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librarybrods's review against another edition
3.0
Author's note made the book even more interesting. Author got the idea from the writings of an 18th century school teacher (his book found at the Boston Public Library!)
yabooknerd's review against another edition
5.0
Great look at a year in a one room schoolhouse. Old fashion pictures make the book come alive!
tashrow's review
4.0
Head to school with brothers Peter and John Paul in this picture book that shows school days in the 18th century. The one-room school has hard benches where the children learn math, history and their alphabet. Punishments for misbehaving are being struck with the rod or wearing neck yokes, as both Peter and John Paul find out. As winter comes, there is skating on the pond and hauling wood for the schoolroom fire. With spring, the children are learning more and more, but leave school with the same bursts of energy they started with.
According to the Author’s Note, this book is based on Christopher Docks’ mid-1700s school. He not only taught the normal courses, but included morals, safety, health, courtesy and social attitudes. The book is written in rhyming verse that reads easily. The verse captures the activities of the days at school.
Schindler’s illustrations are detailed and really point out the differences between schools today and in the 18th century. The illustrations have natural colors that offer a feel of life in the past.
A wonderful marriage of picture book and historical content, this book will be appreciated by children studying history as well as the history of studying. Children returning to school this fall will also appreciate that they go to modern schools. Appropriate for ages 6-9.
According to the Author’s Note, this book is based on Christopher Docks’ mid-1700s school. He not only taught the normal courses, but included morals, safety, health, courtesy and social attitudes. The book is written in rhyming verse that reads easily. The verse captures the activities of the days at school.
Schindler’s illustrations are detailed and really point out the differences between schools today and in the 18th century. The illustrations have natural colors that offer a feel of life in the past.
A wonderful marriage of picture book and historical content, this book will be appreciated by children studying history as well as the history of studying. Children returning to school this fall will also appreciate that they go to modern schools. Appropriate for ages 6-9.
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