Books in the Classroom with Yvonne: Review- Grandma, Aren't You Glad The World's Finally in Color Today by Lori Stewart

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We all can imagine what children think when they first see the old black and white family photos hanging in the hallway, framed on the mantle, or carefully tabbed into place in the family photo album. It's certainly enough to make grandchildren say, Aren't you glad the world's finally in color today!

Grandma, Aren't You Glad The World's Finally in Color Today! is a story in rhyme that takes readers on a then and now journey through time. Narrated by a grandmother, the story compares her own mother's life and times to those of her grandchildren. Side by side vintage and full color photos contrast fashion, schools, transportation, entertainment, technology, culture and the arts from the Great Depression and World War II years to those of today.

This book creates an opportunity for readers to share their own family tree, and gives grandparents a way to start conversations about who we are and where we came from, and fulfill their role as family historian.

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Yvonne's Review: 

Grandma, Aren’t You Glad…the World’s Finally in Color Today!

The uses in the classroom are endless. This is one of those books that can be used over and over at various levels.

Elementary Level:

·         * Great read aloud when studying American History. The trivia and events span over 100 years.

·        *  Photos can be used for then and now comparisons.

·        *  Reading and designing a timeline

·         * Connecting photos and timeline events to the smooth flowing text/poem

·         * Lots of new vocabulary

·       *  Rhyming words

·         * Visualizing

Middle/High School Level:

·         * Each page contains a different timeline. Many of the timelines are developed around a theme that students can try to tie together. The level of difficulty varies making it a great book to differentiate.

·         * The events used in the poem and timeline of American History are unique and will appeal to students. They are not events often used to tell how times have changed in America.

·         * The events/trivia can be used to spark creative writing about how or why the inventions occurred or how events have changed America/the world (Olympic Games, Miniture Golf, Band-Aid)

·         * Fun, informative, and high interest research ideas (1928-Pink bubble gum is invented by Walter Diemer.).

The uniqueness of this book is how eloquently it flows and tells the story of America through the eyes of a grandma living next door instead of a history book. A must have book for any history teacher at any level.   5 stars

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