When 2 Million Children Became Unemployed

Can’t get your kids to clean their room or take out the trash without grumbles galore? Maybe a session with this book will whip them into shape. Kids at Work: Lewis Hine and the Crusade Against Child Labor is a biography of Hines disguised as a 20th century photo documentary of how two million American children, some as young as three, where spending their long, dreary, hazardous days. It’s in fact brimming with his amazing photos of kids in coal mines, canneries, cotton fields and factories. I guarantee your child will be fascinated!

When we first purused this book, my daughter was about seven and still asking for me to peel her boiled shrimp. Then we saw the photo on page 42 of little four-year-old Mary who shucked two pots of oysters a day! Well, I was quick to point out, “Shannon, if little Mary could shuck all those oysters, you are certainly capable of peeling a few shrimp!” And she did.

It is a little eerie seeing eleven-year-old boys tend a blazing hot furnace with no adult supervision, so it may be crazy for me to say, but I can’t help but sense some pride in the faces of some of these capable children. Could twelve hour days have been scaled back to five hour weeks in lieu of cutting work out of children’s lives all together? Clobber me if you will, I'm just wondering. My son is 14 this summer and had high hopes of making money working at a marina near our house, but because of the child labor laws, he can’t be considered for employment until he is 16. My boy grew up around boats and helped bring a boat from the Bahamas to Florida in rough seas when one of the two adults on board was laid up with a bad back. He's earned his boating license, has several hours of flying time and scuba dives. He is quite capable of fueling a vessel, tying a line and helping passengers get their supplies on and off boats...but now he has to wait two more years in order to be paid for it.

On another note, we have a fig tree in our yard. It produced vast quantities of figs this year. My eleven-year-old daughter and her friends scrambled for every opportunity they could get to pick the fruit...because they loved doing it. I’ve heard that Georgia farmers were having a hard time finding fruit pickers this year because the state has scared illegal immigrants away. Why aren’t high school and college kids stepping in to fill the void? I remember my father’s tales of picking apples in upstate New York when he was a kid looking for a buck.

Well, I think Kids at Work will be a great conversation starter at your house too. The book sums it up this way:  “Hine’s images of working children stirred America’s conscience and helped change the nation’s laws. With his box camera and his sympathetic eye, he made a dramatic difference in people’s lives. In a real sense, the face of America never looked the same again.”

Ages 6 and up
◊◊◊◊◊

Activity: For goodness sakes, learn how to peel your own shrimp:

Great Heights Week - The Empire State Building

During the depths of the Great Depression a majestic symbol of fortitude arose. And it rose high. In fact it was the world’s tallest building for over 40 years. Besides providing a nation with much needed jobs (seven million man hours!), it also provided much needed national pride. In Sky Boys: How They Built the Empire State Building, big pictures and minimal text show the process: from the demolition of the pre-existing hotel to the arrival of the steel and then the methods involved in building the skyscraper. This is an excellent choice for children interested in construction.

Ages: 6-9
◊◊◊◊

Activity: Build your own Empire State Building with this project from papertoys.com

P.S. Older children working on research papers would be well-served to get their hands on two other titles I found. In Unbuilding, David Macauley masterfully illustrates the imagined demolition of the Empire State Building. A great way to learn how it was built, in reverse. And Empire State Building: When New York Reached for the Skies by Elizabeth Mann is chock full of interesting information.

Free Museum Admission Day

Does your child have a museum named after them? Mine does. Shannon had fun using an empty bookshelf, filling it with items that tell her story and making a sign and placards. If you visit, you'll learn all about her hobbies, accomplishments and family tree. This has gotten her in the mood to visit, how shall I say it, a more official museum. Lucky for us, the Smithsonian sponsored free museum day is just around the corner.

Next Saturday, September 25, hundreds of museums are offering free admittance to one person, plus a guest. Whatever your interest there’s a museum for you: from The Oz Museum and the World Kite Museum Hall of Fame to the Toy and Miniature Museum and the Museum of Neon Art. Official tickets and a list of all the amazing participating museums can be found on the Smithsonian Museum Day website.

A Father Daughter Story

I love this picture book. It is about a father and daughter reconnecting after he returns from World War II. The author remembers an adored over-sized flannel shirt from her own childhood. A similar shirt plays a pivotal role in Crow Call, as do slices of cherry pie and a crow call. With these simple elements a father and daughter begin to know each other again. The Andrew Wyeth like illustrations are stunning. This is a great selection for father's day.

