Katy Rose Collection: Art, Words

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9 Picture Books That Bring History To Life

For over a decade I’ve been reading books to my children, and in the top tier of those I’ve loved have been picture book biographies. Whether you homeschool or just love cuddling up for read-aloud time with your kids, here are nine recommendations for picture books that bring history to life.

Please note, this particular list primarily touches on American and Western European history, and very small slices of history at that. But each book sparks interest to pursue further exploration! I could make about ten more lists of historically-based books we love, and perhaps I will!

The below images and descriptions are drawn from the Amazon pages, to which each book is linked.

Henry’s Freedom Box

by Ellen Levine

Henry dreams of a world where his life belongs to him. But when his family is sold, he risks everything for what he knows is right. With the strength and conviction of the best kind of hero, Henry makes a harrowing journey in a wooden crate - and mails himself to freedom!

Camille and the Sunflowers

by Laurence Anholt

A lovely book about artist, Vincent van Gogh from the series, Anholt's Artists Books for Children. Where Camille lived, the sunflowers grew so high they looked like real suns. One day a man arrived in Camille's town. Camille meets the man, and they become friends. This man is the painter named Vincent van Gogh.

Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen

by Deborah Hopkinson

A gorgeous and inspiring picture book biography of Jane Austen, one of the most beloved writers of all time, from award-winning author Deborah Hopkinson. This nonfiction picture book is an excellent choice to share during homeschooling, in particular for children ages 4 to 6. It’s a fun way to learn to read and as a supplement for activity books for children.

Lilibet the Brave

by Katy Rose

Sweet and sheltered Princess Lilibet finds herself swirling in uncertainty and fear when war breaks out! As she navigates her new reality, longing to be brave (always with an animal by her side), she discovers something about bravery which, in turn, helps shape her historic reign as Queen. This picture book, the first of its kind, brings the historical events of both World War II and the Queen’s childhood to life in an engaging, heartfelt way that will both educate and inspire.

Thank you, Sarah

by Laurie Halse Anderson

Thanksgiving might have started with a jubilant feast on Plymouth's shore. But by the 1800s America's observance was waning. None of the presidents nor Congress sought to revive the holiday. And so one invincible "lady editor" name Sarah Hale took it upon herself to rewrite the recipe for Thanksgiving as we know it today.

Spring After Spring

by Stephanie Roth Sisson

As a child, Rachel Carson lived by the rhythms of the natural world. Spring after spring, year after year, she observed how all living things are connected. And as an adult, Rachel watched and listened as the natural world she loved so much began to fall silent. Spring After Spring traces Rachel’s journey as scientist and writer, courageously speaking truth to an often hostile world through her book, and ultimately paving the way for the modern environmental movement.

Hello Lighthouse

by Sophie Blackall

Watch the days and seasons pass as the wind blows, the fog rolls in, and icebergs drift by. Outside, there is water all around. Inside, the daily life of a lighthouse keeper and his family unfolds as the keeper boils water for tea, lights the lamp's wick, and writes every detail in his logbook.

Ready to Fly

by Lyon and LaFaye

Although there aren’t many ballet schools that will accept a girl like Sylvia in the 1950s, her local bookmobile provides another possibility. A librarian helps Sylvia find a book about ballet and the determined seven-year-old, with the help of her new books, starts teaching herself the basics of classical ballet.

Soon Sylvia learns how to fly—how to dance—and how to dare to dream.

Finding Winnie

by Lindsay Mattick

In 1914, Harry Colebourn, a veterinarian on his way to tend horses in World War I, followed his heart and rescued a baby bear. He named her Winnie, after his hometown of Winnipeg, and he took the bear to war.

Harry Colebourn's real-life great-granddaughter tells the true story of a remarkable friendship and an even more remarkable journey--from the fields of Canada to a convoy across the ocean to an army base in England...

And finally to the London Zoo, where Winnie made another new friend: a real boy named Christopher Robin.

Affiliate links for Amazon included in this post.

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52 Books in 52 Weeks, plus a few.

To kick off 2016, My husband and I set a goal to each read 52 books before the end of the year. I thought it sounded impossible, but always loving a good challenge (and always loving to read), I committed. 

What a great journey commenced! We were both surprised to find it was possible not only to meet the goal, but exceed it. I talk a little more about the experience below, but first, here's my list. These are only in the order they were read, not according to preference. The genres ran the gamut, from history, science, and biography, to fiction, art, and law.

2016 Completed Reading List

 

As our book challenge came up in conversation here and there I typically got the same questions and comments. Here are some further thoughts on how it all worked:

"How in the world do you read that much? When do you find the time? I'm way too busy for that."

As a mom of four young, active children who I am with, for the most part, the entire day, I've tried to give a good deal of thought the last couple years to the way I spend my moments in the margin. I've found that spending these spare moments on things that are live-giving and beneficial to my soul has been vital for my well-being, and just a lot more enjoyable! 

As I've mentioned here before, one of the main things to go has been almost all social media. I know that's not appealing to everyone, but for me it has been incredibly freeing. So reading this past year has been one of the pastimes that has filled those quiet spaces.  My husband and I occasionally watched a show or movie together in the evening, but otherwise we did a lot of reading side by side when we weren't working on other things. Additionally, I read for about hour each morning (early early before the children wake up) and I make sure to pause for about 20 minutes every afternoon while the babies are sleeping to sit and read with my coffee or tea.

With four little people surrounding me all day, and lots to do around the house, the primary way I've been able to read so much is through audiobooks* (and New York Magazine says for the brain, audiobooks aren't cheating!) While I'm doing dishes, folding laundry, or taking a long road trip, audiobooks allow for hours of reading that would not otherwise be possible. 

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There is such value in reading. It's a true gift to experience the works of talented authors who have contributed to society throughout history. Not only are we connected with fascinating people and stories from the past, our perspectives are broadened.

When we immerse ourselves in a quality story, we're pushed out of our own bubbles, and our compassion and empathy increase. Stories possess the power to keep giving in our everyday lives even after the pages are closed. 

I've embarked on a new reading journey for 2017 and it only involves one book, but it's a book packed full of history, tragedy, triumph, supernatural love, and redemption.  It's going to be a good reading year.

*Audiobooks have primarily come free through two apps- Overdrive and Hoopla. Both require your library card number to log in, and both have provided me with hours and hours of free audiobooks. Phenomenal! Amazon Prime also offers many of the Classic audiobooks for a couple dollars.

**Perhaps if I get around to it I'll do a post on some of our favorite children's books. Reading aloud together is one of our very favorite pastimes.

*** Book links are affiliate

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