Story Lovers World
EASTER - EASTER BUNNY - EASTER EGGS - LENT
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EASTER
- EASTER BUNNY - EASTER EGGS - LENT Stories, Folktales, Folklore, Fairy Tales, Myths, Legends, Fables, Nursery Rhymes, Bible, Classics and General Information Scroll down or click on your choice below: • Books about Easter - Children Ages Baby thru Ages 4-8 • Books about Easter - Children Ages 9-12 • Books about Easter - Reference - Adults • Classrooms, Toys, Games, Crafts, Decorations for Easter - Children • Jewelry - Easter - All ages • Music and CDs - Easter - All ages • Online links to stories/information about Easter - All ages • SOS - Searching out Stories / Information about Easter ~Advice, Comments and References from Storytellers, Teachers & Librarians |
BOOKS ABOUT EASTER - CHILDREN AGES BABY-PRESCHOOL THRU AGES 4-8
To retell these stories, get permission from the copyright holder if the material is not in the public domain.
In performance, always credit your sources.
Book titles are in dark blue and underlined.
Click on them to learn more about the books and how to buy them.
Alphabetized with short descriptions for your convenience and to save you research time.
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Benjamin's Box: The Story of the Resurrection Eggs by Melody Carlson with Jack Stockman (illus). (2008 - Ages 4-8) What are the treasures in Benjamin's Box? Come along with Benjamin and see. Like all boys and girls, Benjamin is very, very curious. When Jesus comes to Jerusalem, Benjamin decides to follow him and find out who he really is. At first, Benjamin thinks Jesus is a teacher, then a king. At last, he learns the good news—news that every child (and grown-up!) will want to share. |
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Berenstain Bears (The) and the Real Easter Eggs (First Time Books(R)) by Stan and Jan Berenstain. (2002 - Ages 4-8)Sister Bear sure likes to celebrate holidays. With Thanksgiving, you get turkey and all the trimmings. Christmastime brings presents galore. And Valentine’s Day—well, who wouldn’t like to receive 23 valentines? Especially when some of them are sealed with a kiss! With visions of chocolate bunnies and jellybeans dancing in her head, it’s no wonder why Sister can’t wait for Easter and the Giant Beartown Easter Egg Hunt. |
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Best Easter Egg Hunt Ever (The) (Read With Me Paperbacks) by John Speirs (illus). (1997 - Ages 4-8) Young readers are invited to join in the fun at an Easter Egg hunt, in a full-color search-and-find picture book that hides Easter objects throughout its spreads and includes rebus pictures as clues. |
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Clifford's Happy Easter by Norman Bridwell. (1994 - Ages 4-8)America's favorite Big Red Dog causes joy wherever he goes in a hilarious Easter tale. |
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Country Bunny (The) and the Little Gold Shoes (Sandpiper Books) |
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Dumb Bunnies' Easter by Dav Pilkey. (2009 - Ages 4-8)Momma Bunny is really dumb. Poppa Bunny is even dumber. And Baby Bunny is the dumbest bunny of all. So on December 24th, these silly rabbits trim the tree, stuff the turkey, and wait for the Easter Bunny to bring them presents. The Dumb Bunnies may be a little mixed up, but they always have lots of fun! |
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Easter Around the World |
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Easter Bugs : A Springtime Pop-up by David A Carter by David A. Carter (illus). (2001 - Ages 4-8) There are new surprises in store with Easter Bugs. "Spring has sprung and left winter behind. How many Easter Bugs can you find?" Who's in the dip-dyed rainbow egg? How about the egg with baby blue dots? The jeweled egg? The purple peekaboo egg? Inside each brightly decorated egg waits a new bug, unlike any you'll ever see in nature (unless genetic engineering goes awry). |
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Easter Story (The) by Patricia A. Pingry with Mary Ann Utt (illus). (2006 - Ages 4-8) Suitable for children of ages 2-5, this book explains this ancient event in a manner so simple that even the youngest child will understand its historical significance. Focusing on Moses, Silberg discusses the plagues sent by God: grogs, flies, gnats, hail, fire, and locusts. To each pharaoh promises Moses that he will let the Hebrew slaves leave Egypt, but in each case Pharaoh has lied. |
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Easter Story (The) (St. Joseph Picture Books, Pack of 10) by Jude Winkler. (2000 - Ages 4-8)The Story of Easter is part of a series designed to help parents teach the basics of the Catholic faith to their children in an enjoyable manner. |
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Happy Easter, Little Critter (Look-Look) by Mercer Mayer (illus). (2000 - Ages 4-8) Mercer Mayer's popular Little Critter experiences all the joys of Easter, in spite of his little sister constantly tugging at his sleeve. The Critter family goes to church on Easter sunday. Afterward there is egg-dying and an egg hunt. Little Critter doesn't like dressing up for 'Easter but otherwise enjoys a very special family holiday. |
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Happy Easter Eggs by Joan Holub (illus). (2005 - Baby-Preschool)Hunt no more! All the Easter eggs you need are found in this fun-filled, foil-splattered, egg-shaped board book. These happy eggs hide, tumble, race, and paint their faces, but they snuggle in their baskets just in time for Easter! |
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Junie B., First Grader: Dumb Bunny (A Stepping Stone Book(TM)) by Barbara Park with Denise Brunkus (illus). (2009 - Ages 4-8) Lucille is having an Easter Egg Hunt at her rich expensive mansion! And guess what? The winner gets a play date to swim in Lucille's heated indoor swimming pool! Only, here is the problem. How did Junie B. get stuck wearing a big dumb bunny suit? And how can she possibly find eggs when she keeps tripping over her huge big rabbit feet? Being a dumb bunny is definitely not as easy as it looks. Will Junie B. end up with egg on her face? Or will the day deliver some very uneggspected results? |
