Who Was George Washington: By Roberta Edwards

       Just about everyone knows who the man with the crazy looking white hair on the dollar bill is, but do you know what else he did besides serves as the first US President? Who Was George Washington? by Roberta Edwards seeks to tell readers who George Washington was, and anything else you could possibly want to know about him. The biography flows in a linear fashion, beginning with a brief introduction to tell readers who he was (incase they really have no idea), then begins with his childhood in Virginia, his life as a young soldier, his rise through the ranks to General, and so on. The book ends by telling us how we commemorate George Washington today, through a national holiday, several monuments in his honor, and on the one dollar bill you use to buy your ice cream. The last three pages provide readers with a timeline summarizing George Washington's life, and a short bibliography where readers can find more information on the nation's first President.
     What makes this book a successful children's nonfiction piece is the use of simple language to make the factual information accessible. Edwards was also very selective with the information she chose to include, paying close attention to include only information that was extremely significant or that would be of great interest to the target population of young readers, such as the fact that George Washington had a mother who was very bossy and he was a great athlete (very relatable details). The linear format of the biography makes the biography easy following, allowing readers to learn information in a logical and familiar way.
         Cartoon-style, sketched illustrations by True Kelley help to bring visual interest to the story as well. Close to every page contains a sketch that seeks to enhance the text and gives the reader a physical depiction of what is being read. The cartoon-style of the pictures make them accessible and engaging, giving the book a very child appropriate vibe.
          This biography about George Washington, accurately provides readers with important information about a key figure in American history. The linear format, simple language, and cartoon-style illustrations weave together to create a nonfiction piece that is both engaging and brimming with information. This book, written for students in grades 3-5, would be a strong addition to a study of bibliographies, a study of presidents, or a study about our nation's forefathers.

To learn more about George's Washington home, Mount Vernon, check out this webpage!

Picture Source:http://www.amazon.com/Who-George-Washington-Roberta-Edwards/dp/0448448920