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The Traveling Camera: Lewis Hine and the Fight to End Child Labor
This picture book chronicles the travels of Lewis Hine, who used his camera to document child labor in the 20th century
Stunning visuals and poetic text combine to tell the inspiring story of Lewis Hine (1874–1940), a teacher and photographer who employed his art as a tool for social reform. Working for the National Child Labor Committee (NCLC), Hine traveled the country, taking pictures of children as young as five toiling under dangerous conditions in cotton mills, seafood canneries, farms, and coal mines. He often wore disguises to sneak into factories, impersonating a machinery inspector or traveling salesman. He said, "If I could tell this story in words, I wouldn't need to lug a camera." His poignant pictures attracted national attention and were instrumental in the passage of child labor laws. The Traveling Camera includes extensive back matter with timelines, original photographs, and a bibliography.
Stunning visuals and poetic text combine to tell the inspiring story of Lewis Hine (1874–1940), a teacher and photographer who employed his art as a tool for social reform. Working for the National Child Labor Committee (NCLC), Hine traveled the country, taking pictures of children as young as five toiling under dangerous conditions in cotton mills, seafood canneries, farms, and coal mines. He often wore disguises to sneak into factories, impersonating a machinery inspector or traveling salesman. He said, "If I could tell this story in words, I wouldn't need to lug a camera." His poignant pictures attracted national attention and were instrumental in the passage of child labor laws. The Traveling Camera includes extensive back matter with timelines, original photographs, and a bibliography.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published September 14, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
June 5, 2021
This is one of those books that shows how complex history can be. Who knows how long it would have taken to establish a safer world for children had it not been for one man and his camera? People tend to be more empathetic when they can see a problem with their own eyes. I've always admired his work and encourage adults to look for more examples. I highly recommend this read to any age!
This unbiased review is based on a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.
This unbiased review is based on a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.
November 29, 2021
The Traveling Camera: Lewis Hine and the Fight to End Child Labor is a children's picture book written by Alexandra S.D. Hinrichs and illustrated by Michael Garland. It is a tribute to the self-taught photographer who sparked real reform by turning faceless masses of abused workers into children with names and histories.
Lewis Wickes Hine was an American sociologist and muckraker photographer. His photographs were instrumental in bringing about the passage of the first child labor laws in the United States.
Hinrichs' text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Hinrichs indicates Hine's own words in italics, interweaving them into each spread's lengthy poems. Backmatter includes a chronology, source list, and endnotes. Garland's evocative illustrations feature detailed, textured spreads of humans of varying skin tones, mostly white, with Hine's real photographs set into a few spreads.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. It tell the story of Lewis Wicks Hine, a photographer whose pictures exposed exploitative labor conditions for children, aiming to end child labor by showing the condition they worked in. From canneries to cranberry bogs, shoe factories to cotton mills, Hine travels the country, photographing youth laborers, intending to make observers of his exhibitions consider the children’s plight more deeply.
All in all, The Traveling Camera: Lewis Hine and the Fight to End Child Labor is a wonderful biography of a pioneering social crusader.
Lewis Wickes Hine was an American sociologist and muckraker photographer. His photographs were instrumental in bringing about the passage of the first child labor laws in the United States.
Hinrichs' text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Hinrichs indicates Hine's own words in italics, interweaving them into each spread's lengthy poems. Backmatter includes a chronology, source list, and endnotes. Garland's evocative illustrations feature detailed, textured spreads of humans of varying skin tones, mostly white, with Hine's real photographs set into a few spreads.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. It tell the story of Lewis Wicks Hine, a photographer whose pictures exposed exploitative labor conditions for children, aiming to end child labor by showing the condition they worked in. From canneries to cranberry bogs, shoe factories to cotton mills, Hine travels the country, photographing youth laborers, intending to make observers of his exhibitions consider the children’s plight more deeply.
All in all, The Traveling Camera: Lewis Hine and the Fight to End Child Labor is a wonderful biography of a pioneering social crusader.
