Miss Emma Lincoln's Sunday School class of First
Congregational Church, Northfield.
Photographer: Ira E. Sumner (1845-1918)
ca. 1898, MN Historical Society
Thanks to college,
I've learned that hunches, beliefs and understandings are great,
but it's important to find literature or research that can support what
you think. In my search to prove myself right, (it's an honest way of
saying it!) I found some books that reinforced just exactly what I
always thought was true. Books change children. I have a
section dedicated to these findings in my literature
review.
What's a story good for anyway?
The importance of stories:
The importance of stories:
Stories sustain
us. They tell us how to eat, live, work, and worship. Stories
tell us how to live. Stories inspire us. Stories are a gift
passed on through generations.
Take a moment to consider this: Without stories, where would we be today? I think local stories are essential to homecomers, and thus, homecomer stories are essential to those of us who might someday be homecomers ourselves. Documented or not, stories make a difference.
Take a moment to consider this: Without stories, where would we be today? I think local stories are essential to homecomers, and thus, homecomer stories are essential to those of us who might someday be homecomers ourselves. Documented or not, stories make a difference.
"An intelligent
inspired book can often be decisive in relation to a man's future."
-Vassily Sukhomlinsky
First and Foremost Books, 1988.
-Vassily Sukhomlinsky
First and Foremost Books, 1988.
Anyone who knows me well, knows that I am as passionate about children and education as I am about the environment.
In my endless reading and appreciation of children's books, I've read many stories about families, and lots of educational stories about nature, but unfortunately, I've never read a book about having pride and curiosity about home, and home stories. Inspired by Wes Jackson, Wendell Berry, and Scott Russell Sanders (among many other authors), I understand that we've got to dig deeper into our communities, native or chosen- but there is an extreme lack of resources available for us to do that. Like many successful environmental and anti-drug campaigns, I think it is essential for us to consider the education of our children first.
My childhood was strongly shaped by the books that I read. (see my senior portfolio) I have spent much of my semi-adult life taking care of children. I have found that children can attach themselves to books that they read, and act out the story plots in their own lives. I hope that a story about the importance of home will inspire children to take pride in the places where they are.
Because of my passion and concern for children, this project wouldn't be complete without some serious thought about education for children, something to help them find their role in local knowledge. I found that a picture book has helped me fill this void.
| "Storytelling is as old as our need
to remember where the water is, where the best food grows, where we
find our courage for the hunt. It's as persistent as our desire
to teach our children how to live in this place that we have known
longer than they have. Our greatest and smallest explainations
for ourselves grow from place, as surely as carrots grow in the dirt." -Barbara Kingsolver Small Wonder, 2002 |
Welcome Home
a children's book, written and illustrated by Annie Olson, also available at St. Olaf College Library, and Northfield Public Library,
(or from her mom: b.j.olson@att.net).
a children's book, written and illustrated by Annie Olson, also available at St. Olaf College Library, and Northfield Public Library,
(or from her mom: b.j.olson@att.net).