NOBLE Web » NOBLE for Kids

Groundhog Day

Elizabeth Thomsen — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:17:02 +0000

Groundhog Day, celebrated on February 2, has its roots in an ancient Celtic celebration called Imbolog, marking the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. This was a time to celebrate having made it halfway through winter. The superstition arose that if the weather was fair on Imbolog, the second half of the winter would be cold and stormy, but if the weather was cold and overcast or stormy, the second half of the winter would be mild.

In early Christian times, February 2 was celebrated as Candlemas, but the earlier superstitions persisted. The Romans learned these traditional beliefs from the Scottish Celts, and brought them to the area that was to become Germany, where they became a part of the folk culture. German immigrants brought these beliefs with them to Pennsylvania, where the tradition of predicting the weather became centered around the woodchuck or groundhog. The town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, has an annual celebration centering around the activity of the groundhog “Punxsutawney Phil.”

Groundhog Day — Our Groundhog Day page includes a Groundhog Day Booklist for Kids and other links for more information and activities for Groundhog Day.

Super Bowl XLVI

Elizabeth Thomsen — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:42:19 +0000

On Sunday, February 5, 2012, the New England Patriots and the New York Giants battle it out at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Super Bowl Search — Borrow a book from your library and get ready for Super Bowl Sunday!
Super Bowl XLVI — Catch all the news on the official NFL Super Bowl site
Super Bowl XLVI — Boston.com’s guide to the Super Bowl
Super Bowl Central — ESPN’s Super Bowl news and information site
Hulu’s Super Bowl AdZone — “Get ready for Game Day. Watch past Super Bowl ads and share your favorites.”
Super Bowl XLVI Game Day Party Planner — Ideas for entertaining from Boston.com
Super Bowl 2010 Food, Recipes, & Party Tips — Recipes and entertaining ideas from Epicurious.com

Happy Holidays!

Elizabeth Thomsen — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 14:15:17 +0000

Hanukkah — This year the Jewish Festival of Lights is celebrated from sunset on December 20 to nightfall on December 28

Christmas — Nativity scenes, wreaths, candles, Santa Claus and Christmas trees are all symbols of Christmas, celebrated on December 25

Kwanzaa — December 26 to January 1 is Kwanzaa, a harvest and community festival that was founded in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, as a way of reaffirming African-American identity, instilling knowledge and pride in African roots, and reinforcing bonds among members of the community.

November 24 is Thanksgiving Day

Elizabeth Thomsen — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 02:00:07 +0000

On the fourth Thursday of November we celebrate Thanksgiving, a day to give thanks and celebrate the bounty of the harvest by gathering with family and friends for a special dinner, traditionally featuring turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing and pumpkin pie. It commemorates the feast held in 1621 by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag to celebrate the Plymouth Colony’s first successful harvest.

Thanksgiving — This page has links to Thanksgiving resources including history, recipes, craft ideas and more.

Happy Halloween!

Elizabeth Thomsen — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 02:22:35 +0000

Halloween Guide — Halloween is celebrated on October 31. It has roots in the Celtic festival of Samhain and the Christian holiday All Saints’ Day, and is celebrated with Jack O’Lanterns, costumes, candy, trick-or-treating, and scary stories about witches, ghosts and goblins.

Booklists linked to the library catalog:

Halloween Books for Kids — Scary stories and holiday favorites for young readers
Halloween Craft Books — There’s still time to get crafty and make some Hallowe’en decorations!

Disaster in Japan

Elizabeth Thomsen — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 14:56:11 +0000

On March 11, Japan was struck by a powerful earthquake, followed by a tsunami. Learn more about these events, and what causes earthquakes and tsunamis.

Earthquakes for Kids — Learn more about earthquakes from the scientists at the USGS
Weather Wiz Kids: Earthquakes — Information and pictures that show how earthquakes and tsunamis happen

Happy Birthday, Abraham Lincoln!

Elizabeth Thomsen — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 03:57:43 +0000

Abraham Lincoln Books for Kids — Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809. Learn more about this important President by checking out one of these books from the library!