The Home

School Library Journal

Gr 3-6-- Both of these books have the same opening three-page section called ``About this book,'' which defines the time period covered, 1607-1776, and describes the arrival of immigrants to America and the places they settled. In The Home, the introductory pages describe a typical home, some furnishings, and some routines of living. The craft items include a sampler, paper dolls in colonial costume, a pillow, and several recipes. In The School , a four-page introduction describes education in that period of our history, including materials, books, teachers, and routines. The remainder of the book gives a page or two of instruction on how to make craft items related to that time, such as a quill pen and inks, a rag doll, a puzzle, Christmas tree trimmings, and several kinds of cookies. Adult help is suggested when needed. Corwin does give some brief insights into colonial life, and the objects can be made from common household items. However, the books fall short of their potential. The pseudoprimitive, black-outlined pictures with flat color resemble coloring books more than colonial folk art, and a sprinkling of red schoolhouses throughout clutters the design of the pages with no obvious purpose. Many other books give examples of early American crafts, some with instructions. --Sylvia S. Marantz, Wellington School, Columbus, OH