If you’re tired of bad news, here’s a new book about one small step households and communities can take to promote alternatives to the Trump agenda.

“Make Holidays Your Own” gives background on 13 holidays throughout the year, how they have evolved, and how we can make them less commercial and more meaningful, inclusive, and fun.

The book is particularly timely as the White House is spending hundreds of millions in tax dollars to make the 250^th anniversary of July 4 a day to celebrate America’s war machine, with most of the largest corporations signing on as sponsors.

“Make Holidays Your Own” describes how we can make July 4 “Interdependence Day” instead – a day that recognizes the common future we share with other people and other living beings.

In other examples, the book shows how Memorial Day and Veterans Day can be times to focus on peace instead of celebrating war. Labor Day can be about working people’s issues today. Martin Luther King Day can be about the movement and not just the man.

In every culture, holidays matter. They come with a message and symbols -- with a story that reinforces a certain way of looking at society and passes on certain values to the next generation.

“Make Holidays Your Own” was inspired by communities that are reframing and reclaiming many of our holidays that have been taken over by big corporations and their political allies.

All royalties go to Rethinking Schools, a national nonprofit organization that supports social, economic, and environmental justice teaching at a time when the very idea of public education is under attack. Rethinking Schools’ materials have been used by tens of thousands of educators and have reached millions of students.

“Make Holidays Your Own” is available here for $12.95. A discount of 25% is automatically applied to orders of 10 or more copies. “Make Holidays Your Own” is also available as an e-book here and may also be available wherever else you shop for e-books.

“This timely book is full of informative history about some of our holidays that will surprise many readers. In addition, the book provides suggestions for celebrating these holidays that bring people together to forge a better world.” – Steven Pitts, Emeritus Associate Chair, UC Berkeley Labor Center, and co-founder, National Black Worker Center

“Some holidays were hard-won; some are based on myths. Make Holidays Your Own helps turn these familiar dates into meaningful opportunities for learning and connection.” – Mandy Yeahpau (Comanche, Cherokee, and Tarahumara descent), board member, Indigenous Creative Stage Workers Alliance

“Make Holidays Your Own is an inspiring resource for teachers, parents, students, and anyone interested in social change.” – Deborah Menkart, Executive Director, Teaching for Change

“I love the idea of ‘Interdependence Day’ for July 4th and making holidays like Memorial Day and Veterans Day about peace and justice instead of celebrating war.” – David Zeiger, Film Director, “Sir! No Sir!”

“Holidays can be about our hopes, our values, and the future we want to see. That’s what this book is about.” Hannah Sohl, co-founder, Rogue Climate