By Brad Meltzer, Illustrations by Christopher Eliopoulos
Rocky Ponds Books, 2016
Picture Book, 40 Pages, Ages 5-7
Written in the first person, this biography of George Washington takes you through the highlights of his youth, his teenage years as a surveyor of uncharted wilderness in the Blue Ridge Mountains, how he joined the military, ran for public office and lost, and ran again, and how he became President of the United States.
“Always forge your own road, because sometimes the most important trail is the one no one has ever taken before.” – Brad Meltzer
George Washington was one of nine children. He grew up as an ordinary kid who enjoyed swimming, fishing, and riding horses. He didn’t get to finish school, was good at math, but a terrible speller. After the death of his father when George was 11 he couldn’t afford school but continued to learn from his older brothers.
But this ordinary boy wasn’t afraid to be the first to do something, and to be a leader. This fortitude helped him become a great military general and helped form a new government. He presided over the convention that wrote our Constitution, and then became the President of the United States.
To say that this entire series of books is exceptional would still be understating their value. The cartoon style of illustrations and the simplicity of the storylines make them easy to read, understand, and appreciate. This book in particular was enlightening to me, as I never knew so much about our first President. Topics such as the merits of being a good leader and taking care of those in your charge, and when you are in a position of power you need to look out for those who put their faith in you. This book, in essence, is about endurance, leadership, and pioneering in new directions. I like this series of books so much that I’m reviewing another, I Am Abraham Lincoln, in honor of Presidents Day.
I am George Washington by Brad Meltzer receives 5 stars from this reviewer.