This is a truly fascinating read written and illustrated by Hudson Talbott. For those history buffs out there wanting to pass on the gene to your children, or History, Science or Environment teachers, this is a really great book. It is historically accurate, thorough, and the illustrations are beautiful and complement the information very well.
This book really goes to the extra mile to discuss the historical significance of the Hudson and those that lived and relied upon it. What is so cool is that I even learned things I didn't know about the Hudson, such as its influence on the environment (it was the birthplace of the entire movement). The book accurately begins with the creation of the Hudson River, which is illustrated with glaciers depositing water into the river valley (known as "Mahekanituck" to the Mohicans, which I thought was a cool tidbit) flowing down from the Adirondacks. He continues with the discovery of the New World (which he illustrates on the beautiful front cover), the Revolutionary War, steamboats (and other technology) and the environmental losses and gains of the Hudson.
It's a great book for discussions on a variety of topics, as it covers History, Science, Environmentalism, and more. It would also be a good introduction into a discussion of other influential places in our nation's history.
thanks for the post. i am a wannabe history buff, so i really appreciate books like the one you just described. how would you use this in the classroom and for what age?
ReplyDeletePerhaps a good companion for this book would be _A River Ran Wild_ by Lynne Cherry. It describes the history of the Nashua River - from the era of the settlers, though the horrible pollution of the industrial revolution, to the cleaning of the river in more recent decades. Cherry uses border art reminiscent of Jan Brett to pull the reader into the various aspects of the river and its history.
ReplyDeleteThis does seem like the kind of book that can spark a student's interest. History can be a drudgery to young learners. But with these illustrations and the author's thoughtful narrative, this is a resource that will inspire budding historians and engage young readers.
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