Children's Books and Family History: One Big Open Sky
Many of us have ancestors who left behind everything they knew in search of a better future. They crossed oceans, traveled great distances, learned new customs, and faced uncertainty with remarkable courage. While children may struggle to understand those sacrifices, stories can help bring those experiences to life.
As their wagon train moves across rivers, prairies, and unfamiliar landscapes, the girls face the realities of pioneer life. There are moments of friendship, wonder, disappointment, fear, and loss. They encounter difficult choices, changing relationships, and the uncertainty that comes with leaving everything familiar behind. Through it all, readers become deeply invested in their stories and begin to understand that westward expansion was not just a historical event—it was a collection of individual and family stories.
This book contains a moment that completely caught me off guard. It was one of those plot twists that makes you stop and reread the page because you didn't see it coming. What struck me most was watching how each of the three girls responded to the challenges they faced. As the journey became more difficult, they grew in remarkable and courageous ways. Ultimately, they needed one another. Their lives quite literally depended on the strength, support, and friendship they found along the trail. It was beautiful to witness.
Through their experiences, readers gain a glimpse into the challenges faced by pioneer families—the long days of travel, the hardships of the trail, and the courage required to keep moving forward. More importantly, the story reminds us that behind every migration is a family story. These were real people with fears, friendships, disappointments, and dreams for the generations who would come after them.
My own ancestors crossed the plains in search of a better life in the West. Although I do not have journals that share the details of their experiences, books like One Big Open Sky help me better understand what they may have faced during their journey. Their experiences were unique to them, but they likely encountered many of the same challenges found in this story. They would have had to make difficult decisions about what to bring, what to leave behind, and what mattered most.
When my parents told us we would be moving from England to California, each of us was given a single suitcase to pack our clothes and anything else we wanted to bring. Suddenly, difficult decisions had to be made. What was important enough to take with me? What could I leave behind?
While my journey was far different from that of the pioneers, I remember the uncertainty of leaving behind everything familiar. Friends, family, favorite places, and the life I had always known would remain in England. Yet, like so many who came before me, I was also moving toward new opportunities and a brighter future. At the end of the day, we had each other, and that was what mattered most.
ACTIVITY: PACKING FOR THE JOURNEY
The girls in One Big Open Sky had to leave behind many of the things they loved as they traveled west on the Oregon Trail. Families could only bring what would fit in their wagon, so they had to choose carefully.
Imagine you were making the journey. What five things would you bring with you? Draw them around the wagon below.
When you are finished, ask a parent, grandparent, or another family member what five things they would bring. Compare your answers and talk about why each item was chosen.
to download/print the activity page simply click here or on the image below
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