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John, Paul, George, And Ben
A fresh and funny introduction to the United States' Founding Fathers looks at the lives of John Hancock, Paul Revere, George Washington, and Ben Franklin as well as Tom Jefferson. 250,000 first printing.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
13 people are currently reading
1693 people want to read
About the author
Lane Smith
113 books353 followersLane Smith was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, but moved to Corona, California at a young age. He spent summers in Tulsa, however, and cites experiences there as inspirations for his work, saying that "[o]nce you've seen a 100-foot cement buffalo on top of a donut-stand (sic) in the middle of nowhere, you're never the same."
He studied art in college at the encouragement of his high school art teacher, helping to pay for it by working as a janitor at Disneyland. He graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in illustration, and moved to New York City, where he was hired to do illustrations for various publications including Time, Mother Jones, and Ms..
Smith is married to Molly Leach, who is a book designer and designed the Smith/Scieszka collaboration.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/lanesmith
He studied art in college at the encouragement of his high school art teacher, helping to pay for it by working as a janitor at Disneyland. He graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in illustration, and moved to New York City, where he was hired to do illustrations for various publications including Time, Mother Jones, and Ms..
Smith is married to Molly Leach, who is a book designer and designed the Smith/Scieszka collaboration.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/lanesmith
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 439 reviews
July 13, 2019
This humorous book about our founding fathers is very funny, with informative tidbits and set up like they are sorta the Beatles. It tells of each person like they are a child and it shows their quirks as kids that eventually help them as adults be the great men they were. John Hancock signed his name on the chalk board bigger than anyone else which is why he was the first one to sign. Paul did ring bells as a child and this book posits he was hard of hearing and yelled all the time.
It’s cute and funny. The illustrations are wonderful and it’s a great beginning story about the founding of our country. There are several funny Ben Franklin phrases and it really makes Thomas Jefferson out to be an egghead which I’m sure he was. We do find out the myth of George Washington saying “I cannot tell a lie” was a myth a mason made up that stuck.
Both kids enjoyed this. The nephew thought this was hilarious. He new most of these stories and he loved the humor. It was 5 star material for him. He liked several of the kids in this as the funniest. He was trying to rank them. The niece thought it was a cute story for the holiday of July 4th. She gave this 3 stars.
It’s cute and funny. The illustrations are wonderful and it’s a great beginning story about the founding of our country. There are several funny Ben Franklin phrases and it really makes Thomas Jefferson out to be an egghead which I’m sure he was. We do find out the myth of George Washington saying “I cannot tell a lie” was a myth a mason made up that stuck.
Both kids enjoyed this. The nephew thought this was hilarious. He new most of these stories and he loved the humor. It was 5 star material for him. He liked several of the kids in this as the funniest. He was trying to rank them. The niece thought it was a cute story for the holiday of July 4th. She gave this 3 stars.
February 18, 2020
The details are what make this book amazing.
When John Hancock writes his name on the blackboard, all the other signatures of his classmates (Sam, Hooper, Pinn, Oliver, Josiah, etc.) are not only names you would find on the declaration of independence, but each name is written in the correct handwriting for that name. Same goes for Thomas Jefferson's classmates' artwork - "Adam" is signed in the D.O.I. handwriting of John Adams, "Sherm" is Roger Sherman.
Thomas Jefferson ignores instructions to make birdhouses in favor of loftier architectural aspirations, and the picture shows him building Monticello in the background. Young Tom's "Declaration of Independence from Idiotic Classwork" is, of course, the actual Declaration of Independence, if you look closely.
As the title suggests, there are just a couple of oblique Beatles references.
The book concludes with each event detailed as either fact or fiction, lest one attempt to learn actual history from the tome. Paul Revere was really a member of a bell-ringing club at the Old North Church. Who knew?
And, just when you thought you'd found it all, on the very last page with all the fine print publication information and whatnot, at the very bottom, are these nuggets:
"I cannot live without books"
- Thomas Jefferson, principal founder of the Library of Congress
and
"If you would not be forgotten
As soon as you are dead and rotten,
Either write things worth reading,
Or do things worth the writing."