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Little Chocolate Bunny (The): A Rebus Sticker Storybook by Catherine Samuels with Tammie Speer-Lyon (illus). (1998 - Baby-Preschool) Chester Chocolate Bunny and his friend Minnie Marshmallow Bunny go exploring the night before Easter. Share their exciting adventures in this Rebus Sticker Storybook, which contains more than 35 brightly illustrated stickers! |
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Max's Easter Surprise (Max and Ruby) , published by Grosset & Dunlap. (2008 - Ages 4-8) Ruby and her friend Louise are decorating Easter eggs, but Max wants to have an Easter Parade. Big sister Ruby tells Max that the Easter Parade is tomorrow, but that he can help today by carrying all the decorated eggs to the Easter basket. But Max doesn’t want to just carry the eggs—he wants to march them in a parade! |
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Minerva Louise and the Colorful Eggs by Janet Morgan Stoeke. (2009 - Ages 4-8)Minerva Louise is enjoying springtime on the farm...until she finds some peculiar eggs. Blue eggs, pink eggs, striped and spotted eggs. They’re in the strangest places—which hen is laying her eggs on top of fence posts and under the picnic table? Minerva Louise solves the mystery, and fans will delight in the hilarious return of their favorite daffy chicken. |
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Night Before Easter (The) 
by Natasha Wing with Kathy Couri (illus). (1999 - Ages 4-8) "Twas the night before Easter, just before dawn, Not a creature was stirring out on the lawn" The Easter bunny takes center stage in this delightful spin on Clement C. Moore's beloved poem that will send families hopping to the bookstore for an Easter treat sweeter than any sugar plum! |
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Queen of Easter (Ann Estelle Stories) by Mary Engelbreit (illus). (2006 - Ages 4-8) With the neighborhood Easter Parade coming up, Ann Estelle dreams of wearing a hat covered with ribbons and pretty flowers galore. But when her mother gives her a plain straw hat instead, she wonders how she can be the Queen of Easter in a hat like that! Luckily Ann Estelle has plenty of ideas up her sleeve, and nothing could be more fun than watching her get to work on her masterpiece. But the magic of spring brings unexpected visitors... |
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Royal Easter Tea Party (The) by Megan Bryant. (2008 - Ages 4-8) This novelty Easter book encourages little hands to crack open sparkly eggs and discover the special treats inside! The story follows four beautiful bunny princesses in the Royal Gardens as they celebrate the holiday with a tea party and Easter egg hunt. Readers will love opening and closing the glittery three dimensional eggs on every spread, and the sturdy cardstock pages will stand up to multiple readings. |
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Story of Easter (The)  by Patricia Pingry with Lorraine Wells (illus). (1997 - Ages 4-8) This board book describes this well-known story from the Bible, told in only a few very simple and easily understood words. |
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Story of the Cross (The): The Stations of the Cross for Children
by Mary Joslin with Gail Newey (illus). (2002 - Ages 4 and up) The compelling story of Jesus' life and the events leading up to His death are told in simple language that your children can understand. Each Station of the Cross is briefly explained, beautifully illustrated, and paired with a short prayer. |
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Somebunny Loves Me: A Fuzzy Board Book by Joan Holum (illus). (2003 - Baby-Preschool)A little bunny celebrates the love that parents and children share. Touch the soft fur on the lovable and adorable animals on each spread, and know that somebunny loves you, too! |
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Tale of Benjamin Bunny (The) (Potter) by Beatrix Potter. (Reprint 2002 - Ages 4-8) This story is about two mischievous rabbits, Peter and Benjamin and how they cannot keep themselves out of trouble. Children will love the durable, shaped board book telling THE TALE OF BENJAMIN BUNNY. This story is the retold from the original edition of Benjamin Bunny written by Beatrix Potter and is guaranteed to hold your children's attention. |
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Tale of Peter Rabbit (The) (Potter) by Beatrix Potter . (2007 - Baby-Preschool) Now the youngest Potter fans will be able to join Peter Rabbit as he makes his mischievous romp through Mr. McGregor’s vegetable garden with this charming new board book version of the classic tale. |
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Tale of Three Trees (The): A Traditional Folktale by Angela Elwell Hunt and Tim Jonke (illus). (2004 - Baby-Preschool)Featuring the wonderful illustrations of Tim Jonke, this best-selling children’s book tells the Easter story from a new and unusual point of view. Children will be deeply touched as they understand, perhaps for the first time, the significance of Christ’s life and his atoning sacrifice on the cross. |
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World of Peter Rabbit (The) (The Original Peter Rabbit, Books 1-23, Presentation Box) by Beatrix Potter (2006 - Ages 4-8) All 23 original tales by Beatrix Potter are available in a beautifully redesigned presentation box. This luxurious box features the new branded design, spot lamination and full-color original Beatrix Potter art, including a pop-up of Peter Rabbit and friends inside the lid. |
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World of Peter Rabbit Gift Box 1 (The) (Books 1-12) (Potter) by Beatrix Potter (2000 - Ages 4-8) Imagine getting fourteen of Beatrix Potter's classic tales in one deluxe volume. Including all her most popular stories--The Tales of Peter Rabbit, Tom Kitten, Mr. Jeremy Fisher, Jemima Puddle-Duck and more high quality reproductions of Beatrix Potter's original art and all the charm of the original little books, perfect for reading aloud. |
BOOKS ABOUT EASTER - CHILDREN AGES 9-12
To retell these stories, get permission from the copyright holder if materiial is not in the public domain.
