From School Library Journal
Gr 2-4-- Readers are taken back in time to 1940, when the narrator was four years old. The world was in the midst of a war, yet in this small Canadian village of Sainte-Justine, families were able to carry on with holiday celebrations. And what joyful celebrations they were, with large groups gathered for the New Year's feast. This is a joyous recollection of just such a day. One can almost feel the warmth and spontaneous gaiety that unfolds when the family gathers together. The text is simple and clear, describing many fascinating details of daily life. Yet the story transcends time as this family could just as well be a contemporary one. The writing is cohesive and does not linger in sentimentality or nostalgia. Playful illustrations are well suited to the text. Full-page paintings are done in a primitive style using bright, bold colors. They sparkle with energy and fun. Intricate details hold viewers' interest and will guarantee repeated readings. --Alexandra Marris, Rochester Public Library, NYCopyright 1992 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review
“One can almost feel the warmth and spontaneous gaiety.…Full-page paintings…sparkle with energy and fun.”
–School Library Journal

Review
?One can almost feel the warmth and spontaneous gaiety.?Full-page paintings?sparkle with energy and fun.?
?School Library Journal

Book Description
The preparations for the joyous New Year’s Day celebrations of Roch’s childhood began long before winter came. In the summer, his grandmother made her cherry wine. The neighboring villagers painted and repaired their sleighs in anticipation of the winter’s parade. When the big day finally arrives, it is a whirlwind of activity: the cooking and eating of the lavish feast, the arrival of visitors and distant relatives, the singing and dancing, and the family blessing. In the end, Roch knows who to thank for such a wonderful day.

Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

From the Inside Flap
The preparations for the joyous New Year’s Day celebrations of Roch’s childhood began long before winter came. In the summer, his grandmother made her cherry wine. The neighboring villagers painted and repaired their sleighs in anticipation of the winter’s parade. When the big day finally arrives, it is a whirlwind of activity: the cooking and eating of the lavish feast, the arrival of visitors and distant relatives, the singing and dancing, and the family blessing. In the end, Roch knows who to thank for such a wonderful day.

From the Back Cover
“One can almost feel the warmth and spontaneous gaiety.…Full-page paintings…sparkle with energy and fun.”
–School Library Journal

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The preparations for the joyous New Year’s Day celebrations of Roch’s childhood began long before winter came. In the summer, his grandmother made her cherry wine. The neighboring villagers painted and repaired their sleighs in anticipation of the winter’s parade. When the big day finally arrives, it is a whirlwind of activity: the cooking and eating of the lavish feast, the arrival of visitors and distant relatives, the singing and dancing, and the family blessing. In the end, Roch knows who to thank for such a wonderful day.

FROM THE CRITICS

School Library Journal