Overview
Everyone wanted George Washington to be the president. He was responsible, led the army in a fight against the British, and helped write the Constitution. But being the president is a very important job, and George was too nervous. So, to everyone’s surprise, he said no! However, George had many supporters, and with the help of the cheering crowds and loyal advisers and dignitaries, George realized that he didn’t have time to think about how nervous he was, he just had to do his job. With little-known facts and a bit of humor, Suzanne Tripp Jurmain gives readers a glimpse into the more personal side of the first president of the United States.
Synopsis
Everyone wanted George Washington to be the president. He was responsible, led the army in a fight against the British, and helped write the Constitution. But being the president is a very important job, and George was too nervous. So, to everyone's surprise, he said no! However, George had many supporters, and with the help of the cheering crowds and loyal advisers and dignitaries, George realized that he didn't have time to think about how nervous he was, he just had to do his job. With little-known facts and a bit of humor, Suzanne Tripp Jurmain gives readers a glimpse into the more personal side of the first president of the United States.
Publishers Weekly
From the opening lines, Jurmain's (Freedom's Sons) lighthearted, anecdotal look at the war-weary general's reluctant agreement to run for election takes on a snappy tone: "In 1789, almost everyone in the country wanted George Washington to be the first president of the United States of America. Everyone-except George." The narrative flashes back to prior jobs Americans had asked the honest, dependable man to do-which he did-including leading the Colonial army to victory and helping to write the Constitution. But, the author explains (smoothly incorporating Washington's own words), "Nothing in his whole life... filled him with `greater anxiety' than the thought of being president." Pressured by friends and strangers, he acquiesced, yet after his election admitted, "he felt like a criminal who was `going to... his execution.' " Jurmain shares entertaining details of the subsequent weeks: Washington had to borrow money from a Virginia neighbor to fund his trip to New York for the inauguration; the inaugural ceremony was delayed because members of Congress forgot to bring a Bible; and the nervous president "quivered all over like a six-foot custard" while making his speech. Readers will likely find this candid revelation of Washington's apprehension and self-doubt both endearing and inspiring. Day's (Who Was Annie Oakley?) occasionally grainy, animated art captures the text's cheerfulness and helps to put an appealing, human face on this larger-than-life leader. Ages 5-up. (Dec.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
Editorials
Publishers Weekly
From the opening lines, Jurmain's (Freedom's Sons) lighthearted, anecdotal look at the war-weary general's reluctant agreement to run for election takes on a snappy tone: "In 1789, almost everyone in the country wanted George Washington to be the first president of the United States of America. Everyone-except George." The narrative flashes back to prior jobs Americans had asked the honest, dependable man to do-which he did-including leading the Colonial army to victory and helping to write the Constitution. But, the author explains (smoothly incorporating Washington's own words), "Nothing in his whole life... filled him with `greater anxiety' than the thought of being president." Pressured by friends and strangers, he acquiesced, yet after his election admitted, "he felt like a criminal who was `going to... his execution.' " Jurmain shares entertaining details of the subsequent weeks: Washington had to borrow money from a Virginia neighbor to fund his trip to New York for the inauguration; the inaugural ceremony was delayed because members of Congress forgot to bring a Bible; and the nervous president "quivered all over like a six-foot custard" while making his speech. Readers will likely find this candid revelation of Washington's apprehension and self-doubt both endearing and inspiring. Day's (Who Was Annie Oakley?) occasionally grainy, animated art captures the text's cheerfulness and helps to put an appealing, human face on this larger-than-life leader. Ages 5-up. (Dec.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.Children's Literature
"His Exalted High Mightiness, the President of the United States" is what some members of Congress wanted to call the newly elected leader, George Washington. He was relieved when it was decided to address him as "President," since he did not want anyone to think that he was trying to be a king. George Washington was reluctant to become president after having spent fourteen years in the struggle for freedom from the British, and after helping to write the Constitution following the war. He just wanted to return to Mt. Vernon and work on his home, farm, and enjoy his country life. The author gives us a look at the very real person Washington was, as well as documenting much of the history surrounding his major contributions to the development of the nation we know today. She recounts how Washington rose to the occasion when asked to lead the American Army in the fight for freedom from Britain: "George did it." She tells how hard it was to help design a new government to unite the thirteen colonies. "But George did it." However, when the time came to elect a leader for the new nation, George Washington did not want to say "yes" to the people's request to be the first president. Told with humor, Jurmain reveals the trepidation with which GW approached becoming president: he was nervous. The illustrations of authentic clothing, tools, furniture, etc., reflect the text nicely. The pictures also give those who know something about the period or George Washington several opportunities for chuckles. In a scene where the people are pestering him to become president, he is shown leaving a dentist's office with a bandage around his jaw. The sign in the window says "false teeth made here." The trendtoward text dense picture books is well suited for sharing history with young audiences and for making memorable presentations of facts that could be dry. This title will inform and amuse, as well as reassure those who do not relish public speaking--neither did George, but he did it. A bibliography is included. 2006, Dutton/Penguin, Ages 6 to 9.—Sheilah Egan