Simply Classical American History Set

The Thanksgiving Story by Alice Dalgliesh is a Caldecott Honor book that tells the story of the Hopkins family, their journey to America on the Mayflower, and how they and the other Pilgrims built a home in their new land with the help of the Indians.

From the publisher:

"Sarah Morton has been living in the Plimoth colony in the New World for four years, she tells readers. Now age nine, we get one jam-packed day in her life. A Pilgrim girl, she speaks in the vernacular of 1627: "Come thee with me. Let me show thee how my days are," she invites. And thus we see her milking goats, cooking meals, learning her letters, playing knickers (marbles) with friends, reciting her Bible verses, and — in a fascinating sequence of ten pictures — getting dressed: her "overgarments," which include three petticoats and a separate pocket. Photographed on location at Plimoth Plantation, an actual living-history museum, the images are largely unposed and provide a historical verisimilitude with which young readers will easily connect. A recipe for cornbread is included, as well as a glossary, and biographical information about the real Sarah Morton, who traveled on the Mayflower and is mentioned in several Pilgrim journals. Patterned mauve end-papers contain a 17th century version of "Three Blind Mice" and three riddles that Sarah would have known. After absorbing this book, young readers may enjoy creating photo essays of their own life in the 21st century."

From the Publisher:

An intuitive understanding of the things children love to know, combined with the d'Aulaire's extraordinary artistic ability make this book on the life of one of America's most beloved founders a perennial classic. Folk art style illustrations are enhanced with pert aphorisms from Poor Richard's Almanac on each page. Readers will learn that Benjamin was the youngest of seventeen children "all counted" and that "it was a piece of luck that his kite experiment had not killed him." They will also come to know the inventor whose thirst for knowledge led him to constantly seek to improve the lives of his fellow men. Readers will follow his life as a leader in the American Revolution and ambassador to both Britain and France and learn why the French hailed him as the man who "tore the lightening from the sky and the scepter from tyrants."

From the publisher: "This valiant story of how young George Washington was drawn into his country's struggle for independence gives readers a vivid perspective on a crucial era in American history--and on the life of a revolutionary hero."

Part of the Childhood of Famous Americans Series.

Ted Rand's paintings capture the drama and danger of Paul Revere's famous midnight ride in this edition of Longfellow's famous poem, "Paul Revere's Ride."

Meet Henry Ford, the man who helped put the world on wheels and made the automobile a necessary part of the American way of life. Henry Ford: Young Man with Ideas chronicles Ford's humble beginnings and early life in Michigan to his rise to becoming one of the richest and best-known men in the world. This engaging read is sure to entertain and inform your young learner!

The book is part of the Childhood of Famous Americans Series.

From the publisher: "When Thomas Jefferson was young, Virginia was still a colony of England. Jefferson thought that many English laws and taxes were unfair, so he studied hard to become a lawyer and help make better laws. Soon he and others came to believe that the colonies should become a new country, and Jefferson was chosen to write the Declaration of Independence. As the third president of the United States, he focused on exploring the country and making it grow. His fairness and love of learning made him one of the most beloved presidents of all time."

When America declared its independence in 1776, the new republic's journey to become one unified nation had just begun. Here is the unforgettable story of fifty-five Americans and the Constitution they created in 1787 to give the struggling new government a foundation that has held ever since.

The 4th of July Story by two-time Newbery Medal winner Alice Dalgliesh tells the story of America's birthday in plain language which children can easily understand. The illustrations by Marie Nonnast bring this exciting historical account to life for young readers.

Through rhyming verse and colorful illustrations Johnny Appleseed by Reeve Linbergh tells the story of John Chapman and the blessing of apples that he brought to the American frontier.

From the back of the book:

"Newbery award-winning author Marguerite Henry brings young Robert Fulton alive in this fascinating look at the foundational and character-forming acquaintances and experiences of the man generally credited with making steamboat transportation a commercial success in the United States and elsewhere around the world."

The Boy Who Drew Birds by Jacqueline Davies tells the story of John James Audubon. The book tells the story of John James' time in Pennsylvania when he was eighteen years old. During his time in the Pennsylvania countryside he observed a family of pewee birds in their cave and developed the method of tagging by tying a small string around the baby birds' legs in order to see if they returned to their home nest the next year. The eclectic and colorful collage illustrations by Melissa Sweet capture the wonder of discovery and the beauty of Audubon's beloved birds.

From the author's website: Thomas Jefferson loved books, reading, and libraries, and he started accumulating books as a young man. This original and lyrical picture-book biography tells the story of how Jefferson’s vast book collections helped to create the world’s largest library, the Library of Congress in Washington, DC.

Artist Peter Spier beautifully interprets the American national anthem in this picture book version of The Star-Spangled Banner. Spier's artwork has been meticulously researched and observed, lending it incredible accuracy in addition to its vibrancy and patriotism.

From the publisher: "This warmly told biography of our sixteenth president is enriched by many authentic but seldom told anecdotes and complemented by bold color illustrations that capture the spirit of Lincoln and his era."

From the publisher: "One of the most popular series ever published for young Americans, these classics of childhood have been praised by parents, teachers, and libraries. The lively, inspiring, and believable biographies sweep today's young readers right into history. Illustrated throughout."

From the publisher: "Dick Park is the son of a Pony Express rider, Katy Kelly is the daughter of a way station master, and Little Bear is an Indian boy who lives nearby. How three friends keep the mail moving is just part of this fast-moving tale about the great experiment in transcontinental communication."

From the publisher:  The Caldecott Medal Winner, Sibert Honor Book, and New York Times bestseller Locomotive is a rich and detailed sensory exploration of America’s early railroads, from the creator of the “stunning” (Booklist) Moonshot.

It is the summer of 1869, and trains, crews, and family are traveling together, riding America’s brand-new transcontinental railroad. These pages come alive with the details of the trip and the sounds, speed, and strength of the mighty locomotives; the work that keeps them moving; and the thrill of travel from plains to mountain to ocean.

Come hear the hiss of the steam, feel the heat of the engine, watch the landscape race by. Come ride the rails, come cross the young country!

From the publisher: Young Orville and Wilbur Wright loved building things. From the fastest sled in town to the highest-flying kite, the Wright brothers’ creations were always a step ahead of everyone else’s. Orv and Will had a big dream - they wanted to fly!

This book is part of the Childhood of Famous Americans Series.

Stories of Great Americans for Little Americans Sample

Edward Eggleston wrote this little book in 1895, and our second graders love it. We thought we would publish it so everyone could enjoy it! We have included Eggleston's original illustrations and added some additional ones as well. Eggleston says in his preface that "the primary aim of this book is to furnish the little learner reading matter that will excite his attention and give him pleasure" and "to make the mind of the pupil familiar with some of the leading figures in the history of our country by means of personal anecdote." Students will be introduced to Washington, Franklin, Audubon, and more.

From the publisher: "When Christopher Columbus was young, he worked for his father making cloth. But he did not want to be a cloth-maker all his life. He
wanted to see new lands and have adventures. He wanted to be a sailor! By the time he was 25, Christopher had sailed to France, Africa, and Greece. He had seen strange cities and had many adventures. But his greatest adventure would come when he set out for China and found a whole new world instead."