Mrs. Paddington and the Silver Mousetraps

History is full of fascinating stories of colorful characters, but some of the most interesting parts of history are really odd. You have probably seen scenes of government officials with their powdered white wigs, but in 1700s England and high-society in the American colonies, women created towering hairstyles. Decorations such as ships and flowers were sometimes added to their hairdos, especially if attending a big party. Taking hours to create, women used beef tallow and sugar-water to keep their hairdos in place. This fictional account explains a very real fashion trend and the problems it created for women trying to look stylish!  Author is an NCSS and NY State Outstanding Social Studies Teacher of the Year.

Ages 8 to 12   Grades 3 to 6    Reading Level 3    40 pages    11" x 9"

Features:  sidebars for context, bibliography, author biography, richly detailed & amusing illustrations.

Reviews:
“The humorous illustrations enhance the ridiculous lengths women went to in order to maintain their hairstyles. . . .[A] fun book about a little-known topic.”—School Library Journal

“Readers will likely either be laughing like the commoners on the street or shaking their heads in disbelief . . . .Cox’s illustrations ably capture the whimsy and creativity of the hairstyles while poking gentle fun at the same time.”—Kirkus Reviews

Free Lesson Guide

2022 Creative Child Book of the Year:  Picture Books
2020 Northern Lights Book Award: Historical Fiction
2020 Purple Dragonfly Award: Children's Picture Book

Schools & Libraries

Hardcover edition: 978-1-63440-900-1
$18.99 (List) / $14.24 (S&L)

multi-user ebook edition also available.

Available directly from our distributor Lerner Publisher Services.