June 16, 2021
My real rating: 6 out of 10 photos
My daughter's rating: 6 out of 10 photos
Where can you find my full review? https://www.storybookem.com/post/revi...
I was thrilled to see that this topic was not handled harshly or without sensitivity as this topic could be incredibly hard to handle by anyone, let alone a younger audience. I loved the illustrations and that it offered a great add on to my daughter's history lessons from History class in the 2020-21 school year! I'm so glad we got to experience this book together!
My daughter's rating: 6 out of 10 photos
Where can you find my full review? https://www.storybookem.com/post/revi...
I was thrilled to see that this topic was not handled harshly or without sensitivity as this topic could be incredibly hard to handle by anyone, let alone a younger audience. I loved the illustrations and that it offered a great add on to my daughter's history lessons from History class in the 2020-21 school year! I'm so glad we got to experience this book together!
August 12, 2021
Just. Wow. Stunning illustrations paired with lyrical language. Such an engaging and informative book. LOVE.
May 12, 2022
This free verse monologue told as if in Hine’s voice and using some of his actual quotes introduces kids to Lewis W. Hine, a man who became instrumental in helping to alter America's child labor laws. Born in 1874 in Wisconsin, Hine first became a sociology teacher before realizing that the documentary photographs he took could be used as a tool for social reform.
As art critic Billy Anania observes, "Few American photographers have captured the misery, dignity, and occasional bursts of solidarity within US working-class life as compellingly as Lewis Hine did in the early twentieth century."
In the early 1900s, Hine traveled across the United States to photograph preteen boys working at dangerous jobs, as well as 7-year-olds selling newspapers on the street and 4-year-olds picking tobacco. Child labor was widespread and widely accepted. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that around the turn of the century, almost one-fifth of all children between the ages of 10 and 15 were working.
The International Photography Hall of Fame recounted:
“Eventually these images helped convince government officials to create and strictly enforce laws against child labor. The impact of these photographs on social reform was immediate and profound. They also inspired the concept of art photography, not because of the subject matter, but because the images showed a stark truth that dramatically differed from an emerging artistic character.”
Hine is shown as an adult in this book, but the focus is on the child laborers whose lives he documented with his pictures. Writing as Hine at the end of the narrative, the author states:
“Perhaps you are weary of child labor pictures. Well, so are the rest of us. But I propose to make the whole country sick and tired of the whole business, to make child labor pictures records of the past.”
In the Afterword, the author notes that more states passed better laws limiting child labor as a result of Hine's pictures.
Back matter includes additional information about Hine and child labor; a time line for both subjects; sources; and a selection of actual photos by Hine.
Illustrations by Michael Garland give the impression of a historical moment in time, with soft images and a plethora of well-researched period details.
Evaluation: This picture book for readers 8 and up may hold surprises for young readers when they see how privileged kids lives are now compared to earlier times. They will also come away with an awareness about how art and imagery can affect perceptions and have tangible effects, a subject that can be expanded with a discussion of the uses of visual propaganda.
As art critic Billy Anania observes, "Few American photographers have captured the misery, dignity, and occasional bursts of solidarity within US working-class life as compellingly as Lewis Hine did in the early twentieth century."
In the early 1900s, Hine traveled across the United States to photograph preteen boys working at dangerous jobs, as well as 7-year-olds selling newspapers on the street and 4-year-olds picking tobacco. Child labor was widespread and widely accepted. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that around the turn of the century, almost one-fifth of all children between the ages of 10 and 15 were working.
The International Photography Hall of Fame recounted:
“Eventually these images helped convince government officials to create and strictly enforce laws against child labor. The impact of these photographs on social reform was immediate and profound. They also inspired the concept of art photography, not because of the subject matter, but because the images showed a stark truth that dramatically differed from an emerging artistic character.”
Hine is shown as an adult in this book, but the focus is on the child laborers whose lives he documented with his pictures. Writing as Hine at the end of the narrative, the author states:
“Perhaps you are weary of child labor pictures. Well, so are the rest of us. But I propose to make the whole country sick and tired of the whole business, to make child labor pictures records of the past.”
