Back in 1774 when American Girl character Felicity was growing up, the first “book” children had at school was called a Hornbook. It looked more like a paddle with a piece of paper on it but it was an essential part of Colonial life. In the early days of Felicity’s collection her Reading and Writing Lesson set actually included a hornbook. For today’s 100 Days of Doll Play we are going to make a hornbook for Felicity – but any of your dolls can use it.
Felicity’s Hornbook is on her chair (from The Queen’s Treasures by the way) and ready for her to start her lesson. All the instructions for making her hornbook are in today’s printable activity.
Hornbooks went everywhere with students in Colonial times so they had a string through the handle that could be attached to their wrist, worn over their heads, attached to a belt or in the case of the girls, a strap in their girdles.
Felicity is seated and ready for her lesson. In Colonial days education was very much tied to religion so Felicity’s hornbook would have had Bible verses or the Lord’s Prayer on it too.
Making a hornbook for your dolls is actually very easy and all you need is cardbook or fun foam, gold or silver trim, scissors, glue and a bit of ribbon. The steps are listed in today’s printable along with one of Felicity’s lessons.
Download the Colonial Hornbook instruction sheet as a PDF
For more about life in Colonial times for kids, check out:
- Colonial Williamsburg’s Kids Site – there are lots of games for kids on this site, too
- American Girl’s section on Felicity
- Liberty’s Kids
- A more detailed diagram of a hornbook
Have a great day!
firstie cute
OMG I really love hornbooks–thank you!
Interesting, kinda looks like a clipboard.
Fourthie
Too cute!
This is so cool! I love historical accessories.
Felicity is a beautiful doll! And guess what! I’m getting goty doll Lindsey from eBay!
Ava – that is awesome. I wish I would have got Lindsey
cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jackie~ yeah it does!!!
Wow, I’ve never heard of a hornbook before! Pretty cool!
ava- i bid on a lindsey. i got outbid. i am still looking. i love lindsey.
Lucky girls ! I really want felicity and Samantha ! This is a cool craft!
nice i have elizabeth and my sister has felicity she never plays with hers so i somtimes play with her and today’s my birthday and i hope i’m getting the journey girls wheel chair and crutch set!!!!
I’m having way too much fun with with the colinial williamsburg website.
I always loved the school sets and I’m sad that they don’t make them anymore.
Also, for some reason it poped into my head that Felicity’s family HAD to belong to the Anglican church or they’d be kicked out of Williamsburg.
Happy Birthday Natalie!
Agisthebest- did the Lindsey you were bidding on come with clothes?
cool
Love it! Thisis too much fun! Char- did you get my pics of the dolls ice cream party from day one?
Yes, I just haven’t had a chance to post them yet.
thats really cute!! i wish my bday was today cuz i doubt that mck’s loftbed will be available by xmas…
Ava yes, clothes lockers and a bunch of accessories. That would be funny if it was the same one.
Yeah! That would be funny! But no mine had no clothes.
I love all of the old sets from ag. I wish I got them befor they toke them away!!!!!!!!
This is a great idea. Thanks for posting it.
Rose- I know Right! And i got lindsey for my birthday. shes very pretty isnt she?
Yes, she is very pretty! I especially love her hair and eye colors.
natalie- happy birthday! my birthdays tommorrow! wierd are b days are so close!
iwas thinking about getting lindsay
I want Felicity. And Lindsey.
Claire – Happy Birthday – so many birthdays this week!
Char- thanks! And I my mom got me kit for my birthday!!
It’s my birthday on Sunday.
Wow Ava – there are so many birthdays this week. Happy Birthday early.
wow there are alot of bdays. happy bday everyone! claire i love kit! shes beautiful!
thanx char
clair thanx and that is really weird
happy bday! Everyone? WOW! Theres a lot of birthdays!
Happy b-day and look at my website!!