School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 6Colonial American life comes to life in this attractive and easy-to-use book. Dozens of illustrated activities follow a brief introduction to early Americans and their daily lives. Throughout the book, small text boxes add interesting tidbits, such as the definition of "pilgrim" and why the English "drank out of their boots." The activities are divided into eight chapters: "Sailing and Settling," "Clothes and More," "Home Sweet Home," "Dinnertime," "Everyday Life," "Arts and Crafts," "School and Learning," and "Fun and Games." The projects include recipes, games, crafts, and gardening. Kids can learn how to tie knots, bake hardtack, make a braided rug, or dip candles. The instructions are clearly written and include informative line drawings and appropriate warnings for adult assistance.Paula A. Kiely, Milwaukee Public Library, WI (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
Gr. 4^-6. This wide-ranging guide offers ideas and instructions for activities related to colonial America, along with a smattering of information about the colonies. Projects include tying sailors' knots, steaming clams, learning colonial manners, dyeing a shirt, stitching a sampler, and playing leapfrog. Some of the activities lead children to a fuller understanding of the era, while others (making liquid soap from scraps of bar soap) seem rather tenuously connected to that time and place. With 66 projects, recipes, and games, the coverage is broad rather than deep. Students and teachers may want to use this for ideas, then look to more detailed sources for better instruction in skills such as knitting (done here with pencils), quilt making, or planting a garden. --Carolyn Phelan
