WHY ARE STORIES FROM HISTORY IMPORTANT FOR CHILDREN?

STUDIES SHOW…

I read a fascinating study once in which researchers developed a test for children called “Do You Know?”  

It was reported that one of the single highest predictors of children’s health and happiness was linked to how much a child knew about their family story. They had a vision for obstacles that had been overcome, and how parents and grandparents lived before them. They felt connected to the people around them. The stories provided a sense of control within their own narrative.

Additionally, in order to share those stories, time was given to those children, a commodity deeply valuable in child development.

Similarly, this topic of historical knowledge has been studied on a broader level with entire societies. Those with no sense of their history or links to the past lack commonality and shared direction for the future.

Handing stories down to children, whether it’s from our own family history or broader history, might be compared to handing a compass or a lantern to the next generation. 

In her great little book, Do Story, Bobette Buster compares passing down stories to children to passing on a baton in a relay.

She says it’s handing them a “visual template of what to expect, a map of the wilderness...a psychological preparation for life’s inevitable struggles.”

Traditionally, in many cultures each generation was psychologically prepared for their future this way, she says. By hearing the stories of their elders told around campfires and such, stories were passed down, handed down, and written down. The stories helped them know that they would not only be ready to survive but thrive amidst life’s adversities. Stories carry the flame from one generation to the next. 

The Bible is full of encouragement to remember God’s faithfulness, to remember all he has done in the past. Tell the stories to the next generations of how He carried His people through. The prophets in the Old Testament reminded the people how God parted the Red Sea, how He brought them out of slavery. The Psalms recount His faithfulness. His people laid out memorial stones to remember the stories. 

Remembering can be an act of worship

In my own life, I’ve felt this to be deeply true. In my seasons of deepest struggle, daily time in scripture has guided my way. And after that, the most helpful self-help books have been true stories from history. Accounts of those who have walked not perfectly, but with perseverance. Their stories have buoyed me in my own sinking moments. Stories of Corrie ten Boom, Darlene Diebler Rose, Gladys Alyward, and my own family members –  not perfect people, but people who, in their faithfulness and service to others, pointed me to a perfect God.

PASSING ON A STORY OF BRAVERY

I’ve told about how one such story from Queen Elizabeth II’s life spoke to me deeply during a dark season, inspiring my children’s book, Lilibet the Brave.

To me, it feels like such a beautiful honor we have to share stories with children, the good and the bad, to add to the tool kit we’re packing for them as they walk into their own futures. 

Today marks the one-year anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s death. With each year that passes, the new generations will know less as characters fade into history. I hope this is one little story of hope and bravery that you might pass on to your own children. Grab a copy here, then cuddle up to read with your kids, giving them treasured time and the gift of history.

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.

Cultivating Wonder

Discussing (arguing over) what type of animal dug the hole they had just discovered. Raccoon or snake. I didn't realize raccoons dug holes, but my animal enthusiast informed me it's true, and upon doing my research I found he's in fact correct.

Flooded path. "Mom, take a picture that makes it look like we're stuck on an island!" I didn't quite succeed at that, but thought you should know their vision!

Oh my, how I am going to miss these days years from now.

I have been looking so forward to summer and all it allows. I leave lots of time unplanned and empty intentionally for them to create and build and do some work and play with friends, or just be bored. (When anyone comes to me and says they are bored my answer has always been, "Awesome! What are you going to do about it?!" They have learned by now this is what they're going to hear so I don't get that complaint too much anymore. If they do persist in their boredom, though, I have a few good jobs I dole out.)

But I also build in a good amount of planned (though usually spontaneous) adventures, typically free and outdoors. That's our favorite. I study Google map overviews of wooded parts of our neighborhood and surrounding areas to find paths and hikes and we have the best time exploring. For a variety of reasons, we aren't able to travel for the most part this summer but our almost daily hikes transport me to mountain paths in Colorado in seconds. I get my fix. It's awesome. It's not perfect, lest you be deceived by the photos. It's usually super humid and there are mosquitoes and you can count on a few complaints along the way, but it always just feels so good for our souls.

I find that being out in nature affords so many opportunities for great conversations about beauty, creation, and the magnitude of God. We talk about perseverance and strength almost every time we are out because we are usually pushing ourselves physically. The kids ask questions about bugs and animals and streams and plants and then we come home and look them up if we don’t know the answer.

The other day after a hike that included a few wrong turns (the big boys were convinced in a very dramatic way we were lost), we had a great talk on the drive home about how like life the walk was. Things don’t always go as planned, you might get a bit off track, but you keep pushing forward and do the hard work to stay the course.

In any picture you see, there's a fourth child just outside the frame that I'm not permitted to show per understandable foster care rules. And for any picture you see, there are a million other pieces of life that are beautiful and difficult that aren't documented. (Such is social media!)

One of my children who shall remain nameless but not photoless deconstructs all things, all day.  Some of his current obsessions include "cooking" with all the silverware, and watching the water run down the refrigerator front, and then "cleaning up" the water with all the clean dishtowels. This can all go down in about 15 seconds, like while I'm trying to change a diaper in the next room. Then I run in because I hear the drawers opening and he looks up and says, "Sorry, Mom" with a big smile, and it's a good thing he's so darn sweet.  I have never had a child like this one and he amazes and baffles me constantly.  He is so unique and so awesome, and has been through more difficult circumstances in his short life than many grown-ups. I'm excited to see what's in store for him.

Anyway, this little buddy seems to be in his element when we are out on a path in the middle of nature, or when he can plop down in sand or dirt somewhere and dig.  The calming effect of God's creation is a marvelous thing. 

So that's where we head most days. 

“The pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere of activity in which we are permitted to remain children all our lives.”  -Einstein

“Look at everything always as though you were seeing it either for the first or last time: Thus is your time on earth filled with glory.”  -A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

I see it as such an amazing privilege to have the opportunity to experience wonder with my children- not through extravagant purchases or grand vacations- it doesn't require any of that, though those things can be fun too. I'm sure there are many ways to cultivate wonder with one's children, but right now in my season of life it looks a lot like this: Seeing beauty in the small things everyday, the pleasant and unpleasant alike.  It comes through exploring together- exploring the world right around us and exploring what's deep in our hearts, exploring who God is, what the Bible says, and exploring the greatest ways we can look beyond ourselves and love others extravagantly.