From the alarms that wake them up at dawn to the gentle zzz's that punctuate their nightly sleep, the Pennsylvania Dutch and their communal farm life are elegantly evoked in this stunning book. Jim Aylesworth's lilting text and Stefano Vitale's vibrant artwork make this book a natural addition to the classic board book line. Full color .
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
The valley depicted here lies deep in verdant Pennsylvania Dutch country; each letter of the alphabet begins a clever couplet that describes some aspect of life in a close-knit rural colony. Aylesworth's mellifluous rhymes introduce crafts such as iron-making and quilting ("Quilts are stitched at quilting bees"), as well as common farming chores such as chopping firewood and mowing hay. Vitale's debut offers an unusual and welcome illustrative departure--he has rendered his warm hues onto wood panels, allowing the natural grain to give each painting a rich texture. The spreads also feature homey borders filled with traditional motifs. Beginning concept books are rarely as multilayered as this winner, which, in addition to providing clear letter identification, offers a simple social studies lesson and a delightful slice of Americana. Ages 3-8.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 2 --A horse-drawn cart ride through the alphabet that provides glimpses of life in the bucolic valley that has been home to the Pennsylvania Dutch for generations. Aylesworth's gentle rhyming couplets take readers through one family's day from A for ``Alarm clocks ring;/ It's almost dawn. The folks in the valley/ Stretch and yawn'' through their collective rural labors that end in ``Z's the sound/ Of their well-earned rest;/ They sleep in peace./Their lives are blessed.'' Each letter features a half-page, stylized scene painted on wood in rich, earthy tones surrounded by elaborate borders adorned with familiar folk-art motifs. The fields, barnyard, orchard, and hearth are shown abuzz with the activities of the farmer and his country neighbors. There is no mention of their religious beliefs or philosophies toward technology and education; but the values they place on hard work, family, and community come through strong and clear. A simple, eye-catching alphabet book that speaks volumes.
- Luann Toth , School Library Journal
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
- Luann Toth , School Library Journal
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An understnading of the Dutch with use of the alphabet.,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Folks in the Valley: A Pennsylvania Dutch ABC (Trophy Picture Books) (Paperback)
I used the book with my students and they really enjoyed it. They learned about the Pennsylvania Dutch and their life style along with the alphabet. A new word, "row", was introduced and lead to a wonderful dictionary lesson.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A pleasant alphabetical trip through farm country.,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Folks in the Valley: A Pennsylvania Dutch ABC (Board book)
Better than the usual A-Z teaching tool in that it's a well-written piece of prose--how surprising. Lovely illustrations with an Amish theme. Will please adults as well as the young.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the BEST,
By Misty W "MistyMommy" (GlennSted Woods, PA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Folks in the Valley: A Pennsylvania Dutch ABC (Board book)
My son still throws lines at me from this book from time to time! He is now 12 and remembers it well. We read it daily (sometimes more than once) for about 2 years between his ages of 3 and 5 and now, when we do the annual bookshelf cleaning, he still insists on leaving that one on the shelf! No, he doesn't pick it up to read anymore (boo hoo...they all have to grow up), but boy, on that bookshelf-clean-out-day, he likes to remember! Also, when someone brings a child to our home, its one of the first he chooses to read to him/her! This book is beautifully illustrated, reminds us of our hometown (Lancaster PA) and has a GREAT alphabet learning rhythym with this prose! I reccomend this book to parents with toddlers and to early readers!
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