In performance, always credit your sources.
Book titles are in dark blue and underlined.
Click on them to learn more about the books and how to buy them.
Alphabetized with short descriptions for your convenience and to save you research time.
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Ogres Don't Hunt Easter Eggs (The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids, Holiday Special) by Debbie Dadey and Marcia Thornton Jones with John Steven Gurney (illus). (2003 - Ages 9-12) It's been raining ever since Brutus Bigg arrived in town. And even though he's supposed to fix up the park, he seems to be messing it up so no one will go there and bother him. Is Mr. Bigg an ogre trying to claim the park as his home? The Bailey School Kids are going to find out...but will they be able to stop him in time for the Spring Festival? |
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Old-Time Easter Animals Stickers: 24 Pressure-Sensitive Designs
by Carol Belanger Grafton (editor). (1993 - Ages 9-12) Recall bygone Easters with illustrations of bunnies, chicks, youngsters with pets, many more. |
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Story of Easter (The) (Trophy Picture Books)
by Aileen Fisher with Stefano Vitale (illus). (1998 - Ages 9-12) With an informative text and glorious illustrations, this book explains both how and why people all over the world celebrate Easter. It tells the biblical story of Jesus’ Resurrection and then describes how people honor this day and the origins of these traditions. Hands-on activities help draw children into the spirit of this joyous celebration of rebirth. |
BOOKS ABOUT EASTER - ADULTS - REFERENCE
Book titles are in dark blue and underlined.
Click on them to learn more about the books and how to buy them.
Alphabetized with short descriptions for your convenience and to save you research time.
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At Home with Beatrix Potter: The Creator of Peter Rabbit by Susan Denver. (Upcoming May 2009)The world famous artwork of Beatrix Potter needs little introduction — it is as beloved as the familiar children’s stories it illustrates. But few know of her work in the gardens and interiors of Hill Top, the farmhouse Potter purchased in 1905. The estate and surrounding scenery inspired many of Potter’s stories and illustrations, and this gorgeously illustrated book shows Potter’s homes and her magnificent gardens beside those drawings - the real-life sources for Peter Rabbit and other Potter classics. |
CLASSROOMS, TOYS, GAMES, CRAFTS, DECORATIONS FOR EASTER - CHILDREN
Products are listed in dark blue and underlined.
Click on them to learn more about the products and how to buy them.
Alphabetized with short descriptions for your convenience and to save you research time.
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Baby Ducking - Bearington Plush Easter - Waddles White & QUACKS Brand new with Tags The Bearington Collection Waddles # 143120 4" Tall Quacking Sound when you squeeze his wing The Bearington Collection is committed to bringing you the highest quality plush available in the market each piece is designed to provide a unique look with old world craftsmanship that will last throughout the generations. |
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Barbie Doll - 2009 Easter Pretty Blonde Barbie Celebrate springtime with Barbie® doll dressed in April flowers on sparkling lavender, a fresh pink basket and a bunny chip. |
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Beanie Babies - Ty Max & Ruby Set: Max the Rabbit & Ruby the Rabbit This is an official product from Ty. Look for the familiar heart-shaped tag that means you've purchased an authentic TY product handmade with the finest quality standards in the industry collect them all. It is recommended for ages 36 months - 10 years |
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Bunny - Baby Fudge 8" Chocolate-Scented Easter Plush Stuffed Animal Bunny by Bearington Baby Fudge is chocolate-scented. Surprise and delighty any chocolate lover with this adorable bunny by Bearington. Be sure to by Bitsy Bearypatch the strawberry-scented bunny to complete the set. |
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Easter Eggs, Jumbo Fillable - 6ct Have some big fun with Jumbo Fillable Easter Eggs. Each package includes 6 jumbo-sized fillable eggs printed with stripes, dots & flowers measuring 3 1/2". |
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Lamaze Musical Inchworm
A plush toy that's perfect for playing and napping. Developed in conjunction with child development experts from Yale University, the Inchworm promotes mom and baby interaction, encourages tummy time fun, and supports healthy physical and sensory development. |
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Little People Easter Egg Hunt Two cute little people figures are on an Easter egg hunt in the garden. Help them pull their wagon, push their trike, swing at the trellis during their Easter egg hunt. |
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Rabbit Lil Kinz Customer: I ordered this pet because I love Webkinz and I had been hoping for a toy bunny for Easter and didn't get one. I bought this one and I am very satisfied with it. It even came before the estimated day of arrival! |
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Mr. Potato Head Spud Bunny - Girl Here comes Mr. Potato Head, hopping down the bunny trail! Mix-and-match parts help you transform the fun-loving potato into a springtime rabbit. You can create lots of wacky characters over and over again. Includes one potato body, one pair of bunny ears, one pair of eyes, one mouth, one pair of bunny shoes, one tail, two arms and one nose. |
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Thomas & the Easter Train - Thomas & Friends Take Along Die-Cast Metal Vehicles 4-Pack
This collectible Thomas & Friends set is a limited easter edition. It comes with four die-cast metal vehicles: Thomas, Sodor Jelly Bean Co Car, McColl's Farm Car with Easter Eggs and Baby Chicks, and a colorful Happy Easter Caboose. The vehicles all work with the Take Along Thomas & Friends vehicles and playsets. |
Jewelry links are listed in dark blue and underlined.
