George Did It - Hardcover

Jurmain, Suzanne Tripp

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0525475605 ISBN 13: 9780525475606

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile, 2005

Synopsis

George Washington was not afraid of responsibility. When the Colonies needed a commander-in-chief to build an army, George did it. And when they needed his army to fight the British, George did it. But when Americans asked George to be the first president of the brand-new United States, he politely said,"NO, THANK YOU." Here is the whimsical story of how our first president tried to avoid his most important job. Filled with little-known and funny facts, this book reveals a more personal side of Washington—a great leader who could also be a little nervous.

About this title

About the Author:

Larry Day is the award-winning illustrator of several picture books about American history, including Colonial Voices: Hear them Speak and Voices from the Oregon Trail by Kay Winters and George Did It by Suzanne Tripp Jurmain, He has exhibited watercolors extensively as well. He lives in Oak Park, Illinois.

From Booklist:

*Starred Review* Gr. 2-4. Putting a human face on one of the most famously wooden figures in American history, this picture book focuses on George Washington as a reluctant first president. Though other books note that Washington was disinclined to leave the relative peace of Mount Vernon for the presidency, Jurmain adds that he felt too tired and too old at 57, that he did not want to live in New York, and that he was nervous about taking on the job. The lively text follows Washington as friends such as Jefferson convince him to accept the challenge, as the election is carried out (he was the only candidate), and as he travels to the inauguration with multiple parties along the way. The text is studded with short quotes and memorable details, such as cash-poor Washington borrowing 100 pounds to pay for his journey and the presence of two orangutans on one of the boats celebrating his arrival in New York Harbor. Brightened with watercolor washes, Day's strong drawings illustrate the story with wit and finesse. Though the presence of a fox in many of the scenes (stowing away atop the coach, sleeping in Washington's bedchamber, carrying a flag while riding on his horse) may lead some to wonder whether other elements are factual, this thoroughly engaging book has a great deal to offer young students of American history. A selected bibliography is included. Pair this with Madeleine Comora and Deborah Chandra's George Washington's Teeth (2002), another glimpse at the man behind the myth. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About this edition

• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0525475605
• ISBN 13: 9780525475606
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 40
• Illustrator: Day Larry