George Washington

Children's Literature

Setting out to separate well-known men from their myths, the Bridgestone Books "Let Freedom Ring" series utilizes engaging imagery (photos and paintings) and authentic documents to sort out truth from falsehood. In this volume about our first president, the reader follows him from his birth in Westmoreland County, Virginia, through his intriguing boyhood to his positions of military and political leadership during our country's difficult birth. Geared to the young child's short attention span, the text (somewhat dull and dry) is split into short segments, alternating with eye-catching graphics. These range from portraits to photos of handwritten lists and parchments, period clothing, and even the General's famous set of false teeth. Special features include a map of the thirteen colonies, a timeline of the president's life, a glossary of unusual terms, and lists of related tourist and Website s that can immerse the reader even further into Washingtoniana. Final result¾the cold stone figure on Mt. Rushmore suddenly warms, stands, and walks into the child's active imagination. If teachers and librarians recommend this biography to their students, they can be sure they're transmitting the most information in the quickest and least painful way possible. For that reason, this whole colorful set of biographies should be available to whet the historical appetites of elementary- and middle-schoolers. 2002, Capstone Press,
— Earlene Viano