Click on them to learn more about the jewelry and how to buy it.
Alphabetized with short descriptions for your convenience and to save you research time.
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Bunny Earrings - Small Sitting Sterling silver with stud back. Please allow 5 business days to process an order including this item. Your shipping option will determine delivery time once it ships. |
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Bunny Rabbit (Sterling Silver) Easter Bunny Rabbit on Pink Rose Quartz Pendant STONES: 12mm Rose Quartz Sphere SIZE: 1" tall x 1/2" wide with a 3mm bail opening WEIGHT: 9 grams DETAILS: Matching Earrings also available, stamped 925 No chain is included with the pendant Add a Sterling Silver Chain to your pendant for $5.49 (Save 50%)- available at Checkout in Gift Options |
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Bunny Rabbits (Sterling Silver) on Genuine Rose Quartz Easter Egg Hook Earrings 8mm Rose Quartz Spheres 5/8" High and 3/8" Wide Weight is Approx. 7.1 grams |
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Charm - Clearly Charming Hello Kitty Easter Bunny Cat Animal Theme Licensed Charm Bracelet This charm is made by Casa D'Oro with 18k gold and baked enamel. It will make a great addition to your Italian charm bracelet or a perfect personalized gift. Commemorate special occasions, capture memorable moments, or simply show off your favorite Hello Kitty pose or character by creating your own original Italian charm bracelet. |
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14Kt Easter Bunny Charm 3 Dimensional 14Kt Easter Bunny Charm. Takes 10 days to arrive. Style #5393. The Charm Measures 1/2 Inches High By 3/8 Inch Long |
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Daughter's Bouquet Peter Carl Faberge-Style Musical Egg Brand Name: NJ Charms Metal stamp: 14k Material Type: gold, created-ruby Gem Type: created-ruby |
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Easter Egg Charm Absolutely adorable, this easter egg charm gives a beautiful look. This easter egg charm gives a look which is sure to be cherished. This charm is available in your choice of 22k vermeil gold, 14k yellow gold and sterling silver. |
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Pendant - 14k 3-D Easter Bunny Enameled Pink Egg 2.0 Grams in 14k Yellow Gold - - JewelryWeb Style: QTP51644NC - FREE gift-ready jewelry box |
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Pin, Bunny Rabbit, from the Artazia Collection
Each piece is truly like a miniature artwork, the intricate design is hand painted and set within a very light stainless steel frame. Austrian crystals, beads and a variety of other materials are delicately assembled and set in artists resin resulting in a beautifully finished and durable piece. |
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Pendant - 14k Enameled 3-D Easter Basket 4.1 Grams in 14k Yellow Gold - - JewelryWeb Style - FREE gift-ready jewelry box. |
Music and CD links are listed in dark blue and underlined.
Click on them to learn more about the products and how to buy them.
Alphabetized with short descriptions for your convenience and to save you research time.
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Bach: Magnificat; Easter Oratorio by Johann Sebastian Bach with various artists. (Audio CD released 2000)Andrew Parrott was the first conductor to adopt Joshua Rifkin's controversial one-singer-per-part approach to Bach's "choral" music (other than Rifkin himself, that is). This very reasonably priced reissue sees Parrott applying the approach to four of Bach's most popular sacred works. On the whole, Parrott and his ensemble make a good case for both one-per-part practice and their own performances. |
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Beginner's Bible: The Story of Easter (VHS released 1997) Customer: In cartoon form it tells the Easter story from Palm Sunday to the assumption in a gentle way, emphasizing Christ's love for us. My daughter likes to join in with Kathy Lee Gifford during the theme song. She often quotes the end of the movie, "Always remember, I'll love you forever." How can I help but love this movie?! |
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Easter Favorites by Cedarmont Kids. (Audio CD released ittle People. (Audio CD released 2007) Alive, Alive; Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?; Everybody Ought To Know' Christ The Lord Is Risen Today; Tell Me The Story Of Jesus; Jesus Loves The Little Ones; Everybody Ought To Love Jesus; He Is Lord; Children, Jesus Loves You; Praise Him! Praise Him!; Tell Me The Stories Of Jesus. |
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Easter Bunny Is Comin' to Town (The)  by Fred Astaire and Skip Hinnant; directed by Arthur Rankin, Jr. and Jules Bass. (DVD released 2006)In Kidsville, youngsters make their own laws, run their own shops and maybe even stay up as late as they want. Each Spring, everyone - including Sunny the Bunny - pitches in to make Easter holiday goodies. Then it's the Bunny's job to take the painted eggs and yummy jellybeans to a nearby town called Town. But he better watch out. Because grouchy old Town doesn't allow kids or a hippity-hoppity Easter bunny! |
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Easter Bunny Is Coming to Town (The)  by Laura Dean and Michael McGovoern; directed by Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin, Jr. (DVD released 2008) The Easter Bunny is Comin’ to Town is a Rankin and Bass holiday classic (originally produced in 1977) featuring stop motion animation and narrated by the legendary Fred Astaire. The feature is a fun, playful, retro 50-minute Easter story with an uplifting message that teaches kids about the origins of Easter traditions such as Easter Egg Hunts, Egg Rolling Contests and Easter Bonnets. |
