Welcome to Felicity's World, 1774: Growing Up in Colonial America

Examines life in the American colonies during the Revolutionary War

Grade 3-6-This eye-catching companion book to the "Felicity" stories illustrates various aspects of daily life in 1774. The layout is simple while giving a comprehensive overview of the period. Each page is overflowing with captioned, full-color photographs of authentic tools and personal items used at the time. True anecdotes and adventures enliven the presentation. Topics include growing up, chores and schooling, ceremonies and traditions, and the War for Independence. The text is short and readable with pronunciation guides provided for the more difficult words. This attractive edition will appeal to fans of the "American Girl" series (Pleasant Co.) and also be helpful for school reports.
Krista Grosick, Cuyahoga County Public Library, OH
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Painting a broader background for the Felicity stories in the American Girls series set in Colonial Williamsburg, this oversized volume offers a largely visual social and political sampler of the 1770s. Each double-page spread introduces a topic such as the plantation village, slave laws, smallpox epidemics, and the role of women during the war. The book offers plenty of information in small, digestible chunks and an occasional over-generalization that readers may swallow whole: "In America they could worship the way they wanted to." The artwork makes the largest impact. The typical spread displays a variety of small, colorful illustrations that might include period paintings and engravings, photos of artifacts and restored sites, and various watercolor portraits of Felicity and others. No attempt has been made to indicate the source or date of period artwork; in fact, the book offers no source notes or even an index. Still, this is good, attractive browsing material for Felicity fans who want to know more about her times. Carolyn Phelan