Local Author Paints Picture of Civil War for Kids Through Book
By: Carmen Chau
Updated: December 23, 2012
SHARPSBURG, MD - He calls himself Tobe Law, a 79-year old man who is a history buff.
"I've been a reenactor, I've been a history buff since Centennial 100th anniversary and a collector and a speaker," says Law.
He started it six years ago and the book made its debut three weeks ago. Titled "Drummer Boy for the Bonnie Blue," it tells a story from a young drummer boy who is in the midst of the Civil War.
The book is aimed for children ages nine to 16 and allows them to see what the Civil War was like.
"Unfortunately, school history is not really interesting to kids. They're a wash in dates and facts but if you get the human side, these people were just a little older than the school kids, some the same age, 16 or 18," adds Law.
81 copies have been sold so far and he decided to sell more by featuring it at The Antietam National Battlefield, signing copies for those who made a purchase.
Law says his inspiration to write the book was simply the urge to have kids understand the war from a drummer boy's eyes.
"If they can see it through the eyes of a drummer boy, then it's the reality of the war rather than romance and glory," adds Law.
While some kids may think History is a boring subject, Law says the war cannot be felt until standing on the battlefields.
"I think they should get themselves submerged in as much Civil War history while having a 150th anniversary to find out what it's like in the Maryland area that's particularly blessed by happenings in their own backyard," adds Law.
The history buff is ready to retire but he hopes children will seek out ways to learn more about their homeland.
The book is being sold for $12.95 and can be ordered through The White Mane Kids Publishing Company.
"I've been a reenactor, I've been a history buff since Centennial 100th anniversary and a collector and a speaker," says Law.
He started it six years ago and the book made its debut three weeks ago. Titled "Drummer Boy for the Bonnie Blue," it tells a story from a young drummer boy who is in the midst of the Civil War.
The book is aimed for children ages nine to 16 and allows them to see what the Civil War was like.
"Unfortunately, school history is not really interesting to kids. They're a wash in dates and facts but if you get the human side, these people were just a little older than the school kids, some the same age, 16 or 18," adds Law.
81 copies have been sold so far and he decided to sell more by featuring it at The Antietam National Battlefield, signing copies for those who made a purchase.
Law says his inspiration to write the book was simply the urge to have kids understand the war from a drummer boy's eyes.
"If they can see it through the eyes of a drummer boy, then it's the reality of the war rather than romance and glory," adds Law.
While some kids may think History is a boring subject, Law says the war cannot be felt until standing on the battlefields.
"I think they should get themselves submerged in as much Civil War history while having a 150th anniversary to find out what it's like in the Maryland area that's particularly blessed by happenings in their own backyard," adds Law.
The history buff is ready to retire but he hopes children will seek out ways to learn more about their homeland.
The book is being sold for $12.95 and can be ordered through The White Mane Kids Publishing Company.
