Dolley Madison Saves George Washington [Hardcover]

Don Brown (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Dolley was a farm girl who became a fine first lady when she married James Madison. She wore beautiful dresses, decorated her home, and threw lavish parties. Everyone talked about Dolley, and everyone loved her, too. Then war arrived at her doorstep, and Dolley had to meet challenges greater than she’d ever known. So Dolley did one thing she thought might make a difference: she saved George Washington. Not the man himself, but a portrait of him, which would surely have been destroyed by English soldiers. Don Brown once again deftly tells a little known story about a woman who made a significant contribution to American history.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4—Known for her "beauty, her stunning gowns, and her delightful banquets," Dolley Madison first served as the premier Washington, DC, hostess while her husband, James Madison, was secretary of state under Thomas Jefferson because the president was a widower. She continued to throw "wonderful dinner parties" during her husband's subsequent eight-year presidency. While First Lady, she redecorated the President's Mansion, ensuring that Gilbert Stuart's portrait of George Washington was prominently displayed. However, it was during the War of 1812 that she earned the gratitude of her nation when, despite the fact that the 100 soldiers assigned to protect the mansion ran off, she bravely remained behind to make sure that the painting as well as important government documents were saved from otherwise certain destruction by British forces. Pen and ink and watercolors effectively depict the simplicity and roughness of Colonial life and convey with humor the spirit of the time and characters; however, the facial features are for the most part bland. An author's note provides additional information about Stuart and Dolley Madison. Readers will enjoy this exciting picture-book biography of an important First Lady.—Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Brown has made something of a cottage industry providing children with lively biographies of figures as diverse as Mary Anning and Neil Armstrong. Here he focuses on Dolley Madison, who grew up as a simple farm girl, married James Madison, and later became a hostess for widower Thomas Jefferson. Dashing line-and-watercolor artwork captures the flair of the woman who had a smile and a pleasant word for everybody, but who shows her mettle in 1814, when the British attack the White House. The soldiers guarding the house flee, but Dolley refuses to leave until a valuable painting of George Washington is saved with the help of other citizens. Although Brown might have used this high point to end the book, to his credit, he extends the text, showing the anger and fear of the populace as the battle rages. A powerful spread shows women shaking their fists at Dolley, a surrogate for the president, on whom they blame the war. A last page shows Dolley surrounded by cameos of the first 11 presidents, all of whom Dolley knew, while an author's note gives more information about her. A sure-handed wedding of text and art that brings history to life. A brief bibliography is appended. Cooper, Ilene

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children; None edition (October 22, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618411992
• ISBN-13: 978-0618411993
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 11.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #190,349 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #30 in Books > Children's Books > Arts, Crafts & Music > Performing Arts > Drama & Theater
  • #53 in Books > Children's Books > History > United States > State & Local
  • #56 in Books > Children's Books > Education & Reference > Politics & Government

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dolley Madison, the hostess with the mostest, was not just a simple farm girl, she was a national hero!, July 19, 2009

By 

D. Fowler "Dragonfly77" (Vermont) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dolley Madison Saves George Washington (Hardcover)

Dolley Madison was one of those types of people who seemed to have everything going for her. She was charming, graceful, stylish and an excellent hostess with the mostest. "Everybody loves Mrs. Madison. That's because Mrs. Madison loves everybody." When she was young, she was just a simple farm girl, but later on she met and married James Madison who was seventeen years older than she was. He couldn't have made a better choice because everyone just loved sweet Dolley!

She held weekly parties or "drawing rooms" where she greeted everyone as if they were "family or a long-lost friend and she had a 'smile and a pleasant word for everybody.'" She was also a fine decorator and saved a spot in the dining room for Gilbert Stuart's lifesize portrait of George Washington. But soon something ill was in the wind. In 1814 the British invaded America and the jolly Dolley and her parties were no more. Soldiers had to guard the presidential mansion, but soon were spooked, deserted and left Dolley alone. She too needed to escape, but oh, my ... how was she going to rescue poor George?

This is nonfiction the way it should be. Exciting with a bit of drama thrown in for good measure. This book was easy to read and the simple, but novel topic pulled me right into the tale. I've always enjoyed Don Brown's inimitable art work that adds just the right amount of pizazz to his books. If you want a bit of history for your youngster, especially the reluctant reader, this book will fill the bill. I'm sure you'll be wondering just how Dolley managed to save good old George Washington too!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A sweet surprise, April 22, 2009

By 

Heather Martin (The Republic of Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dolley Madison Saves George Washington (Hardcover)

We really enjoyed this book. In just a few pages the author tells the story of how Dolley Madison saves a painting of George Washington. And we learned a lot about her bravery, determination and importance in the early years of our country.

The illustrations were a bit odd. As in they could have been MUCH better. But the text is so engaging that we can't complain too loudly.

We'll use this again.

*taken from my review at goodreads

5.0 out of 5 stars Get to know a First Lady better, October 27, 2011

By 

M. Heiss (USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Dolley Madison Saves George Washington (Hardcover)

Powerful and ladylike. Dolley Madison was both. This book focuses on Dolley as first lady during the War of 1812, her bravery and her escape from the British. She preserved a full-size portrait of George Washington as the White House was being overrun and burned.

This is a good historical story. Our library has it in the biographies section, but it does not serve as a full biography of this remarkable woman. Check with your child's teacher before choosing this for a biography book report.