Hearts, Cupids, and Red Roses: The Story of the Valentine Symbols

By Edna Barth

Book Overview

Describes the celebration of St. Valentine's Day from pagan festivals to present-day activities.

Each of our holidays has its own familiar traditions: Trick-or-treating on Halloween, eating turkey on Thanksgiving, waiting for Santa Claus on Christmas, exchanging cards on Valentine's Day. But where do these customs come from, when did they begin, and why do we continue to observe them?

In the engaging blend of careful research and lively prose that has earned her books a lasting place on the holiday bookshelf, Edna Barth explores the multicultural origins and evolution of the familiar and not-so-familiar symbols and legends associated with our favorite holidays. Full of fascinating historical details and little-known stories, these books are both informative and engaging. Festively illustrated by Ursula Arndt, they are now available again in hardcover as well as paperback editions, featuring new, eye-catching jacket designs, and fun holiday activities inside the paperback covers. Each book includes an annotated list of holiday stories and poems and an index.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0618067914
• ISBN13: 9780618067916
• Release Date: January 2001
• Publisher: Clarion Books
• Length: 64 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 6.9" x 10.0"
• Age Range: 10 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 7

Customer Reviews

Great Book for Reference

This book would be excellent for any reference or school library- the author investigates the background of many of the traditions around Valentine's Day. Simple to read and follow, it would be great for adult or teenager- I am looking forward to reviewing some of the histories and legends around the other holidays in her series!

Very Pleased

I was very pleased to read this book. I was looking for a book that would accurately tell me the origin of valentines day and the way in which it has evolved. This book did it for me.

A little book with a lotta info !

In only 64 pages the author traces the origins of today's Valentine's Day back to the pre-Christian Roman festival of Lupercalia, and finds the connections to various courting customs and symbols through the ages. Although small, the book is no lightweight -- it's packed with apparently well-researched and detailed information. The monochrome illustrations that accompany the text are appropriately sparing. There are plenty of other books with lots of big, colorful pictures but none with as much information conveyed so clearly and pleasantly in so little space!