- Benjamin Franklin, founder of America's first lending library
When John Hancock writes his name on the blackboard, all the other signatures of his classmates (Sam, Hooper, Pinn, Oliver, Josiah, etc.) are not only names you would find on the declaration of independence, but each name is written in the correct handwriting for that name. Same goes for Thomas Jefferson's classmates' artwork - "Adam" is signed in the D.O.I. handwriting of John Adams, "Sherm" is Roger Sherman.
Thomas Jefferson ignores instructions to make birdhouses in favor of loftier architectural aspirations, and the picture shows him building Monticello in the background. Young Tom's "Declaration of Independence from Idiotic Classwork" is, of course, the actual Declaration of Independence, if you look closely.
As the title suggests, there are just a couple of oblique Beatles references.
The book concludes with each event detailed as either fact or fiction, lest one attempt to learn actual history from the tome. Paul Revere was really a member of a bell-ringing club at the Old North Church. Who knew?
And, just when you thought you'd found it all, on the very last page with all the fine print publication information and whatnot, at the very bottom, are these nuggets:
"I cannot live without books"
- Thomas Jefferson, principal founder of the Library of Congress
and
"If you would not be forgotten
As soon as you are dead and rotten,
Either write things worth reading,
Or do things worth the writing."
- Benjamin Franklin, founder of America's first lending library
May 10, 2013
My son, Xander, bought this book at school and brought it home somewhat unexpectedly one day. He has always loved politics, and history, so I don't know why I was a bit surprised. Now we've started reading this book with my 4-yr.-old grandson, Gauge. He's still a little young to grasp the concepts, but their never to young to start planting the seeds of patriotism, freedom and liberty.
Excerpt:
"Everyone except that big underwear lady. She was still mad."
That is Gauge's favorite part of the book. Complete with the picture of the old woman, arms crossed, wrapped in a shawl, and wearing a bonnet! Not very historical, but he laughs uncontrollably when he knows that part is coming up!
Loved the True and False inserted into the back of the book. It helps kids learn reading comprehension on the sly. Brilliant!
This is the sort of story that kids want to read again and again, but more importantly, adults won't go crazy doing it! The author does take a lot of poetic license with the historical accuracy so the "reader" (aka adult) will need to fill in some blanks.
I recommend giving this one a chance!
August 23, 2019
It's clever to try to mash-up the Beatles with the Founding Fathers, but the author limited it to too few visual and written references. He could have leaned into that theme a little more. Regardless, the rest of the book was a humorous and witty presentation of history, with a little True/False fact check at the end to explain where the author took liberties. Very nice.
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February 20, 2019Third grade thought this was hilarious. :) It is pretty cute.
May 4, 2011
“The Stinky Cheeseman,” “The True Story of the Three Little Pigs” and “Glasses, Who Needs 'Em?” These are all the books I have recently read that were illustrated (with one of them written by) Lane Smith. Well, I have recently read Lane Smith's recent book, “John, Paul, George and Ben” which details the lives of American history's greatest figures as children! “John, Paul, George and Ben” is clearly one historical satire that will definitely stand the test of time in the world of children's books!
Basically, this book merely details the hilarious lives of four boy young lads named John Hancock, Paul Revere, George Washington and Ben Franklin (well, make that five young lads if you include independent Tom, Thomas Jefferson) and how they are well known throughout their town for their “unique” personalities that not only made them America's greatest historical figures, but also the biggest troublemakers their town has ever seen!
When I first heard the title of this book and I noticed that it was about the four (make that five) most important historical figures in American history, I actually thought that this book was going to be boring, but once I started reading this special little children's book, I was amazed at how hilarious this book really was! Lane Smith has done an awesome job at both illustrating and writing this book this clever little book about seeing the exaggerated lives of American history's greatest figures as children and it just made this book even more interesting to read! I loved the way that Lane Smith provided little side jokes about each character, such as how “Paul was a noisy lad” because he spent most of his time ringing bells in Boston's Old North Church and he would constantly yell out to be heard, which caused him to get into big trouble with the town. I also loved how Lane Smith provided actual facts about each character in the back of the book so that way, children would not be too confused about whether or not the information in this book is actually true or not and my favorite part of the information that Lane Smith provided about the facts in this book at the end of the book is the true and false section, where he tells the readers about which information about each character he talked about is true or false. Lane Smith's illustrations are extremely hilarious as he uses regular watercolors whenever the boys are introduced and he makes each boy look distinguished in their pictures of themselves, while the actual stories detailing the boy's adventures in town is shown in cut out illustrations, which truly brings out the creativity of this book! I loved how humorous the boys look whenever they are doing a hilarious act like George Washington cutting down everything on his father's farm and how Paul Revere's eyes just popped out every time he is yelling out his statements.