In the Afterword, the author notes that more states passed better laws limiting child labor as a result of Hine's pictures.
Back matter includes additional information about Hine and child labor; a time line for both subjects; sources; and a selection of actual photos by Hine.
Illustrations by Michael Garland give the impression of a historical moment in time, with soft images and a plethora of well-researched period details.
Evaluation: This picture book for readers 8 and up may hold surprises for young readers when they see how privileged kids lives are now compared to earlier times. They will also come away with an awareness about how art and imagery can affect perceptions and have tangible effects, a subject that can be expanded with a discussion of the uses of visual propaganda.
January 5, 2022
Alexandra S. D. Hinrichs tells this inspiring story of someone who came from poverty, doing odd jobs until he met his mentor, Frank Manny, a principal who helped him find work as a janitor and to begin his studies at a school. He became a teacher and was appointed the school photographer. This was at the beginning of camera work, a huge fifty-pound camera he lugged around taking school pics then, connecting to the NCLC (the National Child Labor Committee) and taking pictures for them, too. He soon quit teaching to go on the road to capture children working, raising awareness of the need for improved laws. It took until 1941 to finally enact the law at the federal level. In poetic story-telling, Alexandra's words are shown in realistic paintings by Michael Garland, page by page, the sad tales show children as young as five working in coal mines, selling news on the streets, delivering meals, and working in a cotton mill. In that mill, the owner would not let him in, so he made up a story that he was sent to take pictures of broken machines and got those pics! He took thousands of photos all over the U.S., showing the heartbreak of children who couldn't attend school because of their work. The illustrations show the sadness but at the end, with an extensive timeline, are examples of real photographs. Also mentioned is that it continues to be an issue all over the world, and sometimes here in our country, too. How Lewis Hine would have loves our phone cameras, right? A quote at the beginning from Hine: "There are two things I wanted to do. I wanted to show the things that had to be corrected. I wanted to show the things that had to be appreciated." Often, the photos he took were the very first the child had ever had taken!
(A personal note: My stepfather told stories that when he was young they were very poor and he sold the paper titled "Grit" on the streets to make some money for his family. "Only for pennies," he said, so I guess he was one of those young kids who probably wasn't supposed to be working.) You can read about "Grit" on Wikipedia.
(A personal note: My stepfather told stories that when he was young they were very poor and he sold the paper titled "Grit" on the streets to make some money for his family. "Only for pennies," he said, so I guess he was one of those young kids who probably wasn't supposed to be working.) You can read about "Grit" on Wikipedia.
July 31, 2021
An outstanding picture book biography about the life and work of Lewis Hine with lovely and evocative illustrations by Michael Garland.
I've been a long-time admirer of the Lewis Hine and the breakthrough work he did to bring awareness of the plight of child workers in America. His work sparked deserved outrage and eventually led to legislation regulating the terrible practices of the time. Russell Freedman's book Kids at Work is still an important book for older students but this book does an excellent job of bringing Hine and his work to a younger audience.
In the extensive back matter, Hinrichs provides a lot of additional information on Hine, his photography and historical background. She addresses Hine's views on gender and race which were reflective of the time - an important issue considering the lack of photographs of racial minorities that he took. Hine's own photographs are included in the back matter as well as a timeline and sources.
Hine was not a perfect person but his work and passion for child labor legislation are a critical piece of American history and his work helped initiate important changes. As an amateur photographer, I greatly appreciated the discussion in the book about the efforts it took to take a picture in the early 1900's, something today's students might not have known. Kids will also find it fascinating that Hine often had to disguise himself or hide his true purpose to gain access to the factories and work sites employing children in order to get his pictures.
This is an excellent book to add to school and public library collections and would be wonderful for classrooms.
I've been a long-time admirer of the Lewis Hine and the breakthrough work he did to bring awareness of the plight of child workers in America. His work sparked deserved outrage and eventually led to legislation regulating the terrible practices of the time. Russell Freedman's book Kids at Work is still an important book for older students but this book does an excellent job of bringing Hine and his work to a younger audience.