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Easter Parade: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by Irving Berlin and Roger Edens (composers). Fred Astaire and Judy Garland. (Audio CD released 1995)Customer: There is no greater American musical in my opinion than this one. The title song, simple as it is, is so evocative of New York and the 40s and the hope of a new season that I almost cry every time I hear it. To me, it is the best song Berlin ever wrote and one of the very few best American songs ever written. |
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Easter Sing-Along: Little People: Fisher Price by Little People. (Audio CD released 2007) Join the Little People characters for a fun-filled Easter party. |
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Easter Story Keepers (The) by Robert Guillaume and Jonathan Taylor Thomas. (DVD released 2004)Dark times befall Ben the Baker, leader and storykeeper of a valiant group of Christians, along with his wife Helena and their band of adopted children, as the roman Emperor Nero tightens his brutal grip on the city. A daring escape from the roman soldiers leaves Ben's and his family homeless, and they shelter in the catacombs. There Ben's stories of the last days of Jesus and his resurrection give new hope and strength. When Ben is betrayed, it is young Justin who must carry on the storykeeper tradition by keeping alive this most wonderful of stories. |
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First Easter Rabbit by Don Messick and Burl Ives; directed by Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass. Irving Berlin and Roger Edens (composers). Fred Astaire and Judy Garland. (VHS released 1995)This Easter staple will look and feel familiar to any eyes that watched the 1970s around holiday time. Writer Romeo Muller's done a wonderful job capturing simple lo-fi dialogue and action around the lovable early-spring bunny, weaving enough drama into the script to make the show comprehensible for kids and enjoyable for (most) adults. |
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Here Comes Peter Cottontail by Paul Frees and Joan Gardner; directed by Arthur Rankin, Jr., and Jules Bass. (DVD released 2005)Peter Cottontail wants to be the chief Easter Bunny and everyone in April Valley agrees except for evil Irontail. Peter must deliver more eggs than his archrival to earn the top spot and save easter for children everywhere. |
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Gospel Kids Present...Easter Praise
by various artists. (Audio CD released 2000)The songs and the arrangements are beautiful...I really love the arrangement of the songs. |
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Russian Easter
by various artists. (Audio CD released 1997)The St. Petersburg Chamber Choir and their director, Nikolai Korniev, show off subbasement basses, soaring sopranos and a rich, well-blended sound in "Russian Easter," a group of eleven settings for Easter worship by Alexander Grechaninov, Dmitri Bortnyansky and other masters of Russian church music. The compositions were written variously from the 18th century through the present, but all stay true to the spirit and aesthetic of the Orthodox tradition. |
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VeggieTales: A Very Veggie Easter
by Veggie Tales. (Audio CD released 2006)Like many Veggie albums, the songs are loosely woven together by narration and a story. In this instance, Bob the Tomato is getting ready to teach his Sunday School kids (and presumably Veggies) about Easter. |
ONLINE LINKS TO STORIES / INFO ABOUT EASTER - ALL AGES
Online links are in light blue and underlined.
Click on them to go directly to the Internet for more information / stories.
Story titles are in bold print.
Short descriptions included for your convenience and to save you research time.
• http://www.jbrowley.com/Bilby%20Saves%20Easter.pdf
Bilby Saves Easter - a story from Australia by Nell Bell (one of Australia's
best known storytellers) as published in swag of yarns Vol.4, No.1
Suggested by J.B. Rowley, Australia - 3/18/09
• http://www.childrenschapel.org
Children's Chapel - God's Story for Children - Written by various authors
• http://www.holidaysmart.com/3_4easter.htm
Easter holidays
• http://www.perpetualpreschool.com/easter_songs.html
Easter Songs for the little ones.
• http://www.theholidayspot.com/easter/stories_for_children.htm
Easter stories for kids
• http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/easter-religious/short-stories/
Easter Stories for Kids (Religious)
• http://www.easter-traditions.com/
Easter Traditions
• http://www.holidays.net/easter/
Easter Trivia - Easter on the Net - Welcome
• http://www.angelfire.com/la/kinderthemes/efingerplays.html\
Fingerplay for Easter
• http://www.rickwalton.com/folktale/bryant11.htm
"Little Half-Chick (The)"
• http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type0015.html#harris
"Mr. Rabbit Nibbles Up the Butter"
• http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/williams/rabbit/rabbit.html
Velveteen Rabbit (The)
Copyright 1922 so you are safe! This was one of my son's favorite stories when he was little.
SOS - SEARCHING OUT STORIES / INFO ABOUT EASTER
Advice, Comments and References from Storytellers, Teachers and Librarians
(excerpts from Storytell posts plus original research)
Online links and titles are in blue and underlined. Click on them for more information / stories.
Posts are listed chronologically as they are received by Story Lovers World.
Attributions were not included prior to 2005.
1) http://www.easter-traditions.com/
This is really quick, so it may be lengthy - I just copied and pasted it from the above link.
You should also look into tales like that of Mary Magdalen taking hard boiled eggs to the tomb on the third day, and having them turned into brilliant colors .... or Mary's tears falling on them and having them turn color. And I seem to remember a telling one year of a story about Eostre turning a bird into a hare ....