Overall, “John, Paul, George and Ben” is a hilarious story about seeing America's most famous historical figures in a humorous light and it will definitely be an instant treat for children who love good humor! I would recommend this book to children ages six and up since the historical context might be too difficult for smaller children to follow.
Basically, this book merely details the hilarious lives of four boy young lads named John Hancock, Paul Revere, George Washington and Ben Franklin (well, make that five young lads if you include independent Tom, Thomas Jefferson) and how they are well known throughout their town for their “unique” personalities that not only made them America's greatest historical figures, but also the biggest troublemakers their town has ever seen!
When I first heard the title of this book and I noticed that it was about the four (make that five) most important historical figures in American history, I actually thought that this book was going to be boring, but once I started reading this special little children's book, I was amazed at how hilarious this book really was! Lane Smith has done an awesome job at both illustrating and writing this book this clever little book about seeing the exaggerated lives of American history's greatest figures as children and it just made this book even more interesting to read! I loved the way that Lane Smith provided little side jokes about each character, such as how “Paul was a noisy lad” because he spent most of his time ringing bells in Boston's Old North Church and he would constantly yell out to be heard, which caused him to get into big trouble with the town. I also loved how Lane Smith provided actual facts about each character in the back of the book so that way, children would not be too confused about whether or not the information in this book is actually true or not and my favorite part of the information that Lane Smith provided about the facts in this book at the end of the book is the true and false section, where he tells the readers about which information about each character he talked about is true or false. Lane Smith's illustrations are extremely hilarious as he uses regular watercolors whenever the boys are introduced and he makes each boy look distinguished in their pictures of themselves, while the actual stories detailing the boy's adventures in town is shown in cut out illustrations, which truly brings out the creativity of this book! I loved how humorous the boys look whenever they are doing a hilarious act like George Washington cutting down everything on his father's farm and how Paul Revere's eyes just popped out every time he is yelling out his statements.
Overall, “John, Paul, George and Ben” is a hilarious story about seeing America's most famous historical figures in a humorous light and it will definitely be an instant treat for children who love good humor! I would recommend this book to children ages six and up since the historical context might be too difficult for smaller children to follow.
March 12, 2015
John, Paul, George & Ben by Lane Smith is a fantastic picture book to engage children in an introduction of the Founding Fathers. Within this book, Smith blends fables and facts to entertain readers in the biographies of John Hancock, Paul Revere, George Washington, and Benjamin Franklin (with special appearance from Thomas Jefferson). One of the best aspects of this book is Smith’s humorous approach in informing readers. For example, at the end of the book there is a true or false section in which Smith incorporates George’s chopping down of the cherry tree (a fable) with explaining that George was the only president to not live in the White House, and instead served in New York because it had fewer trees for him to cut down. The use of humor while clarifying fact from fiction or old fables makes this book great for children. This book can make kids laugh, and learn new information and or build on existing knowledge. The illustrations are a great compliment to the style and tone of the text. John, Paul, George & Ben would be best implemented in a 1st to 3rd grade classroom in both a language arts class for a read aloud or in a social studies classroom as children begin to learn about the U.S. Founding Fathers.
December 10, 2011
Though this is based on true facts - this is the "tall-tale" version of those facts. Lane Smith adds his own brand of humor to the biographies of some of our founding fathers.
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April 24, 2017The book John, Paul, George, & Ben is absolutely hilarious. This book gives a little “backstory” on what our Founding Fathers might have been like. This book is perfect for middle schoolers in that it is humorous, it involves important characters that they will have talked about in History class, and it can be used in several different ways in an English classroom.
