Christmas in the Big House, Christmas in the Quarters facts for kids
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| Author | Patricia McKissack, Frederick McKissack |
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| Illustrator | John Thompson |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's book, Christmas |
| Published | 1994 (Scholastic) |
| Media type | Print (hardback) |
| Pages | 68 |
| ISBN | 9780590430272 |
| OCLC | 26858298 |
Christmas in the Big House, Christmas in the Quarters is a children's book from 1994. It was written by Patricia McKissack and Frederick McKissack. The book tells the story of how Christmas was celebrated on a large farm in Virginia during the 1850s. It focuses on both the family who owned the farm and the people who worked there.
Contents
Exploring Christmas on a Virginia Farm
This book takes young readers back in time to a big farm in Virginia in the year 1859. It shows how different groups of people experienced the Christmas holiday. The story highlights the preparations and traditions for Christmas. It looks at the celebrations in the main house and in the workers' living areas.
Life in the Big House
The book describes the Christmas traditions of the family who owned the farm. They lived in the "Big House." Their celebrations included many well-known customs. They would decorate with evergreens and holly. They also prepared special foods and exchanged gifts. The story shows their excitement and joy during the holiday season.
Christmas in the Quarters
The book also shares the Christmas experiences of the people who worked on the farm. They lived in separate homes called the "Quarters." Even though their lives were very different, they also found ways to celebrate. They would gather together and share what little they had. They found comfort in their community and traditions. The book shows their strength and spirit during a difficult time.
Comparing Holiday Traditions
Christmas in the Big House, Christmas in the Quarters helps readers understand the different ways Christmas was celebrated. It shows the contrast between the two groups. The book explains how each group found meaning in the holiday. It teaches about history through the lens of a special time of year.
Meet the Authors and Illustrator
The book was created by a talented team. Patricia McKissack and Frederick McKissack were a husband-and-wife writing team. They were known for their books about African American history and culture. John Thompson created the beautiful illustrations for the book. His artwork helps bring the story to life.
About Patricia and Frederick McKissack
Patricia and Frederick McKissack wrote many award-winning books for children. They often focused on historical events and important figures. Their goal was to share stories that were both educational and inspiring. They wanted to make history interesting for young readers.
The Art of John Thompson
John Thompson's illustrations are a key part of the book. His drawings help readers imagine what life was like in the 1850s. He captures the feelings and details of the Christmas celebrations. His art makes the story more vivid and engaging.
Awards and Recognition
Christmas in the Big House, Christmas in the Quarters received several important awards. These awards show that the book was highly praised by experts.
- 1994 CCBC Choice: This means the book was chosen as one of the best books of the year by the Cooperative Children's Book Center.
- 1995 Coretta Scott King Book Author Award - winner: This is a very important award. It honors African American authors and illustrators of children's books. The award recognizes books that promote peace and understanding.
- 1995 Orbis Pictus Award - honor: This award celebrates outstanding nonfiction books for children. It means the book was recognized for its excellent factual content.
These awards highlight the book's quality and its important message.
Images for kids
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The cover of the book, showing scenes from both the "Big House" and the "Quarters."
