Presenting very basic information, this small non-fiction picture-book introduces beginning readers - first and second grade, I would say - to the American holiday of Labor Day. With no more than a sentence or two per page, author Frank Felice discusses what Labor Day is - a celebration of America's workers - when it is held, and how people mark the occasion. The text is paired with color photography, and a brief index and list of words to know are included at the rear...

Part of PowerKids Press's Celebrating U.S. Holidays series, Why Do We Celebrate Labor Day? is a book I requested from the library, after reading and enjoying Geoffrey Scott's Labor Day. I would probably not have bothered to track it down, if I had realized how elementary it is. Other than the fact that Pittsburg holds the largest Labor Day parade in the nation, I really didn't learn anything new. That said, for children who are just getting going with independent reading, this could make for an informative title to read at this time of year. I'd definitely recommend the Scott title over this one, if one is looking for an actual history of the day, for young people, but this would still make for a good reading exercise for the intended age range. ( )