A farmer from the countryside and his great big wagon carry the Liberty Bell to a safe hiding place. Having come to market in Philadelphia, as they start off for home, all that’s left in the wagon is some hay. But their way is blocked by a giant bell that soldiers are lowering to the street—redcoats are coming to melt it down and use it for shot. The farmer doesn’t hesitate; he tells the soldiers to put the bell into his wagon and cover it with hay. Then he begins his dangerous nighttime journey to the bell’s hiding place. He passes redcoat camps, and even gets stopped once. He tells the soldiers that the wagon is filled with hay and empty boxes, and they send him on his way. Finally he reaches the church of Zion where the bell will remain until the redcoats leave for good. While the story is an interesting one, there is no satisfying rhythm to the telling; some of the stanzas rhyme, while others do not. Also inconsistent is the use of The House That Jack Built format. Spearing’s (Prairie Dog Pioneers, 1998) illustrations look like colored woodcuts that fit the mood of early American art. From the clapboard houses and the signs that hang in front of them, to the ships in the harbor and the period clothing, he sticks to authentic details and keeps his pages uncluttered, effectively focusing the reader’s attention. An author’s note explains the beginnings of the Conestoga wagon in America, and a few historical details about the actual event. (Picture book. 7-10)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2002
ISBN: 0-7614-5108-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Marshall Cavendish
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2002
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
The author and illustrator bring to life an incident right out of history in this droll picture book enhanced by lively, color- washed pen-and-ink drawings. In Cheshire, Massachusetts, the home of mouth-watering cheese, the local residents grumble that President Jefferson is serving cheese from Norton, Connecticut, at the White House. “I have an idea,” says Elder John Leland to the assembled town folk, “If each of you will give one day’s milking from each of your many cows, we can put our curds together and create a whopping big cheddar.” Although some people scoff, the farmers bring load after load of milk—from 934 cows—to town and they set about making an enormous cheese. There are problems along the way, but eventually the giant cheese is dragged to a barn to age. At last it is perfect, and Mr. Leland and friends start the long haul to the East Room of White House. In a foreword, the author explains the truth and fiction in the tale, e.g., that the presidential residence wasn’t called the White House until about 1809. A humorous tale with a wide range of appeal and uses in and out of the classroom. (Picture book. 8-10)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-7894-2573-4
Page Count: 30
Publisher: DK Publishing
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 1999
PLB 0-688-16204-5 When young Constance accidentally lets the cabin’s fire die out, her father composes a riddle to cheer her up, spawning a riddle marathon as the entire family participates in creating conundrums. Karim devises clever puzzles that reveal the origins of items that would be commonplace for a pioneer, e.g. before it was a basket, it was “saplings that leaned in the wind.” The riddles cover everything from the johnnycakes to Constance’s cornhusk doll. An addendum, “The Life of a Pioneer Family,” provides further information about the objects in the riddles, such as how a log cabin was constructed and why Constance and her father would have gone to their neighbor’s to revive their spent fire. Andersen’s oil paintings depict carefully researched, authentic scenes from pioneer life and capture the strong, loving family bonds that resonate in the text. The sparkling tale is fun to read and illuminating, and will round out any lesson on early settlers. (Picture book. 5-9)
Pub Date: Aug. 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-688-16203-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1999
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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