I'm in Charge of Celebrations

By Byrd Baylor

Book Overview

Byrd Baylor's text captures and shares some of the special experiences in the Southwest desert country that have inaugurated her private celebrations: The Time of Falling Stars, in the middle of August, when "every time a streak of light goes shooting through the darkness, I feel my heart shoot out of me"; Rainbow Celebration Day, marking the time she and a jackrabbit stood together watching a triple-rainbow over a canyon; and the real New Year's Day (January first is "just another winter day"), the day spring begins. "I celebrate with horned toads and ravens and lizards and quail...And, Friend, it's not a bad party."

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0684185792
• ISBN13: 9780684185798
• Release Date: June 1986
• Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.87 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 8.3" x 10.3"
• Age Range: 6 to 9 years
• Grade Range: Grades 1 to 4

Customer Reviews

A 5 Star Celebration of Literacy and Imagination

I use this book in the beginning of each school year with my fifth grade students. It always leads to great discussions about what is important to them and leads into interesting writer's notebook entries. The book is a great tool for inferencing, noticing details, and celebrating the little events in our lives that make us who we are. A good book to use when teaching about differences that make each of us unique and how we all have our own set of priorities.

An amazing book

I stumbled upon this book recently and, as an avid reader of children's literature, believe it is one of the most amazing books I have seen -- for readers of all ages. It is lyrical, humorous and quiet. The illustrations are spare--and that's all that's needed. Life in the desert is depicted beautifully. I felt like the book was speaking me, calling me to a more mindful way of life. I plan to buy it as gifts for all my friends this year, no matter their age.

This is a book that reminds one to stop and smell the roses.

This is a wonderfully written book about a Native American woman who goes out into the desert and observes the wonders and beauty of nature around her. She records what she finds fascinating and creates her OWN holidays or celebrations. One day she may observe a green cloud and call it Green Cloud Day. On another day, she may observe a shooting star and call it Star Day. She gets outside of herself and observes wonderous things that may only be seen once in a lifetime!

Enchanting like the desert with subtle humor and imagination

My husband and I read to our grandchildren a lot and have appreciated the good literature by Byrd Baylor. This is the first of her books we bought and this one is our favorite. It demonstrates that we do not need to be entertained if we will only BE QUIET and see what is going on around us. The children are appreciating the joy and adventure of reading. Thanks Byrd Baylor.

"A book with a deep message"

This book was read to us in a class. I found it to be an excellent book. The author sends a deep message to children and adults as well. The message that I perceived, was that you create your own happiness, find something especial in everything you see or touch, make your own celebrations and you will never feel lonely.