Jane Andrews (author) facts for kids

Jane Andrews (born December 1, 1833 – died July 15, 1887) was an American writer and teacher. She is best known for her popular children's books, which were used in schools for many years.

Jane Andrews' Early Life and School Days

Jane Andrews was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts. She was the third daughter of John and Margaret Demmon Rand Andrews. Her grandfather, Reverend John Andrews, was a pastor at a Unitarian church in Newburyport.

Jane went to the Putnam Free School in Newburyport. She was part of a small writing group. This group was led by Thomas Wentworth Higginson, a Unitarian minister and writer. Other famous writers like Harriet Elizabeth Prescott Spofford were also in this group.

In 1850, Jane started teaching. She taught at an evening school for cotton mill workers. The next spring, she attended the State Normal School in West Newton. She graduated in 1853 as the top student. Her geography teacher, Lucretia Crocker, was a special influence on her.

Jane lived in the same boardinghouse as Elizabeth Peabody. Through Elizabeth, she met Horace Mann, a famous educator. Mann encouraged Jane to join his new school, Antioch College in Ohio. She was the very first student to sign up there! However, her time at Antioch was short. During her first year, a serious health issue, described as a "spinal affliction," made her return home. She was unwell for six years.

Jane Andrews' Teaching and Writing Career

In 1860, Jane felt well enough to open a small primary school in her home. Some of her students became famous, including writer Ethel Parton and chemist J. Lewis Howe.

Jane's teaching methods were very modern for her time. She was influenced by Horace Mann's ideas. She focused on students trying things out themselves and observing the world. She wanted students to be active in their learning. After 25 years, her health problems forced her to close the school in 1885.

Jane Andrews' Popular Children's Books

Many of Jane's lessons turned into popular children's books. Her first book was Seven Little Sisters Who Live on the Round Ball That Floats in the Air (1861). This book told stories about seven young girls living in different, interesting places around the world.

This book became incredibly popular. It sold almost half a million copies over the next 100 years! It was even translated into Chinese, German, and Japanese.

She wrote a sequel called Each and All: Seven Little Sisters Prove Their Sisterhood (1877). She also wrote a similar book about boys from different times in history, Ten Boys Who Lived on the Road From Long Ago to Now (1886).

Other books by Jane Andrews include:

• Geographical Plays for Young Folks at Home and School (1880)
• The Child's Health Primer (1885)
• Only A Year and What It Brought (1888)
• The Stories Mother Nature Told Her Children (1889)
• The Stories of My Four Friends (1900)

Jane Andrews' books continued to be used in elementary schools for 50 years after she passed away.

Later Life and Legacy

Jane Andrews died from meningitis when she was 53 years old. Her books helped many children learn about the world and different cultures.