BOOKS ABOUT PIONEERS FOR CHILDREN
Pioneer Biographies for
Teens and Adults are on another page. Go there
Or go to Resources for Teaching Children About Pioneers
The Books in this section are nonfiction or based on
true accounts that may be fictionalized.
Buffalo Bill by Ingri and Edgar Parin d'Aulaire. This
beautifully illustrated large format paperback is the perfect way for elementary age
children to meet this famous plainsman, sharpshooter, and showman. 40 pages. $11.95*
Buffalo Bill and the Pony Express
Part of the I Can Read Series, this book for 2-3 grade readers is based on the real-life
exploits of Buffalo Bill Cody. Cat. # 15, 3.59-D
 Cassie's Journey: Going West in the 1860's by Brett Harvey. Illustrated by
Deborah Ray. Based on actual accounts taken from Women's Diaries of the Westward Journey
by Lillian Schliffel, this book tells the story of a family who leaves Illinois in the mid
1800's to seek a better life in California. Told from the viewpoint of a young girl.
Middle Elementary reading level. Illustrated on each page with B/W drawings that
capture the spirit of the words. Trade paper picture book. 6.26-D
 Children of the Wild West
Just what was it like to be a child coming west in a wagon train in the 1800's? And
what was it like to settle the West? This book will honestly answer the question both in
the text and with the pictures taken of the pioneers who were on those wagon trains.
Russell Freedman also describes the life of the Indians and shares the pictures he's found
of them. A perfect resource for those studying the settling of the West. For grades 3-6.
BTH-2363. $6.95*
 Cowboys of the Wild West
Russell Freedman tells us and shows us with his collected maps and black-and-white photos
what the Wild West was really like for cowboys. The photos date back to the late 1800's,
and the narrative accurately depicts the cowboy life as described by Ralph Moody and
others who worked as cowboys during that era. A junior should be able to handle the
reading, but even adults will learn something from reading this book. It will appeal to
those interested in cowboys, horses, or ranching. BTH-2364. $7.16-D
 Dandelions,
written by Eve Bunting and illustrated by Greg Shed. This is not just another
covered wagon story. It is a rare blend of literature and art. For a detailed
review, click title. BTH-2365. $5.40-D
 Going West! Journey on a Wagon Train to Settle a Frontier Town by
Carol A Johmann and Elizabeth Rieth. A Kaleidoscope Kids Book full of adventures and
activities that will give readers ages 6-13 and their families and friends a feel for what
it was like to build a prairie schooner in Independence and stock it for the trip (and
make some "bump-along better and dry some fruit), travel the Erie Canal and construct
a working canal lock, build a paddle boat to take down the Ohio River, and lay some track
to ride the rails. Readers can also construct a model of Fort Laramie, sadly revisit the
Trail of Tears, and much, much more. 96 big pages that will beg to be read and acted upon.
Trade paper. BTH-2368. $9.86-D.
 Going
West by Jean Van Leeuwen. Although this is historical fiction, it offers a realistic
look at what pioneer families experienced on the westward journey. For ages 5-9.
BTH-2369. $5.39
 How Would You Survive in the American
West? by David Salariya. This
book transports the reader back into pioneer days, with a new identity, by giving detailed
information on daily life situations the pioneers faced and the problems they had to
solve. Readers then can quiz themselves to rate how they would have been able to survive
had they been pioneers going west. Includes an illustrated time spiral and map and time
span, a glossary, and an index. 48 pages, about 8 ½ x 11¼'. For ages 10-13, reading
level grades 5-8. $7.15-D
 Kit Carson, by J. Gleiter.
A biography of the famous mountain man for children 6-11. Full-color illustrations. Cat. #
717, $5.39-D
If You Traveled West in a Covered Wagon
by
Ellen Levine. This book, at about third grade reading level, explains what it was like to
be a pioneer and travel west to Oregon in the 1840's. 80 pages. $5.39-D
 Little House Cookbook: Frontier Foods from Laura Ingalls Wilder's
Classic Stories:More than 100 recipes from Wilder's childhood, each prefaced by a short essay on the
dish's origins, development, and characteristics. $8.96-D
 Long Way to a New Land
This story of a Swedish family emigrating across the Atlantic to America in 1868
describes the many hardships they endured -- hunger, the rough ocean voyage, and the
confusion (mixed with joy) when they arrived. Part of the I Can Read
Series, Level 3 for grades 2-4. BTH-2371. 3.56-D
 Long Way Westward
This sequel to Long Way to a New Land follows Carl Erik's family from New York city
to their new home in the farmlands of Minnesota .Part of the I Can Read Seies, for 2-3rd
grade readers.BTH-2372. $3.56-D
 Matchlock Gun
Set near Albany, New York, in 1757, this book deals with courage and obedience. A
lack of either would have meant death at the hands of the Indians. Edward's father has
gone away overnight to fight the Indians with the militia. When the Indians attack
Edward's home, he must remember and follow Mother's instructions precisely to save his
family. $5.35-D
My Book of Little House Paper Dolls: The Big Woods
Collection, includes two giant pull-out scenes. You'll find Laura, Mary, Baby Carrie,
Ma Pa, and their faithful bulldog, Jack. From helping Ma gather food in the garden to
watching Pa play his fiddle, children can be part of laura and Mary's happy days in the
Little House in the Big Woods. Sturdy dolls on heavy stock. $7.19-D
 My Little House Crafts
Book: 18 Projects from Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House Stories by
Carolyn Collins and Christian Eriksson. .Share a part of Laura's pioneer days by
learning how to make some of the same things that she and her family made for
their homes on the frontier. These include Charlotte's Straw Hat, Ma's
Embroidered Pillow-Sham, Mary's Christmas Tassels, Ma's Button Lamp, Mary's
Beaded Bracelet and Ring, Laura's Corncob Doll, Ma' s Willow-Bough Broom, Ma's
Prairie Garden, Alice's Straw Air-Castle, Baby Carrie's Button String, Laura's
Bear's-Track Quilt Pillow, Pa and Laura's Hay Sticks, Laura's Woolen Hood and
Muffler, Little Town patty Mapkins, Little Town Orange Flowers, Mary's Beaded
Lamp Mat, and Laura's Golden Wheat-Sheaf Bread.
