George Did It [Hardcover]

Suzanne Tripp Jurmain (Author), Larry Day (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

George Washington was not afraid of responsibility. When the Colonies needed a commander-in-chief to build an army, George did it. And when they needed his army to fight the British, George did it. But when Americans asked George to be the first president of the brand-new United States, he politely said,"NO, THANK YOU." Here is the whimsical story of how our first president tried to avoid his most important job. Filled with little-known and funny facts, this book reveals a more personal side of Washington—a great leader who could also be a little nervous.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. Grade 2-5–Complemented by witty cartoon drawings, a lively text explains why Americans wanted George Washington to be their first president and how reluctant the successful general felt about accepting the position. While the man is portrayed in a positive historical light, the book also shows his human side and his nervous, embarrassed, and anxious feelings. Surrounded by humorous caricatures of other founding fathers, Washington relates his reactions to the whirlwind activities of the eight days leading to his inauguration depicted through facial expressions and emotional actions. Color conveys a sense of patriotism and excitement for the new nation. Several pictures include a cleverly placed red fox that mimics the actions and responds to the events of the patriot's life. Although many books on Washington are available for this audience, few focus on a particular segment of his life while also providing bibliographical information. Based in part on recollections by George Washington Parke Custis, Washington's adopted son, this is a factual, focused, and entertaining account of the making of the nation's first president.–Julie R. Ranelli, Episcopal Center for Children, Washington, DC
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Gr. 2-4. Putting a human face on one of the most famously wooden figures in American history, this picture book focuses on George Washington as a reluctant first president. Though other books note that Washington was disinclined to leave the relative peace of Mount Vernon for the presidency, Jurmain adds that he felt too tired and too old at 57, that he did not want to live in New York, and that he was nervous about taking on the job. The lively text follows Washington as friends such as Jefferson convince him to accept the challenge, as the election is carried out (he was the only candidate), and as he travels to the inauguration with multiple parties along the way. The text is studded with short quotes and memorable details, such as cash-poor Washington borrowing 100 pounds to pay for his journey and the presence of two orangutans on one of the boats celebrating his arrival in New York Harbor. Brightened with watercolor washes, Day's strong drawings illustrate the story with wit and finesse. Though the presence of a fox in many of the scenes (stowing away atop the coach, sleeping in Washington's bedchamber, carrying a flag while riding on his horse) may lead some to wonder whether other elements are factual, this thoroughly engaging book has a great deal to offer young students of American history. A selected bibliography is included. Pair this with Madeleine Comora and Deborah Chandra's George Washington's Teeth (2002), another glimpse at the man behind the myth. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile (December 29, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525475605
• ISBN-13: 978-0525475606
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,873,966 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ** THE PRESIDENCY & PEER PRESSURE **, February 22, 2006

By 

mcHaiku "nmi" (Brown County INDIANA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: George Did It (Hardcover)

George Did WHAT? Well, he succumbed to peer pressure and, as the only candidate, became President of a brand-new government. His job was to guide, cajole & encourage the disparate settlers in the thirteen colonies to pull together and form one nation: What an impressive word is "INDIVISIBLE."

The book, "George Did It" by Suzanne Jurmain is cleverly 'put together' with plenty of appeal for boys even. It might inspire a class study of presidential cartoons through the decades &/or *a unit on drawing cartoons*. It is a good springboard for children becoming acquainted with presidents, politics /AND/ peer pressure.

Young readers will follow with amusement Jurmain's story (& the comical drawings of Larry Day) about George Washington's reluctance to be president. A man of advanced years (57 !) he was tired of War and eager to return to the comforts of home. Home was Martha & Mount Vernon, an estate/plantation on the Potomac in the beautiful Virginia countryside. He was ready for the change in responsibilities, to be a family man once more.

Some children will be able to relate to George Washington as a veteran. They may come to respect a different call to serve as they learn about the responsibilities of the presidency and how Washington felt it was his duty to serve in that capacity. Reviewer mcHAIKU suggests that teachers incorporate into a unit about presidents the words that 14 year old George copied into a book, later printed (isbn: #155709103X) as "George Washington's Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation." Now there is a mouthful of wisdom that is excellent advice for ALL presidents and citizens alike.