John, Paul, George & Ben [Hardcover]

Lane Smith (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Once there were four lads...
John [Hancock],
Paul [Revere],
George [Washington],
and Ben [Franklin].


Oh yes, there was also Tom [Jefferson], but he was annoyingly independent and hardly ever around.

These lads were always getting into trouble for one reason or another. In other words, they took a few...liberties. And to be honest, they were not always appreciated.

This is the story of five little lads before they became five really big Founding Fathers.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. Grade 2-5–Describing each man in turn as either bold, noisy, honest, clever, or independent, and taking many liberties with the truth, Smith relates how the Founding Fathers of the title–and Jefferson, too–played a part in securing Americas freedom. Hancocks penchant for sprawling his name across the chalkboard as a child led to his boldly writing the biggest signature on the Declaration of Independence. Reveres loud voice selling underwear in his shop came in handy when he had to scream The Redcoats are coming! Washingtons honest admission to chopping down trees led to his serving as president in New York City where there were few forests. Well, you get the idea. The pen-and-ink cartoon illustrations, richly textured with various techniques, add to the fun. Page turns reveal droll surprises such as young bewigged George, axe in hand and already missing some teeth, surveying his felled orchard, or Franklins rejoinder when the townspeople express their vexation with his clever sayings. Early American typefaces, parchment grounds, and vestiges of 18th-century life, like chamber pots and hoop toys, evoke a sense of the time. A true-and-false section in the back separates fact from fiction. While children will love the off-the-wall humor, there is plenty for adult readers to enjoy, too–the clever fly leaf, puns (…that bell-ringing took a toll on young Paul), and more. Exercise your freedom to scoop up this one.–Marianne Saccardi, formerly at Norwalk Community College, CT
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

K-Gr. 3. The title offers a clue that Smith is winking at adults, but as good a joke as it is, most children just won't get it. In the stories within, bold-schoolboy John (Hancock) writes his name so large on the blackboard that his exasperated teacher remarks, "We don't need to read it from space." Similarly, loudmouthed Paul (Revere) embarrasses a lady who comes into his shop to buy extralarge underwear; honest George (Washington) admits to chopping down an entire orchard; clever Ben (Franklin) annoys the neighbors with his platitudes; and independent Tom (Jefferson)^B presents a list of grievances to his teacher. The time comes, though, when their traits are valuable to the revolutionary cause. To reach full comic potential, Smith stretches the truth beyond the breaking point, then attempts to undo some of the misconceptions he has created in a true-false quiz, "Taking Liberties," on the closing pages. Deftly drawn, witty, and instantly appealing, the illustrations creatively blend period elements such as wood-grain and crackle-glaze texturing, woodcut lines, and formal compositions typical of the era, with gaping mouths and stylized, spiraling eyes typical of modern cartoons. The artwork and design are excellent and adults will chortle, but this book seems likely to confuse children unfamiliar with the period. Kids will need to know actual, factual American history to appreciate what's going on. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion Book CH; 1st edition (February 28, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786848936
• ISBN-13: 978-0786848935
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #36,754 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lane Smith is the author and/or illustrator of several award-winning books for children. He is a two-time winner of the Caldecott Honor for Grandpa Green (2012) and The Stinky Cheese Man (1993). Four of his books have won the New York Times Best Illustrated Book Award and several of his books, including It's a Book, John, Paul George & Ben and Madam President have been New York Times and Publishers Weekly bestsellers. Mr. Smith has illustrated works by the likes of Bob Shea, Roald Dahl, Dr. Seuss, George Saunders, Judith Viorst, Florence Parry Heide, Jack Prelutsky and Eve Merriam. Some of his most popular books are with frequent collaborator, Jon Scieszka. Mr. Smith lives in Connecticut with his wife Molly Leach, an award-winning graphic designer.
www.lanesmithbooks.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars what a fun read, March 7, 2006

By 

Lily White (Illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: John, Paul, George & Ben (Hardcover)

I wavered between a four star and a five star rating because this
book is going to be perhaps more entertaining to adults than to
children. But then I reminded myself of the movie "Ice Age"
which requires a whole lot more knowledge to "get it" than the vast majority of kids have (not to mention, many adults) and yet kids, including my five year old granddaughter, love it.

