"The traditional Christmas carols we know and love today have been around for many years, even centuries; each one has a fascinating story behind it. In this read-aloud collection, Tonya Lambert reveals stories and the trivia behind popular Christmas carols, traditional and contemporary -- the music, the lyrics, the composers, the singers and the time and traditions around which they were written."--Back cover
Spooks and spirits, ghosts and goblins, witches and the weird...it's Halloween...one of the most widely celebrated holidays of the year. But why do we trick-or-treat, carve pumpkins and dress up in costumes? What are the legends and lore behind some of our most treasured Halloween traditions? Find out all about this spooky * The ancient Celts wore masks and costumes on Halloween night to avoid being recognized as human because they thought spirits and ghosts roamed the countryside * In an attempt to prevent spirits of the dead from leaving their final resting place, gravestones were once placed on top of deeply dug graves * Wiccaphobia is the fear of witches * Several distilleries around the world produce alcoholic beverages with a grim twist; an English firm produces Vampyre Vodka that is blood red in color * According to the Guinness Book of Records, the largest gathering of ''zombies'' occurred in Ledbury, Hertfordshire, on August 6, 2009, with 4026 participants. * And so much more...