Eggs
While no one can say when the practice of giving eggs actually became associated with Easter, the decorating of eggs is as diverse as the cultures that engage in the practice. It is known that the eggs were painted with bright colors to celebrate spring and were used in Easter egg-rolling contests and given as gifts, a practice that predated the advent of Christianity. Medieval records note that eggs were often given as Easter gifts to servants by their masters. What is known is that the egg, like the rabbit, was a symbol of renewal of life and therefore a logical symbol for the celebration of Easter.
The methods of decoration are as varied as the peoples who practice it. Some of the most elaborate are the Ukrainian Pysanki eggs. These ornate objects are truly works of art. First, melted beeswax is applied to the white, unblemished shell using a brass cone mounted on a stick; this tool is known as a Kistka. Then, the egg is dipped into the first of a series of dyes; this process is repeated numerous times. The wax is then melted off the egg to reveal the ovoid masterpiece.
Easter Eggs Around the World
The Greeks dye their Easter Eggs red to symbolize and honor the blood of Christ, while in those in Germany and Austria, traditionally give green eggs on Maundy (or Holy) Thursday—the day commemorating Christ’s Last Supper. In Slavic countries, decorating eggs in special patterns of gold and silver adds luster to the shell and to the sharing. The Armenian tradition is to decorate hollowed out eggshells with religious images significant to the holiday.
The Easter Egg hunt itself has also taken many cultural twists and turns. In America, of course, the colored Easter Eggs are hidden and then children search for them. In the northern counties of England, children act out the “Pace Egg Play” and beg for eggs and other presents; the term Pace itself is a derivative of the ancient Hebrew verb posach (to pass over), which has evolved into the better known word and holiday title Pesach, or Passover.
Pennsylvania Dutch children believed that if they were good, the Oschter Haws would lay a nest of brightly colored eggs. And, in a far-removed invocation of the egg’s primal symbol—fertility—Polish girls used to send eggs to their beloveds as a token of their feelings. Even more interesting is the fact that a roasted egg can take the place of a lamb shank (which mirrored the traditional sacrificial lamb) on the Seder plate at a Jewish Passover celebration.
The egg, like the Rabbit, has become fused into the spring festival of Easter throughout the world. Whether colored, hollowed or made of candy, the source of a child’s delight or a symbol of faith, this image of newlife and renewal certainly has made its own nest in the human cultural psyche. EASTER BUNNY:The first documented use of the bunny as a symbol of Easter appears in Germany in the 1500s; although the actual matching of the holiday and the hare was probably a much earlier folk tradition. Not surprisingly, it was also the Germans who made the first edible Easter Bunnies in the 1800s.
The Pennsylvania Dutch brought the beneficent Easter Bunny to the United States in the 1700s. Children eagerly awaited the arrival of Oschter Haws and his gifts with a joy second only to that brought about by the winter visit of Kris Kringle.
Rabbits Revered Around the World
Many Asian and Eurasian cultures revere the rabbit (or hare) as a sacred messenger of the Divine; to the Chinese, he is a creature in the moon, pounding rice (the staff of life) in a mortar.
To the followers of Buddhism the rabbit was placed in the moon as a result of his self-sacrifice in offering himself as food. In a second version, the rabbit cooks himself in Indra’s fire since he had no food to offer her and the deity placed him in the moon as a reward. To the Egyptians, the hare (as opposed to the rabbit) was known as un, which meant “to open,” or “the opener.” This was because the hare, unlike his cotton-tailed cousin, is born with his eyes open. “Un” also meant “period” as it was a symbol for both lunar and human cycles.
These traditions undoubtedly spread to the indigenous tribes of Western Europe much as the Indo- European language base developed through encounters between these two groups. This also blended well with Celtic tradition, which viewed the hare as a symbol of fertility and new life, and the Germanic tradition that the hare brought new life each spring.
Even in North America, the Rabbit/Hare is revered. To the Native American peoples, he was the Trickster/ Transformer who either plays the Fool or, in other instances, has brought about a benefit for humankind (i.e., the legend of Rabbit bringing fire to the people). The ancient Mayan culture gives Rabbit credit for inventing Mayan writing.
Just as the ancient sacred places and names were blended into the holiday celebration we know as Easter, so too was the Rabbit/Hare molded from an ancient bringer of new life and renewal to the Easter Bunny, a symbol of a holiday celebrating a resurrection. In truth, the Rabbit stays the same: a messenger of a season when all things are possible and all things can again be new.
2) The word Easter may derive from the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring Eostre, whose emblem and sacrificial animal was the hare. The hare is a very fertile animal, associated with sexuality. The phrase, "the Mad March Hare" has come down to us from long ago and refers to the "boxing matches" between the males that happen every spring.
Strictly speaking, the only original reference to a goddess Eostre (by the historian Bede) is as the origin of the name "Easter", so if it doesn't derive from her there is no reason to believe in her existence. And hence there is no association between her and hares, which are rather more prominent in Celtic traditions than German.>The word Easter may also come from the Babylonian goddess of Love, the Queen of Heaven, Ishtar (also known as Astarte and Inanna). The egg was one of her symbols.
It's most unlikely that a Germanic name comes from the Middle East; whether or not Eostre was the immediate source, it's almost certainly related to "east", and hence to the Indo-European cognates (related words) Eos, Aurora & Ushas, all goddesses of the dawn. Not unreasonable - after winter, spring comes as the dawning of the year.It should be noted that hares and rabbits are different animals, and I'm sure the distinction would have been familiar to every country-dweller in the past. Rabbits incidently were only brought to Britain by the Normans (for food).
