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Witch, Pumpkins, and Grinning Ghosts
The stories behind all the familiar and not-so-familiar symbols of Halloween. Each of our holidays has its own familiar 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.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1972
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
November 15, 2015
’The leering devils, the grinning Jack-O’-Lanterns, the cackling witches, and all the other Halloween symbols go back to a time when people, young and old, lived in real dred of goblins and ghosts, of witches and cats – especially at Halloween.’
Next up on my list of banned/challenged books and since it is almost Halloween I decided to take a peek at ‘Witches, Pumpkins, and Grinning Ghosts: The Story of the Halloween Symbols.’ This is certainly not your typical take on Halloween and certainly isn’t a Halloween book about cute fuzzy black cats or even about silly looking witches on brooms.
Within the first couple of pages I can see why it has been banned/challenged. The book discusses how Christianity had been born and how they attempted to overtake the Pagan religions and convince people of its evilness and even goes on to discuss the witchhunts. All historically accurate information, but not exactly the popular opinion nowadays.
‘In all parts of the Roman Empire, the Christian fathers did their utmost to stamp out everything pagan, as they branded the older religions. It was hard to persuade the conquered Celts that the gods they had known for centuries were evil. It was harder still to wipe out their rites and symbols. So the Christian church gave them new meanings and new names.’
I think it was a decently explained historical book on the details of Halloween and what the holiday really entails, but there were sections that I don’t believe her 100% historically accurate, and I found this on the non-fiction shelf at my library. Pretty interesting book overall though.
Next up on my list of banned/challenged books and since it is almost Halloween I decided to take a peek at ‘Witches, Pumpkins, and Grinning Ghosts: The Story of the Halloween Symbols.’ This is certainly not your typical take on Halloween and certainly isn’t a Halloween book about cute fuzzy black cats or even about silly looking witches on brooms.
Within the first couple of pages I can see why it has been banned/challenged. The book discusses how Christianity had been born and how they attempted to overtake the Pagan religions and convince people of its evilness and even goes on to discuss the witchhunts. All historically accurate information, but not exactly the popular opinion nowadays.
‘In all parts of the Roman Empire, the Christian fathers did their utmost to stamp out everything pagan, as they branded the older religions. It was hard to persuade the conquered Celts that the gods they had known for centuries were evil. It was harder still to wipe out their rites and symbols. So the Christian church gave them new meanings and new names.’
I think it was a decently explained historical book on the details of Halloween and what the holiday really entails, but there were sections that I don’t believe her 100% historically accurate, and I found this on the non-fiction shelf at my library. Pretty interesting book overall though.
October 23, 2012
I love the illustrations in Witches, Pumpkins, and Grinning Ghosts -- you can tell they were drawn in the 70s, in a charming way -- but the writing style is too choppy and random for me to enjoy.
I like that a children's book includes info about actual witches, Druids, celebrations of the dead, etc., and I liked the background provided for jack o'lanterns, bobbing for apples . . . all those classic games and symbols associated with Halloween. I haven't gone through the book chapter-by-chapter to fact-check, but I suspect some facts might be a little jumbled; some bits just SOUND wrong, but I can't back that up.
Most of my problem, though, stems from Barth's writing style; the book reads like a grade-school essay, with info just dropped into each chapter randomly, with no smooth transitions between time periods or subjects. It's hard to read, or maybe just hard to focus on. It's not a book I'd recommend unless you really dig the art.
I like that a children's book includes info about actual witches, Druids, celebrations of the dead, etc., and I liked the background provided for jack o'lanterns, bobbing for apples . . . all those classic games and symbols associated with Halloween. I haven't gone through the book chapter-by-chapter to fact-check, but I suspect some facts might be a little jumbled; some bits just SOUND wrong, but I can't back that up.
Most of my problem, though, stems from Barth's writing style; the book reads like a grade-school essay, with info just dropped into each chapter randomly, with no smooth transitions between time periods or subjects. It's hard to read, or maybe just hard to focus on. It's not a book I'd recommend unless you really dig the art.
November 14, 2008
I enjoyed this book because it was interesting to read how some of our halloween symbols came about. the best part of the book for me was the last three "chapters" because is more about the traditional games and festivities of the holiday. it really made me want to have a "traditional" all hallows eve party someday.