In the extensive back matter, Hinrichs provides a lot of additional information on Hine, his photography and historical background. She addresses Hine's views on gender and race which were reflective of the time - an important issue considering the lack of photographs of racial minorities that he took. Hine's own photographs are included in the back matter as well as a timeline and sources.
Hine was not a perfect person but his work and passion for child labor legislation are a critical piece of American history and his work helped initiate important changes. As an amateur photographer, I greatly appreciated the discussion in the book about the efforts it took to take a picture in the early 1900's, something today's students might not have known. Kids will also find it fascinating that Hine often had to disguise himself or hide his true purpose to gain access to the factories and work sites employing children in order to get his pictures.
This is an excellent book to add to school and public library collections and would be wonderful for classrooms.
October 24, 2021
Youngsters today may not realize that not so long ago children were expected to work to help their families survive. Arguably, had it not been for the photographs of Lewis Hine, who traveled across the country recording them in their jobs at cotton mills, shucking oysters, harvesting fruits and vegetables, working in coal mills, things would not have changed. Hine and other social activists brought the issue of child labor to the attention of the public. The story is told through Hine's voice with remarkable details such as how he had measured the distance from the ground to each of the buttons on his coat so that he could guess the age and height of the children he met. In order to gain access to them and make notes on their working conditions, Hine often had to make up reasons for entry such as being asked to take photographs of the machinery. His aim was to awaken social conscience in those who saw the pictures while also capturing the indominable spirit of those young workers, who surely deserved to experience a carefree childhood. Back matter includes information about child labor, how art can be used for social change, a timeline of his life, and some of Hine's actual photographs. I first learned about Lewis Hine through the work of the unparalleled Russell Freedman, but this picture book is a fine introduction to the topic for younger readers. It will certainly make readers think, especially since there's a comment in the back matter about how the recent pandemic has caused some youngsters to have to work and that child labor continues in many parts of the world.
June 3, 2021
I had the opportunity to read an advance copy of this picture book and I found it deeply moving. The text is lyrical and evocative, and I am in awe of how seamlessly author Alexandra Hinrichs wove words written by Lewis himself (in italics) with those she invented based on his “many letters, reports, and photo captions.” The result feels authentic and is filled with both heart and humor.
As a lover of photography and an amateur photographer myself, I was fascinated by this tale of how Lewis Hine used his photography to effectively enlighten the nation and push for social change. It required some serious ingenuity and bravery. Hinrichs captures this beautifully with vivid lines like, “I’m fixing to write down facts so people will believe what their eyes don’t want to see. I’ve measured from the floor to each button on my coat to reckon heights and ages. I’ve invented a waterproof nonsinkable reason in advance to outwit the guardians I am up against. At the cotton mill, I tell the overseer The Company sent me to take pictures of broken machinery. He believes me, lets me inside.”
I was also charmed by the illustrations and appreciated the very thorough back matter, especially the inclusion of many of Lewis Hine’s original photographs. This truly inspiring story is a must-read for both kids and adults!
As a lover of photography and an amateur photographer myself, I was fascinated by this tale of how Lewis Hine used his photography to effectively enlighten the nation and push for social change. It required some serious ingenuity and bravery. Hinrichs captures this beautifully with vivid lines like, “I’m fixing to write down facts so people will believe what their eyes don’t want to see. I’ve measured from the floor to each button on my coat to reckon heights and ages. I’ve invented a waterproof nonsinkable reason in advance to outwit the guardians I am up against. At the cotton mill, I tell the overseer The Company sent me to take pictures of broken machinery. He believes me, lets me inside.”
I was also charmed by the illustrations and appreciated the very thorough back matter, especially the inclusion of many of Lewis Hine’s original photographs. This truly inspiring story is a must-read for both kids and adults!
April 9, 2021
Wow! What a book! Definitely a must read, regardless of your age.
This book documents the life and work of Lewis Hine in the form of a children's book with the eye-widening topic of child labor. In the early 1900's Lewis Hine (who himself worked at a young age to help support his family after his fathers death); eventually becoming a janitor at a school where he was encouraged to work with students. He (with his students) learned photography and began documenting working youth by taking photographs and taking notes of their age and height.
