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Follow the Drinking Gourd

(1988, Fiction - Historical Fiction, Written by Jeanette Winter, Illustrated by Jeanette Winter)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 0, age appropriate for kids over 4; suggested age 4.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Engages children by bringing history to life.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 4 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    This may be your young one's introduction to the shameful history of enslavement.
  • Violence & scariness:

    The foreground of one picture depicts a slave driver with a whip. The family hides from dogs and fights off a wolf.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Follow the Drinking Gourd

Parents need to know that this story engages children by bringing history to life. Be prepared to sing the folk song (music provided) at the end.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about slavery. How do you think it would feel not to have your freedom? Why did people feel the need to enslave others?

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