Thanks to Josefina Book

by Valerie Tripp

Book Overview

In 1824 New Mexico, Josefina and her sisters argue as they weave, until Josefina thinks of a way to make their work more fun. Includes historical notes on blanket weaving in New Mexico in 1824 and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 158485698X
• ISBN13: 9781584856986
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: American Girl Publishing Inc
• Length: 56 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 4.4" x 6.2"
• Age Range: 7 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 2 to 7

Customer Reviews

great AG short story

History, a great story and an authentic historical craft! Not only that, but just the right size for girl-sized hands. A+++++++ Cannot be beat!

American Girl

This book is part of the American Girls Collection. This attractive little novel tells the story of Josefina and her family in 1824. The book will make an effective integration with discussions about US history regarding Mexican trade in the US, Indian blankets, weaving, and textiles. The book provides a project for tie-dying a shirt using onions. This book has the potential to quickly engage students with US history in a personal way. The novel may prompt students to write their own novel. The teacher could write or say the first line, then the first student could add a line, then the next student could add an idea, and so on, until and entire story was created with a contribution from each student in the class.

Thanks to Josefina - An American Girl Short Story

Hi, you can call me StoryMaker. I've been taking lessons at this weekly school-like thing for homeschoolers. At my Art class, we were doing weaving and the teacher read Thanks to Josefina, an American Girl short story about Josefina, over the course of 3 days. For those who don't know about American Girl Short Stories, it's just a collection of shorter American Girl stories that fit in your pocket. (OK, it's possible that there are some editions that are too big for pockets, but I don't think so). I'm not really a big American Girl fan, to tell you the truth, and I've read, like, 1 book, but I still found this book to be a very good story. When Josefina's family is low on money, Josefina thinks that the family should weave some things to sell. Everyone agrees, but Josefina discovers that the weaving business is far more than she bargained for. Quarrels and insults arise between Josefina and her sisters. Mistakes must be taken out again and again. Nothing seems to go Josefina's way - that is, until she goes plant-picking with Teresita, Tia Dolores's servant, to make different colors of dye. Being reminded about something by the plants, Josefina thinks up a brilliant idea... This book, along with carrying forth a great story, teaches a valuable lesson. Also, it is a nice, quick read that fits in your pocket - perfect for any time when you need something quick & fun to do. I think it's really great, yet I'd probably like it even more if I liked American Girl/Josefina. Signed, StoryMaker. "Gotta trust the kid's review!"

A great book!

This is another one of the American Girls Short Stories series about Josefina Montoya, a nine-year-old girl living in the New Mexico of 1824. In this book, as the sisters work on blankets to save the rancho (see Josefina Learns a Lesson) the excitement of the project turns into drudgery, as each of the girls finds different chores irksome, and they begin to quarrel. But, while out gathering roots and nuts and things to make dyes for the wool, Josefina suddenly realizes that there is something that can bring the sisters back together.The final chapter of this book is on Mexican blankets of 1824, and gives directions for dyeing a shirt with supplies from around the house. As I have always been quick to point out, Jean-Paul Tibbles' illustrations are excellent in quality and add to the experience of reading this great book. My daughter and I both enjoyed this book, and we recommend it to you.

Thank You, Josefina!

This is the fifth short story published about the American Girl, Josefina. The setting of this book is around the time period of "Josefina Learns a Lesson". Josefina's family has just experienced a terrible financial loss where a sudden flood killed many of the rancho's sheep. Tia Dolores and the girls have decided to recover the loss by weaving stored wool into wool blankets for trade to build up new a flock.Josefina eagerly wants to please her Aunt with the new weaving business, but her sisters quickly turn on her for the hard work they now have to do "Thanks to Josefina". Teresita, Tia Dolores servant who teaches Josefina to weave, takes the discouraged Josefina on a walk to look for plants for dyes and gently helps her understand how many colors can contribute to each rug they weave. Soon, her sisters find something that they can genuinely thank Josefina for as they learn to work together more peacefully!I enjoyed this short story because it integrated Josefina's skill and knowledge of plants, which was introduced in "Happy Birthday, Josefina". "Thanks to Josefina" identifies several regional plants for dyes, and includes a project where readers can make their own dye from an onion to tie-dye a t-shirt.