There aren't many characters in American history that hold a candle to George Washington Carver. From inventor to artist to naturalist to botanist to professor to football player, there is little he did not do and nothing that he did not overcome to the do the things he loved. He offers an example in persistence, dedication, and creativity. Studying his life and work with the kids has been humbling and grand.
Max read Stephen Krensky's A Man For All Seasons aloud to us as we colored. He even paused to ask what felt like "reading comprehension" questions several times. One of my favorites- "Now girls, do you think it was fair that black and white people were segregated?" Micah looked confused while Milla nodded with enthusiasm. I guess I shouldn't expect moral revulsion from a toddler, and Max quickly stepped in to provide a long-winded explanation of why segregation and slavery are crimes against nature.
For the girls, coloring our own flip-book about Carver's life gave us opportunities to talk about the details, including his love for plants, his enjoyment of painting, and his admirable journey towards a dream that just involved tinkering, exploring, inventing, and learning. You can download the free George Washington Carver Little Book.
Max enjoyed the USDA's coloring pages and fact sheets on Carver, especially the peanut-butter process handout which illustrates how peanut butter is made. The rain left us reading, re-reading, and exploring the many inventions which still touch our lives thanks to the ingenuity and courage of this remarkable man.
