I don’t believe that Peachtree publishers could send me a book that I wouldn’t like. I dare them to try! I just received a selection of their newest releases and I absolutely love them both for the stories and the historical significance of each book. The first one is entitled First Dog Fala and it is by Elizabeth Van Steenwyk. It is the story of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s pet black Scottish terrier. The story revolves around where Fala was during certain events such as FDR’s radio “fireside chats” and at the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Completely charming, whatever your politics might be. I loved how Steenwyk used quotes from Roosevelt about Fala in telling the story. Have I said this book is cute? Because it is. Amazingly so. I loved it.
Not to be outdone is Alison L. Randall’s The Wheat Doll, also published by Peachtree. This is the story of a young girl named Mary Ann on the Utah frontier who looses her doll during a harsh storm. Unable to find her once the storm has past, Mary Ann grieves the loss of her doll and friend. That is, she is sad from missing her doll until the spring when she discovers a new path of wheat which is growing in the exact place where she lost her doll the previous winter. This is actually a true story that was passed down through a family and has been splendidly told by Randall and illustrated by Bill Farnsworth. I would gladly share this book with any young girl.
I love finding history books that children can relate to. I love history myself and am curious to find ways to make it come alive to my children as they grow up so that they will learn to love their past as they anticipate their future. Peachtree has done an excellent job at providing many books along these lines, of which these are only two. I heartily encourage you to check them out at your local library or run to the nearest bookstore and see if you can find them.
Do you have any particular books that you have used with your children in learning about historical events? I’d love to hear about them if you do!
Carrie comes by her book obsession honestly, having descended from a long line of bibliophiles. She blogs about books regularly at Reading to Know.
I love to read to my four year old niece. This book sounds great! Terru
I love to read to my four year old niece. This book sounds great! Terry