Lilies, Rabbits, and Painted Eggs: The Story of the Easter Symbols

by Edna Barth, Ursula Arndt

Traces the history of Easter symbols from their Christian and pagan origins to such present-day additions as rabbits and new clothes.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Childrens, Education, Holiday

63 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1970

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

So yes, there is a bit of datedness to be occasionally textually encountered within the pages of Lilies, Rabbits and Painted Eggs: The Story of the Easter Symbols (which naturally also makes a bit of sense considering the publication date of 1970). But from my own online research regarding Easter and the myriad of diverse traditions surrounding it, indeed and happily, most of the information and details on global Easter symbols, customs (and of course also on the religious connotations and backgrounds of Easter) that are featured in Lilies, Rabbits and Painted Eggs: The Story of the Easter Symbols, these are all in my humble opinion both decently and accurately researched by author Edna Barth and also engagingly enough presented and penned by her, a bit too textually dense and wordy perhaps for younger children, but most definitely, Lillies, Rabbits and Painted Eggs: The Story of the Easter Symbols shows itself as a wonderful and detailed (but equally never overly and exaggeratedly so) general introduction to Easter for readers from about the age eight or nine onwards, both as the main and most important holiday (holy day) of Christianity and with Lilies, Rabbits and Painted Eggs: The Story of the Easter Symbols also and according to the book title featuring the many symbols associated with Easter (and not only the more well-known and famous ones such as Easter Eggs, and the Easter Bunny, but also touching on for example the different colours associated with Easter, Easter Fire traditions around the world and indeed much much more).

Combined with the fact that I also really do appreciate the inclusion of a detailed and pretty expansive for a short illustrated non fiction tome bibliography (with my only caveat being that due to the 1970 publication of date for Lilies, Rabbits and Painted Eggs: The Story of the Easter Symbols, there will naturally and of course be no post 1970 books listed), for me, I have been very much and pleasantly surprised with and by Edna Barth's featured text for Lilies, Rabbits and Painted Eggs: The Story of the Easter Symbols. And the only reason why my final rating for Lilies, Rabbits and Painted Eggs: The Story of the Easter Symbols is not yet quite five stars is that while I do consider Ursula Arndt's accompanying artwork a decent and aesthetically pleasant decorative trim, I also do not really think that any of the illustrations are in fact and actually essential for understanding Edna Barth's printed words. And thus, while Arndt's pictures for Lilies, Rabbits and Painted Eggs: The Story of the Easter Symbols are generally nicely enough rendered, they also are in my opinion rather forgettable, and I equally and definitely do believe that Barth's presented text, that Lilies, Rabbits and Painted Eggs: The Story of the Easter Symbols does not really need illustrations and would not in fact miss Ursula Arndt's artwork if it were removed.

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be incredibly helpful to me in understanding why we have certain Easter traditions. It was also a great opportunity to talk about how different cultures and religions celebrate spring. Some parental discretion may be needed if children are very young, but because of the balanced approach of the book it lends itself to providing wise interjections and valuable discussion.

[Stephen Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very informative book that will capture the interest of both children and adults. This book covers symbolism, world history, and world culture. Besides all of that, it's a fun read.

Thank you for the loan Franklin Public Library!

[Clwseattle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lilies, Rabbits and Painted Eggs is a lovely in-depth little book about the origins, history and legends of beloved Easter symbols. I read it to give to my grandchildren, but I'm going to give it to some adult non-Christian/Catholic friends and family. It's quite a lovely resource

[Shasta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Using this to explain why we do the things we do during the Easter season.

[T Crockett · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an adult, I was surprised at how much I learned from this quick read. So many interesting tidbits of information.

[Rodney Haydon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking for a book to read about Easter on this Good Friday, and this filled the bill. Very informative and interesting information packed into a thin book in which I learned quite a few things about Easter customs I didn't know.

[Rose Eleusis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not particularly scholarly, but full of magic and mystery and wonder (complete with a little Persephone drawing, daffodils and all). I was riveted by this book as a little girl. Small wonder I turned out Pagan.

[Julie Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

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