Ages 6-12
◊◊◊◊◊

Activity: Who will be the first in your family to spot a crow? How many crows will you spot before school starts again in the fall? Here's what to look for...

Good Knight Stories

The Barefoot Book of Knights is a cleverly presented retelling of seven tales from days of yore. Most of the stories originated in Europe, but the author also includes legends from Japan, Persia and Russia.

The stories are told through the kindly voice of Master William, the Armorer of the castle, who is in charge of several pages, including a young boy named Tom. When Tom doesn’t understand why a future knight, such as he, should have to wash dishes, or is envious of his brothers approaching knighthood, or is not cooperating with a fellow page, or is just homesick, Master William knows just the right story to set him straight.

Your child will gain a sense of what life was like for a ten year old page starting a new life at a castle. And he or she will relish listening in as Master William tells his tales!

Ages 6-12
◊◊◊◊

Activity: Knights first used decorated shields in battle as a way to identify allies from enemies. Here is a fun, free place to design your own shield and print it out.

You also might like this Knight Word Search from another post.

UNCHARTED TERRITORY WEEK: Apollo 11

TITLE: Neil, Buzz, and Mike Go to the Moon

AUTHOR (and illustrator): Richard Hilliard

WHAT TERRITORY WAS EXPLORED AND WHEN? Humans stepped on the moon for the first time on July 20, 1969.

WHO DID THE EXPLORING? Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins were the first astronauts to fly to the moon. Armstrong and Aldrin landed on the moon, while Collins orbited it.

HOW WAS THE TRIP? This book describes how training evolved for these three astronauts who all started out as pilots in the U.S. military. When they were accepted into the NASA astronaut program they became members of the Mercury Project, which gave them practice controlling a capsule in outer space. Then this trio had to go through project Gemini, which gave them experience working and walking in space. These were followed by the Apollo program which had 17 missions. But, of course, this book focuses on Apollo 11, from it’s liftoff to it’s moon landing and then it’s Pacific splashdown.

WHAT WAS GAINED? Besides a collection of lunar rocks, soil and dust, a better sense of how humans can perform in space was gained. Back on Earth, American pride swelled with the knowledge that great minds working together were capable of accomplishing such an astonishing feat.

This book is illustrated with nice paintings and includes sidebars with more information.

Ages 4-9
◊◊◊◊

Activity: www.nasa.gov offers a fun interactive site called Nasa Kids' Club.

UNCHARTED TERRITORY WEEK: Lewis and Clark

TITLE: The Great Expedition of Lewis and Clark: by Private Reubin Field, Member of the Corps of Discovery

AUTHOR: Judith Edwards

WHAT TERRITORY WAS EXPLORED AND WHEN? In 1803 President Thomas Jefferson paid 15 million dollars to France for a vast tract of land between the Mississippi River and the Continental Divide. Little was known about the contents of this Louisiana Purchase. Jefferson commissioned the Corps of Discovery to explore from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean, following the Missouri River. This journey took place from 1804 to 1806.

WHO DID THE EXPLORING? A party of 33 individuals headed by Meriwether Lewis, a U.S. Army Captain and personal friend of the president’s, and William Clark, who also served in the U. S. Army. This book is written from the perspective of Reubin Field, who was a young Kentucky farmer. When word got out that able woodsmen and hunters were needed to make the trip and would be compensated with land, men like Reubin applied for the expedition. A French trader, Toussaint Charonneau, and his young wife, Sacagawea, joined the expedition as interpreters, along with their brand new baby son that came to be called little Pomp.

HOW WAS THE TRIP? They traveled as much as they could by their keelboat and then canoes. When they couldn’t float they walked, wearing out scores of moccasins. The group encountered many native tribes, most of which were friendly, but some were not. They dealt with hoards of mosquitoes, a stampeding buffalo in their camp, an aggressive grizzly bear and considerable difficulty crossing the mountains.

WHAT WAS GAINED? Data was collected on previously unknown species of mammals, birds and plants and about available resources, especially in regard to the all important fur trade. Knowledge was gained about the tribes living in this area. This expedition ruled out the hope that there was a water route to the Pacific and provided other geographic details. This undertaking also opened the door for westward expansion.

