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I recently found a cool reader called Stories of our Holidays (1913) by Isabel M. Horsford.
It goes through a bunch of American holidays, and I thought we’d follow along! Interestingly, Easter is not an entry. I’m guessing this is because it’s such an inconsistent date every year. Because of this, we will be starting with Arbor Day.
At the beginning of each entry of the book, reading words are written. For this entry, they are
Arbor forest driven often
Arbor day is celebrated on the last Friday in April every year. This year, it will be celebrated on 4/25/25.
Arbor Day
Arbor Day means Tree Day. It is a day for planting trees.
We need many trees in our country.
The trees give us wood to make houses and tables and chairs. Some of the tall trees make masts for ships.
We need trees to shade us in summer. The birds need the trees too.
Sometimes there are forest fires that burn up many trees.
At first they are little fires. But soon they grow bigger and bigger.
The birds leave their nests and fly far away. The squirrels and all the other animals are driven from their homes.
The men fight the fire night and day. Often the fire burns for many days. The men work hard and get very tired, but they are very brave.
Many trees are used every year. We must plant new trees to take their places.
April is a good time to plant trees. Our Arbor Day comes in April.
I have a little spade. My father gave it to me and told me I might help him.
We dug a hole and are going to plant a maple tree in it. It is a little tree now. I will take good care of it.
Each year it will grow taller and stronger. I shall grow tall and strong too.
When I am a man, my maple will be a big tree. The birds will build their nests in it. We shall like to rest in its pleasant shade.
Would you like to plant a tree? I think it is great fun. Just try and see.
