Tools and Gadgets

Agnes C. Farrell is a public-school teacher in Richmond, B.C.

These two books, from the Historic Communities series, are by an author
noted for producing books that are both well researched and written in
language that can be easily understood by young readers. Words that may
be unfamiliar are printed in bold letters, defined in the text, and
included in a glossary at the end of the book. Beginning researchers
will find these books easy to use when studying pioneer life in North
America.

The excellent illustrations in A Colonial Town: Williamsburg will
entice students to read the text and help them understand many aspects
of early settlers’ lives. This book could be used to compare the lives
of settlers in Virginia with those of settlers in what is now Canada.

Tools and Gadgets is an excellent resource for helping students
understand the tools of former times. The photographs and drawings are
clear and colorful. The author has included two pages of mystery tools
and gadgets, and asks students to guess at their uses. (Fortunately for
adults, the answers are included at the back of the book.) This book
offers many opportunities for discussions on how tools and gadgets have
changed over the years. Students will be particularly interested to see
some of the instruments early doctors used to cure patients. They will
also enjoy seeing the toys and gadgets that amused children in pioneer
times.

While both books are informative and well illustrated, for a Canadian
student Tools and Gadgets is much more meaningful, since these
implements were used in communities on both sides of the border.