WWII Book Page

 

Sample Reviews:

"You get a feel for what it would have been like during the war… this is a great source."
—The Old Schoolhouse Magazine,
November 2006

"Includes great hands-on activities…is full of information about World War II from the front lines to the home front."
—Cobblestone, April 2007

“In straightforward, highly readable prose, it provides a thorough overview of the events…”
—Children’s Literature

"A unique, educational book."
—Travel World International

"Makes history come alive right at your kitchen table or at your child's desk! A particular treat for young history buffs, homeschoolers, or teachers looking for a WWII resource full of innovative, hands-on ideas."
—Paula Spencer, Woman's Day Magazine's "Momfidence!" columnist and Parenting Magazine contributing editor

"Both my 13 year old and 9 year old were lucky enough to get a copy of this great book. They were struck by the differences between life during WWII and the current war in Iraq. Since the book is very age appropriate the material is presented in a way that sparked conversations between us about the war. The crafts are fun too! I would highly recommend this book to all moms who want a summer activity for their kids that will not only engage them but give them a jump start for history class in the fall!"
—Queen Linda, creator of ItsGoodToBeTheQueen.com,
"Where Moms of Boys Reign!"

“Great World War II Projects You Can Build Yourself is a wonderful book that young people can learn from and have fun at the same time. The hands-on projects will stimulate their imaginations and add to their understanding of the sacrifices and inventiveness of that generation. It will make a valuable addition to any educator’s toolkit.”
—Richard Koone, National Museum of the Pacific War, Fredericksburg, Texas

“Great World War II Projects You Can Build Yourself is an interactive approach to history that children (and adults) will enjoy. The service, sacrifice and struggles of World War II are explained and explored with each creative project. This book provides a wonderful way to "do" history together.”
—Jay P. Tennies, Director, Eldred World War II Museum and Learning Center, Eldred, PA

“Great World War II Projects You Can Build Yourself is history and fun rolled into one kid-friendly book. Children will learn about escape maps hidden in playing cards, war-time music and lingo, and how to make silly putty—all while getting a solid understanding of life during World War II. It’s ‘killer-diller’—good stuff.”
— Jen Singer, Author 14 Hours ‘Til Bedtime

Interesting Facts:

*Just before the war, inventor Al Gross invented and patented a mobile, hand-held radio that he called the "walkie-talkie." Foot soldiers used them during World War II to communicate with their units over short distances, typically no more
than a mile.

*When Congress passed the Victory Tax, which citizens paid voluntarily to help fund the war, the percentage of the U.S. population paying income tax jumped from 3 to 62 percent! The Victory Tax was supposed to be temporary--but workers are still paying it today!!

*A polio epidemic killed 1,792 people living in America between January and September 1943. Thousands more were crippled.

Q & A With Sheri:

Q:  How did you become interested in writing about WWII?

I love the notion that Americans pulled together to focus on a common cause, willingly putting their wants and needs second. Having not experienced this personally, as our society has not had to hunker down that way since, I enjoyed the opportunity to study how Americans
‘used up, wore out, and made do without.’

Q:  In researching Great World War II Projects, what information surprised
you the most?

That even kids were expected to do their
part to ensure an Allied victory—by
helping with recycle drives, buying war bonds during school drives, and planting family Victory Gardens in their backyards. It’s hard to get my head around the fact
that Americans planted 20 million Victory Gardens during World War II, as so few people garden today! I also didn’t know
that American women canned their butts
off once their gardens began producing,
and that when pressure cookers became scarce, because of consumer demand, that numerous community canning centers opened up across the country to assist
them. That’s a perfect example of how cooperative and resourceful Americans
were during World War II.

Q:  What is your favorite activity
in Great World War II Projects?

I have two, actually: the footprint mold
and the wish wheel mobile. I have the kids make the foot mold to understand how
the Allies created fake rubber footprints
to camouflage their boot tracks after they secretly landed on beaches in the Pacific. The foot molds looked like human feet! When the Japanese saw the tracks, they assumed they were those of the barefoot locals. I chose to use the wish wheel
mobile in the section that highlights the Japanese American internment camps.
Some people believe that wishes are answered if they flutter in the wind. I thought this activity was a great way to
offer hope that the Japanese American children who left behind non-Japanese friends were eventually reunited with them—and that their friendship endured
the separation. Understanding does overcome fear and discrimination.

Q:  What do you think is the most
important lesson that came of WWII?

To me, it’s that war is a terrible waste of resources, time, and human life. Millions
of people around the world died because
of the private ambitions—and hate—of a handful of men. Hate, in any form, makes
the world a dark, dangerous, terrifying
place to be. And yet, this trying time gave Americans the opportunity to test their mettle; to learn just how giving they could be when their country asked them to be a part of stopping this evil.

Q:  What do you hope kids come
away with after reading Great World
War II Projects?

I want kids to understand the great debt
they owe the Americans who worked tirelessly during World War II to ensure
an Allied victory. American soldiers
battled furiously in the air, on water and land; factory workers put in 10- to 12-hour days to produce tanks, planes, and parachutes; women bravely enlisted as military nurses to care for wounded
soldiers; courageous spies slipped
behind enemy lines to gather information; and teens worked long hours in grocery stores and bowling alleys to help keep American society humming along. Even young kids made great sacrifices. I hope, after reading Great World War II Projects, that kids respect military veterans. Yes,
war is a terrible thing. But these soldiers deserve our appreciation.
I salute them!

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