Monthly Archives: January 2015
HISTORY LURE: THE HISTORY OF MYSTERY
If your kids are fans of mysteries, but not of history, well, even mysteries have histories. The first fictional detective, Auguste C. Dupin, appeared in some short stories by American writer Edgar Allan Poe (“The Murders in the Rue Morgue”,1841, “The Mystery of Marie Roget”, 1842) and “The Purloined Letter”, 1845), and The Moonstone (1868) […]
ANNOUNCEMENT AND/OR SHAMELESS BRAGGING
The Mud Rose (Book Two of my Time Rose series) placed sixth in the recent 2014 Preditor & Editor’s Reader’s Poll. Last year its predecessor, The Disappearing Rose, also made the top ten.
TRIVIA TRAIL: ANCIENT EGYPT COMES TO AMERICA
Question: What is the name of the ancient Egyptian obelisk erected in Central Park, New York on January 22nd, 1881? Answer: Cleopatra’s Needle. Twin of the one that sits on the banks of the Thames in London England, the red granite structure is 69 feet (21 metres) tall, with hieroglyphs on all sides. Some […]
HISTORIC SHARE: CALENDARS
I sometimes come across information on other blogs and websites that I think are of historic interest, and when I do, I will share them so that you can share them with your kids. By now, everyone should be used to this year’s new calendars, but it’s interesting to check out how calendars used to […]
HISTORY TIDBIT: HISTORIC COLD SNAP
If you live in certain areas of the Northern hemisphere, chances are you’re finding the days a bit nippy. But probably not as nippy as it was in the northern United States during the winter of 1779-80. That was the winter the whole of the Potomac River froze over, as did a good bit of […]
HISTORIC MOVIE IDEAS FOR JANUARY
January’s historic viewing suggestions: Donner Pass: The Road To Survival (1978) (Pioneer Days) Frozen (Animated, Disney, 2014) (Medieval) Hans Brinker Or The Silver Skates (Disney, 1962) & (1969) (19th Century) Mrs. Mike (1949) (Canadian Frontier Days) Nikki, Wild Dog Of The North (Disney, 1961) (Canadian Frontier Days) Silas Marner: The Weaver Of Ravelow (1985) (Victorian […]
DON’T FORGET THE ‘STORY’
Here are some historic and/or January-born author book suggestions. Ages 3-7 Cowardly Clyde by Bill Peet (Medieval) The Keeping Quilt by Patricia Polacco (Generational) The Klondike Cat by Julie Lawson (Klondike Gold Rush) Ages 7-9 All-Of-A-Kind Family and its sequels, an early twentieth century series by Sydney Taylor Canadian Flyer Adventures # 10: Lost In […]
WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT?
For the benefit of those who might be new to this blog, I am re-posting some of the introductory information. HISTORY YAY, OR HISTORY NAY? Why do some kids like history, and others hate it? It might have something to do with presentation. If a teacher views a historical event in terms of facts and […]