Each project has some historical background related to the
books, a list of things needed, and illustrated step-by-step instructions. There
is an index at the end. 36 pages. BTH-2373. $10.76-D
 My First Book of Cowboy Songs
21 favorite songs in easy piano arrangements by Dolly Moon. Illustrated by Frederick
Remington. Words included. Black and white illustrations are perfect to
color.BTH-2375. $3.56-D
A Narrative of the Life of David Crockett
by
Himself.
Davy Crockett describes his earliest days in Tennessee, his two marriages, his career as
an Indian fighter, his bear hunts, and his political life. This book was written in 1834,
a year before Crockett lost his congressional seat, before the Alamo.The first fifth of
the book contains an introduction by Paul Andrew Hutton, a professor of history at the
University of New Mexico. It contains more biographical information, but on a more adult
level. A junior or junior high child could handle reading Crockett's own words. $9.85.-D
 New Hope
by Henri Sorensen. Penguin. Jimmy and his grandfather often visit the statue in
the park in the town of New Hope, Minnesota, and Jimmy always likes to hear his
grandpa tell the story of how the town began. Jimmy's great-great-grandfather and his family, fresh from Denmark, were looking
for a place to settle. When their wagon axle broke, they stopped to repair it, looked
around, and decided to stay right where they were. A beautifully illustrated picture book
for children ages 3-8. Trade paper. BTH-2376. $5.39-D.
 Pioneer
Crafts by Barbara Greenwood. Kids Can Press, 1997. This book for
elementary children contains hints for carving and sewing, and teaches
soap carving, spatter painting, weaving a basket, rug braiding, weaving
dyeing, and sewing a doll. There are also instructions for making a balancing
acrobat from twigs and branches, a whimmy diddle (a pioneer toy of wood), a
silhouette portrait, a punched-tin lantern, moulded candles, a crazy quilt,
moccasins, a loom, doll clothes, and an apron and bonnet for a doll. 40 pages.
BTH-2351. $5.39-D
Pioneer Life Sticker Picture
with 50
Reusable Peel and Apply Stickers. This is an oversize Dover book. The inside covers are 18
1/2" x 12 1/4" laminated backdrops (interior of log cabin with fireplace, etc.;
homesteader's small farm)where students can add any or all of the full-color stickers
depicting family members engaged in various pioneer tasks, cooking pots, a cast-iron
stove, a kerosene lamp, animals, furniture, etc. It helps children visualize life in a log
cabin. Price is $4.05-D
 A Pioneer Sampler: The Daily
Life of a Pioneer Family in 1840 by Barbara Greenwood. Meet the
fictional Robertsons and follow them through the details of everyday life on the
frontier. Full of hands-on activities and great illustrations by Heather
Collins. See how pioneers planted their crops, preserved and cooked their food,
got an education, raised animals, got honey from bees, made thir clothes, and
made the things they needed. you will learn some of these skills, too, by
following the recipes and step-by-step instructions for weaving, dyeing clothes,
candle-dipping, stenciling,and making butter, shadow puppets, and more. For
grades 3-7. Paper. BTH-2377. $9.85-D
 A Pioneer
Thanksgiving: A Story of Harvest Celebrations in 1841 by Barbara Greenwood.