What this book does give is little snippets of information which
the kids will remember as they are officially learning their history years later. And there is plenty of humor to go around.
What little tykes can resist laughing at the phrase "please shut your big yap" when it isn't being yelled at them but rather at someone famous!


I think this is the sort of book that children will want to hear
again and again, and the good reader will fill in a blank here
and there so that the listeners can learn some real history
along the way. Finishing off the session by listening to "Yellow
Submarine" wouldn't hurt either.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Paul Revere and the Raiders, March 5, 2007

By 

M. Allen Greenbaum (California) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: John, Paul, George & Ben (Hardcover)

Lane Smith is an illustrator who has collaborated most famously with Jon Scieszka ("The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs!" "The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales," the Time Warp Trio series), as well as illustrating books by Roald Dahl, Dr. Seuss and Jack Prelutsky. Here, he gets by without a little help from his friends, penning and picturing the Four of the Fab Founding Fathers: John (Hancock), Paul (Revere), George (Washington), and Ben (Franklin). Too bad Ben wasn't famous for his decorative rings.

The Beatles need NOT be familiar to your young reader or audience. IN fact , despite the obvious titular reference, Liverpudlian references are not the M.O. here. Sure, there's a great parody of the "Abbey Road" cover, showing the foursome crossing a street. In addition, they have cultish, slightly outrageous, and often independent, irrepresible personalities, and Lane Smith quotes briefly from the Beatles "Revolution." THere's also a fifth "Beatle," Thomas Jefferson, quieter and more studious than the rest (perhaps even moreprecocious than the rest), but certainly a heavier hitter than Ringo's predecessor, Pete Best. So, your kid(s) are going to like this book, maybe love this book, whether or not they've ever heard of "Strawberry Fields."

Lane Smith is as inspired a writer as he is an illustrator. Other reviews mention the jokes--I'll just summarize: THey're hilarious! Smith takes some well-known factoid from their adult years (Ben's never-ending quips, Paul's LOUD, irreverent comments, etc.,) and shows these behaviors in their childhood years, often to the annoyance of peers, teachers, and other adults. THe old chestnut about George's honesty over that cherry tree is a good example of the liberties and outrageous fun of Smith's skewed biograhies:

George's father exclaims to his son,"you have paid me for it (the hacked cherry tree) a thousand-fold with your honesty." "Really!" said George. "In that case...when I tell you I've taken out the apple orchard, leveled the barn, and made kiddling of your carriage, you'll be a wealthy, wealthy man." TO balance out the silly stuff, Smith includes a few pages on the adult accomplisments of the five men, as well as a clvere section that separates fact from fiction about each of them. It's a brilliant concept; these are iconic American figures, each with their own mythology. I see no harm in continuing and extending those myths, especially when Smith incudes some factual material for those interested.

Kudos, as well, for the illustrations, too. They look period-authentic in composition and style. The pictures look like period pieces with their age, cracked backgrounds, and Smith also uses typeface of the era. THe veneer of authenticity and Smith's talent for mimickry produce some beautiful prictures, but they're still full of a humorous pictorial style that's keenly attuned to kids. This 2006 book is an early entry in my list of top kids' books I've reviewed in 2007.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars best historical fiction i've ever read, March 1, 2006

By 

wendy loves peter pan - See all my reviews

This review is from: John, Paul, George & Ben (Hardcover)

it's hilarious, visually stimulating, and enough of the true fable of these guys to still make sense and make learning history nearly-cool. (well, the book is cool enough so the "nearly-cool" is negated.)
(even the dedication is great... "with a little help from my friends..." so brilliant.)
well done, mr. smith. i love it love it love it.