Turn of the Century: Eleven Centuries of Children and Change

by Ellen Jackson, Jan Davey Ellis (Illustrator)

Travel back in time to meet eleven children, each from the turn of a different century. Each century of the second millennium is brought vividly to life by a child of the period. Intriguing facts complement their stories, and richly detailed illustrations serve up a visual feast that holds a few surprises for the careful observer.

Genres: History, Picture Books, Childrens, Nonfiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1998

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bea enjoyed this book and was of course intrigued and disgusted by some of the pictures/descriptions. I loved the art and found it really suited the style of book. I thought some of the effectiveness of the comparison was diminsed by the fact that the "type" of child each century was so different. It might be hard for kids to know why a rich kid in 1200 lived differently from a poor kid in 1300 -- because of something that happened in those times or just because of their different situation in life. But still, it is a HUGE timespan and this book covers so many facets of life that what we do get is still interesting and valuable I think.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The challenge when reading this book, is to help kids really visualize what they are hearing. The next time I read this out loud, I will read it backwards, starting with the present day, and then letting the child name some ways they think life would have been different 100 years ago. We can compare their guesses with what is described. If that strategy works, I would read the entire book backwards.

2024
My guess: Few children would sit still if we were to read this in one sitting. My use of the book would depend on the child (age and interests). I might introduce this at an early age and use it as a picture book, asking 'What looks fun?' 'What wouldn't you like?'

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eleven children over the course of a millennium—English and American—experience the new year and the dawn of a new century in this engaging work of history for the picture book audience. Starting at New Year in the year 1000, each two-page spread in the book features a child describing their life and the New Year celebration around them, as well as some additional information about the world that child lived in. From the children of peasants to the children of nobility, working children and young students, a diverse range of experiences is included. Starting in 1700, the children are American, whereas before they were English. The book closes with a boy in 2000, followed by an author's note and a bibliography...

Published in 1998, Turn of the Century was obviously created in anticipation of the end of the second millennium, and offers an interesting, educational, and thought-provoking look at childhood experience in the Anglophone world over the course of time. The text is engaging, and the accompanying artwork, created using watercolor and colored pencil, is lovely. This same author/illustrator team—Ellen Jackson and Jane Davey Ellis—also produced It's Back to School We Go!: First Day Stories from Around the World , as well as a quartet of picture books marking the cardinal points of the solar year (the solstices and equinoxes). I enjoyed both text and artwork here, and liked the way the passing of the centuries was tracked through changes in the experience of children. This only makes sense, as young audiences will naturally be curious about the lives of other children throughout time. Recommended to anyone looking for picture books addressing themes of change and similarity over time, through history.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is GREAT! We used it in a study of Europe, but any history lesson would be paired nicely with it. “Eleven centuries of children and change” really spoke to my 9 year old. Loved that all the kids are around her age, too.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the illustrations and the information. An out of the ordinary children’s book. Great for understanding the past.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a neat little book I picked up at a library sale. The author writes bios of 11 children each in a different century to illustrate how childhood has changed. Great illustrations and explanations.

[Bat713 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful art picture book with art and events noted at the beginning year from 1000 to 2000. A gorgeous journey which crosses incredible separate centuries and the inventions of each.📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚

[Rose]

305.23 Jac

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice synopsis of historical changes over the course of a millennium, appropriate and interesting to children. I didn't enjoy the artwork as much, though.