First Bites
Tidbits of American History for the Young and Young at Heart
by
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AUTHOR'S NOTES
Why this book was written….
I have been anxious for our young people to learn about the history of our country in a fun way – not just names, places, and dates, but in a way that will be memorable, and will show the human side of our history.
I have chosen a format with rhymes, and pictures. Rhymes are easy to remember, and pictures stay with you for a long time. I can still remember pictures from my books I had when I was only 5 or 6. I have added some short notes, to further explain the rhyme, and it's significance.
I think this book will be fun to share in families, and with friends. I love Mother Goose, and have always shared those rhymes with my kids, and grandkids. Those rhymes are mostly about England, and kings and queens, etc. I want these rhymes to be shared in families as a way to learn about our history in a fun and memorable way. I know teachers will also be able to use these rhymes in their classes to introduce people and events in our history. I have had many teachers tell me how anxious they are to get this book and use it in their classrooms. I am excited about that!
The rhymes are fun….Many times I have gone through Harrah's Automobile Museum in Reno, and pointed to an old car and quoted the rhyme:
"A horseless carriage….What is that?
Look at that strange contraption.
It goes too fast!,
--It'll never last,
So what's the big attraction?"
It is a fun rhyme, and it opens the door to discussion about the history of the automobile, and the way people felt about cars when they first were invented. I want this book to open the doors for discussion about many people and events in our history.
There are many "tidbits" of American History in this book, and they are just tidbits, with much room for expansion. They are simple, but significant.
In the rhyme about the Wright Brothers we learn the names of Wilbur and Orville, and where the first flight occurred. The beginning of flight!! ---WOW! What a subject!!
When Wilbur and Orville went out to play
They pretended that they could fly.
They said to each other, "We know someday,
We'll fly high in that big blue sky!"
It was when they flew at Kitty Hawk
That those brothers really made history!
That short flight in the sky was all the talk,
But to me, it's still a mystery!
Remember, a "Tidbit" is like an appetizer and there is a lot more to learn beyond this book about our history. It is a stepping stone to wanting to learn more about the events, people, and places mentioned in the rhymes. We have a GREAT history,
We are so lucky to live here!
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Book Details
About the Book
As young people begin studying America’s history, they often find themselves needing to learn and remember many facts. First Bites: Tidbits of American History for the Young and Young at Heart introduces an easy, fun way for them to learn about the important events of their country’s past.
Using playful rhymes, author Dixie Moss shares her lifelong love of history with young readers. Each poem is accompanied by comments about important events to help expand children’s knowledge. Dixie covers everything from the Mayflower to Paul Revere and from George Washington to wagons heading west.
First Bites offers just a small taste of all the information available about American history, but it is a start. The stories inside may fan a small flame into a fire of curiosity. The poems are accessible and entertaining, and their words humanize the great men and women of the past and teach children that they, too, can do great things.
About the Author
Dixie Moss received her bachelor of arts degree from the University of Oregon in Eugene, where she studied writing and speech. She has worked as an elementary school librarian and homemaker. She is mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother to many, and lives in Sparks, Nevada.