The Intruders Book

The book tells of Easter traditions around the world. The writer mentions celebrations in various countries, but only mentions the regions within the countries in two chapters. As a result, the young reader is given the impression that all of the people in the given country celebrate Easter as described. With this limitation in mind, the book is an excellent way to introduce diversity within religious celebrations and how cultural traditions impact the religious observance. There is a world map in the back of the book identifying each of the discussed countries and a recipe for a candy Easter nest (see the German tradition).

The countries discussed, and their most interesting tradition, are as follows:
Sweden: Children dress as witches and go house to house asking for candy and money (much like American Halloween)
Ethiopia: After long church services, families have an Easter feast and play a board game called Gebeta.
Russia: After spring cleaning children enjoy special desserts called pashka and kulich. The famous artist Carl Faberge and his intricate egg designs are also discussed.
Egypt: Children receive gifts of new clothes and race Easter eggs down hills.
Mexico: Villages have intricate parades that recreate Jesus' last days. Mexico City also has a famous passion play with thousands of actors reenacting the life of Jesus.
Philippines: The women and girls go to one end of the town carrying a draped statue of Mary while the boys and men go to the other end of town carrying a statue of Jesus. The processions meet in the center of town and go together into church.
Colombia: San Antero has a burro beauty contest where the townspeople dress up their mules, the winning burro is retired from work.
Germany: Children decorate trees with hanging eggs and craft nests for the Easter Hare to visit. When they wake up on the morning of Easter, they find chocolate bunnies and Easter eggs in their nests.