The first (roughly) half of the book is the story, in easy to understand prose and beautiful illustrations. The remainder of the book includes some pictures of Lewis Hine's work and a timeline of his life. Really well done. Very touching. If the book is lacking in anyway, I wish there were more of Lewis Hine's photographs. But all in all, really so thankful to have stumbled across this EXCELLENT book. Very nicely done!
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher (Getty Publications), the author Alexandra S D Hinrichs and illustrator Michael Garland for the opportunity to review this advance read copy in exchange for an honest review. Publication date 14 Sept 2021.
This book documents the life and work of Lewis Hine in the form of a children's book with the eye-widening topic of child labor. In the early 1900's Lewis Hine (who himself worked at a young age to help support his family after his fathers death); eventually becoming a janitor at a school where he was encouraged to work with students. He (with his students) learned photography and began documenting working youth by taking photographs and taking notes of their age and height.
The first (roughly) half of the book is the story, in easy to understand prose and beautiful illustrations. The remainder of the book includes some pictures of Lewis Hine's work and a timeline of his life. Really well done. Very touching. If the book is lacking in anyway, I wish there were more of Lewis Hine's photographs. But all in all, really so thankful to have stumbled across this EXCELLENT book. Very nicely done!
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher (Getty Publications), the author Alexandra S D Hinrichs and illustrator Michael Garland for the opportunity to review this advance read copy in exchange for an honest review. Publication date 14 Sept 2021.
March 21, 2022
This picture book tells the story of Lewis Hine who travelled to several factories and other places where children were working in a variety of awful conditions as part of an attempt to publicize this problem and create social change. The illustrations are very well done and some of Hine's photographs are also in the story. The text is poetic and uses some more challenging or dated words. The content is not graphic or inappropriate for younger children, but I think the concept of labour rights would be challenging for those under the grade 3 level or so. As a Grade 3 teacher, I could see using this book in my social studies classroom as part of rights. I could definitely see this book being used in Grades 4-6, and would have even considered using it as part of my Human Rights lessons in Grade 7 and 8 Social Studies. Additionally, I could see this book being used to introduce the genres of biographies and historical fiction.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this fabulous book. I look forward to purchasing a copy for my classroom library!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this fabulous book. I look forward to purchasing a copy for my classroom library!
September 19, 2022
I love picture book biographies!! They have enriched my life so much that it is hard to put that in words. Through them, I have learned of so many people I would otherwise have never known about and I am glad I now do. Lewis Hine is one such larger-than-life personality whose brilliance with words and photography helped in a large part towards the fight against child labor, and the creation of much needed labor laws.
Hinrich effortlessly combines her own straightforward and informative narrative with Hine’s lyrical words throughout, and the result is beautiful. Michael Garland’s realistic illustrations are evocative, simply stunning, and along with the narrative as well as a few photographs by Hine, help bring Hine and his message to the forefront. Hope shines through its pages despite the serious issue it brings to light.
Do not miss the excellent backmatter, which includes an author’s note to the reader with more information on Hine, a timeline, and list of sources/resources!
A must-read for everyone.
Disclaimer: Thanks to Netgalley for the digital review copy of the book. These are my honest opinions of the book.
Hinrich effortlessly combines her own straightforward and informative narrative with Hine’s lyrical words throughout, and the result is beautiful. Michael Garland’s realistic illustrations are evocative, simply stunning, and along with the narrative as well as a few photographs by Hine, help bring Hine and his message to the forefront. Hope shines through its pages despite the serious issue it brings to light.
Do not miss the excellent backmatter, which includes an author’s note to the reader with more information on Hine, a timeline, and list of sources/resources!
A must-read for everyone.
Disclaimer: Thanks to Netgalley for the digital review copy of the book. These are my honest opinions of the book.
