Curious Kids in Hershey, Pennsylvania (Ages 5-8)

Are you getting ready to head off to Hershey and need books and other resources to help your kids learn more about Pennsylvania? 

Here’s a list of great stuff for your kiddos.

• The Gift to Be Simple: Life in the Amish Country
  by Bill Coleman
• A book of photographs captures what many books about the Amish do not, the Amish themselves. With special permission, Coleman was able to photograph the Amish in their daily life and provides a book great for book for young children and adults alike. This book allows children to see other children, who are Amish and how their lives are similar and different to their own. A great book to look at before or after a trip to Lancaster County, it will be eye-opening for children to see how much work a typical Amish child does around the house before most other children in America are even awake!  

• The Hershey Kisses Addition Book
  by Jerry Pallotta
  
  This math book will not only get children excited for a trip to Hershey but also help them learn addition. A simple mathematics book that shows adding using Hershey kisses. A great summer read before heading to Hershey Park, where children will be surrounded by candy they can count!
  
  
• Milton Hershey: Young Chocolatier
  by M.M. Eboch
  
  A biography about Milton Hershey, written in trivia format. This book teaches children all of the little known facts about Hershey, including how many times he made chocolate until he got the recipe the way he wanted it. A great inspirational book for younger children, written in a way to keep their interest and influence them in ways they won’t even realize.

• Pennsylvania
  by Ann Heinrichs
  
  This book, filled with great pictures of Pennsylvania, will help young readers become familiar with historic sites and places they will visit on their trip to Hershey.  Children can see what a beautiful state Pennsylvania is, while also learning some important historical facts about places they may visit. A great way to help children explore through pictures, even as they become independent readers.  

• Movie: Colonial Life for Children: William Penn & Pennsylvania
  
  A movie made entirely for learning about William Penn and Pennsylvania. This film teaches children about colonial life and William Penn’s exploration in Pennsylvania. Children will see how Penn explored the state and his life, including where he lived. An easy to understand movie for young children, this professional film will hold their interest and leave them with some new facts.  

• The Discover Pennsylvania Website
  http://sites.state.pa.us/kids/
  
  A great website for kids to explore facts about Pennsylvania. This interactive site provides information about the state flag, bird, as well as population information. Children can play games to see how much they know and even learn the reason behind some of our state symbols.