I would use this book with a lesson on voice. John, Paul, George, & Ben is such a great example of the different ways in which voice can come through in a text. The book uses humor obviously, but also great word choice, effective punctuation, and italics to communicate the voice of the writer. I want students to work on letting their own voice shine through in their writing so I would use this book as mentor text for a writing assignment that mimics the pattern the book follows. Characters in the book are all introduced in the same way. Each section begins with a statement like, “John was a bold lad,” and then the story of that person is told. I would have students choose a character of their choice from the novel we would be reading in class. For example, the class might be reading Mountain Dog by Margarita Engle. They would choose a character from the book, follow the pattern of introducing the character, and then create a story about that character using elements that allow their voice to shine through.
I would use this book with a lesson on voice. John, Paul, George, & Ben is such a great example of the different ways in which voice can come through in a text. The book uses humor obviously, but also great word choice, effective punctuation, and italics to communicate the voice of the writer. I want students to work on letting their own voice shine through in their writing so I would use this book as mentor text for a writing assignment that mimics the pattern the book follows. Characters in the book are all introduced in the same way. Each section begins with a statement like, “John was a bold lad,” and then the story of that person is told. I would have students choose a character of their choice from the novel we would be reading in class. For example, the class might be reading Mountain Dog by Margarita Engle. They would choose a character from the book, follow the pattern of introducing the character, and then create a story about that character using elements that allow their voice to shine through.
February 21, 2013
Is there anything cuter than a handful of America's Founding Fathers as big-headed children? I think not!
John, Paul, George, and Ben (that is, Hancock, Revere, Washington, and Franklin) is Lane Smith's period parody of the "five little lads" before they grew into their names. The attributes that have defined them through history, such as George's honesty and Ben's witty quotes for every occasion, were more hassle than help to them and others when they were children. My favorite origin connection was John's Hancock on the chalkboard: "We don't need to read it from space!"
The sly, wink-and-grin humor will amuse young and old. I've found many of my second graders giggling over this book during independent reading. Even if they do not get all the historical links, underwear jokes are always winners with this set.
With the bonus of wonderfully detailed illustrations and delightful period speech, this picture book is ideal for President's Day studies. An obvious curriculum connection is identifying historical fact and fiction, and the entertaining "ye olde True or False section" can provide the starting point.
John, Paul, George, and Ben (that is, Hancock, Revere, Washington, and Franklin) is Lane Smith's period parody of the "five little lads" before they grew into their names. The attributes that have defined them through history, such as George's honesty and Ben's witty quotes for every occasion, were more hassle than help to them and others when they were children. My favorite origin connection was John's Hancock on the chalkboard: "We don't need to read it from space!"
The sly, wink-and-grin humor will amuse young and old. I've found many of my second graders giggling over this book during independent reading. Even if they do not get all the historical links, underwear jokes are always winners with this set.
With the bonus of wonderfully detailed illustrations and delightful period speech, this picture book is ideal for President's Day studies. An obvious curriculum connection is identifying historical fact and fiction, and the entertaining "ye olde True or False section" can provide the starting point.
March 7, 2010
John, Paul, George, & Ben is a cleverly written book by Lane Smith about John Hancock, Paul Revere, George Washington, Ben Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson. Smith describes each man as a lad and a quality each possessed (bold, noisy, honest, clever, and independent) and how it was used when they were young. The author shows how each trait has an important and profound effect on our country’s history specifically before, during, and after the Revolutionary War. The cartoon illustrations add to the fun and humor of the book while details such as a map of the United States from the time give readers an impression of the period. The author admits to “taking liberties” with facts so he included a true/false section at the end of the book to “set the record straight” which is a necessary addition for readers. This book is great for younger students as a fun and engaging way to learn details about 5 significant men in history. I highly recommend this book as an entertaining story and an excellent addition and supplement to social studies/history materials.
February 21, 2011
This is a fun book to read in celebrating our founding fathers with your children and one of my kids' favorites. It is obvious from the title (Beatle reference) that the book is full of winks to parents. John Hancock writes his name on the board and his teacher replies, "We don't need to read it from space." Paul Revere shouts out a customer's order for extra large underwear. Most of all, I love hearing my children, ages 7 and 5, quote Ben Franklin from the book, in horrible British accents, "Fish and visitahs stink aftah three (trill the 'r') days."
