The Huckabuck Family: and How They Raised Popcorn in Nebraska and Quit and Came Back
What’s inside...
The Huckabuck Family: and How They Raised Popcorn in Nebraska and Quit and Came Back' is a children's book by Carl Sandburg that tells the story of the Huckabuck family, who decide to grow popcorn on their farm in Nebraska. The family faces various challenges, including a popcorn explosion that occurs when a fire accidentally starts, causing all the popcorn to pop at once. This event leads the family to leave Nebraska. However, they eventually overcome their misadventures and decide to return to their farm, learning from their experiences and continuing their lives with a new appreciation for their home and their popcorn farming. In a picture-book version of the classic Rootabaga story, the Huckabucks pull up stakes after a fire starts and their enormous popcorn harvest pops them out of house and farm.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-5
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think made the Huckabuck family decide to go back to their home in Nebraska?
How do you believe planting and raising popcorn is different from other crops?
What does this story teach us about trying new things and making big decisions?
Can you think of a time when you tried something new? What was the outcome?
What are some ways the Huckabuck family showed teamwork throughout their adventure?
Tip: Role play these questions
While reading the book, pause at key moments to ask your child how they think a character is feeling, helping them connect emotionally with the story.
Encourage your child to imagine alternative endings or scenarios to enhance creative thinking.
Relate the family’s decisions in the story to real-life decisions your family has made, facilitating personal connections and discussions.
Use expressive voices for different characters to make the reading experience more lively and engaging.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance and Resilience
Explanation: The Huckabuck family's journey of leaving and returning to Nebraska, and their attempts at raising popcorn, underscores the importance of trying again despite failures.
Real-World Application: Children learn to understand the value of persistence in their daily challenges, such as learning a new skill or overcoming obstacles in school projects.
Example Lesson: Importance of Family and Community
Explanation: The Huckabuck family's experiences are deeply rooted in their interactions with each other and their community, showing how people can support one another in times of need.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children the significance of nurturing relationships with family and friends, helping them to build a supportive network.
Example Lesson: Adaptability and Decision Making
Explanation: The family’s decision to move back to Nebraska after their initial move showcases their ability to reassess situations and make crucial decisions for their well-being.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of being flexible and making informed decisions when faced with new situations or changes in their environment.
Example Lesson: Appreciation of Simplicity
Explanation: Through the story, children see how the Huckabuck family finds joy in simple and humble living, valuing what they have.
Real-World Application: This promotes the idea of finding happiness in simple pleasures and being content with what one has, rather than always seeking more.