Easter: In (Board) Book and Film

Eleanor's getting almost old enough to enjoy celebrating holidays. She picked up on "Easter bunny" this year -- perhaps thanks to a small wind-up rabbit from her great-grandma -- and now she says "Easter bunny!" every time she sees a rabbit of any form. Which makes our evening walks more fun, since rabbits often go hopping off into the desert.

Unsurprisingly, one of my favorite ways to introduce her to holidays is via books -- and in the last month we've read the same two books a lot.

The Story of Easter begins with pictures of bunnies and kids playing in the grass, and explains that Easter represents the new life that begins in spring. It then goes on to talk about Easter representing new life in Christ. Eleanor's favorite page is the one where the angel standing at the empty tomb tell the disciples that Jesus has risen again. (She's been really into angels ever since Christmas). The illustrations are a little dated looking, but it follows the Biblical story of the Resurrection accurately, at a level that small children can easily follow, and ties it into spring/Easter celebrations quite nicely. Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Duck and Goose: Here Comes the Easter Bunny! is a fun, brightly colored story of a failed attempt to see the Easter Bunny. I grabbed this one at the library, and Eleanor's really been enjoying it. (I didn't realize that there is a whole series of Duck and Goose books till I looked this up on Amazon.) In this particular book, Duck and Goose decide to hide and catch the Easter bunny. They try several places (too high! too messy! etc...) -- and finally disguise themselves as a tree. But alas, they fall asleep, and miss the Easter bunny, awakening to beautiful eggs all round them. Eleanor especially likes the page where Duck suggests hiding in a big mud puddle. Rating: 4 out of 5

My two traditions every Easter are warbling "Christ the Lord is risen today, aaaaaaaaa-llleee-llluuuu-iiiiaaaa" excessively (sorry Noel), and watching Easter Parade, starring Fred Astaire and Judy Garland. I love that movie so much -- it has some of the best dance numbers ever! "We're just a couple of swells...we stop at the best hotels..."

Happy Easter! 
What are your Easter traditions? 

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