Although the book has somewhat irreverent humor and takes "liberties" with the truth, kids won't find it boring and neither will parents. A redemptive epilogue entitled "Taking Liberties" is found in the back, which sets the record straight about these famous five founding fathers. My kids request it regularly for bedtime reading. This book is fun for all.
Reading Level: ages 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages
Note: For more of my book reviews and musings on Southern Life, see my blog at SouthernAsBiscuits.blogspot.com
Although the book has somewhat irreverent humor and takes "liberties" with the truth, kids won't find it boring and neither will parents. A redemptive epilogue entitled "Taking Liberties" is found in the back, which sets the record straight about these famous five founding fathers. My kids request it regularly for bedtime reading. This book is fun for all.
Reading Level: ages 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages
Note: For more of my book reviews and musings on Southern Life, see my blog at SouthernAsBiscuits.blogspot.com
July 1, 2012
This is a picture book I picked up from the local library to do a shared presentation by reading it to some teenagers. I found this book hard to follow as it was read out-loud. You would have to know the history of all four men in order to understand and get a laugh from the words. This is the story of five little lads (Washington, Franklin, Hancock, Revere, and Jefferson) before they became five really big Founding Fathers. They are always getting into trouble whether it be at school or home. This book is comical because teenagers like to hear even famous people got into trouble as young children. The illustrations are great and drawn to look sort of like a newspaper with big headlines and words.
Ages from 12 to 15 would love reading this book. YALSA picked picture book
Ages from 12 to 15 would love reading this book. YALSA picked picture book
March 7, 2021
This is yet another outstanding book written by Lane Smith and illustrated by his highly talented wife Molly Leach
As I read this book, I laughed out loud. This is so very clever, and the title alone, brings a sense of The Beatles. Yet, it is homage to those who were instrumental in the colonies breaking away from the British.
John Hancock, who was depicted through his teacher who said, his penmanship was refreshing, but egotistical because he wrote his name so very wide and large.
Paul Revere was a noisy lad who spent hours practicing the ringing of the bells in Boston's Old North Church. Paul was depicted as a bullhorn in a china shop.
George Washington was an honest lad, and in fact when the term King of the United States of America, noted they were escaping the tyranny of England, and the last thing needed was another King, thus the title President was chosen.
Ben Franklin was clever and had a saying for every situation, anywhere, any time.
Thomas Jefferson was an independent man who used this trait to write the Declaration of Independence
The clever ending pages of the book titled "Taking Liberties" outlined the record was set straight regarding the truth or false of depictions of John, Paul, George..Thomas and Ben!
It is true that John Hancock had the biggest signature on the Declaration of Independence.
Paul was in the bell-ringing clue of the Old North Club.
George did not chop down his father's cherry tree. He was the only president to serve his term in New York, and not the White House.
Ben Franklin did indeed love pithy phrases and published "the Poor
Richard's Almanack (1733-1758)
Thomas Jefferson believed every kid should enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness
As I read this book, I laughed out loud. This is so very clever, and the title alone, brings a sense of The Beatles. Yet, it is homage to those who were instrumental in the colonies breaking away from the British.
John Hancock, who was depicted through his teacher who said, his penmanship was refreshing, but egotistical because he wrote his name so very wide and large.
Paul Revere was a noisy lad who spent hours practicing the ringing of the bells in Boston's Old North Church. Paul was depicted as a bullhorn in a china shop.
George Washington was an honest lad, and in fact when the term King of the United States of America, noted they were escaping the tyranny of England, and the last thing needed was another King, thus the title President was chosen.
Ben Franklin was clever and had a saying for every situation, anywhere, any time.
Thomas Jefferson was an independent man who used this trait to write the Declaration of Independence
The clever ending pages of the book titled "Taking Liberties" outlined the record was set straight regarding the truth or false of depictions of John, Paul, George..Thomas and Ben!
It is true that John Hancock had the biggest signature on the Declaration of Independence.
Paul was in the bell-ringing clue of the Old North Club.
George did not chop down his father's cherry tree. He was the only president to serve his term in New York, and not the White House.
