Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way
History on Horseback: The Early Years from Sonrise Stable Books takes a unique approach to studying history. In this first volume - readers follow history from 1493 to 1866 as told from horseback.
Designed for readers 12 and up, this book can be used as a delightful supplement to your history reading. I love books that help history come alive for my students, and this is one of those. No boring repetition of dates, this book gives us a glimpse into history on the back of one of our favorite animals (and history makers) the horses.
I have several "horsey girls" here, and they loved this perspective. The softcover book has 53 short chapters, very easy to add this to what you are already reading. The author, Vicki Watson, is working on a supplemental activity book that will include maps, timelines, questions, research and writing activities you can use to make this into a full history study - watch for it, it's coming in 2020. Volumes 2 & 3 are also in the works.
Each chapter focuses on specific event or people in history - starting with Cortez, the Spanish conquistador going all the way to the all black cavalry of the the Civil War.
The stories are not about horses, per say- but, you will learn quite a bit about horses along the way. The chapters are short -usually just 2-3 pages with black and white illustrations.
The illustrations are often photographs or images of famous artwork (a side study in itself - be sure to check out the photo credits in the back). Many of the chapters include interesting side-bars with additional information to interest your students in learning more.
We have enjoyed all the new tidbits of history we have been learning:
We found the stories very interesting, and the author has done her research well. The Bibliography is filled with links that will help you uncover more information too. History study should help bring the past into our present, and these stories do that well. What a delightful way to tie horses and history together!
Find Sonrise Stable Books on Social Media:
Designed for readers 12 and up, this book can be used as a delightful supplement to your history reading. I love books that help history come alive for my students, and this is one of those. No boring repetition of dates, this book gives us a glimpse into history on the back of one of our favorite animals (and history makers) the horses.
Each chapter focuses on specific event or people in history - starting with Cortez, the Spanish conquistador going all the way to the all black cavalry of the the Civil War.
The stories are not about horses, per say- but, you will learn quite a bit about horses along the way. The chapters are short -usually just 2-3 pages with black and white illustrations.
The illustrations are often photographs or images of famous artwork (a side study in itself - be sure to check out the photo credits in the back). Many of the chapters include interesting side-bars with additional information to interest your students in learning more.
- How Thomas Jefferson kept a detailed record of all his horses, and their names, and Napoleon did that as well.
- We learned what livery stables were - and why they were important, like historical "parking ramps" for horses in New York City in the 1800's.
- The missionaries on the Oregon Trail with a peek into their letters and lives.
- The way horse power transformed our transportation from horses towing the canal boats to racing the locomotives.
- The role the horse played in industry with the pit ponies that kept mining going.
We found the stories very interesting, and the author has done her research well. The Bibliography is filled with links that will help you uncover more information too. History study should help bring the past into our present, and these stories do that well. What a delightful way to tie horses and history together!
Find Sonrise Stable Books on Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sonrise-Stable-Books-103077887775920
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sonrisestable
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonrisestable/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/sonrisestable/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWR9ePmbbqS7gbXNgELVY_Q
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