bethgiven's review against another edition
4.0
Zoe and her little sister arrive with her parents to their new home in the Nebraska territory -- well, to their new land, anyway; they have to build their own home (a soddie, made of dirt) and plant their crops. Zoe's mother is homesick for her life before in Illinois, saddened by the sameness of the prairie and lonely. When Papa takes Zoe into town, Zoe finds the perfect gift for Mama's birthday: a patch of dandelions. Transplanting the flowers makes them look wilty, especially after the long drive home, but Papa promises that dandelions are hearty and resilient, and that in time, they'll flourish -- and it's apparent to Zoe that that's a lesson that applies to more than just dandelions.
I read this with my eight-year-old; it's a Battle of the Books book this year. Beautiful illustrations, and I loved how the final illustration did the storytelling. This was the perfect read for Pioneer Day weekend.
I read this with my eight-year-old; it's a Battle of the Books book this year. Beautiful illustrations, and I loved how the final illustration did the storytelling. This was the perfect read for Pioneer Day weekend.
heisereads's review against another edition
1.0
I'm not sure how you tell a story about white settlers in a covered wagon without a single mention of Indigenous peoples in the entire book. Sigh...
yapha's review against another edition
3.0
Readers should know that this book does not include any mention of Native Americans and calls the prairie empty and free.
engpunk77's review against another edition
5.0
Precious and touching snapshot of a pioneer family that really makes their experiences come to life in a way that the Social Studies textbooks cannot. Excellent for illustrating symbolism as well. Social Studies/ELA crossover.
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