3) In Teutonic myth the Hare laid the Easter Egg, the egg being a symbol of new life, fertility and resurrection - unfortunately, I don't know the full story, but this may relate to Denice's snippet about Eostre turning a hare into a bird..
There is a legend that Boudicca, the Celtic warrior queen of the Iceni, released a hare from her skirts to seek an omen about going to war with the invading Roman army.
The custom of giving eggs in spring is both ancient and widespread. It may be linked to creation myths of the Cosmic or World Egg in cultures such as Persia, which celebrates its New Year around the Spring Equinox.
The word Easter may also come from the Babylonian goddess of Love, the Queen of Heaven, Ishtar (also known as Astarte and Inanna). The egg was one of her symbols.
Response:
Thanks for your input into the debate about the origins of Easter and Easter customs. It's a rich area for speculation, and there are no hard and fast proofs. But importantly, the various theories provide a source of images and ideas for including in a Spring or Easter story programme... Eggs, cosmic or otherwise, hares and rabbits, love and resurrection, goddesses and gods. (By the way, I do know the difference between hares and rabbits, but they have become mythologically interlinked - see Denice's efficient summary which I've pasted below).While Bede is the only early literary reference to the Anglo-Saxon goddess, Eostre, and therefore not necessarily a trustworthy source, residual fragments of myth about Eostre and her link with hares exist that have come through to us in other ways, including through the oral tradition. I have come across several different references to her over the years, so she has accumulated some sort of personality, whatever and whenever her birth! I've both heard and read tantalising snippets about the Hare laying the Easter Egg. I've also read that tales were once told of hares running to Rome to fetch eggs. But snippets they are - I don't know their original sources. If anyone can pull the rabbit out of the hat (or the hot cross bun out of the oven) and let me know the full stories, and their original sources I'd be grateful.
While I don't particularly subscribe to the theory that the word, Easter, comes from Ishtar, the the Babylonian goddess of love, I mentioned it because it's an interesting idea and the annual festival that was held in Ishtar's honour at this time of year links her to an Easter theme. Similarly there were also festivals for her equivalents elsewhere, Inanna, Astarte and Venus/Aphrodite, whose rites included a celebration of the annual resurrection of Adonis. So there's a wealth of wonderful tales here that could be useful for spring/Easter time.
Good stories are good stories in their own right even when they are naked, but sometimes the interplay between fact and fiction, between source and story, can be creative and open up new possibilities.
4) It was back in the days of the evil empire and the cardinal of Moscow died. Because it was a church position it was thought that the pope should appoint the replacement and because it was Moscow it was thought that the communist party should appoint. After many treats it was agreed that the party would recommend candidates and the pope would select a replacement from amongst the recommendations.
The pope interviewed the first candidate and asked what came to mind when the candidate thought about Easter. When the candidate said love, the pope asked why and the candidate said: “I think about all the people giving cardsto one another saying “I love you."
The pope said “Don’t call us; we will call you, if you are going to get the appointment”.
The pope then interviewed a second candidate and asked what came to mind when the candidate thought aboutEaster. When the candidate said happiness, the pope asked why and the candidate said: “I think about all the children dressed up in strange costumes and going from door to door saying ”trick or treat” and people giving them candy and how happy they were”.
The pope said “Don’t call us; we will call you, if you are going to get the appointment”.
The pope then interviewed a third candidate and asked what came to mind when the candidate thought about Easter. When the candidate said awe, the pope asked why and the candidate said: “I think of the Christ dying on a cross between two thieves, his friends taking him down from the cross and burying him in a cave. They rolled a stone to block the entrance and left him in there for three days. After three days lighting blew the stone to dust and the Christ left the cave. If he sees his shadow it will be, awe I forget how many weeks until spring.
The pope said “Don’t call us; we will call you, if you are going to get the appointment."
Wayfarer Tomm
Response:
I heard this as three stoned hippies trying to get into heaven.
Renee C.
5) Ron Adams told this at Gateway once, from one of those internet forwards. I've told it at school -- yes, at a public school, resulting in several misty eyes, and one student sent another teacher to ask me to tell it to her. Of course, I first asked if anyone would mind a story with Christian motif, and no one did. I'll try to get down the bones for you. Of course, I've changed many details, most likely, so you may also.
Jaimie, or He Is Risen
Teacher is waiting late after school for a parent meeting. Jamie, sweet but very special boy, whose many questions disrupt the flow of his 3rd grade class. Even his twisted walk distracts the class when he makes one of his many trips to the teacher's desk for help. It isn't fair to the other 24 students, whose progress is being hurt. She has decided to recommend he go into a special classroom. Parents arrive and begin by thanking the teacher for the wonderful year Jamie is having in her class and disclose that Jamie's doctors have said this will be Jamie's last year, his sicknesses have taken too much from him. Of course, the teacher changes her plan and decides to keep him.
The week before Easter she gives each child a plastic Easter egg with the assignment to fill it with something that represents Easter. She forgets to make a call to Jamie's parents to tell them the assignment. The next morning the children put their eggs in the basket on the teacher's desk. Before recess(?), she begins opening them -- some grass, a fluffy chenille chick, a flower -- an empty egg, surely Jamie's. She puts it quickly aside, but Jamie raises his hand and calls out, "That's mine!!"
"Yes, Jamie? It's empty??"