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August 2, 2021The Traveling Camera by Alexandra Hinrichs is a children’s book about Lewis Hine. The book is beautifully illustrated by Michael Garland. The pictures show the work Lewis Hine did to highlight the sheer numbers of children working in unsafe conditions. I liked how the words formed the narrative, some simple with a repeating melody that stayed in my head. The children pictured had names and ages which helps focus the reader to the youngness of the workers. He reminded us of how many people were struggling, but many owners of businesses hired young workers because they were cheaper. Lewis Hines body of work eventually helped new laws against child labor be started.
This book is a great addition to any library and could be a fine introduction to either child labor laws, or industrialization. The Traveling Camera by Alexandra Hinrichs is a great children’s book.
This book is a great addition to any library and could be a fine introduction to either child labor laws, or industrialization. The Traveling Camera by Alexandra Hinrichs is a great children’s book.
September 16, 2022
Once upon a time, children worked long hard hours for little pay. People didn't realize how bad conditions could be for them, so Lewis Hine took photos of them--thousands of photos. Child labor laws in the United States changed, but both in the states and around the world, people like Lewis continue to fight for children's rights: safety, education, family life, protection, and play.
While it's easy to look at a book like this and think that people had things so backwards back then, this book reminds us that the efforts to bring justice and equality to everyone are still ongoing. In this way, Hine was a true hero. I'm not sure kids will love this book as much as I did, but the rhythmic structure keeps it lighthearted while dealing with a hard topic, making this an easy and meaningful read.
While it's easy to look at a book like this and think that people had things so backwards back then, this book reminds us that the efforts to bring justice and equality to everyone are still ongoing. In this way, Hine was a true hero. I'm not sure kids will love this book as much as I did, but the rhythmic structure keeps it lighthearted while dealing with a hard topic, making this an easy and meaningful read.
July 26, 2021
I received an electronic ARC from Getty Publications through NetGalley.
Introductory biography about Lewis Hines told in first person narrative. Readers see Hines tell his own story as he traveled and took pictures to document what was happening in the early 1900's. The full book is told as a continuous poem that takes readers along as Hines took photos of working conditions for children in the United States starting in 1908. He was hired by the National Child Labor Committee to document what was happening. His photos helped move the nation toward child labor laws. Further informative text and a timeline of Hine's life and the labor movements are included at the end of the book. Examples of his photos are also included.
Introductory biography about Lewis Hines told in first person narrative. Readers see Hines tell his own story as he traveled and took pictures to document what was happening in the early 1900's. The full book is told as a continuous poem that takes readers along as Hines took photos of working conditions for children in the United States starting in 1908. He was hired by the National Child Labor Committee to document what was happening. His photos helped move the nation toward child labor laws. Further informative text and a timeline of Hine's life and the labor movements are included at the end of the book. Examples of his photos are also included.
August 1, 2021
This unique picture book will introduce young readers to child labor in the early twentieth century as seen through the lens of photographer Lewis Hine. The main text is written in verse, in the voice of Hine, explaining his work and telling about the children in his pictures. In the back matter, Hinrichs explains how she pulled parts of her first person text from Hine's own writings; she clearly differentiates what is fact and what is fiction. The book itself reads like a story, while the extensive historical notes provide context through well-researched information. I appreciated that Hinrichs also brings the narrative to the present in the section "Child Labor Today". Highly recommended.
Review based on an eARC received through NetGalley.
Review based on an eARC received through NetGalley.
September 21, 2023
Once upon a time children worked. They worked hard and dangerous jobs from an early age. Lewis Hine went town to town across the country taking pictures of these working children to make the populace understand, that factories and mills were no place for children. They belonged in the parks and the playground. This book is based on true works, and many new laws were passed to keep children safe. But now a century later, our modem government are loosening the child labor laws. Hine would roll over in is grave and be back on the train with his camera if he knew.
September 28, 2024
A book that takes the very serious, and very relevant subject of child labor and makes it accessible. Hine's photography is discussed as a method of activism to document child labor and push the issue in front of citizens. Working conditions are simply and frankly described, but not graphically or with any kind of violent detail.
Extensive back matter with photographs, timeline, and resources.
