Enjoy Labor Day Picture Books!
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Did you know?
The first Labor Day was observed on a Tuesday! Tuesday, September 5th, 1882 to be exact, in New York City.
By June 28th, 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed a law making the first Monday of September an official federal holiday.
What is it?
What do we celebrate on Labor Day? Labor Day recognizes the significant impact that the American workers have had on our country’s abundance and strong position in the world’s economy for the last century and more.
Why am I bringing this up?
As my children have grown and evolved I have noticed a similar trait in all my teenagers, be they boys or girls: they are all allergic to one word “work”.
I think Labor Day is an excellent time to bring up to our children the importance and the value of work. They will have to practice it in one way or another for the rest of their lives, so we need to help them prepare for it. They probably don’t realize it but they have been working since their first days, but maybe it had other names. In childhood it is often called “play”, “learning”, ”discovering” and a few other things. But as they transition into adulthood, they discover that learning and play morph into one and become “work”.
Work
I like this dictionary’s definition: Work is the physical or mental effort or activity directed toward the production or accomplishment of something.
Well, that doesn’t sound so bad now, does it. It sounds like everything we do, be it called play, recreation or any other name, is always directed towards the production or accomplishment of something. When I sew, I have a goal in mind to complete a quilt or a bag or a dress. When a child draws she is aiming at the completion of her picture. When a young man starts nailing boards together, he usually has a plan, such as a tree house or a dog house. Even reading a book has an objective: to know what happens next!
All of it is work. As humans we are designed for work.
So what now?
So how do we instill in our children a love of working and a desire to work well? We read them picture books, of course! Picture books that we have carefully selected and that show work as a good endeavor, not necessarily an easy one, but one where, once accomplished, the character can enjoy the fruit of his labors.
Work picture books
I have hand picked a small dozen of beautiful picture books in which work is portrayed as a good thing, almost enticing at times, and which has its own reward.
The classics
The Little Red Hen, by Jerry Pinkney
The story of a hen and her chicks who find some grains of wheat and decide to plant them. She kindly asks other farm animals for help but their answer is always “Not I”.
This is a great book on the value of work, perseverance and the reward at the end. I love the Little Red Hen, I totally get her, lol! She’s such a Mom figure. How often do we ask for help and the only answer we get is “Not I”? I love how calmly she walks through the whole process and then drops the bomb on the other animals.
Jerry Pinkney’s illustrations bring this timeless story to life in a beautiful way!
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel, by Virginia Lee Burton
Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel, Mary Anne, are about to be forcibly retired with the advance of the gasoline shovels, the diesel shovels and the electric shovels when they find one last job to finish on a high note.
Such a sweet story of a hardworking team and their sweet rewards at the end.
The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper, illustrated by Loren Long
A little train carrying Christmas toys and goodies runs out of steam and is rescued by an unlikely helper.
A wonderful story of supporting each other in the hard times, the joy that our work can bring to others, as well as to ourselves. It also has a very charming refrain that I often hear a certain 4 years old repeat over and over when she’s struggling with something new.
Series
Snipp, Snapp, Snurr and the Yellow Sled by Maj Lindman
Three brothers see a beautiful yellow sled in the storefront on their way home from school. The next day they start different works around the house to earn it. The end will melt your heart.
Snipp, Snapp and Snurr are triplets from Sweden and have the best adventures ever. I highly recommend the whole series. Wonderful, wholesome books!
Snipp, Snapp and Snurr and the Big Surprise, by Maj Lindman
Another truly heartwarming adventure of the intrepid Sediwh triplets!. This time Mother’s birthday is coming up and the boys want to surprise her with a wholly handmade present, but not just any present. With hard work and determination the boys will give Mother the surprise of her life.
Flicka, Ricka and Dicka Bake a Cake, by Maj Lindman
Flicka, Ricka and Dicka enlist Aunt Betty’s help to prepare a cake for Mother’s birthday, but all does not go according to plan… Another set of Swedish triplets, these three little girls are the sweetest and have a heart of gold, but are still very human. Again, I highly recommend the whole series!
Winter on the Farm, by Laura Ingalss Wilder, illustrated by Jody Wheeler and Renee Graef
Almanzo takes us on a tour of his farm chore on a snowy winter night. A sample from the book Farmer Boy, by Laura Ingalls Wilder, this is beautifully illustrated and brings the Wilder’s New York farm to life. It also shows how hard a boy can work, but still enjoy it.
County Fair, By Laura Ingalls Wilder, illustrated by Jody Wheeler
It’s time for the County Fair and each of the Wilders have brought something to enter in the different competitions. But for young Almanzo it is his first time bringing a pumpkin to be judged.
All the emotions are there, the anticipation, the anxiousness, the delight. Will Almanzo’s hard work be rewarded?
Others worth reading
Basket Moon, by Mary Lyn Ray, illustrated by Barbara Cooney
A beautiful story of traditional hard work, which is also an art form. The strength of family and tradition. Barbara Cooney’s illustration are at their absolute best and brings the New York hills to life and the basket makers’ life to light.
The Ox Cart Man, by Donald Hall, illustrated by Barabara Cooney
How the year round work of one family provides for them. Each family member creates something for Father to take to town and they all rip the benefits of their hard work together.
Colonial America is alive and well in this wonderfully illustrated book, again by Barabara Cooney. The rhythm of the seasons and their works can be very nostalgic, sometimes I wish for a simpler time.
Raising Yoder’s Barn, by Jane Yolen and Bernie Fuchs
If you want to find out all about hard work and art work, go to an Amish barn raising. How a community comes together to help a neighbor and builds more than just a barn.
This story is told from a young boys’ perspective and truly expresses the beauty of community work. No man is an island, never should be.
The Quilt Maker’s Gift by Jeff Brumbeau, illustrated by Gail de Marcken
How an old lady can teach a king who has everything the value of her work.
First of all, the different quilt patterns are stunning and as a quilter tickle my creative fancy to no end. But the story is beautiful, well written and a lovely read.
Full disclaimer: I did not choose all the books myself, I asked my children to pick one or two and I think they did a wonderful job. They also warmed their Mama’s heart by picking so wisely…
One last thing
I just read this quote in the book Rainbow Hill, by Josephine Lawrence:
“None of the animals are going to work, when I take care of them”.
Mr. Hildreth glanced at her queerly.
“You’re just like the rest,” he said grimly.
“You think of work as something to side-step, don’t you? Let me tell you, Sarah, that unless you give these animal friends of yours something to do and train them to it regularly, you will have to spend all your days dosing them.”
“You mean they’ll be sick?” Asked Sarah, worried at once.
“Of course they’ll be sick,” declared Mr. Hildreth. “Animals and people need work to keep them well.”
Go read some picture books about work with your children, create new memories ponder the beauty of hard work, but don’t lecture.
Happy Labor Day!
Love,
Mattie