"Right, because they put Christ in the tomb, but on Easter, it was empty. He is risen!"
Shortly before the end of the school year, Jamie passes away. At his funeral, there is a basket on his coffin, filled with 25 plastic eggs, one for each of his classmates, and one from the teacher. A bright ribbon on the basket proclaims, "He Is Risen."
Mary G. 2/25/06
6) I have a butterfly, about 5-6", that fits on the finger and you can make the wings move with your finger. I sometimes use it to tell the story of Jerry the Caterpillar. Jerry is good and has his friends but many tease and pick on him. In the end he goes into a cocoon and comes out as a beautiful butterfly. Then I produce the butterfly.
Bob S. 2/24/06
7) Query: Can you suggest stories appropriate for childcare centers with an Easter theme? I have plush rabbits, ducks, etc. for props but just got the invite today to do a 20 minute program. My story "Easter on the Bayou" is way over their heads and I'm not good with preschool age children anyhow. (I'm more comfortable with older kids.)
Darlene D. 2/24/07
Response:
How about Little Red Hen? I love telling that one with puppets and kids. You can have the children participate by saying, "No, not me!" when the hen asks for help. Chickens are a good springtime story source--tie it to Easter by saying something like "Easter bunny gets eggs from chickens. This is a story about a very busy chicken who was also a very good cook." This introduces a traditional folktale to them, the repetition is a learning tool at that age, and being a cumulative story, it strengthens sequencing skills too. All of which you can relay to the teachers in a little handout that lists other cumulative stories! If, of course you have time to do that.I would not hesitate to use other traditional stories. I was shocked to find recently that two of my granddaughters, to whom I tell stories all the time, had never heard of Jack and the Beanstalk. Astounded me. So Tortoise and Hare might work.
What about Drakestail? I have a version I can email you tomorrow that's written for participation. It's a duck story, and again a traditional tale.
Also, go to your library and check out a book of fingerplays. You will find some rabbit/chicken/egg ones there, I guarantee. Also look at the storytime titles there, usually housed in the 372.4 section.
Here's an online source with some great ideas for rabbit fingerplays and movement verse:
http://www.glenoakzoo.org/songs_&_fingerplays.htmAnd one for Easter:
http://www.angelfire.com/la/kinderthemes/efingerplays.htmlBuy some plastic eggs and put beans or rice in them. Tape them shut with colored electrical tape, and you have instant egg shakers to let the children use with some of the songs on the websites above.
Granny Sue 2/25/07
8) An Easter story from Wayfarer Tomm:
It was back in the days of the evil empire.
The cardinal of Moscow died.
Since it was a church office, the pope thought he should appoint.
Since it was Moscow, the party thought it should appoint.
After much discussion and mention of the gulag, it was agreed.
The party would recommend three bishops for the position.
The pope would interview the three and select one for the position.
The pope was interviewing the first when he asked, "What comes to your mind when you think about Easter?"
The bishop answered, "LOVE."
The pope said, "LOVE is an interesting theological point. Why do you think of LOVE?"
"I think of all the people sending cards to one another saying 'I LOVE YOU.'"
The pope said, "Don't call me. I'll call you."
While interviewing the second bishop, the pope asked, "What comes to your mind when you think about Easter?"
Tthe bishop answered, "JOY."
The pope said, "JOY is an interesting theological point. Why do think of JOY?"
"I think of all the children and how they dress up in funny costumes and go door-to-door saying trick or treat. I think of the JOY they
feel when they are given candy."
While interviewing the third bishop, the pope asked, "What comes to your mind when you think of Easter?"
The bishop answered, "AWE."
The pope said, "AWE is an interesting theological point. Why do you think of AWE?"
"I think of Jesus dying on the cross between two thieves. I think of his friends taking him off the cross and burying him by rolling a boulder to block the entrance to the grave. I think how three days later a bolt of lighting shatters the boulder. I think of Jesus walking out and if he sees his shadow I think, 'AWE, how many more weeks to spring?'"
Tomm F. 3/18/08
9) Festivals Family And Food
Bones:
The Goddess Eostre calls the animals to take her springtime message round the world. The stag, hawk, salmon and hare race each other, but only the hare completes the journey around the world. The goddess gives the hare an egg laid by a raven, as a way of taking the message around the world. This story is about renewal of love and resurrection of life through ancient Celtic eyes, which I have used with multifaith children with good response, as it does not force the Christian association onto the natural feelings we
have at springtime.
I hope to have this up and out on my website soon: http://www.storymagic.co.uk
Josie F. 5/3/09
10) Interesting bit of background to add to your holiday file.
What's the Origin of the Easter Egg? - Holidays News - Holidash
http://tinyurl.com/yaz6wme
Karen C. 4/3/10
Response:
It's interesting to note this site's only mention of the Christian use of Easter egg tradition was the mention of how it appropriated earlier Pagan traditions. That much is undeniably true. Pagan traditions were transitioned once again to make it easy for converts to continue with something they did before becoming Christian. Once that much is accepted, the Christian tie to the hollowed out egg points to the empty tomb. That is what Easter is all about for Christians, still a sizable portion of the world's population. Omitting that certainly omits an important part of its background. The site's reader comments, like most comments on such a site, go on to discuss the holiday's commercialism & wrangle back & forth. Frankly the fact that whoever authored the site chose to omit that part of the story shows either an intentional bias or a surprising lack of research.LoiS S.K. 4/3/10
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