A few years ago the 200th anniversary of this historical event was celebrated, and a slew of great books on this subject were published. I haven’t had a chance to read them all, but am amazed at the variety offered from different points of view, including:

Sacagawea: They Call Me Sacagawea and I Am Sacajawea, I Am York: Our Journey West with Lewis and Clark

York, Clark’s slave: York's Adventures with Lewis and Clark: An African-American's Part in the Great Expedition and I Am Sacajawea, I Am York: Our Journey West with Lewis and Clark

Seaman, Lewis’s dog: Seaman's Journal: On the Trail With Lewis and Clark, The Captain's Dog: My Journey with the Lewis and Clark Tribe, Lewis and Clark and Me: A Dog's Tale and Seaman: The Dog Who Explored the West With Lewis and Clark

Lewis and Clark: How We Crossed The West: The Adventures Of Lewis And Clark, Lewis and Clark (In Their Own Words) and Off the Map: The Journals of Lewis and Clark

Natural History: Animals on the Trail with Lewis and Clark and  Plants on the Trail with Lewis and Clark

Native Americans: Bad River Boys: A Meeting of the Lakota Sioux with Lewis and Clark

Ages 6-9
◊◊◊◊

Activity: Here's a Lewis and Clark National Geographic Interactive Game.

The Sailor’s Alphabet

The Sailor's Alphabet is a must for any child that loves ships. The words are an actual sea shanty from the 1800’s. Each page is dedicated to a letter of the alphabet and a part of a 1837 United States Navy frigate.

A is the anchor and that you all know,
B is the bowsprit that’s over the bow,
C is the capstan with which we heave ’round,
and D are the decks where sailors are found.....

A definition is also provided for each part. For instance: CAPSTAN: A large, spool shaped winch on a ship’s deck that is used for hauling up sails or anchors. It is turned by sailors using capstan bars.

Illustrated with an appealing woodcut style and printed on attractive ivory paper, this book has that something special feeling.

Ages 6-9
◊◊◊◊◊

Activity: Learn to tie a bowline. This cool site shows animated knots.

Flying Through Geography

Maybe it’s because we live in Florida and we don’t have dreary days without end, but my kids do not invest much time in playing board games. Then lo and behold, Ryan got Take Off! out the other day and we were all reminded of what a fun game it is. The object is to be the first to fly your plane through the two hemispheres, landing at airports hither and yon as you go. This is a fabulous way of familiarizing yourself with all the nooks and crannies in this world as you fly across the LARGE laminated map. It's just PLANE fun!

Save the Hippos

Hanna’s Cold Winter is a great reminder that wars affect more than soldier’s, war-zone civilians and policy makers. Reminiscent of our recent arctic like weather, this is the true story of a winter so cold that the Danube froze. On top of that, World War II was in progress with the Russians on one side of that frozen river facing off against the Germans on the other. And due to disrupted distribution routes, food was scarce. Budapest residents and their beloved hippopotamus’ at the zoo had something in common...they were all cold and hungry. But the former concocted an idea to help the later. They collected straw in the form of hats, mats and slippers and fed these to their famous hippos, aiding in their survival until spring.

Besides providing a sneaky tour of Budapest, this book also gives children a sense that even in a dire situation, there are ways THEY CAN help.

Ages 6-9

◊◊◊◊

Activity: How well can you take care of the animals at the zoo? Try taking this Zoo Vet game for a test drive.

A Stitch in Time

Here are two satisfying stories with more than a few things in common. They are both about children and their mothers carrying on with their lives at war’s end. They each contain lessons about creating something when your resources are slim to none. Sewing is the dominate theme in each book. And each story ends with a reward: supplies for a new school in one case and a much needed coat in the other.

The promise implied in the title, The Promise Quilt, was made to Addie by her father before he joined General Lee’s army. That promise was that he would take Addie to school. He never returns from the war, but his red shirt is sent to the family from a woman at the Northern hospital where he died. Mama gives the sentimental shirt to Addie. They continue on, doing what they need to survive. When Addie brings up going to school, her Mama reminds her that the soldiers burnt the school down.

“But Papa promised!” Addie cries. Mama tries to find a way to make school a reality for Addie. A neighbor offers his shed as a makeshift shoolhouse but they need money for supplies. When Mama writes the woman at the Northern hospital, she replies with the suggestion that Mama make a quilt, send it to her, she will auction it off and put the money towards books. When Mama is almost finished with the quilt she realizes that she doesn’t have enough material for the border. Do you see where this is going? Addie offers her father’s shirt. Everything falls into place, Addie goes to school, and in a way, Papa kept his promise.

Candice F. Ransom does an excellent job of giving a child’s perspective of the Civil War and it’s after effect. It's a lovely, bittersweet selection.

