Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Paul Revere and the Bell Ringers
Illustrator: Bert Dodson
Nonfiction
For ages 5 to 7
Simon and Schuster, 2003 ISBN: 978-0689856358
When other boys of his age where going to school and playing in the street, Paul Revere worked in his father’s shop working with silver and gold. As he worked he overheard conversations that took place between his father and the customers, conversations about the problems that existed between the British and the colonies. The problems seemed to be getting worse all the time. Another topic that Paul loved to hear about was about the clubs that the people were members of. He loved the idea of being a member of a club and soon he and his friends formed a bell ringing club of their own.
The boys set about the business of making their club official and getting everything arranged with the church where they would like to practice. They created their own rules and they all abided by them. There was much to learn but it was exciting, for the club and everything to do with it was something that they had created themselves.
When he grew up Paul Revere went on to become the member of other, more important clubs which would end up shaping the future of his country. It was from his first experience as a member of the bell ringing club that he learned how to be a part of something that was bigger than himself.
The author of this excellent little biography shows his readers how a childhood experience shaped the life of a man who became someone whose name is now famous in the history books.
