Whobody There?

I uncovered this unique book at the thrift store.  It was popular to tell stories or teach children through books that had photographs.  They seem very dated to me now, but I love the old photos!  

Whobody There?

Charles and Ann Morse 1971

This book was a way of explaining relationships and having friends in the terminologies of "anybodies" and "who bodies".  

 

Little John

 Theodor Storm was a 19th century German writer and poet.  He is important in the German Realist movement.  Doris Orgel retells his children's story "Little John" and it is full of fantasy!

Little John

Theodore Storm

retold by Doris Orgel

pictures by Anita Lobel 1972

Little John sleeps in a trundle bed but wants to be trundled to sleep.  His mother obliges, until she falls asleep herself.  Little John then concocts a ridiculous contraption with his big toe and sleep shirt to trundle himself around the room, out into the town, the woods, and finally the sky.  Anita Lobel's drawings make this a worthy addition to silly folktale stories.     

My Fellow Americans

My Fellow Americans

Alice Provensen 1995

 Alice Provensen has illustrated a rich collection of Americans, spanning centuries and interests.  There are pages for rebels and visionaries, writers, artists, and musicians, government builders, and athletes, activists and religious figures.  Quotes accompany the pages and extra biographical information is in the back.  We love these kinds of books as a jumping off point to doing more research into the people we've learned about.  Provensen's assortment demonstrates the incredible diversity of minds and talents that built our country.  

Phoebe the Spy

Phoebe the Spy

Judith Berry Griffin 1977

illustrated by Margot Tomes

Inspired by the style of Jean Fritz' books about Ben Franklin and Sam Adams, this one tells a ficticious story about young Phoebe and the job her father has her do.  Historically Phoebe's father, Samuel Fraunces did own the Queen's Head tavern and was a loyal patriot.  He sent Phoebe to be General George Washington's housekeeper, but also to keep her eyes and ears open.  "I want you to find out if there is someone planning to kill him and how he plans to do it.  Your real job will be to save General Washington's life." 

It's hard work, and she can trust on one, but Phoebe makes a good spy and does indeed end up saving Washington's life.

The 4th of July Story

The 4th of July Story

Alice Dagliesh

illustrated by Marie Nonnast 1995

Alice Dalgliesh retells a simpler version of the history behind the American Revolution and why we celebrate July 4th.  I mostly enjoy the vintage illustrations originally from 1956

By the Dawn's Early Light

Our country's national anthem was actually written during the war of 1812 and not made the official national anthem until 1931!  Author Steven Kroll retells the famous story of Francis Scott Key, a prominent lawyer (who also wrote poetry) leaving to rescue his friend Doctor Beans from the British.  Imprisoned on a ship while the British prepare to attack Fort McHenry, Key watches into the night and next morning.  The large American flag still flying over the fort will shows that the British were unsuccessful.  Key is so inspired by the scene that he pens those famous words.... Oh say can you see, by the dawn's early light.

By the Dawn's Early Light

Steven Kroll

illustrated by Dan Andreasen 1994

Katie's Trunk

Katie's Trunk

Ann Turner

illustrations by Ron Himler 1997

Anne Turner takes family lore and turns it into a story about a girl whose family are Tories during the Revolutionary War.  When the rebels break into her house and her family flees to the woods to hide, Katie runs back to the house in innocent child anger.  Forced to hide in a trunk while the rebels ransack and steal, she is shown kindness in a subtle, unexpected way.     

Anne Turner explains, "In telling this story, I hope children will see that history is made up of real people- just like us.  Nothing is ever clearly black or clearly white, and these great events were lived through by ordinary people- ordinary people in extraordinary times." 

This is a nice companion book to so many of the revolutionary stories we have.