Pilgrim Cat ~ Picture Book & KID KANDY

Pilgrim Cat
By Carol Antoinette Peacock
Illustrated by Doris Ettlinger
(Albert Whitman & Company, 2004)

Did cats travel on the Mayflower?

Explore the lives of pilgrim travelers on their journey to the New World. Meet Faith, a fictional character based on historical documents. As she waits to set sail, Faith notices a cat chasing a mouse. Both end up on the Mayflower.

Faith adopts the cat and calls him Pounce. Pounce is her constant companion by the end of the journey - through storms, illness, winter, and life in a new country. One day Pounce disappears. The surprise ending of what happened to Pounce will delight cat lovers.

Historical facts are woven into this tale of settling the New World. The story is based on research done at the Plimoth Plantation, a living history museum in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

Enjoy Pilgrim Cat with young readers as you learn and use your imagination.

KID KANDY:

Visit Plimoth Plantation

Not everyone lives close enough to visit the Plimoth Plantation in Plymouth, Massachusetts. But almost everyone has access to a computer or electronic tablet.

How about a virtual field trip?

1. Ask a parent or older child to help you.

2. Visit plimoth.org/virtual-tours and http://www.plimoth.org/learn/just-kids/thanksgiving-virtual-field-trip.

3. Go on a virtual tour of the Plimoth Plantation. Explore the website to find other interesting information.

4. Compare the illustrations and information found in Pilgrim Cat to what you viewed on the website.

What did you learn that was new?
What was most interesting to you?
Would you like to live back in the days of the Pilgrims? Why or why not?
Can you think of one thing you would like to try to do like the pilgrims?

Did you find out? Did cats travel with the pilgrims to the new world?

Summer Birds, The Butterflies of Maria Merian ~ Picture Book & KID KANDY

Summer Birds, The Butterflies of Maria Merian
By Margarita Engle
Illustrations by Julie Paschkis
(Henry Holt & Company, 2010)

Summer Birds, The Butterflies of Maria Merian is a fascinating, historical picture book.

Maria Merian lived in the Middle Ages. Born in 1647 in Germany, she was enthralled by nature. Being observant, she studied and noticed that insects were not evil as was commonly believed. Maria learned that they did not spring up unaided from mud puddles, but they actually grew from eggs and transformed into adult insects.

Summer birds was the name used for butterflies and moths that sprang up in warm weather.

This beautiful picture book will engage readers of all ages. I was very interested to learn about old beliefs and superstitions as well as a young girl who worked hard to dispel and change the incorrect assumptions of those around her. In a time where witchcraft was prevalent, Maria had to study in secret during her younger years. Maria later went on to become an artist, scientist, and explorer.

Summer Birds, The Butterflies of Maria Merian is a great book to read. Extra information about Maria's life is given on a page at the end of the story. Nature lovers will enjoy this book and want to learn more about Maria and the nature she studied.

KID KANDY:

Observe a Summer Bird

Materials: magnifying glass, butterfly net, sketch pad and pencils

~ Go out on a sunny day and look for butterflies. Observe them as they flutter their way through flowers and gardens.

~ Gently capture a butterfly. Use the magnifying glass to look very closely at the summer bird you have captured.

~ Quickly sketch the butterfly. Release the butterfly and watch it go off in search of more flowers.

In the spring, it is fun to purchase butterfly eggs and watch them develop and transform into adult butterflies. Ask your parents to help you order a set. I like to use www.insectlore.com. They sell all kinds of insects that you can watch grow up.

Being a scientist like Maria is fun, isn't it?

A Single Pebble, A Story of the Silk Road ~ Picture Book & KID KANDY

A Single Pebble, A Story of the Silk Road
by Bonnie Christensen
(A Neal Porter Book, Roaring Book Press; 2013)

A Single Pebble, A Story of the Silk Road is the delightful tale of a young girl who sends a small pebble with her father when he goes to trade their silk at the market. Mei desired that the pebble travel to the end of the trade road, but father did not go that far.

With childlike trust, Mei knew her father would find a way to send the pebble on its way to a child at the other end of the road.

And just like that, the jade-colored pebble was on its way, passed from hand to hand to the journey's end. Finally, the single pebble arrived at the end of the line when a pirate delivered the pebble to his son.

Readers will learn about the history of the Silk Road during the 9th century. Colorful illustrations and interesting characters will inform and engage readers of all ages. But don't imagine that this picture book reads like a history book. The story found in A Single Pebble, A Story of the Silk Road is captivating.

KID KANDY:

Treasures

Mei sent her treasure, a beautiful pebble, to travel with others in a journey that she could not yet make. Mei wanted to give her pebble to a child at the end of the road.

What treasures do you have? Do you collect something (rocks, cars, dolls, stickers, or other things)?

Assignment: Go find beautiful pebbles.

1. Beaches are a wonderful place to find pretty rocks. River beds and streams are another great place to search for treasure.

2. Choose your favorite pebble. Do you have company or relatives visiting this summer? Give one of them the pebble and ask that the traveler give the pebble to a child at the end of the road.

3. Keep collecting pebble treasures. When you get the opportunity, send one of your treasures on a journey to the end of a new road.