The Victorian Home

Alison Mews is co-ordinator of the Centre for Instructional Services at
Memorial University of Newfoundland.

These two volumes in the Historic Communities series look at how two
social aspects of life changed in North America during the period from
1837 to 1901, when Queen Victoria ruled Great Britain. Each book covers
individual topics in double-page spreads, and includes a table of
contents, a glossary, and an index.

Victorian Christmas provides information about specific customs (e.g.,
home and tree decorating, gift giving, card sending, and caroling)
followed from Advent to Epiphany in Victorian times. Victoria and Albert
were more family-oriented than was the norm at that time and, by
example, helped to emphasize the role of children during the Christmas
season. Young children will be interested in the depictions of the Santa
Claus variants celebrated in different countries. The descriptions of
ornaments and social visits and the introduction of new customs that are
now commonplace will not hold children’s attention for long, but young
readers will be entranced by Barbara Bedell’s wonderfully detailed
illustrations.

Lavishly illustrated with photos of period houses in North America and
additional drawings by Bedell, The Victorian Home is a pictorial guide
to Victorian homes. Topics covered include the exterior adornments,
individual rooms, servants’ quarters, children’s nursery, the advent
of indoor plumbing, and the lack of central heating. Many social
conventions of the time are described in fascinating and easily digested
tidbits. In emphasizing illustrations over text, this introduction may
entice children to spend a little time with this potentially dry topic.

Bobbie Kalman is to be commended for her attempt to make history topics
come alive for children. Although their primary use will no doubt be for
school projects, these books may foster greater understanding of our
historical background. Recommended.