Westward Ho!: An Activity Guide to the Wild West (A Kid's Guide series) [Paperback]

Laurie Carlson (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up | Series: A Kid's Guide series

Capturing the unique character and history of the West, this activity book provides a number of memorable journeys, including joining Lewis and Clark on an expedition, journeying into the woods with fur traders, or riding a wagon train to the Oregon. Young explorers will experience the excitement of the West with activities such as sewing a sunbonnet, panning for gold, cooking flapjacks, singing cowboy songs, and more. Helpful illustrations that detail and explain the steps of each project are also included.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6-This unique book brings to life the days of the Old West. Crafts, recipes, songs, and games teamed with an engaging text will have young readers convinced that they're just having fun. The book is organized by the major waves of western movement, from the early explorers in 1804 to the trail drives of the 1880s. Carlson's clear and concise writing includes amusing stories and bits of trivia that will keep kids interested. Each chapter is packed with projects that will give them a taste of daily life. Students might construct field books like those used by Lewis and Clark, or they might make root beer like the settlers. Each activity includes easy-to-follow instructions and informative line drawings. A book that will be heavily used by teachers in the classroom and by children at home.
Paula A. Kiely, Milwaukee Public Library,
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 4^-6. Carlson gives a brief history of the North American westward movement as a framework for introducing more than 50 appropriate activities, which are presented chronologically and thematically and include projects involving exploration, fur trading, the gold rush, homesteading, and cowboys. Activities range from the very simple (making notepaper decorated with an Appaloosa motif) to the complex (hooking a rag rug); most have very clear directions. A few ideas (panning for gold) will be impractical for most readers; some (Lewis and Clark's journal and field book, a trapper's journal, and a young girl's travel diary) are repetitive; but most (especially the recipes for portable soup and root beer and the explanations of measuring land for townships and homesteads) will be of interest. Black line drawings and frequent sidebars help break up the text and further clarify the instructions. Although not a first choice, this will be useful for American history studies. Kay Weisman

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Chicago Review Press; 1st edition (August 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556522711
• ISBN-13: 978-1556522710
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #154,629 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #62 in Books > Children's Books > History > United States > 1800s

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is an excellent resource for teachers and parents!, May 3, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Westward Ho!: An Activity Guide to the Wild West (A Kid's Guide series) (Paperback)

I bought this book for teaching ideas for a Westward Movement Unit, and I am so glad I did! The book has a great variety of theme based activities and recipes. It also has fun bits of pioneer trivia. I look forward to using some of Ms. Carlson's ideas in my classroom and to buying some of her other books.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Book!, September 19, 2000

By 

S. J. Deal (NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Westward Ho!: An Activity Guide to the Wild West (A Kid's Guide series) (Paperback)

Interesting and fun Westward Ho is a great book! It is full of fun activities from popcorn balls to the mountain men! If your children like the old west they will like this book!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Fun!, March 29, 2009

By 

Carolyn V. Medendorp - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Westward Ho!: An Activity Guide to the Wild West (A Kid's Guide series) (Paperback)

My husband and I are driving three grandchildren (ages 6, 12 and 13)from Michigan to Yellowstone next summer. I wanted a book that would be interesting for them to read along the way plus have activities for them to do and help them look at their trip from Michigan to Wyoming in a different light. This book definitely fulfills all three goals. We'll be making several of the projects before we leave and others during the drive.