"IT'S A FACT
It was common for cities
around ancient Greece to
be at war with one another.
But when it came time for an
athletic festival, wars were
postponed while athletes
went off to compete!"
Had I lived at the same time as my parents, I would not likely have to look for 'fun' things to do. Growing up in a large family as they did, there was endless entertainment that kept them busy outside. Whenever they did find time away from chores and school, they spent their time chasing, climbing trees, playing hide-and-seek, riding horses, etc. After supper and the end of the chores left to be done, there might have been some storytelling and songs. Bedtime came early after days filled with hard work.
In this book from the Orca Timeline Series, Maria Birmingham looks back to see how entertainment has evolved over the years. The first chapter looks at toys and how they have changed through the centuries. Captioned illustrations are included, as well as archival photos and information boxes titled It's A Fact. Following chapters include music, art, sports, celebrations and festivals, leisure, fun at home, and fads. There are examples from world communities, and from past to present.
Timelines are included for music, starting with the phonograph and leading to the smartphone; for video games from the first in 1958 until today with Nintendo Switch and Playstation 5; and fads from the yo-yo in 1962 to the fidget spinner of 2017. Parents and their children will find much to discuss about past and present fun times. Recently we have had lunch-time discussions about a game we played in the 60s called 'stretch'. Friends today, who have never heard of it, cannot believe we were allowed to carry pocket knives in order to play it! Oh, how times change!
As you read what Ms. Birmingham has included in her book, you will find yourself thinking of other ways to have fun that may not be mentioned here. That's one of the great things about reading relevant nonfiction - it sparks interest and memories to share. The way we look at some of what was considered fun in the past may have fallen out of favor or been forgotten as new activities replaced old ones. That is what history is!
A table of contents, a glossary, an index and a list of print and online resources are included. I really enjoyed reading this book, as happens with so much of the nonfiction published by Orca. There's fun to be had in picking up this book and finding what sparks your interest.
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