March 27, 2021
NON fiction with multiple historical errors and no sources. IDK what the bureaucratic battle is like to remove misinformation from libraries, and such a book would no doubt be low on the priority list, but sheesh, this was some BS
November 4, 2012
This is a very informative and detailed book about the history, religious foundations and cultural influences on Halloween. The narrative is rather long, so we would only read a few sections each night. But overall, the history is fascinating and also a bit terrible. The illustrations are black and white and fairly simple.
I would certainly recommend this for parents reading with older children; I doubt that younger children would have the maturity or patience to sit through this book. I found that many times we would take a break from reading to discuss the subject matter and try to emphasize that some of the horrible things people have done out of fear or in the name of religion have happened throughout human history. I believe this would also serve as a useful book for reference for a report.
Overall, we really enjoyed reading this book together. We all learned a lot about the history behind this holiday.
I would certainly recommend this for parents reading with older children; I doubt that younger children would have the maturity or patience to sit through this book. I found that many times we would take a break from reading to discuss the subject matter and try to emphasize that some of the horrible things people have done out of fear or in the name of religion have happened throughout human history. I believe this would also serve as a useful book for reference for a report.
Overall, we really enjoyed reading this book together. We all learned a lot about the history behind this holiday.
July 3, 2014
Undocumented, with just enough correct facts to foment disaster.
November 1, 2018
This book delves into Halloween symbols and their history. As someone who enjoys Halloween, I'm wiling to give most things Halloween a try. The campy 1970s illustrations have certain charm. But I found this book's content to be barely fair. The generalities match the standard history of Halloween, but I disagree with many of the details.
I thought the author jumped to a lot of conclusions not substantiated by any evidence, and I disliked how folklore unsupported by any historical documentation or archaeology was presented as fact. The basis for the author's knowledge of witches, witches' sabbaths, and witches' familiars appears to be the confessions of accused witches given under torture, which isn't a valid source. She also conflates practitioners of "witchcraft" with polytheistic non-Christians and presents them as members of a single, unified, organized religion on par with Christianity. This is wildly inaccurate.
The author also voices some opinions that show a failure to understand history in context. For example, she says that the stereotypical ugly wicked witch while it may appear to be "just colorful and part of holiday fun" is actually "a distortion of history and perhaps a disservice to women in their struggle for equality" (page 42). This may just be a dated feminist barb, but it shows a lack of understanding of symbols.
Symbols evolve and change over time. Something that begins as negative can become positive and vica versa. Symbols also have no innate meaning. They only hold meaning because they are ascribed that meaning, and they cease to have a particular meaning or any meaning if a person or group stops believing it. Something's origin doesn't dictate how it will be used or perceived over time.
Part of the reason that the fallacy of presentism is so prevalent is that modern people suffer from the inability to understand that people who lived in different times believed different things and that people in future generations will believe different things than we do now. The lack of a complete knowledge of history and, therefore, the inability to place things within the correct historical context gives rise to the desire to remove anything that makes people in contemporary societies feel uncomfortable. We would erase all of human history if we seek to excise everything that was ever associated with anything deemed objectionable by current standards. The intention may be noble, but the practice is foolhardy and potentially dangerous. Sanitizing human history won't atone for past injustice. Editing the wicked witch out of Halloween celebrations will not somehow make reparations for the elderly, poor, disabled, unattractive, and marginalized women who were falsely accused of witchcraft in centuries past.
I thought the author jumped to a lot of conclusions not substantiated by any evidence, and I disliked how folklore unsupported by any historical documentation or archaeology was presented as fact. The basis for the author's knowledge of witches, witches' sabbaths, and witches' familiars appears to be the confessions of accused witches given under torture, which isn't a valid source. She also conflates practitioners of "witchcraft" with polytheistic non-Christians and presents them as members of a single, unified, organized religion on par with Christianity. This is wildly inaccurate.
The author also voices some opinions that show a failure to understand history in context. For example, she says that the stereotypical ugly wicked witch while it may appear to be "just colorful and part of holiday fun" is actually "a distortion of history and perhaps a disservice to women in their struggle for equality" (page 42). This may just be a dated feminist barb, but it shows a lack of understanding of symbols.
Symbols evolve and change over time. Something that begins as negative can become positive and vica versa. Symbols also have no innate meaning. They only hold meaning because they are ascribed that meaning, and they cease to have a particular meaning or any meaning if a person or group stops believing it. Something's origin doesn't dictate how it will be used or perceived over time.
