Who's That Stepping on Plymouth Rock? [Hardcover]

Jean Fritz (Author), J. B. Handelsman (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 1975

Relates the history of Plymouth Rock since the Pilgrims first landed on it to the present day.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

"The question I am most often asked," Jean Fritz says, "is how do I find my ideas? The answer is: I don't. Ideas find me. A character in history will suddenly step right out of the past and demand a book. Generally people don't bother to speak to me unless there's a good chance that I'll take them on." Throughout almost four decades of writing about history, Jean Fritz has taken on plenty of people, starting with George Washington in The Cabin Faced West (1958). Since then, her refreshingly informal historical biographies for children have been widely acclaimed as "unconventional," "good-humored," "witty," "irrepressible," and "extraordinary."

In her role as biographer, Jean Fritz attempts to uncover the adventures and personalities behind each character she researches. "Once my character and I have reached an understanding," she explains, "then I begin the detective work--reading old books, old letters, old newspapers, and visiting the places where my subject lived. Often I turn up surprises and of course I pass these on." It is her penchant for making distant historical figures seem real that brings the characters to life and makes the biographies entertaining, informative, and filled with natural child appeal.

An original and lively thinker, as well as an inspiration to children and adults, Jean Fritz is undeniably a master of her craft. She was awarded the Regina Medal by the Catholic Library Association, presented with the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award by the American Library Association for her "substantial and lasting contribution to children's literature," and honored with the Knickerbocker Award for Juvenile Literature, which was presented by the New York State Library Association for her body of work.

copyright ? 2000 by Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers. All rights reserved.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 31 pages
• Publisher: Coward, McCann & Geoghegan (October 15, 1975)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0698203259
• ISBN-13: 978-0698203259
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,431,568 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

"The question I am most often asked," Jean Fritz says, "is how do I find my ideas? The answer is: I don't. Ideas find me. A character in history will suddenly step right out of the past and demand a book. Generally people don't bother to speak to me unless there's a good chance that I'll take them on." Throughout almost four decades of writing about history, Jean Fritz has taken on plenty of people, starting with George Washington in The Cabin Faced West (1958). Since then, her refreshingly informal historical biographies for children have been widely acclaimed as "unconventional," "good-humored," "witty," "irrepressible," and "extraordinary."In her role as biographer, Jean Fritz attempts to uncover the adventures and personalities behind each character she researches. "Once my character and I have reached an understanding," she explains, "then I begin the detective work--reading old books, old letters, old newspapers, and visiting the places where my subject lived. Often I turn up surprises and of course I pass these on." It is her penchant for making distant historical figures seem real that brings the characters to life and makes the biographies entertaining, informative, and filled with natural child appeal.An original and lively thinker, as well as an inspiration to children and adults, Jean Fritz is undeniably a master of her craft. She was awarded the Regina Medal by the Catholic Library Association, presented with the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award by the American Library Association for her "substantial and lasting contribution to children's literature," and honored with the Knickerbocker Award for Juvenile Literature, which was presented by the New York State Library Association for her body of work.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and Fun, March 1, 2008

By 

Heidi (New Mexico) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Who's That Stepping On Plymouth Rock? (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition) (Paperstar Book) (School & Library Binding)

We read this for Social Studies this week. It is the history of Plymouth Rock. This was a really good factual book that was told in such a way that my 8 year old really enjoyed it. Who know that it traveled? It was recommended in the book Social Studies Through Children's Literature by Anthony D. Fredricks and is recommended for grades K-3rd.

4.0 out of 5 stars an all-American marketing campaign, October 10, 2011

By 

M. Heiss (USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Who's That Stepping on Plymouth Rock? (Paperback)

In this book, you get to watch a bit of history making itself, and remaking itself. This book sort of breaks the highly reverent attitude of those Daughters of the American Revolution types by taking a straight look at the circumstances surrounding how the rock that became Plymouth Rock was treated as the centuries went by by the town that grew up around it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Honest Look at Plymouth Rock's History, October 6, 2011

By 

Sarasyn (Killeen, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Who's That Stepping on Plymouth Rock? (Paperback)

While many people have heard the story of Plymouth Rock, no one much thinks about the idea that maybe it isn't exactly true. Everyone knows the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock and that's where they're first steps were made. It's pretty much historic fact in most people's eyes, but as this book points out, that's not exactly the case. There's absolutely no evidence that the rock was memorable for any reason at all until they decided to build a wharf where the rock stood in 1741.

This book does so much more than give the history of Plymouth Rock and all the moves and changes it's undergone. It also encourages children to think about history in a more objective way. It states that this whole story of the rock is treated as fact because a 95 year old man declared it was truth, and as his father knew some of the First Comers (Pilgrims), it was taken as fact. In truth, there's no hard evidence beyond this story, so there's every chance it could be completely untrue! Doesn't that teach children to think a little more critically and to research everything before they take it as a hard and solid truth.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to teach their children to think a little deeper into "historic fact", as well as anyone who has visited, or plans to visit Plymouth Rock. It's great to know the actual history behind a landmark you've been to or will soon visit.