Illustrated by Heather Collins. Trade paper. 48 pages with index. This is both a story of
how a pioneer family prepares to celebrate their Thanksgiving holiday and a great resource
for hands-on activities for those studying the pioneers. Readers will learn how to make
cranberry sauce from scratch, play Conkers with chestnuts, and the Peach-Stone Game (made
form nuts or peach stones.) They will learn to weave a nutting basket and make
bread. They will learn the superstitions surrounding the making of the Corn
Dolly, along with the instructions for making one. They will also learn to watch the
weather and make a weather vane. This book differs from most activities books because the
project ideas arise naturally from the story. some might feel there is too much emphasis
on the secular and pagan traditions as opposed to the Christian history of Thanksgiving in
this country. The characters in the story do finally finish their preparations and gather
at the table. Three typical blessing prayers are given as examples. A brief history of the
Thanksgiving holiday and the various harvest festivals that preceded it give the Pilgrims
about one paragraph. For ages 8-12. BTH-1997. $5.36-D
 Quilt-Block History of Pioneer Days With Projects Kids Can Make
To pioneers who went west, warm quilts were prized possessions -- and the quilts they
made reflected their adventurous lives. Each colorful pattern in this book tells a story
about America's early days. Simple papercraft projects let children make their own quilt
designs without mastering sewing skills. BTH-2378. $8.06-D
Riders of the Pony Express by Ralph Moody. Bison
Books, 2004. Ralph Moody brings to life the history of the Pony Express and its
riders as it operated between April 1860 and October 1861, as only Ralph Moody
can tell a story. Reading level is for about grade 4 and up. Originally
published by Houghton Mifflin in 1958. BTH-2579. $11.66-D
 Stagecoach by Mansir. Imagine yourself riding in a stagecoach
through the American wilderness. This book is full of journal entries, photographs, maps,
diagrams, and paintings to assist your imagination. You'll learn what travel was
really like back then. Has index and time-line. Paper, 32 pages. Read the book, then build
the model. BTH-2379. $6.95* Out of print. I have a few left.
 Build A Wells Fargo
Stagecoach by Richard A. Mansir. After you've read Mansir's Stagecoach,
build the model. Includes stagecoach, driver, six horses, and passenger. It's
easy to assemble with press-out parts. No tools or glue are required to make
this authentic 1:24 scale model. Now out of print. I only have one left. Sorry
the edge of the image is cut off, but this was too big for the scanner. It does
show you how the model will look minus some of the horses. Hard to find.
BTH-2380. $8.95*
 The West: An Illustrated History for Children
by Dayton Duncan. Little, Brown and Company, 1996.
This companion volume to the public television series "The West" is
illustrated with historic black and white photos. It begins with the native Americans and
missionaries prior to 1805 and continues into the 20th century. 136 pages.
BTH-3621. $10.95
$7.93-B
 Tree in the Trail
by Holling C. Holling.
A cottonwood tree watches the pageant of history on the Santa Fe Trail for over 200 years.
This book is beautifully illustrated by the author with full page color spreads and
smaller pencil drawings of details suggested by the larger pictures. Great book for those
studying the Westward Movement. Large format, oversize.
BTH-2383. $10.76.-D
 Wagon Wheels
A young African-American boy describes the wilderness adventures of his
pioneering family in Kansas in the 1870's. Part of the I Can Read Series, Level
3 for grades 2-4. BTH-2384. $3.59-D
 War
with Mexico by William Jay Jacobs. Millbrook Press, 1993, soft cover. 64
pages. Discusses the issues, including Manifest Destiny, that led to the war
between the United States and Mexico in 1846, the events of the war, and its
impact. May have light shelf wear. Out of Print. #156294-7761. $10.99*
 Westward Ho: An
Activity Guide to the Wild West by Lauri Carlson. Chicago Review Press, 1996.
For ages 5-12. This book is full of hands-on activities to help children imagine
what it was like for the pioneers and explorers who pushed westward on the
American frontier. Beginning with a timeline to put things in perspective, it
explains briefly the early history of the West, enhanced with a couple of
horse-related activities. A unit on Lewis and Clark follows, with a recipe for
portable soup, instructions on how to make a field book, a journal, and
moccasins, as well doing some Appaloosa printing. The unit on the mountain men
and fur traders has several more activities, including making a possibilities
bag and Indian Fry Bread. In the gold rush unit one learns to pan for gold, make
a balance, cook sourdough flapjacks (and the starter) and Hangtown Fry,
and much more. In the unit on wagon train life there are lots of recipes, and
you learn to make a travel diary, sunbonnet, candles and a stealing sticks
game. More activities and recipes are introduced in the chapter on settling down
at the end of the trail. The last unit is on cowboys, their dress and daily
activities. You'll learn to make a braided leather belt, hatband or bracelet, a
leather stamped bookmark, and a poke sack, cook what the cowboys ate on the
trail, tie good knots, and more. 149 pages of fun. BTH-2385. $13.46-D
Words West: Voices of Young
Pioneers by Ginger Wadsworth. Clarion Books, first edition, 2003,
hardcover with dust jacket. This book records the thoughts and feelings of the
pioneer children who travelled west between 1830 and 1870 in wagon trains. They
often encountered severe heat and extreme cold, hostile Indians, the death of
friends and family, terrible illnesses, and great hunger. They also witnessed
the beauty of the untouched West. The letters , diaries, and memoirs of these
children and young people quoted in this book tell their stories in their own
words. They are accompanied by archival photographs and prints. Together the
stories and pictures help today's children and young people understand their
counterparts from another era. A great primary source for those studying the
pioneer period of history. This book is out of print and copies are limited.
There may be light wear to dust jacket from unprotected publisher shipping. When
I pack I will see that your book is protected. BTH-1821. $14.93-B (Originally
$18.00)
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