American children who have been giving their pennies to help take care
of little Belgian children will find this new "Twins" book one of the
most appealing that Mrs. Perkins has ever written. The author's Preface
states the sources of her inspiration. As usual, her story will be
found sympathetic in spirit and accurate as to facts.
At the present day books are constantly issuing from the press which
will assist teachers in planning their own preparation for the class
reading of this book; for example, Griffis's: "Belgium: The Land of
Art" and Gibson's: "A Journal from our Legation in Belgium". Books
issued in past years which tell other stories of exile or emigration,
or which deal with European countries neighboring Belgium, also have
their place in the teacher's reading. We may suggest Griffis's: "The
Pilgrims in Their Three Homes" and "Brave Little Holland", and Davis's
"History of Medieval and Modern Europe" (sections 238, 266, and the
account of the present war). A file of the National Geographic
Magazine, accessible in most public libraries, will be found to contain
many articles and illustrations which will be invaluable in this
connection. Picture postcards, also, will supply a wealth of
appropriate subjects. Children should be encouraged to bring material
of this sort to school.
Once the historical and geographical background has been sketched, the
teacher may safely trust the children to get the most out of the story.
Fifth grade pupils can read it without preparation. Pupils in the
fourth grade should first read it in a study period in order to work
out the pronunciation of the more difficult words.
The possibilities for dramatization will be immediately apparent. In
this, the author's illustrations will, as in all the "Twins" books,
furnish hints as to scenes and action. They may likewise be used as the
subjects of both oral and written compositions--each pupil selecting
the picture most interesting to him, and retelling its story in his own
words.
The illustrations may be used, also, as models for the pupils'
sketching; their simple style renders them especially suitable for this
use.