Ideas & Inspiration for The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate
Find this title at a library near you.
From the publisher’s website:
Calpurnia Virginia Tate is eleven years old in 1899 when she wonders why the yellow grasshoppers in her Texas backyard are so much bigger than the green ones.With a little help from her notoriously cantankerous grandfather, an avid naturalist, she figures out that the green grasshoppers are easier to see against the yellow grass, so they are eaten before they can get any larger. As Callie explores the natural world around her, she develops a close relationship with her grandfather, navigates the dangers of living with six brothers, and comes up against just what it means to be a girl at the turn of the century.
Debut author Jacqueline Kelly deftly brings Callie and her family to life, capturing a year of growing up with unique sensitivity and a wry wit.
Title-specific resources for your Book to Art Club
- Discussion questions from the publisher (opens as PDF).
- History of On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin from Darwin Online.
- More paper-cut work from the cover artist, Beth White.
- Our Pinterest board of inspiration and creative project suggestions!
About the suggested projects:
This lovely book is all about a girl who takes an interest in natural history right as Charles Darwin is publishing his own theories. We pinned loads of digital collections featuring botanical and animal illustrations and prints that are in the public domain, which can inspire you in all sorts of ways, but I was particularly inspired by the cover design, so you’ll also find some links to paper cutting. Why not combine the two and try paper cutting with one or two botanical images? Or pull out the tracing paper and make your own naturalist prints. There’s so much fodder for inspiration in The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate – it’s entirely up to you!