Author Archives

Tom Bober is a school librarian at RM Captain Elementary, 2018 Library Journal Mover and Shaker, former Teacher in Residence at the Library of Congress, and author of the upcoming book Elementary Educator's Guide to Primary Sources: Strategies for Teaching. He writes the Picture Books and Primary Sources posts for AASL’s KQ blog and has written articles for several publications. Tom also presents at conferences, runs workshops, and gives webinars to promote the use primary sources in student learning. He began his career as an elementary classroom teacher, was also an educational technologist, and has spent the last nine years as a school librarian.

• Pairing Picture Books and Primary Sources: Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down by Andrea Davis Pinkney

  By Tom Bober on 11/19/2018 • ( 0 )

  

  When I read a historically based picture book, I am often amazed at how the author and illustrator can take a moment in history and explore it in just thirty-two short pages. The best of these stories help me feel… Read More ›

• Picture Books and Primary Sources: Crossing Niagara: The Death-Defying Tightrope Adventure of the Great Blondin by Matt Tavares

  By Tom Bober on 10/17/2018 • ( 0 )

  

  Political cartoons used as primary sources can be difficult for students to understand. Cultural references that they may not be aware of can be mixed with political references. These can be confusing without the proper context. I came across one… Read More ›

• Pairing Picture Books and Primary Sources: America’s Champion Swimmer Gertrude Ederle by David A. Adler

  By Tom Bober on 09/19/2018 • ( 0 )

  

  My students love athletes, but not just any athletes, the ones that are at the top of their game. Whether it is someone who competed in the Olympics, Super Bowl, World Series, or World Cup, students will ask for books… Read More ›

• Pairing Picture Books and Primary Sources: Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer, Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement by Carole Boston Weatherford

  By Tom Bober on 08/13/2018 • ( 0 )

  

  Many of my pairings of picture books and primary sources lead me to photos and newspaper articles, but when searching for primary sources to pair with Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer, Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement by Carole… Read More ›

• Pairing Picture Books and Primary Sources: Mailing May by Michael O. Tunnell

  By Tom Bober on 07/17/2018 • ( 2 )

  

  As I’m home over the summer, I often see the mail carrier delivering the mail. The daily visits reminded me of the book Mailing May by Michael O. Tunnell. Based on a true story that took place in 1914, May… Read More ›

• Pairing Picture Books and Primary Sources: Anything But Ordinary Addie: The True Story of Adelaide Hermann Queen of Magic by Mara Rockliff

  By Tom Bober on 06/20/2018 • ( 0 )

  

  A picture book often is a wonderful 32 pages with a distinct beginning, middle, and end. When picture books depict a historical event or individual, the story often does not stop there though. Primary sources can help students ground themselves… Read More ›

• Pairing Picture Books with Primary Sources: Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers’ Strike of 1909 by Michelle Markel

  By Tom Bober on 05/17/2018 • ( 0 )

  

  Reading picture books that focus on historical figures or events can be an opportunity to see how the author represented the focus of the book. Pairing that picture book with primary sources can help students explore how these people or… Read More ›

• Pairing Picture Books and Primary Sources: Ruth and the Green Book by Calvin Alexander Ramsey

  By Tom Bober on 04/17/2018 • ( 1 )

  

  Primary sources can give us a sense of time. Images and language that are from long ago can be brought to our attention by a photograph or letter. Primary sources can also give us a sense of place and connect… Read More ›

• Pairing Picture Books and Primary Sources: Around America to Win the Vote by Mara Rockliff

  By Tom Bober on 03/20/2018 • ( 0 )

  

  A picture book focused on a historical event or person is special. It has a distinct beginning, middle, and end. At the same time, it makes you want to know more. That is exactly how I felt after reading Mara… Read More ›

• Pairing Picture Books and Primary Sources: Take a Picture of Me, James VanDerZee!

  By Tom Bober on 02/21/2018 • ( 0 )

  

  As we work with written primary sources, we may ask students to identify the perspective of the author. What message is she trying to convey? How does he want the reader to react? We do not often do that with… Read More ›