George Washington Carver for Kids: His Life and Discoveries, with 21 Activities

by Peggy Thomas

Overview

       Finalist for the 2020 AAAS / Subaru SB&F Excellence in Science Book exemplify outstanding and engaging science writing and illustration for young readers.
       George Washington Carver was a scientist, educator, artist, inventor, and humanitarian. Born into slavery during the Civil War, he later pursued
an education and would become the first black graduate from Iowa Agricultural College. Carver then took a teaching position at the Tuskegee Institute, founded by Booker T. Washington. There, Carver taught poor Southern farmers how to nourish the soil, conserve resources, and feed their families. He also developed hundreds of new products from the sweet potato, peanut, and other crops, and his discoveries gained him a place in the national spotlight.
        George Washington Carver for Kids tells the inspiring story of this remarkable American. It includes a time line, resources for further research, and 21 hands-on activities to help better appreciate Carver’s genius. Kids will:

• Turn a gourd into a decorative bowl
• Construct a model of a sod house
• Brew ginger tea
• Create paints using items found in nature
• Grow sweet potatoes
• Build a compost bin for kitchen and yard waste
• Learn how to pickle watermelon rinds
• And more!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780915864003
Publisher:	Chicago Review Press, Incorporated
Publication date:	01/08/2019
Series:	Chicago Review Press For Kids Series , #73
Pages:	144
Sales rank:	535,959
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.10(h) x 1.00(d)
Lexile:	1020L (what's this?)
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

Peggy Thomas is the author of 20 nonfiction books for children and young adults, including Thomas Jefferson Grows a Nation and Farmer George Plants a Nation. She has worked closely with local and national leaders of Agriculture in the Classroom, the American Farm Bureau, and Future Farmers of America. Her website is www.peggythomaswrites.com.

Editorial Reviews

"a clearly written, informative book on Carver's life and work." —Booklist


“This impressive treatment of a complex, admirable scientist and man provides hours of learning for curious kids” —Kirkus Reviews
 

From the Publisher

★ 2018-10-28

Carver's life and work are explored in meticulous detail in this activity-filled biography.

Readers who simply associate Carver's name with the peanut may be surprised to learn how he learned his homesteading and farming skills, that he was an early conservationist, or that he vigorously disagreed with Booker T. Washington at the Tuskegee Institute on some matters despite their common goals. Readers will learn not only what is known about Carver's life and work, but why some details are difficult to confirm (even Carver did not correct what he saw written about himself) and how the social climate of Reconstruction and segregation affected his work. The indignity of having to enter a separate door to speak to a white audience, and of giving the same speech to black and white audiences at separate times, is not brushed aside, but it is Carver's personality, immense achievements, and recognition that shine. Thoroughly researched and honestly presented, this book is filled with enlightening information and is also an excellent example for young readers of how to present historical accounts. The activities are inspired by Carver's life and values, and most are not only easy to do at home, but involve skills readers can build on, like making a rock collection and cooking with weeds.

This impressive treatment of a complex, admirable scientist and man provides hours of learning for curious kids. (timeline, resources, notes, bibliography) (Biography. 9-14)

Kirkus Reviews