George Washington

The first thing that struck me about this book was the beautiful, vibrant pictures. I love how Harness includes explanations of some of the words that may not be familiar to children, such as "surveying." I think it's a great book to use in a classroom setting because it hits on many different areas--the French and Indian War, the Revolutionary War, the Declaration of Indpendence, the Constitution, the three branches of government, and slavery. I definitely recommend this book.

This juvenile biography of "George Washington" by Cheryl Harness combined detailed watercolors with a text that emphasizes that nobody really knew how remarkable the man was until events brought him to the forefront of history. The biography begins with young George Washington dreaming of commanding a warship in the Royal Navy and ends with the former President catching a chill after going out on a snowy day for his customary ride through the fields of Mount Vernon. Most of the focus of this book is on General Washington during the American Revolution, which means that his military service in the French & Indian Wars and his presidency become secondary considerations. The latter is reduced to what the new President would be called, the construction of the new capital city, and the political divisions of Washington's cabinet. The artwork is a combination of big pictures of the noble Father of Our Country and smaller maps and scenes representing the life and times in which Washington lived. The images of Washington are probably the best part of the volume since they do a very nice job of making Washington look like a human being rather than a formal portrait or a marble statue. Some of the pages get a bit cluttered with images and sometimes threaten to overwhelm the text, but on balance this is a solid juvenile biography that makes up with spirit what it lacks in detail. Then again, Harness makes a point of identifying all the historical figures when she details the Continental Congress or Washington's cabinet. This is one of several nice looking presidential biographies Harness has put together for the National Geographic Society.

The illustrations in this book are nothing short of amazing. Very powerful. They jump right out at you and each page is loaded with beautiful visuals and text. I lost myself in each page as I read this book to my two daughters. The storyline is definitely geared for the higher primary grade levels (4th/5th Grade and up), but my kids were still mesmerized. Quite frankly, so was I! I'll add this to our personal library because it is well written and they will appreciate it more in later grades. If you are looking for a terrific book about Washington for younger readers try George Washington: A Picture Book Biography by James Cross Giblin.But don't neglect the sheer artistry in this book by Harness. It is truly remarkable!5 Stars...Enjoy

Harness is a master of the longer picture book biography. While her biographies are heavy with text, they also are heavy with detailed illustrations and little extras! She strikes the balance well! George Washington is no different! Beautiful illustrations jump out! Teachers and kids will love the extra surprises at the end - a "More About George" section and a detailed sketch that identifies everyone at the Constitutional convention in 1787. Buy this book!