Extensive back matter with photographs, timeline, and resources.
July 7, 2021
This book is thought-provoking. I liked the pictures, and the direct quotes from Lewis Hine, and the way the children were portrayed as cheerful and happy even though they had to work very hard. The historical notes at the end of the book are quite valuable, as they give more information than can be fit into the main part of the book.
I received a review copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.
I received a review copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.
September 27, 2021
Picture book/Biography of Lewis Hine and his fight to end child labor. Beautiful illustrations, which appear alongside Hine’s poetic words, bring the story to life. The author’s ask the reader to consider: “How would you use art to make people pay attention to something important?”
This book is a great historical document and would be a great introduction to civil liberties, especially since the UN declared 2021 the “International Year for the Elimination of Child Labor.”
This book is a great historical document and would be a great introduction to civil liberties, especially since the UN declared 2021 the “International Year for the Elimination of Child Labor.”
October 26, 2021
I was really intrigued by the description for this book and I have to say that the book really lived up to my expectations.
I liked the way that the story was told and the quotes that were added in to the story.
The images were stunning and they suited the book really well.
I loved the end when you could see the actual images that had been taken too and the factual details and historical timeline too.
It is 5 stars from me for this one, very highly recommended
I liked the way that the story was told and the quotes that were added in to the story.
The images were stunning and they suited the book really well.
I loved the end when you could see the actual images that had been taken too and the factual details and historical timeline too.
It is 5 stars from me for this one, very highly recommended
November 20, 2021
Kids need to read non fiction like this. Free verse poetry makes the information easier to comprehend and flow with less effort. The illustrations are accessible and life like enough to convey somber reality without creating nightmares. This is the first step for kids to become active citizens, to understand the non-pretty part of our history--which could easily have been their story -- to become involved and make sure that children are never subjugated like this again.
January 27, 2022
Thank you to the Getty Publications and NetGalley for the electronic review copy of this great book. This wonderful book combines poetic language and unbelievable visuals to tell a story about Lewis Hines and his fight for child labor laws. The author’s note at the end of the book provides even more information and photographs about the topic. I am looking forward to using this important book with my students.
June 9, 2021
Wow! Beautiful! Stunning! I enjoyed it & think I could use it in a 4th grade class next year. I also think it would pair well with Snowflake Bentley. Students will be shocked at how hard children their ages worked in the past. My hope is that this book could help students appreciate that they are able to attend school in our modern era.
September 17, 2021
This non-fiction picture book biography is a beautiful and rich book. The voice of Lewis Hine is woven strongly through the author’s lyrical text, and amplified by charming illustrations. Despite the seriousness of the topic (child labor), the book captures Hine’s spirit of hope. This is a book for all home/school/library shelves.
October 12, 2021
Goodness! Children in our country can't seem to catch a break, can they? These child labor pictures are sobering. And I suppose that's improved -- but then I think about segregation, bullying, active shooter drills, and online learning because of COVID.
A well-written story that is poignant, with excellent back matter.
A well-written story that is poignant, with excellent back matter.
March 26, 2022
A wonderful glimpse into early industrial America through the eyes of children - and one man's camera - in a beautiful artwork style picture book! The story is told in a poem-like writing style that was exquisite. This would be a perfect addition to a homeschool family curriculum or for anyone wanting to read more on this time period!
April 8, 2021
Thanks to Netgalley and Getty Publications for a free digital copy.
A great book about Lewis Hine and how he used his photography to expose child labor practices in the US. The book is mostly illustrated but includes some of his pictures too.
A great book about Lewis Hine and how he used his photography to expose child labor practices in the US. The book is mostly illustrated but includes some of his pictures too.
July 30, 2021
What an amazing story coupled with the author writing in verse. It bring a lessor known issue for elementary students down to their level. The drawings as well as the photos are fantastically telling, which is the point of his story: photography to expose an issue.
January 3, 2025
Alex Hinrichs has done it again! This story is both poignant and powerful. The lyrical language paired with the incredible illustrations are both engaging and informative. This is a great story for homes and classrooms.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews