Old Silver Leg Takes Over

A brief biography of the Dutchman who arrived to be governor of New Amsterdam in 1647 and turned it from a muddy village into a well-organized city.

It is the year 4022; all of the ancient country of Usa has been buried under many feet of detritus from a catastrophe that occurred back in 1985. Imagine, then, the excitement that Howard Carson, an amateur archeologist at best, experienced when in crossing the perimeter of an abandoned excavation site he felt the ground give way beneath him and found himself at the bottom of a shaft, which, judging from the DO NOT DISTURB sign hanging from an archaic doorknob, was clearly the entrance to a still-sealed burial chamber. Carson's incredible discoveries, including the remains of two bodies, one of then on a ceremonial bed facing an altar that appeared to be a means of communicating with the Gods and the other lying in a porcelain sarcophagus in the Inner Chamber, permitted him to piece together the whole fabric of that extraordinary civilization.

Combines creative activities with a comprehensive list of biographies written for children. Organized by age group: pre-school (ages 3-5), primary (6-8), intermediate (9-11), and young people (12-14).

Pieter Quackenbosh was born in Holland, ca. 1614. He, his wife Maritje, and their first four children, immigrated to New Netherlands, ca. 1653; and settled in Albany, then known as Beverwyck. Three more children were born in Albany. Descendants live in New York, New Jersey, Ontario, Washington, California, and elsewhere. Descendants spell their name "Quackenbush."

'How did Long John Silver Lose His Leg?' is a diverting tour through some of the bestloved classics of children's literature, addressing many of the unanswered questions that inspire intense speculation when the books are laid down. Could Bobbie's train really have stopped in time ('The Railway Children')? Did Beatrix Potter have the 'flu in 1909, and did this lead to a certain darkness in her work ('The Tale of Mr Tod')? Would the 'rugby football' played by Tom Brown be recognised by sportsmen today ('Tom Brown's Schooldays')? The authors speculate entertainingly and informatively on the anomalies and unexplained phenomena found in children's literature and, having established the cultural importance of children's books in the modern age, also consider the more serious issues raised by the genre. Why are we so defensive of the idyllic worlds presented in children's books? Why have some of our best-loved authors been outed as neglectful parents to their own children? Should we everseparate the book from its creator and appreciate the works of writers convicted of crimes against children? A treat for any enthusiast of children's literature, two of the most distinguished writers on the subject provide rich detail, witty explication, and serious food for thought.