THE LADY WHO SAVED GEORGE WASHINGTON - WELL, SORT OF.

George Washington portrait by Gilbert Stuart

In honor of George Washington's birthday, I thought you and your child might like to spend a few minutes taking this challenging quiz .  If you happened to read either of the biographical picture books about our first President that I mentioned in my past post, you will have a better chance of getting the answers right!


But you won't learn anything from those books about the brave lady who saved George Washington, because she saved him during the War of 1812, many years after his death.  Well, she didn't save him, but she did save a very famous portrait of him that hung in the White House when her husband, James Madison was President.  Her name was Dolley and here is a picture book about how she saved the painting, for ages K-4th grade...

DOLLEY MADISON SAVES GEORGE WASHINGTON by Don Brown.

FEBRUARY: A PRESIDENTIAL MONTH

If you're looking for some captivating children's picture books about our two U.S. presidents born in February - Abraham Lincoln on the 12th and George Washington on the 22nd - you won't be disappointed with the choices available from BEAUTIFUL FEET BOOKS!  These books and their authors (who also happen to be the illustrators) are exceptional! 

EDGAR AND INGRI D'AULAIRE BOOKS

George Washington

Abraham Lincoln

The D'Aulaires (husband and wife) began writing and illustrating picture book biographies that were first published for young children in the 1930's. The figures in their colorful folkart style drawings almost have a paper-doll look, which appeals greatly to kids. (In fact their illustrations of George Washington are intentionally supposed to help children conjure up images of rocking horses and toy soldiers!)  All their books are historically accurate and full of authentic detail, a result of the couple's countless hours of research at libraries and their travel to historic sites for each of their books.  And the results are breathtakingly beautiful books! (1st - 6th grade)


  
GENEVIEVE FOSTER BOOKS

George Washington's World

Abraham Lincoln's World

Genevieve Foster's books present a cross-section of history. Her historical figures are introduced and explored amidst the interconnecting events going on around the world at that time in the areas of politics, science, art, literature, and medicine. In the 1940's, her new approach to historical literature, versus just showing biographical subjects in isolation, really brought their stories to life for her young readers. She developed this style of writing from struggling herself, as a student, to better learn and understand history. Her own vivid line drawings, detailed maps, and timelines wonderfully complete these books. (4th grade and up)

BEAUTIFUL FEET BOOKS is a publisher and curriculum source especially loved by homeschooling families.  You can learn more about these titles, and order from their online catalog, here on their website. 

HAPPY FALL! IT'S apple PICKING TIME!

Jonny, very patiently teaching his Mom the finer points of Everything iMac!

The fact that we recently purchased a Mac Computer (which I love and am quickly trying to learn how to use!), added to the fact that I will be flying out tomorrow with my husband to visit my parents in Indiana, means that my blogging will slow down for the next week or so.  I thought I'd leave you with some (real) apple book suggestions for ages 3 - 7 ...

JOHNNY APPLESEED, by Reeve Lindbergh.  (You can refer to my past post about this book.)
 

JOHNNY APPLESEED (Disney version Golden Book)
 
My daughter, Mary, told me of a Disney version she discovered about this Early American Hero, with color styling for the animation by Mary Blair (one of our favorites!)  I found the short (from 1948) on YouTube (I think it may be one of the few Disney cartoons that feature a Bible and Guardian Angel!)  Look for the chipmunk who shares more than a slight resemblance to Chip (of Chip 'n Dale fame).  Another tidbit of trivia: Walter Kent and Kim Gannon, who wrote the songs for the animated cartoon, also wrote "I'll Be Home for Christmas", made popular by Bing Crosby.
Click here for Part 1 of THE LEGEND OF JOHNNY APPLESEED, and here for Part 2.

TEN RED APPLES by Pat Hutchins.  For ages three and up it doesn't get much better than counting, animal sounds, rhyming, and fun bold illustrations!


THE APPLE PIE TREE by Zoe Hall.  Cute and colorful collage illustrations.  Two sisters watch and describe the changes that occur for an apple tree in their backyard during the seasons of the year.  The role of bees and weather and their pertinence to apple production is even incorporated into the story.  You may be tempted to bake an apple pie when you finish this book!



APPLES by Gail Gibbons.  Gibbons gives an overview of apples (their history in America, their parts, growth, harvest, and uses) in her characteristic, easily understood, and straightforward style.
 

AUTHOR JEAN FRITZ: BRINGING HEROES OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION TO LIFE

Jean Fritz has written several informal historical biographies for 9-12 year olds about the American Revolution in a style that makes distant historical figures seem real and brings their stories to life.  One way she accomplishes this, is that she never makes up the dialogue.  She finds real letters, diaries, and journals of the people she is writing about, using only their own spoken or written words. Her books are very readable and capture young readers' imaginations.  She writes her books like a journalist..."my approach is that of a reporter, trying for a scoop, looking for clues, connecting facts, digging under the surface."

AND THEN WHAT HAPPENED, PAUL REVERE?, illustrated by Margo Tomes.

CAN'T YOU MAKE THEM BEHAVE, KING GEORGE?, illustrated by Tommie dePaola.

WHY DON'T YOU GET A HORSE, SAM ADAMS? illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman. 

WILL YOU SIGN HERE, JOHN HANCOCK? illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman. 

WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA, BEN FRANKLIN? illustrated by Margaret Tomes.

THE FUN AND DETAIL OF PETER SPIER

I hope you'll go and find a Peter Spier book at the library or bookstore after you see this blog post! Perfect for relaxing summer days, Peter Spier's (often wordless or nearly wordless) stories are beautifully illustrated with delicate black line drawings and watercolor wash. The pictures are so filled with detail, you can get lost in them!

Our family's top 4 favorites:

PETER SPIER'S CIRCUS - watch as an empty field gets transformed into a Big Top village, as the circus rolls into town!

BORED NOTHING TO DO! - find out what happens when two very bored brothers decide to build an airplane. (This was one of my husband's favorite books to read with our kids.)

NOAH'S ARK (Caldecott Medal Winner) - in this almost wordless book, the illustrations provide us with a nonverbal story of Noah and give great perspective to the enormous task ahead of him.

PETER SPIER'S CHRISTMAS! - somehow all the sights, sounds, joys, and gentle chaos of a family Christmas are portrayed in this book. Without words. Love it!

Other books by Peter Spier, not to be missed:

PETER SPIER'S RAIN

ERIE CANAL

WE THE PEOPLE

THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER

THE BOOK OF JONAH

CRASH, BANG, BOOM