to Children's Literature."

Mr. Hopkins served on the Board of Directors of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) from 1975 to 1978; NCTE Commission on Literature (1982-1985); and NCTE Children's Literature Assembly (1984-1987); and he twice chaired the NCTE Poetry Award Committee. He is also the donor of both the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award, presented by Penn State University, and the Lee Bennett Hopkins/International Reading Association Promising Poet Award.

The recipient of a Christopher Award and the University of Southern Mississippi's Medallion for "lasting contributions to childrens literature," Mr. Hopkins lives in Westchester County and Greenwich Village, New York.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Lee Bennett Hopkins gathers poems and milestone facts for every occasion in Days to Celebrate: A Full Year of Poetry, People, Holidays, History, Fascinating Facts, and More, illus. by Stephen Alcorn. From Martin Luther King, Jr.'s brief biography, coupled with Nikki Grimes's poem, "A Question for Martin" in January, to a description of the little-known "Night of the Radishes" on December 23 (the tradition of carving sculptures from radishes in Oaxaca, Mexico), inspirationally paired with Karla Kuskin's "Write about a radish./ Too many people write about the moon...," Hopkins presents an array of versatile verse, both classic and contemporary. Christina Rosetti, Carl Sandburg, Langston Hughes and Hopkins himself number among the other contributors. Alcorn's full-spread and spot illustrations with their fine ink line and watercolor wash, fluidly tie together poems old and new, airy and weighty. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews