By Peggy Thomas, Paintings by Layne Johnson
Calkins Creek © Copyright 2008
Besides being a general and the first president of the United States, George Washington was also a farmer. His efforts to create a self-sufficient farm at Mount Vernon, Virginia, mirrored his struggle to form a new nation. Excerpts from Washington's writings are featured throughout the book, which also includes a timeline, resource section, as well as essays on Washington at Mount Vernon and his thoughts on slavery.
Read Reviews and Awards!
See the VIDEO trailer!
School Library Journal ***Starred Review *** SLJ Hot Pick
“This picture-book biography focuses on George Washington s life as a farmer, inventor,
and scientist; however, the author also draws many parallels between his role as
farmer and as leader. Washington s goal to make his estate self-sufficient carries
over to his goal to make the new country independent. Thomas s enthusiasm for her
subject is evident in her storytelling-style text. She not only used primary sources
in her research, but also included several quotes from Washington s diaries and letters.
These quotes are written in large script and inserted appropriately within the text.
Johnson s oil paintings support the text while adding a feel of the 18th century.
The balanced placement allows both the art and narrative to shine. The author includes
useful back matter on visiting Mt. Vernon and an especially enlightening note on
George s Thoughts on Slavery. Endpapers show a map of Mt. Vernon taken from a drawing
transmitted by General Washington. Students will find this title useful for reports,
but will also find it a great nonfiction read.”
Carolyn Janssen, Public Library
of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH
Children's Literature
“Most schoolchildren are aware that George Washington was both the first President of the United States and a general in the Revolutionary War. Few, however, know about his great love of farming and that he invented a new kind of plough that, in one operation, planted and covered the seeds. Additionally, he experimented with rotating crops and creating different types of fertilizers. Even while Washington led the Continental Army, his beloved Mount Vernon was never far from his thoughts. He wrote long letters home containing instructions for operating the plantation. After the war, Washington gladly returned to running Mount Vernon and continued to try new ways of growing crops. He even bred horses and donkeys to produce strong and hardy mules that were better suited for farm work than oxen or horses. While President, he designed a unique barn for Mount Vernon. It was two stories high, had sixteen sides and contained 30,820 bricks. All his life, Washington continued learning and sharing with other farmers as he believed that successful farmers were very important for the new nation. The splendid, richly-colored oil paintings, often double-page spreads, harmonize well with the text and make the book truly beautiful. Quotes from Washington's diary and letters are found throughout and clearly bring out his character as well as his devotion to his home and the land. The endpapers are a reproduction of a map of Mount Vernon drawn by Washington. This is truly an outstanding book that will interest both children and adults. It belongs in every collection.” Reviewer: Sylvia Firth
National Geographic Channel: 3 paintings from the book used in National Geographic's The Real George Washington: http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/expedition-week/3618/Overview (See 1st promo - cover art used at 1:45)
Booklist
"With big, lush oil paintings and a detailed text, this picture book for older readers celebrates George Washington's role, not as victorious general and first president, but as lifelong farmer, who learned all he could about agriculture. He planted trees, bred mules, designed a barn, switched from growing tobacco to wheat, and experimented with all kinds of field crops, mixing fertilizers and compost to grow shrubs and vegetables. With quotes from Washington's diary and letters, the hands-on account of the great leader who was also a pioneer farmer will inspire young gardeners... Includes a bibliography and a Mount Vernon Web site." Hazel Rochman
• School Library Journal's Best Books 2008
• Selected for Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12 for 2009 Reading List.
• Selected by the Nebraska Farm Bureau as 2008 Children's Agriculture Book of the Year for Grades 4-5
• Selected by the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation as Book of the Year for grades K-6.
• Selected as the winner of the 2009 Ohio Farm Bureau Federation Children's Literature Award.
• Kansas State Reading Circle 2009 Recommended Reading List
• San Diego Unified School District
• Chicago Public Schools, Grades 6-8
• Mount Vernon - Phoebe Apperson Hearst Learning Center for Teachers
• Indiana Library Federation - Young Hoosier Book Award Nominee
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Member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
All images on this page are copyrighted by Layne Johnson
and may not be copied or
reproduced in any form without written permission.
