This "The World of" is longer and more hefty than other ones I have read by Ms. Foster (nine parts/sections, 188 pp).
Readers will not only learn about William Penn's entire life but about other men who impacted the world during his life. The format is narrative and very engaging. Her transitions from man to the next man are clever.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed via ILL.
Ms. McDonald illuminates how the bell (eventually called the Liberty Bell) was hidden from British soldiers during the Revolutionary War. A farmer & his son haul it to Bethlehem, PA, where their wagon breaks down. Another farmer carries it to its final hiding destination-Allentown's Zion Reformed Church. I found the author's note interesting.
The bold illustrations and first person narration will make this story appeal even more to kids.
-Borrowed from the library.
In 1884 Barbara Baum and her family are leaving Burnt Cabins in PA and are traveling west to Mead's Crossing. Fortunately, her best friends,Trudy and Tess along with their mother and brother Philip are joining them on this adventure. Their fathers are already preparing the property. Jonas, Barbara's brother and Philip lead the mothers and daughters across the wilderness where they encounter dangerous and challenging circumstances.
The author immerses readers in this time period. Although the readers will learn a lot, the writing is not didactic The characters are credible. I read this book in one sitting. I would recommend having children learning about colonial America and colonial PA to read this book.
Garth William's illustrations are always a delight and a positive addition!
This book and Bread and Butter Indian are based on the author's husband's great-great-grandmother's journals.
*Highly recommend.
Pair with Laura Ingalls Wilder books
-Borrowed via ILL.
Barbara Baum longs for "a-little-girl-her-own-age" to move to the settlement of Burnt Cabins in Western PA. This longing is pronounced when her mother gives her bread and butter sprinkled with sugar to have a tea party with her "friends". Sitting at the large stump along the creek, Barbara carefully sets leaves and sticks as place settings for her party. The squirrel and chipmunk won't cooperate; her doll Ariminta slums over. Then she notices a pair of moccains across the creek. An Indian watches her. Instead of running away like her mother had instructed her, she offers him her slice of bread with butter and sugar. A secret friendship forms, which proves life-saving later in the story.
Based on accounts from the author's husband's great-great-grandmother! Readers are immersed into what life was like in the 1780s.
*Highly recommend. I am so glad my friend shared this title and its sequel with me. I had never heard of them.
-Borrowed via ILL (a used paperback copy is $90 on Amazon!)
Unique and interesting towns and events are highlighted in this engaging nonfiction picture book (Pine Creek Gorge near Wellsboro, Punxsutawney Phil, Roasting Ears of Corn Festival, Pittston Tomato Festival, Little League World Series to name a few). Not only will readers learn about the featured town/event, but also about other facts befitting the topic. For example, readers learn about other food PA produces while reading about the Pittston Tomato Festival. A maps accompanies each "essay".
*Highly recommend-perfect for elementary.
-Borrowed from the library.
Moxie, one of the Kauffman's dachshund, offer the reader an inside tour of the Kauffman's home, Fallingwater designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The glossary is unique. Next to each definition is a mini illustration with the object/term circled in red. Perfect for more visual learners.
-Borrowed from the library.
The book shape is actually the state shape. Becky shares with a new transfer to PA, Web, interesting facts about PA. Fact delivery is through question and answer format. A lot of information packed into a little book! I liked extra Q & A facts on the bottom of every other page.
-Borrowed from the library.
The text is sparse but the illustrations generously fill the pages. Ms. Swiatkowska painted the illustrations in impressionistic style. Ms. Barbara succintly portrays Mary Cassatt's fiesty, independent personality which led to her success in an era not accepting of women painters.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
In Lancaster County, PA, in 1738, Benjamin West was born into a large Quaker family. A preacher predicted that he would do great things someday. His family watched for greatness. At age seven Benjamin was compelled to draw his baby nephew. Initially he hid the drawing, afraid that his family would think he had spent his time foolishly. Instead his family celebrated his talent and provided ways for him to develop it. In fact, Benjamin Wes is often called the father of American art.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
A retired art teacher recommended Uncle Andy's to me the other week. When I requested it from the library, I noticed a sequel and requested it too.
James Warhola, Andy Warhol's nephew, relates in two different picture books the interactions he and his family had with Andy Warhol. The subtle humor, the character depiction, and expressive illustrations create a faabbboulous read! The stories and illustrations are entertaining with gobs of facts seamlessly integrated.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
I liked Uncle Andy's the best.
*Award winner-Caldecott Medal
Last weekend my mom's neighbors taught us how to make pysanky eggs. In the neighbor's book basket (for her granddaughter), this book was displayed in the front. Not having ever read it, I decided to borrow it from the library.
Katy and Carl are spending Easter at their grandparents' farm in Pennslyvania. It is their first egg hunt on the farm. Little Katy does not know about the unique hiding spots for the eggs. Determined to find at least one egg, she ventures into the attic and discovers an old hat box full of painted eggs. Showing them to her grandmother and cousins, Katy revives the tradition of painting pictures on eggs and begins a new tradition, displaying them on a tree.
Pair with: The Easter Egg by Jan Brett, Chicken Sunday by Patricia Polacco and Rechenka's Eggs by Patricia Polacco.
-Borrowed from the library (but I would like to buy this book since it is based on the PA Dutch. Also in the acknowledgements, one individual who inspired the author to write the story is from the county where I reside).
A beautifully written and illustrated picture book about an imagined day Henriette Wyeth spends with her father, N.C. Wyeth. The words and illustrations are poetry.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
Jacob, a PA Dutch boy, takes his time as he completes any tasks. The rest of his family represent the typical Dutch culture-"A Dutchman who is not on time is no Dutchman at all". Unfortunately, Jacob has made his father late too many times and is banished from his walks with Grossdawdi (grandfather). On Fasnacht Day, Jacob is the last one down to the kitchen and as tradition "requires", he is the Old Fasnacht for the day and must do all of the chores. Thankfully, his Grossdawdi is perceptive and is able celebrate Jacob's unique personality and gifts.
The relationship between the grandfather and Jacob is sweet and reinforces the necessity for grandparents!
The author includes PA Dutch words and also places words in the sentences like the Dutch (like adverbs at the end of sentences.
Author's Note in the beginning gives background on Fasnacht Day, hex signs and the different kinds of PA Dutch.
"An early reader" book.
-Borrowed from the library.
