social life and customs

"The candles are lit, the food is prepared, and the sweet smell of copal floats in the air on D?a de Muertos. Built with love and dedication, the family ofrenda stands with pride. As everyone gathers to share in this ritual, each element added to the ofrenda is infused with significance--from the sugar skulls placed with care on top of the embroidered cloth to the golden petals that guide the way. Told after the style of the English nursery rhyme . . . 'The Ofrenda That We Built' invites readers to learn about and celebrate the Day of the Dead by joining in the building of a family ofrenda"--Provided by publisher.

"The history of Vietnam is complicated and filled with conflict, and that history has impacted the nation's culture in major ways. Readers explore the relationship between Vietnam's history, geography, and culture in this updated look at the Southeast Asian nation. With chapters highlighting economics, arts, religion, language, and the lifestyles of the Vietnamese people, readers are given a comprehensive overview of Vietnam that is enhanced by full-color photographs. Fact boxes and maps provide additional information, sidebars spotlight global citizens in Vietnam, and recipes allow readers to explore Vietnamese culture in a hands-on and creative way"--Provided by publisher.

"Thailand is a Southeast Asian kingdom once known as Siam. Today, it's a popular tourist destination and a powerful economic force. Readers discover Thailand's past and present in this detailed guide. Featuring meticulously researched main text, engaging sidebars, and fun fact boxes, this reading experience allows readers to dive deeply into the details of Thailand's culture. Helpful maps and stunning photographs add a vibrant visual element to this reading experience. Readers are also encouraged to take a hands-on approach to global citizenship as they try their hand at making Thai cuisine with the help of fun recipes"--Provided by publisher.

"From the vibrant cities to the vast outback, readers discover the history, unique wildlife, and diverse culture of the country of Australia. This volume explores the ancient Aboriginal cultures that have existed for tens of thousands of years and the impact of colonization on this land and its people. The environment is also highlighted, including the beaches, natural landscapes, and diverse flora and fauna"--Provided by publisher.

Presents vintage photographs, with explanatory captions, examining the history of Hot Springs National Park.

"Sometimes the life in colonial America can seem picturesque: no technology, close ties to the nearby community, and local, homemade food to nourish the whole family. However, . . . colonists did and had to deal with [funny and strange things], from colonial men paying for a wife to be brought to the colonies for him to the brand-new illnesses that killed many colonists"--Provided by publisher.

"In the lush Kenyan countryside, a young Gik?y? girl helps her grandmother with daily tasks. Here, as she tends to the cows, carries water, and plays in the fruit trees and sugarcane, she is called Wanjik?. On the busy city streets of Nairobi, where she goes to school, she is called by her English name, Catherine. But at home with Wangar?, the maid who cooks and cares for her, she is again Wanjik?. All grown up in boarding school, Catherine is the leader of her class, surrounded by friends from different cultural backgrounds. But at night, when she gathers with her fellow Gik?y? sisters to speak her mother tongue, she is Wanjik? once more"--Provided by publisher.

Siddhartha undergoes a series of experiences in ancient India on a quest for the ultimate answer to the enigma of humanity's role in the world, and emerges in a state of peace and wisdom.

The author presents a collection of stories based upon his interviews with ten unusual characters across America including a man who claimed to have killed ten aliens from space, a Neo-Nazi folk group, and the leader of a white supremist organization.

"Canadian society is a complex mosaic of distinct cultural identities that vary from province to province, and with high levels of immigration, it is one of the most multicultural societies in the world. The country's unique development through devolution, rather than revolution, affects the way Canadians view the world and their place in it, and numerous events of the last decade have challenged their self-image and tested its substance"--Provided by publisher.