Rating: 
Summary: about the same as the rest of this lewellyn series
Review: This series on sabbats are written in a way that seems that a child or a adult can pick it up. There is little personnal inclusion and overall the whole series makes out to be a sensationalized pagan history with out to much detail except a little background on the things that are commonly associated with the holidays. Not that I am complaining because the light reading and simple ideas that come with the books are just that and I didn't expect much more. I stress that these books are often very little expansion to what you can likely find in a book containing all of the sabbats.
The reason I gave this book a three is that a third of the book is about fairy lore. Though Grimassi does a fairly good job giving backgrounds on actual history, and in this book he goes into some quite length on the Maypole and Beltane fires; But he impresses me very little on discussing catagorical topics (such as fairy lore) as he only skims through the topic without laying much foundation and including little other then a few sensational details are often very common or worthless.
This book fits nicely among all the other childishly large books by lewellyn... I suppose it makes it easier to do the crafts... which in this book doesn't include much... Because I can't imagine someone needing help making a cone with taped on handles with a two page example to make a beltane basket.
The pictures in the whole series are black and white with out with very little detail. Remniscent of a childs coloring book, except in such a way that it would be difficult to use as a coloring book.
Since I do not have the book in front of me I wish I could give you more detail.
Overall, this book works well for its intent. As it offers a good place to start with the Wiccan/Pagan slant on the holidays. The bad thing is that the suggested crafts and practices and information are often overly simple, and there is much wasted space (as in this book with the section on fairy lore that doesn't really fit well with the book), and often the reading seems to be as if the auther cut and pasted details as he (in this case) found them rather then being an expert on the subject.
ANOTHER good thing is that the books in this series always seems to be available used... so for half of the retail price plus shipping... well it isn't 'that bad'
There is another series by a differant publisher that seems to be of the same nature that might worth comparing, so far I am only own this books from this series.
Rating: 
Summary: A Nice Work
Review: With this book Grimassi has joined with other Llewellyn authors for a Llewellyn project. Llewellyn is producing a series on the eight sabbats of modern Wicca, each written by one of Llewellyn's top authors.The Beltane book is a change of pace for Grimassi. It is written for a general audience and is presented in a lighter tone. It is a fun book with recipes, spells, and rituals that relate to the spring season. Also included is an abundance of folklore on flowers, fairies, and May Day characters such as Jack-in-the-Green. the Queen and King of May, the Hobby Horse, and the Mummers, among others. The book also contains instructions on making a May Pole centerpiece for a banquet table, along with other interesting craft projects related to celebrating May Day. As with all of Grimassi's writings this book is well researched and contains reliable information. Grimassi once again shines as a folklorist in this work. Beltane contains many illustrations and images presented in woodcut-like etchings. This gives the book an older feel like many of the books published at the close of the 1800s. Beltane is a wonderful addition to any library.
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