Perseverance, Pranks and Pride - Tales of the One-Room Schoolhouse
Over the past few years I have been on an incredible journey researching for my book "Perseverance, Pranks and Pride - Tales of the One-Room Schoolhouse". I have travelled far and wide across the region, visiting some beautiful locations and talking to some truly remarkable people. Many of them, who are now approaching their twilight years, have the most wonderful tales to tell of their own unique experiences in one-room schools, of the hardships they endured and the memories they cherish. It is their stories which give the book its character, and which made it so enjoyable to write.
I have included several of the stories here to give you a taste of what the book is about. In all, there are approximately 75 of them, most hand illustrated, as well as descriptions of the one-room schools accompanied by photographs of memorabilia which up until now has remained undocumented. You'll see that some of the pranks the children played were outrageously impudent and hilarious to boot, yet despite the ever-present threat of the strap, their enthusiasm for mischief was hardly tempered at all.
During my travels, I was also fortunate enough to capture the stories of several well known people who attended one-room schools in the area, including NHL Hall of Fame inductee Larry Robinson, and Graham Ritchie, owner of Ritchie's Feed and Seed. Although most of the stories are local to the Ottawa Valley, it is not difficult to see how they would relate to any rural upbringing both within North America and indeed globally.
Il y a aussi quelques histoires en français. (Though the majority of the stories are written in English, about half a dozen or so are in French.)
One of the contributors I interviewed was Mary Cook, author, CBC broadcaster and seven-time ACTRA award winner, who was also kind enough to write a very flattering preface:
"For those of us who had the privilege, and yes it was a privilege, of attending a one-room schoolhouse, Joy Forbes has turned back our clocks to a more gentle time, when respect, discipline, and honesty were taught right along with arithmetic, spelling and good penmanship. What a journey she has taken us on!
She has rekindled our memories, and her wonderful book confirms once again that the little school we knew so long ago was not only a place of learning, but also a place where lifelong friendships were nurtured, and where the lessons taught went far beyond the meager textbooks filling the little pullout drawers under our desks.
We live again through those days when we managed to be taught in spite of the lack of many of the basic necessities enjoyed by larger urban schools. Joy Forbes introduces us to some colourful and real-life characters as they romp through life at the one-room schoolhouses of our youth. For those who cherish memories, and those who want to learn about life in another time, and in another place long before this age of electronics, this delightful book is a must read!"
I am indebted to all those who took the time to talk to me, as well as all those who gave me such helpful advice and encouragement on the way.
I have included several of the stories here to give you a taste of what the book is about. In all, there are approximately 75 of them, most hand illustrated, as well as descriptions of the one-room schools accompanied by photographs of memorabilia which up until now has remained undocumented. You'll see that some of the pranks the children played were outrageously impudent and hilarious to boot, yet despite the ever-present threat of the strap, their enthusiasm for mischief was hardly tempered at all.
During my travels, I was also fortunate enough to capture the stories of several well known people who attended one-room schools in the area, including NHL Hall of Fame inductee Larry Robinson, and Graham Ritchie, owner of Ritchie's Feed and Seed. Although most of the stories are local to the Ottawa Valley, it is not difficult to see how they would relate to any rural upbringing both within North America and indeed globally.
Il y a aussi quelques histoires en français. (Though the majority of the stories are written in English, about half a dozen or so are in French.)
One of the contributors I interviewed was Mary Cook, author, CBC broadcaster and seven-time ACTRA award winner, who was also kind enough to write a very flattering preface:
"For those of us who had the privilege, and yes it was a privilege, of attending a one-room schoolhouse, Joy Forbes has turned back our clocks to a more gentle time, when respect, discipline, and honesty were taught right along with arithmetic, spelling and good penmanship. What a journey she has taken us on!
She has rekindled our memories, and her wonderful book confirms once again that the little school we knew so long ago was not only a place of learning, but also a place where lifelong friendships were nurtured, and where the lessons taught went far beyond the meager textbooks filling the little pullout drawers under our desks.
We live again through those days when we managed to be taught in spite of the lack of many of the basic necessities enjoyed by larger urban schools. Joy Forbes introduces us to some colourful and real-life characters as they romp through life at the one-room schoolhouses of our youth. For those who cherish memories, and those who want to learn about life in another time, and in another place long before this age of electronics, this delightful book is a must read!"
I am indebted to all those who took the time to talk to me, as well as all those who gave me such helpful advice and encouragement on the way.
Home | About the Schools | Gallery | Stories | Book Launch | Book Tour Dates | Order the Book | Contact | Links
