George Washington as he's rarely seen. 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. Both illustrator and author worked closely with the staff of Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens to render an accurate portrait of Farmer George at work.
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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. Unfortunately, the idyllic pictures of smiling field hands (who are, of course, slaves) will jar children who know the tragic history and are reading this today. Thomas addresses this in a final note, explaining that Washington believed that slavery was wrong, but kept his concerns to himself. Includes a bibliography and a Mount Vernon Web site. Grades 3-5. --Hazel Rochman
Review
* "... 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." --School Library Journal, Starred Review
* "Most biographies of George Washington focus on his military prowess and selection as our first president. But George spent many more years as a farmer. Through diary entries this book reveals several of George's agricultural endeavors and his work on the farms of Mount Vernon. It tells of George's invention of a plow that also planted seeds, it describes fertilizer experiments and a barn he designed so his farm workers could thresh grain indoors. Back material includes a timeline, bibliography, related materials, information about George's acquisition of Mount Vernon, and some of George's thoughts on slavery. The end sheets show a period map of Washington's farm. Exquisite artwork makes the pages pop. Realistic oils depict the Colonial era with fine details. Portraits show Washington aging as the book progresses. The various perspectives including the fish-eye effect provide added visual interest...This attractive picture book for older readers should be included in library collections because of its unusual treatment of George's lifetime achievements." --Library Media Connection, Starred Review
"A pleasing new picture book looks at George Washington's career through an agricultural lens. Sprinkling excerpts from his letters and diaries throughout to allow its subject to speak in his own voice, the narrative makes a convincing case for Washington's place as the nation's First Farmer...Backmatter includes a timeline, author's notes on both Mount Vernon and Washington the slaveholder, resources for further exploration and a bibliography." --Kirkus Reviews
A pleasing new picture book looks at George Washington's career through an agricultural lens. Sprinkling excerpts from his letters and diaries throughout to allow its subject to speak in his own voice, the narrative makes a convincing case for Washington's place as the nation's First Farmer...Backmatter includes a timeline, author's notes on both Mount Vernon and Washington the slaveholder, resources for further exploration and a bibliography. --Kirkus Reviews
* "Most biographies of George Washington focus on his military prowess and selection as our first president. But George spent many more years as a farmer. Through diary entries this book reveals several of George's agricultural endeavors and his work on the farms of Mount Vernon. It tells of George's invention of a plow that also planted seeds, it describes fertilizer experiments and a barn he designed so his farm workers could thresh grain indoors. Back material includes a timeline, bibliography, related materials, information about George's acquisition of Mount Vernon, and some of George's thoughts on slavery. The end sheets show a period map of Washington's farm. Exquisite artwork makes the pages pop. Realistic oils depict the Colonial era with fine details. Portraits show Washington aging as the book progresses. The various perspectives including the fish-eye effect provide added visual interest...This attractive picture book for older readers should be included in library collections because of its unusual treatment of George's lifetime achievements." --Library Media Connection, Starred Review
"A pleasing new picture book looks at George Washington's career through an agricultural lens. Sprinkling excerpts from his letters and diaries throughout to allow its subject to speak in his own voice, the narrative makes a convincing case for Washington's place as the nation's First Farmer...Backmatter includes a timeline, author's notes on both Mount Vernon and Washington the slaveholder, resources for further exploration and a bibliography." --Kirkus Reviews
A pleasing new picture book looks at George Washington's career through an agricultural lens. Sprinkling excerpts from his letters and diaries throughout to allow its subject to speak in his own voice, the narrative makes a convincing case for Washington's place as the nation's First Farmer...Backmatter includes a timeline, author's notes on both Mount Vernon and Washington the slaveholder, resources for further exploration and a bibliography. --Kirkus Reviews
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful Book about George Washington's Activities at Mount Vernon,
By Lynn Ellingwood "The ESOL Teacher" (Webster, NY United States) - See all my reviews (VINE VOICE) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: Farmer George Plants a Nation (Hardcover)
I was surprised at how good this book really was. It deals with the George Washington we rarely learn about but whose existence was the basis for all the other accomplishments he achieved. George Washington owned a plantation in Virginia near the present day Washington D.C. at Mount Vernon. There he used his education to develop better farming techniques. When the troubles with England began, George already had ideas to make the American colonies more independent from England and had been implementing them. His belief that the colonies could do better without the intervention of England was a key idea that the founding fathers stood by when times were tough. George was able to put his ideas into practice and had experience to do better.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Rutgers University Project on Economics and Children,
By Yana V. Rodgers "econkids.rutgers.edu" (New Brunswick, NJ) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: Farmer George Plants a Nation (Hardcover)
George Washington, best known for serving as the first president of the United States and as commander in chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution, also spent many years of his life working as a farmer. As a young man, George first leased the large estate of Mount Vernon from a family member after he returned from fighting in the French and Indian War. He studied the best books on agriculture available from England and began to experiment with how different seeds grew in Mount Vernon's relatively hard clay soil and warm climate. George also thought carefully about to improve the efficiency of farm production at Mount Vernon. With his innovations, he developed a new plow that could also plant seeds, and he designed a new kind of barn that used horses to separate grains of wheat from the stalks.
This unique book offers children a fresh perspective on the economic contributions that George Washington made to the United States through his role as farmer. The book does an excellent job in teaching children about several important concepts in economics, including natural resources, human resources, and innovation. Neither the author nor the illustrator shy away from the fact that George Washington relied extensively on slaves to perform most of the farm work. This book may present children with one of their first views of George Washington as an estate farmer and slave owner, thus presenting a valuable opportunity to talk about the role of slavery in the South during the American Revolution.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful Tribute to Washington as a Farmer,
This review is from: Farmer George Plants a Nation (Hardcover)
This book is a wonderful look at our nation's first president as a farmer. Along with beautiful artwork, this book showcases George's love for experimenting, his ingenuity, and the deep love and care he felt for his land. While most studies of George Washington cover his military service, this book is a wonderful tribute to the man behind the uniform and the other important contributions he made to our country.
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