THE BELGIAN TWINS
By Lucy Fitch Perkins
Geographical Series
THE DUTCH TWINS PRIMER. Grade I.
THE DUTCH TWINS. Grade III.
THE ESKIMO TWINS. Grade II.
THE FILIPINO TWINS. Grade IV.
THE JAPANESE TWINS. Grade IV.
THE SWISS TWINS. Grade IV.
THE IRISH TWINS. Grade V.
THE ITALIAN TWINS. Grades V and VI.
THE SCOTCH TWINS. Grades V and VI.
THE MEXICAN TWINS. Grade VI.
THE BELGIAN TWINS. Grade VI.
THE FRENCH TWINS. Grade VII.
Historical Series
THE CAVE TWINS. Grade IV.
THE SPARTAN TWINS. Grades V-VI.
THE PURITAN TWINS. Grades VI-VII.
To the friends of Belgian Children --
PREFACE
In this sad hour of the world's history, when so many homes
have
been broken up, and so many hearts burdened with heavy sorrows,
it is comforting to think of the many heroic souls who,
throughout the struggle, have gone about their daily tasks
with
unfailing courage and cheerfulness, and by so doing have
helped
to carry the burdens of the world, and to sustain other
hearts as
heavy as their own.
It is comforting, also, to know that there are many instances
of
happy reunions after long and unspeakable anxieties, adventures,
and trials.
This story of two little Belgian refugees is based upon
the
actual experience of two Belgian children, and the incident
of
the locket is quite true.
The characters of the eel-woman and the mother of the Twins
have
also their living originals, from whose courage and devotion
the
author has received much inspiration.
CONTENTS
I. THE HARVEST-FIELD
II. THE RUMORS
III. THE ALARM
IV. "FOR KING, FOR LAW AND LIBERTY"
V. DOING A MAN'S WORK
VI. AT THE CHURCH
VII. THE TIDAL WAVE OF GERMANS
VIII. GRANNY AND THE EELS
IX. OFF FOR ANTWERP
X. ON THE TOW-PATH
XI. THE ATTACK
XII. THE ZEPPELIN RAID
XIII. REFUGEES
XIV. THE MOST WONDERFUL PART
SUGGESTIONS TO TEACHERS
American children who have been giving their pennies to
help take
care of little Belgian children will find this new "Twins"
book
one of the most appealing that Mrs. Perkins has ever written.
The
author's Preface states the sources of her inspiration.
As usual,
her story will be found sympathetic in spirit and accurate
as to
facts.
At the present day books are constantly issuing from the
press
which will assist teachers in planning their own preparation
for
the class reading of this book; for example, Griffis's:
"Belgium:
The Land of Art" and Gibson's: "A Journal from
our Legation in
Belgium". Books issued in past years which tell other
stories of
exile or emigration, or which deal with European countries
neighboring Belgium, also have their place in the teacher's
reading. We may suggest Griffis's: "The Pilgrims in
Their Three
Homes" and "Brave Little Holland", and Davis's
"History of
Medieval and Modern Europe" (sections 238, 266, and
the account
of the present war). A file of the National Geographic Magazine,
accessible in most public libraries, will be found to contain
many articles and illustrations which will be invaluable
in this
connection. Picture postcards, also, will supply a wealth
of
appropriate subjects. Children should be encouraged to bring
material of this sort to school.
Once the historical and geographical background has been
sketched, the teacher may safely trust the children to get
the
most out of the story. Fifth grade pupils can read it without
preparation. Pupils in the fourth grade should first read
it in a
study period in order to work out the pronunciation of the
more
difficult words.
The possibilities for dramatization will be immediately
apparent.
In this, the author's illustrations will, as in all the
"Twins"
books, furnish hints as to scenes and action. They may likewise
be used as the subjects of both oral and written compositions--
each pupil selecting the picture most interesting to him,
and
retelling its story in his own words.
The illustrations may be used, also, as models for the
pupils'
sketching; their simple style renders them especially suitable
for this use.
