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.

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.

MARY EMMA'S CHILDREN'S ANTHOLOGY RECEIVES GLOWING REVIEW


It's so exciting when an author discovers a glowing review to a book, a review they hadn't known about. This morning, while searching the Internet for other material, I discovered the review of my children's anthology, Tales of Adventure & Discovery at BookReview.com.

The story, "Sarah Jane's Daring Deed" is the first one in this book.

The reviewer seemed to grasp what I was trying to accomplish with my book and "hit the nail on its head:"

The stories are from the heart and home, reflecting an understanding of children and childhood in a way that reaches out to children and lets them feel connected to the stories.

I also discovered that the book is available on Amazon. A friend said she'd carry it on her site, too.

SARAH JANE COMES TO THE SCHOOLS

Teachers have used my book, Tales of Adventure & Discovery, in their classes because they liked the stories and the ideas they teach. Sarah Jane's Daring Deed is one of the stories in the anthology.

I've also coordinated writing programs combined with the New Hampshire history programs taught in this state's schools in grade 4. Sarah Jane's story originated from research I did for my New Hampshire of Yesteryear newspaper column.

In one New Hampshire elementary school, I conducted two days of writing workshops as an extension of their studies about the state. Sarah Jane's Daring Deed was the focus for the writing. I have a number of activities for youngsters that I present in the schools and will be developing for teachers to use themselves.

I've been asked to make these available for teachers who will be introducing the study of the state in the second grade.

So...Sarah Jane and her pioneer family will be coming to schools in the future.

ACTIVITIES FOR SARAH JANE READERS

For some time I've been planning to produce some activities and background information connected with Sarah Jane and the era when she lived. Originally I wrote about Sarah Jane as a pioneer girl living in central New Hampshire, where I live and write.

However, her story has been published in a number of magazines distributed throughout the United States. So I guess she could have lived in many areas where blackberries grew and pioneers lived in log cabins. Her story also gave those living in more arid areas an idea of the country.

Since I also write a cooking column and research recipes, I'll include information about foods other than blackberries. I'm involved in and write about quiltmaking. Of course, Sarah Jane and her mother probably were involved in this activity.

Are there activities you'd like to know about that pioneers in early New England were involved in?

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen