Easter Story

by Elizabeth Yates

The traditions and customs of Easter--rabbits, eggs, flowery hats, and ham--and the religious significance drawn from Hebrew history and the Resurrection are revealed in a story which shows a young girl how joy and suffering are a part of every life.

Library Binding

First published January 1, 1967

About the author

Elizabeth Yates, author of over forty books for children, was born in New York State on December 6th, 1905. Determined to be an author, she moved to New York City to launch her career. She worked a variety of jobs including reviewing book, writing short stories, and doing research. She moved to England with her husband and wrote her first book, High Holiday, based on her travels in Switzerland with her three children. The family returned to the U.S. in 1939 and settled in New Hampshire. Yates won the Newbery Award in 1951 for her book, Amos Fortune, Free Man, a biography of an African prince who is enslaved and taken to America.

Yates conducted writer's workshops at the University of New Hampshire, the University of Connecticut, and Indiana University. She also served as the Director of the New Hampshire Association for the Blind.

Yates was widowed in 1963. Elizabeth Yates died Sunday at a hospice in Concord, New Hampshire on July 29, 2001 at the age of 95.

Elizabeth Yates' books have been described as "the result of extensive research, a strong underlying belief in God, and a vivid imagination."

Reviews

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book I have read from Elizabeth Yates and look forward to reading many more. I really loved this story. It is written by chapters starting on Wednesday of Holy Week and goes through to Easter Sunday. It is a perfect advent type read. I found it beautifully written and loved the explanation of how spring pagan customs became spiritually/religiously remembered at Easter. It is also tells a story of forgiveness and self discovery. This is one I intend to read each year. There are some various Easter poems at the back of the book.

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was torn on how to rate this story. While I agree with the overall message its dated presentation made it as dull as dry toast to me! However, the timing of this message for my eight year-old who worked out the truth of who/what is behind the Easter Bunny/Santa/The Tooth Fairy couldn't have been more perfect. He had some very important questions answered for him through this text and the conversation it brought up between him and Mom. Do I think he would have read it on his own? No way!!! Would I read it again...probably not. It was a simple grab at the public library, and the timing and circumstances in our lives was what made it an 'ok' rating versus a 'didn't like' it rating. If I had thought about it I would have searched out a much more interesting story to share this message with my son.