Ben Franklin did indeed love pithy phrases and published "the Poor
Richard's Almanack (1733-1758)
Thomas Jefferson believed every kid should enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness
April 20, 2012
This books is a comical version of historical fiction involving John Hancock, Paul Revere, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson. This book would be getting students in learning the truth behind each of these men's stories. The illustrations are cartoon like. This could introduce a unit on the Sons of Liberty.
January 21, 2019
I’ve always loved this book, so it became our kids’ first book of the year toward our family goal of 300 books in 2019. We’re all big Hamilton fans, so even my 5yo son could recognize George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. It’s a hilarious and clever, and piques kids’ interest in the American Revolution.
February 19, 2012
I realize this one is intended to be an informational book for younger audiences, but I found the stories focused on for each of the characters was weak. It didn't hold my kids' attention. I think lower elementary kids could handle more facts - which would strengthen the book.
March 23, 2018
Naturally, a picture book full of Beatles references would catch my eye! But this book is actually about another group of influential lads...the founding fathers, and it's delightfully fun (plus, you may learn something!)
February 20, 2015
Hilarious tounge-in-cheek history lesson.
June 25, 2010
this book was hilariuos! It was an amazing childrens book. I loved how it told real information about 4 famous people and used comedy.
November 16, 2010
This book is awesome.
October 23, 2012
This book is hilarious
February 20, 2016
My kids really like this amusing look at some of the fathers of our country. A fun read for kids and adults alike!
August 22, 2024
Recently acquired before gifting to goddaughter. A children’s book but historical humor for the whole family! Sucked finding out George didn’t actually chop down that cherry tree tho.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2025
Independence didn’t come to America as quickly as some of us think. This book shows us how Hancock, Revere, Franklin, Washington and Jefferson worked on it their entire life.
Moral: As a youngster, you’re practicing the skills that will someday make you a world changer.
Length: It has some wordy pages, but it’s creative enough you can blaze right through them still.
Favorite Line: “It took many years and a midnight ride for people to finally appreciate his special talent.”
Overall Impression: This is not the story of the American Revolution, per se. In fact, it’s only referenced on the last page. However, it is a joyous tall tale about the little boys who became great men and declared independence. Okay, maybe not so great. I would probably leave Hancock and Revere out and add Adams and Dickinson. But you know what? This is children’s literature and it’s close enough to perfection for you to enjoy during this season around July 4th. Get your bunting up, shoot off a firecracker, watch Will Smith kick some alien butt, and sit down with your child and read this gem.
Moral: As a youngster, you’re practicing the skills that will someday make you a world changer.
Length: It has some wordy pages, but it’s creative enough you can blaze right through them still.
Favorite Line: “It took many years and a midnight ride for people to finally appreciate his special talent.”
Overall Impression: This is not the story of the American Revolution, per se. In fact, it’s only referenced on the last page. However, it is a joyous tall tale about the little boys who became great men and declared independence. Okay, maybe not so great. I would probably leave Hancock and Revere out and add Adams and Dickinson. But you know what? This is children’s literature and it’s close enough to perfection for you to enjoy during this season around July 4th. Get your bunting up, shoot off a firecracker, watch Will Smith kick some alien butt, and sit down with your child and read this gem.
September 22, 2020
OK, with a title like this, how could a girl born in the 60’s, who loves American history, even hope to be able to resist?! Add to this the fact that I already enjoy this author/illustrator! I’m a pushover for witty text, and this book delivers! I mean, the title is clever enough, but then his dedication page states “I get by with a little help from my friends”. Tell me you don’t love that! I am happily adding this to my Gramma shelf, and can’t wait to read it with the grandkids! (And I may let their parents read it, too!)
January 24, 2020
A children’s book about five incredibly important historical figures that not only shows the reader each figure’s significance but also makes the reader chuckle. What, exactly, is not to like??? Definitely going to have to mentally file this one under “books to read to my future children”.
April 14, 2017
I think this book is very interesting because famous people from a long time ago were children in the book, and it showed what they might have acted like as kids.
January 15, 2019
Cute, and not really in a good way.
August 24, 2019
Fun and informative. The True/False "notes" at the end was the best part.
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