Part of the reason that the fallacy of presentism is so prevalent is that modern people suffer from the inability to understand that people who lived in different times believed different things and that people in future generations will believe different things than we do now. The lack of a complete knowledge of history and, therefore, the inability to place things within the correct historical context gives rise to the desire to remove anything that makes people in contemporary societies feel uncomfortable. We would erase all of human history if we seek to excise everything that was ever associated with anything deemed objectionable by current standards. The intention may be noble, but the practice is foolhardy and potentially dangerous. Sanitizing human history won't atone for past injustice. Editing the wicked witch out of Halloween celebrations will not somehow make reparations for the elderly, poor, disabled, unattractive, and marginalized women who were falsely accused of witchcraft in centuries past.
March 16, 2025
I don't care how dated it may be or if some people have a problem with the content. This educational book on Halloween is still a nostalgic trip. Perfect for reading anytime of the year especially in October. The illustrations are spectacular.
May 31, 2017
Pretty decent folklore setup. Love the artwork.
October 16, 2017
neat little fast read. keeps you in the holiday spirit and helps remember why all the things we enjoy are here
January 4, 2018
Good book on the history of Halloween. Suitable for young readers while playing down some of the gorier parts, like human sacrifices on Samwain.
October 22, 2018
My 7 year old loved this book
October 6, 2019
So... this is an interesting book, but it doesn't cite any of their sources. And this is an issue... especially when they're covering historical information.
October 13, 2019
An excellent read for young children. An inquisitive adult, however, will be frustrated with the utter lack of source material.
October 28, 2021
the reviews for this r fun cuz they rly prove how this website is populated by joyless dour losers!
October 18, 2023
Folklore
December 11, 2013
I found this book to be absolutely appalling. My reading buddy had picked it out since Halloween was coming up, and after the first few pages, I looked at her and saw that she looked miserable reading it. I asked her if should rather read a different book. My reading buddy did not even hesitate. She jumped at the first opportunity to put this book away. I do not think I have found a book I have disliked more than this one. Sure there are plenty of books in the words that are poorly written, but this book takes the cake. I will never recommend this book to anyone.
This book is said to be made for elementary age children, but I would never read it to an elementary school student.
This book is said to be made for elementary age children, but I would never read it to an elementary school student.
June 8, 2021
The first few paragraphs are so inaccurate that I can’t trust anything further in this book. As someone who has studied Celtic history, pretty much everything she has said about Samhain is incorrect, starting with the fact that it is not a person (there is no “Lord of the Dead”) and ending with the fact that Baal is not a Celtic god! Were there no fact checkers?! And the info on the aos sí, oh god. Very disappointing to know that people accept this as truth when Celtic history and mythology is far more rich and varied that her simplistic and stereotypical statements would have you believe.
October 22, 2015
I'm currently reading this with my daughter for Halloween. I've really enjoyed it so far. Reading similar books like this, I've learned new material versus hearing alot of the same thing from different books, for this I give it four stars. The illustrations are great too. First I started reading it like a normal book not liking it as much as when I picked it back up and started reading it with my 9 year old a little a day.
October 23, 2016
This book provides a thorough and intriguing history of Halloween and of harvest celebrations from several cultures within Europe and the Americas. Of particular interest is an examination of witches' covens as a means for women to find power where they would otherwise have none. This fascinating quick read is written for children in the upper elementary grades, but it will entertain and intrigue children of any age.
December 14, 2012
If you come to the country where they celebrate Halloween and have no idea why they put pumpkins, hang bats, ghost and other things, this book is for you. The book gives an idea about the meaning and origin of different symbols.
October 23, 2014
Another fun book to read in October. I am a history buff and it was fun reading about the history of the symbols associated with Halloween and about Halloween itself. Perfect book to read with friends or students to teach them history without them evening knowing it!
May 5, 2015
Meh. I got this because Lily wanted to know the "why" behind so many of the Halloween themes she was seeing. This book covers a lot, but is very poorly written and not at all accessible to kids. It definitely requires an adult there to edit and contextualize. There are better sources.
July 11, 2009
Halloween activities for children.
November 17, 2009
... interesting details about the origins of various things related to Halloween, some of which I knew about previously, but many I did not ... a little simplistic for my taste
January 19, 2013
This is one of the best books on the start and true nature of Halloween. A must read for any age during fall!
October 4, 2013
Lots of good information here about the origins of Halloween and harvest festivals. Not the most well-written of books, but entertaining nevertheless.
June 8, 2015
Fantastic illustrations, and fun, informative text for young readers. A classic.
November 8, 2014
This book would be good for a report. Its an easy read and provides all the facts on various Halloween symbols. Not incredibly detailed it is meant for an older child.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews