Araminta's Paint Box

by Karen Ackerman, Betsy Lewin (Illustrator)

A historical narrative follows a paint box across America, as it is given to young Araminta in Pennsylvania at the beginning of her family's journey to California, is lost, and eventually ends up back in Araminta's hands at the end of their trip. Reprint.

Genres: Picture Books, Historical Fiction, Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[Khari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, either I am the world's best predictor of stories, children's books are WAY too predictable, or I've read this before.

As soon as I opened it up and looked at the first page, I was like "She's going to lose the box and be reunited with it somehow." I was right. I'm going to go with that I've read it before, because it felt very familiar, little bits like the mormons and the baby bassinet just felt like it wasn't the first time I'd heard about them. It would make sense, this book was published four years after I was born, and I lived in the library from the age of three, so, I probably either did read it or had it read to me at some point. It would not surprise me in the slightest.

Anyway. The story is cute, but very wordy, tracing the journeys of a paint box across the pioneer west. The art is simple and delicate but still endearing. It functions more as a scene setting rather than as an integral part of the story. I wouldn't call this a picture book, I would call it an illustrated book, because the story would have been fine without the pictures. It's probably intended for an older audience.

Story: Narrative
Art: Delicate
Price: $5.99 (when first published, good on them, that's a decent price)

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe 2.5 stars. I’m not sure that it would make a great read-aloud book … which is the entire point of picture books. It’s pretty detail oriented with telling where and how the box is traveling, and so has less of a story narrative feel.

The book takes place in 1847 and follows a paint box (not Araminta) from Pennsylvania to California. Kids will learn a little of the history/life of that time.

Ages: 5 - 10

Cleanliness: mentions a gambler and him loosing.

[Shobana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read for kids to know about the westward expansion.

[Andrea M · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fanciful tale of a lost treasure that somehow makes its way back to its owner through the hands of many different people crossing the United States on foot, or by wagon.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

When her family moves from Boston to California in 1847, Aramanita is separated from her paint box. Her box travels through many different kinds of hands, but in the end finds its way to California. [note: doctors, preachers, soldiers, ... different faiths... a paint box is simple to reconstruct for a gift!... war w/ Mexico, Gold Rush - Great Ending!!!; good example of creative writing; maps;... :-)...]

[Miss Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

gr 2-4 illustrated

Araminta is given a box of paints as a going away present when she and her family travel out West. Along the way, the paint box is lost and passes through various hands until it eventually makes its way back to her.

[Trudy L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this one with my children years ago and loved it.
This wonderful story spans time and distance as it traces the journey of a young girl and a beloved gift from her father from the time they are separated until they are reunited.

[Theresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

a pioneer sublimest for the elementary classroom. a young girl shows the beauty of her pioneer life style

[Manypagesago]

re-read during Gold Rush unit

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this a long time ago. I think it would work best for 5 year olds and up.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story of the westward movement in the United States and many of the different types of people who made the journey.

The illustrations were simple and sweet and my children enjoyed them.