There’s not much to say about the books I picked for colonial US history. Between the holidays and the ton of other library books we accumulated, those sort of got lost in the shuffle. I think six-year-old S read one history book, once.
Plus, there was another problem. The books I picked weren’t funny. And for a boy who thrives on Calvin and Hobbes and the word “poop,” funny is everything.
Well, almost everything. There’s also spying. For this next period, covering the Revolutionary War, we’ve got one early reader about espionage: Buttons for General Washington, by Peter and Connie Roop, illustrated by Peter E. Hanson.
But for everything else I’ve selected, my estimated potential for laughs — based on story summaries, cover illustrations, and reviews — was a huge consideration this time around, and probably will be for some time. The last thing I want is for S to get the idea that history is dull or uninteresting or intimidating. I’ll hit him with the funny stuff this time around, and get to Johnny Tremain‘s ruined hand in another year or two.
Here’s what else we’ll (hopefully) be reading:
- Joining the Boston Tea Party, by Diane Stanley, illustrated by Holly Berry (Let’s hope that the Time-Traveling Twins go over just as well as the first time around)
- The Journey of the One and Only Declaration of Independence, by Judith St. George, illustrated by Will Hillenbrand
- Saving the Liberty Bell, by Megan McDonald, illustrated by Marsha Gray Carrington (Thanks to Chicken Spaghetti for recommending this one, which has already proven a hit)
- And Then What Happened, Paul Revere?, by Jean Fritz, illustrated by Margot Tomes
- George Washington’s Teeth, by Deborah Chandra and Madeleine Comora, illustrated by Brock Cole
I think “So You Want to Be President?” might fit into that category, though not all revolutionary period. Its a humorous look at presidential candidates from George, and Lincoln through Nixon and Reagan with funny little stories. I’m not a big fan of the illos. but it is a Caldecott winner.
I think “So You Want to Be President?” might fit into that category, though not all revolutionary period. Its a humorous look at presidential candidates from George, and Lincoln through Nixon and Reagan with funny little stories. I’m not a big fan of the illos. but it is a Caldecott winner.
I think “So You Want to Be President?” might fit into that category, though not all revolutionary period. Its a humorous look at presidential candidates from George, and Lincoln through Nixon and Reagan with funny little stories. I’m not a big fan of the illos. but it is a Caldecott winner.
Being from NJ I recommend This Time, Tempe Wick, based on a true story about a girl trying to save her horse from being stolen by soldiers. Since its a true story, its easy to find websites with photos of the “real” house that may add to the impact of the book. One of the good things about being in NJ is a lot happened here so we were always able to visit the battlefields, Geo. Washington crossing, etc., to help things become “alive.”
Being from NJ I recommend This Time, Tempe Wick, based on a true story about a girl trying to save her horse from being stolen by soldiers. Since its a true story, its easy to find websites with photos of the “real” house that may add to the impact of the book. One of the good things about being in NJ is a lot happened here so we were always able to visit the battlefields, Geo. Washington crossing, etc., to help things become “alive.”
Being from NJ I recommend This Time, Tempe Wick, based on a true story about a girl trying to save her horse from being stolen by soldiers. Since its a true story, its easy to find websites with photos of the “real” house that may add to the impact of the book. One of the good things about being in NJ is a lot happened here so we were always able to visit the battlefields, Geo. Washington crossing, etc., to help things become “alive.”
Thanks for the tips, Don and Liz. I think “So You Want to…” would go over well with S — we’ve read it before, but it was a while back. And mere moments ago I put “Tempe Wick” on request at the local library — I’m looking forward to taking a look.
Thanks for the tips, Don and Liz. I think “So You Want to…” would go over well with S — we’ve read it before, but it was a while back. And mere moments ago I put “Tempe Wick” on request at the local library — I’m looking forward to taking a look.
Thanks for the tips, Don and Liz. I think “So You Want to…” would go over well with S — we’ve read it before, but it was a while back. And mere moments ago I put “Tempe Wick” on request at the local library — I’m looking forward to taking a look.
There is a very cute early reader about George Washington finding General Howe’s dog–and returning it to him. And it’s a true, documented story. Look it up!
There is a very cute early reader about George Washington finding General Howe’s dog–and returning it to him. And it’s a true, documented story. Look it up!
There is a very cute early reader about George Washington finding General Howe’s dog–and returning it to him. And it’s a true, documented story. Look it up!