Ages 6-9
◊◊◊◊◊

This book is a lesson in resourcefulness and in the processes involved in making a coat. A New Coat for Anna takes place in Europe after World War II. Anna has outgrown her coat, but new coats and money are scarce. Anna's mother trades possessions with people who can provide the material or service she needs to get Anna a coat. After their year long project is finished, Anna and her mother celebrate Christmas Eve by inviting over the farmer, spinner, weaver and tailor. And, of course, Anna visits the sheep the next day to show them her coat made from their wool.

Your children may never look at their clothes in the same way again. This is a very clever and appealing book.

Ages 6-9
◊◊◊◊◊

Activity: Can you help make a coat by putting the necessary procedures in the correct order?

Jacques Cousteau - The Oceans’ Ambassador

“The best way to observe a fish is to become a fish.” Each spread of the recently published The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau has a bubble (how apropos) containing a Cousteau quote. And each bubble floats on colorful wall to wall artwork with a 1950's retro look. The copy, though sparse, is so informative. I learned that as a young weakling, Cousteau was encouraged to swim to strengthen himself. And that after a car accident later in life it was recommended that he wear arm braces; but swimming in the Mediterranean saved him again. It was at this point that a friend gave him goggles — the turning point in his life.

He couldn't get enough of seeing underwater. And he wound up going to great lengths to do just that. He was involved with the invention of the aqua-lung, the underwater camera and devices designed to get divers deeper than they had gone before. He explored oceans no one else ever had. And he, for the first time, brought the ocean right into people’s living rooms with his popular TV series, The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau.

This would be a great book to share with the child who loves the beach, sea animals or exploration.

Ages 6-9
◊◊◊◊

Activity: Now here’s something Jacques Cousteau would appreciate. You entering a design an ocean flag contest sponsored by National Geographic. This contest ends February 20, 2010. Good luck!

Free Book Giveaway

Susan M. Heim is giving away two children's history books this week. They are Miss Trimble’s Trapdoor and Miss Trimble’s Trapdoor: The Perseverance of Christopher Columbus. Visit Susan Heim on Parenting to learn more about these books and for a chance to win one of them.

Pilgrim Cat

Cat lovers will relish Pilgrim Cat. It offers a look at sailing to and settling in a new land from a cat's perspective. It starts when a stray mouser boards the Mayflower and befriends fellow passenger Faith Barret. She names the feline Pounce. Together they experience a new world that includes howling wolves, a tribe of Wampanoags and rows of corn. Then one day Pounce disappears. Faith is distraught, but a happy ending is in store when Pounce is discovered -by Squanto no less- and surprise! He is a she with a litter of kittens. The kittens grow and are present at the first Thanksgiving. Very engaging story and pictures. A sure child pleaser with lots of well researched Pilgrim information.

Ages 4-9
◊◊◊◊◊

Activity: Color the Mayflower.

Women on the Wing

When I first met my husband he was in the process of getting his private pilot license. So I can appreciate the work that goes into learning to fly. I can also appreciate the feeling of freedom that comes with taking off from the ground in a little plane and climbing up into a big sky full of possibilities. Where do you want to go? It's in the joy of flight that I can relate to two great American aviators. But in their drive and determination to push themselves to their limits they are both way, way out of my league. They are Amelia Earhart and Bessie Coleman. Both of these pilots of the female persuasion are the subject of lots of books at my local library. From these titles I recommend the following.

Who Was Amelia Earhart? by Kate Boehm Jerome, is a well organized account of Amelia's life. It's a little book that is generously illustrated with friendly pen and ink drawings and just the right amount of text. An occasional page acts as a fact filled sidebar about other events occurring during Amelia's life: The World’s Fair, The Wright Brothers, the Women's Suffrage Movement and The Great Depression. And, as if that isn't enough, the book ends with an information packed timeline. It's a quick but thorough account of Amelia's life, perfect for book reports or for just getting to know Amelia.

Ages 9-12
◊◊◊◊

I was already familiar with Amelia so I really loved getting to know Bessie Coleman in Fly, Bessie, Fly. She is the epitome of what I tell my children, “Don't say you can't, say ‘how can I?’” She was born five years before Amelia into a hard Texas life of Jim Crow and cotton picking and a fatherless home. But she was always determined to be somebody. In her twenties she moved to Chicago and it was there that she decided to become a pilot, only to discover that no one in this country would teach a colored man or woman to fly. Instead of giving up, she found out she could get her license in France and commenced to saving money and learning to speak French. When she returned from France in 1921, the only black woman in the world licensed to fly, she was a star.

This book has a nice pace and crisp, full page, watercolor illustrations. It's a story definitely worth sharing.

Ages 4-8
◊◊◊◊

Activity: Draw your own bi-plane with these step by step directions.