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Book Backdrop on "That Book Woman" by Heather Henson
Album Description
The book that I chose was That Book Woman, by Heather Henson, illustrated by David Small. Here is a link to the publisher's page for this title: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/That-Book-Woman/Heather-Henson/9781416908128
This book is about a woman who worked tirelessly, through all types of weather, to get books to remote children of Appalachia in the 1930s. These were called the Pack Horse Librarians, who were part of the WPA program. I find the story of how she coaxes a boy to read very touching. I grew up in the Appalachians, so that adds a bit of personal relevance to my love of this story. I think this story would lend itself to becoming a wonderful Book Backdrop.
My students in predominantly affluent, suburban northern Virginia would have a hard time believing that a child, not much older than they are, does not go to school and does not own any books. We are a Primary Years Programme School (part of the IB organization), and we could discuss change over time, past and present, how some children in the world still live something like this (subsistence-level, remote), and perhaps how we might take action to get books into the hands of students who need them.
Pre K - 2 3 - 5 English/Language Arts Social Studies/History
Frosty Morning - Fletcher Collins Jr. collection, 1935-1944
Teaching Notes
This link leads to a song that might have been heard in the Appalachians in the 1930s. Its repository is the American Folklife Center. Music can be such a powerful way to reach students - even if it's just a "hook."
One of several rustic cabins at the Hickory Ridge Living History Museum in Boone, North Carolina. The backwoods village was assembled by the Southern Appalachian Historical Association with support from the Town of Boone and more than 1,000 local businesses. The museum's re-enactments and craft demonstrations focus on Western North Carolina's settlement period 200 years ago, "when folks who settled into this region had to grow, create, and trade for the necessities of life."
Teaching Notes
This is a replica of the type of cabin that Cal and his family might have lived in.
Reference link: http://www.loc.gov/item/2017883507/
Reference note
Contributor Names: Highsmith, Carol M., 1946-, photographer
Created / Published: 2017-10-26.
Subject Headings: - United States--North Carolina--Boone
- America
- Hickory Ridge Living History Museum
- Southern Applachian History Association
- Living-history museums
Genre: Digital photographs--Color--2010-2020
Notes: - Title, date and keywords based on information provided by the photographer.
- Purchase; Carol M. Highsmith Photography, Inc.; 2017; (DLC/PP-2016:103-7).
- Forms part of: Carol M. Highsmith's America Project in the Carol M. Highsmith Archive.
- Credit line: Photographs in Carol M. Highsmith's America Project in the Carol M. Highsmith Archive, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division.
Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print
Digital Id: highsm 46785 //hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/highsm.46785
Blue Ridge Parkway Folklife Project
Teaching Notes
A link to the Blue Ridge Parkway Folklife Project. From the collection's description:
"The project documented old-time music, tales, hunting and hunting stories, farming, tobacco cultivation and auctions, vernacular architecture, quilting, foodways (including drying, canning, and baking), religious music and beliefs, as well as dance events featuring square dancing and flatfoot dancing. Recordings and photographs document local music (including concerts, fiddlers' contests, and music in homes), community events, church services and baptisms, local radio programs, and interviews with white and African American residents. "
This is only a part of the Appalachian story (the Blue Ridge part is NC and part of VA), so there could be even more resources for other parts and peoples of the mountain chain.
The Faust family, Anderson County, E. Tenn. [Mountain man and 2 women in front of house]
Teaching Notes
This photo is from 1910, which is about two decades earlier than That Book Woman's setting, but might be useful.
Reference link: http://www.loc.gov/item/2012648343/
Reference note
Summary: Photograph shows Mary Faust, center, standing with man and a women, with rifle over shoulder, in front of cabin.
Created / Published: c1910.
Subject Headings: - Faust family
- Mountain people--Tennessee--Anderson County--1910
- Appalachians (People)--Tennessee--Anderson County--1910
- Families--Tennessee--Anderson County--1910
- Log cabins--Tennessee--Anderson County--1910
Notes: - Title from item.
Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print
Digital Id: cph 3a40753 //hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3a40753
Horse-riding librarians were great depression bookmobiles
Teaching Notes
This is an article from Smithsonian Magazine about the Pack Horse Librarians. The article includes a photograph of one of the librarians.
The first bookmobile in the country
Teaching Notes
This is a precursor to the WPA Pack Horse Librarians
The Pack Horse Librarians
Teaching Notes
There is a little video in this article.