SHOULD I START A SARAH JANE SCRAP BOOK?

I've been wondering if a Sarah Jane scrapbook of her life and times would make it easier for me to blog about her here. We hear about authors writing a journal from their character's viewpoint. It came to me that perhaps a scrapbook might be helpful in getting ideas about her life solidified.

Perhaps this is something school children could do, too, as they studied about Sarah Jane's era in history. Since the idea of writing about Sarah Jane occurred to me as I was researching central New Hampshire for a history column, perhaps children in this area would relate and find it a fun project. This might be especially appealing for 4th grade teachers since we study NH history in that grade.  (Sarah Jane's story, Sarah Jane's Daring Deed, appears in my anthology, Tales of Adventure & Discovery, and the upcoming picture book.

Have you ever created a scrapbook for your characters? Have you created one for characters you're studying with your students? Perhaps it's also a unique "book report" idea.

Check back with me for instructions about doing a Sarah Jane scrapbook that could reflect the history of your area, too. 

(Sarah Jane's illustration (c)Mary Emma Allen)

QUILTING TIME IN SARAH JANE'S ERA

Was there much quilting done in Sarah Jane's home? She lived in the the pioneer days between 1760-1800. I enjoyed researching and writing her story and sharing it with children.

The quilts in those days consisted of patched blankets and bed coverings made from scraps. Often these scraps were worn out clothing. The pioneers of those days, in the "frontier" land of NH, as compared with the cities of Boston and Portsmouth, very, very seldom had the opportunity nor money to purchase fabric. If they did purchase fabric, it was used for clothing.

Initially, the quilts were made solely for utilitarian purposes. Even then, the ladies liked to individualize them and put their own touches in the designs. Eventually they developed their own patterns.

So I must reasearch and see what Sarah Jane and her mother might have made...and out of what types of fabrics.

PROJECTS FROM SARAH JANE'S ERA

What was it like to be a pioneer girl or boy in the early days of New Hampshire and in other parts of our country? The pioneering era began in the area where I live, the Pemi-Baker Valley of Grafton County, around 1760, and earlier in southern New Hampshire.

In other areas of what became the United States, the first settlers were setting up homes in the mid and latter 1800s.

• What did they do for work and play?
• What did they eat?
• How did they cook?
• What were their modes of travel?
• How did they make their clothing?
• How did they keep warm?

I'll explore these questions with activities and projects for youngsters through expanding upon the life of Sarah Jane and her family.

TALES OF ADVENTURE & DISCOVERY ON AMAZON

It's exciting when one discovers her book is listed on Amazon and major online book store sites.

You now can find Tales of Adventure & Discovery, my anthology of stories and poems for children, ages 6 to 10 years old, at Amazon.

Here you'll find the story, Sarah Jane's Daring Deed. So, you might say, Sarah Jane now has ventured online.