For some reason, I was thinking about two books that we used to have before our house burned down. They were handbooks for boys and girls (one for boys, one for girls). And I remember that there was some much interesting stuff in both the books, and that the activities were not based solely on traditional gender roles. I remember what the cover looked like, but I can't remember the name. Hopefully on of my sisters remember the name of the books...Help!
"I had a lot of time to think while I was unflushing Aunt Peggy's keys"-Luanne Platter
Bonus Quote "And now I work here. Feeding the beast that killed me." - The owner of "Just Brakedrums" after being put out of business by Mega-Lo Mart.
6 comments:
I thought it was called all american or something like that- but google has forsaken me. i was just thinking about those books the other day too. although i think the activities were pretty divided along traditional gender lines- boys building snowmen and catching animals, girls making tea and shadow puppets in the parlor.
sorry all i remember is the covers too!
Do I have to do everything around here?
It's called The American Boy's Handy Book: What to Do and How to Do It .
Both books do have a lot of good activities, but I have to agree with Bridget that they do break down along gender lines. You can tell just by the subtitles; the girls' version is about amusement and the boys' is about doing stuff.
I knew Rachel would remember the books! I looked at the table of contents and the Girl's book did have how to make furniture and how to build a hammock so I thought that was a little different. And the Boy's book had information on make theater costumes. The books were written around 1906 so they are a little old-fashioned but aleast they recommend the girls to go outside (okay, for wildflowers, but that is better than nothing!)
We do have an American Boys Handbook. I just put it up in the attic - I thought russ and the boys would use it, but sadly, it mostly sat on the shelf. Probably, Bridget/Orrin and Rachel/Trey will use it. good idea for a christmas present.
um, check that, mom.
i have a second copy in my room that i do, in fact, use.
it's the anne frank of boys handbooks, i suppose...
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