Virginia Colony

Children's Literature

Perhaps none of the original thirteen colonies carried as much prestige as Virginia. One of the largest colonies, Virginia quickly became one of the most prosperous. The combination of natural resources, access to the sea, and climate made Virginia a desirable place to settle. Virginians engaged in farming, logging, and trade. Life in Virginia was good despite the difficulties of crossing a vast ocean and then carving a life out of the wilderness. This historic process of Virginia's establishment as an English colony and subsequent emergence as a vibrant source of American values is presented in this brief illustrated work. As part of the multi-book "The Colonies" series, author Tamara Britton adopts a style that is the trademark of this set of books. Britton uses short, crisp chapters of about one page in length to address a sequence of subjects. The book begins with early explorations and history, then shifts to social history, including daily life, housing, and childhood in Virginia. Finally, the author switches to political developments that led to the establishment of Virginia as a state in the American Union. By using this format, Tamara Britton has created a workmanlike introduction to Virginia's colonial heritage. This is a book that may well interest readers with an emerging interest in American history. 2001, ABDO Publishing Company, Romaneck