Lighthouses for Kids: History, Science, and Lore with 21 Activities
Note to Readers ou might be surprised to find out that the word lighthouse means different things to dif ferent people Lighthouse experts can't even agree on an exact definition So what did I consider a lighthouse for this book A structure designed to stand forever and provide a light to boaters The structures highlighted in Lighthouses for Kids also featured an enclosed area the lantern room where the keeper could do his or her job In nearly every case a keeper lived at the lighthouse at some point in the past to tend the light Finally I chose to emphasize the lives of keepers and their families who were civilian workers rather than more recent members of the U S Coast
Al Acknowledg ments any people have played a role in helping me get this book published Thanks to Jim and Barbara Leupold for introducing me to the magic of lighthouses as a child and to my husband Jim who has grown to admire lighthouses almost as much as I do My son Jonathan enthusias tically explained lighthouse technology to his friends and mastered the art of refracting light My daughter Caroline patiently waited to discover mobility until this project was nearly finished Maxine House read the manuscript with the keen eye of a retired English teacher Warm thanks to Jeremy D Entremont author of several lighthouse books and webmaster of http lighthouse cc who reviewed the entire man uscript I appreciate his expertise helpful comments and attention to detail I am also grateful to Millie Frese who cheerfully read early drafts and offered so many suggestions Thanks to SCBWI Iowa for con necting me with the folks at Chicago Review Press and to Lisa Rosenthal for her enthusiasm for the project Cynthia Sherry helped me shape the man uscript into its current format for which I am grate
ful Lisa Reardon's careful and gentle guidance helped me through the final phases of the project Rebekah Frese and Amelia Moser read various chapters and tested activities Thanks also to Alex Bussan Beth Homan and the Storey family for their suggestions Numerous friends cheered me on including Cindy Blobaum whose last minute advice kept me going Tess Judge Ellis who offered much encouragement during the journey to publication and Claudia McGehee sponge painter extraordinaire who always asked good questions Special thanks to all the librarians lighthouse experts and local historians who provided research materials photographs and feedback this project would not have been possible without them The staff of the U S Coast Guard Historian's Office espe cially Christopher Havern was extremely helpful in providing access to their extensive collection Finally I appreciate the efforts of lighthouse keepers fami lies who dug through photo collections to provide images for this book Thanks to
1 Time Line About 280 B C The world’s first lighthouse Pharos completed About A D 50 Romans complete harbor at Ostia including lighthouse 869 Lighted pagoda helps mark entrance to harbor in Shanghai China 1157 Italians build lighthouse at Meloria 1669 Reflectors used in Swedish light house 1698 First tower at Eddystone in Eng land lighted 1699 Eddystone tower rebuilt and improved 1708 Third lighthouse at Eddystone lighted 1716 Lighthouse in Boston Harbor lighted 1719 First fog signal in colonial America used at Boston Harbor 1731 World's first lightship put in ser vice in England
