Happy Easter Day
On page three of Cheryl Hill’s charming book, Happy Easter Day, there is a calendar on the wall that reads March 1951.
The calendar is significant, indicating that this is not just another book about children celebrating Easter. The author, a retired teacher/librarian following a 40-year career, is sharing her memories of Easter Day as a young child growing up in the late 1940s and early 1950s in South Carolina. While that puts the story in context, it also shows how holidays like Easter maintain their sacred traditions and rituals decade after decade. Hill, naturally enough, dedicates the book to her children, and her children’s children.
THE NOSTALGIA OF PAST EASTER DAYS
The narrative is a simple one, with the child’s first memory of the day waking up to “the chirping sounds of new-born chicks,” followed shortly thereafter by discovery of an Easter basket stuffed with goodies – brightly colored eggs and chocolate bunnies.
The two significant relatives in this child’s life are her mother, Mama, and grandmother, known as Queen. It’s time to arise and get dressed for Easter morning Sunday school. This isn’t just a task at this particular house – it’s an event. Mama, as luck would have it, is an expert at buying little girl dresses, curling hair and applying the right lipstick (tangerine orange, as it turns out). The activity of getting ready for Sunday school is a bonding experience that clearly meant a lot to the author, who recaptures the joy of her own childhood here.
Hill nails the excitement that builds once the child is fully decked out in her beautiful dress, coiled hair and makeup. The memory is vivid of walking to school hand in hand with her two cousins.
The scene shifts when we are introduced to her loving Grandma Queen, who takes her to afternoon services. The author points out that Grandma Queen lived, well, “grandly” in the 1950s, with a pretty yellow car and a nice yellow house.
Queen’s house and yard are magnificent, with a vegetable garden and beautiful flowers. The entire setting made for wonderful memories.
It should come as no surprise that Easter dinner at Grandma Queen’s house is a feast to behold. Children’s mouths will water as the author takes them through the menu.
The day fills out with another service at Mama’s church, where a series of long, short and funny speeches make for a fun ending.
A DAY FULL OF FAMILY AND LOVE
The scenes and memories, which certainly stand on their own, are enhanced by the excellent illustrations by Stacy Hummel.
Cheryl Hill has written a simple story reminiscing about her early Easter days growing up, tracking the day’s activities from wakeup to bedtime. The book is written for young children, who will easily relate to the story and hopefully share some of the experiences themselves.
Perhaps the greatest message in the book is the love expressed by the child – for her family, for the holiday, for the traditions and all the joy surrounding Easter. She says, “Love was all I knew.”
Happy Easter Day is available for purchase here.
