A Picture Book of Davy Crockett

Picture Book Biography

by David A. Adler, John Wallner (Illustrator), Alexandra Wallner (Illustrator)

Separating truth from tall tales, this easy-to-read biography details the life of a great American frontiersman.

Legends say Davy Crockett weighed two hundred pounds when he was born, and leapt right out of his cradle ready to fight. Though those stories are an exagerration, Crockett's life was anything but boring.  Farmer, soldier, sharp-shooter and politician, he was a well-known figure in the early 1800s—and even after his death, his reputation as an American folk hero grew and grew.  

In this illustrated biography, David Adler retells the true story of David Crockett's life—from his birth in Tennessee to his death at the Alamo.  Using contemporary primary sources, Adler distinguishes between fact and legend, providing details about Crockett's family life and political career, as well as a note about the historical origins of many of the famed tall tales.  A timeline of important dates is included.

For almost thirty years, David Adler’s Picture Book Biography series has profiled famous people who changed the world. Colorful, kid-friendly illustrations combine with Adler’s “expert mixtures of facts and personality” (Booklist) to introduce young readers to history through compelling biographies of presidents, heroes, inventors, explorers, and adventurers. These books are ideal for first and second graders interested in history or who need reliable sources for school book reports.

Genres: Picture Books, History, Biography, American History, Childrens, Nonfiction, Biography Memoir

32 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1996

About the author

David Abraham Adler is an American children's author. He was born in New York City, New York in 1947. He graduated from Queens College in 1968 with a bachelor's degree in economics and education. For the next nine years, he worked as a mathematics teacher for the New York City Board of Education, while taking classes towards a master's degree in marketing, a degree he was awarded by New York University in 1971. In that same year, a question from his then-three-year-old nephew inspired Adler to write his first story, A Little at a Time, subsequently published by Random House in 1976. Adler's next project, a series of math books, drew on his experience as a math teacher. In 1977, he created his most famous character, Cam Jansen, originally featured in Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds, which was published that year.

Adler married psychologist Renee Hamada in 1973, and their first child, Michael, was born in 1977. By that time Adler had taken a break from teaching and, while his wife continued her work, he stayed home, took care of Michael, and began a full-time writing career.

Adler's son, Michael S. Adler, is now the co-author of several books with his father, including A Picture Book of Sam Adams, A Picture Book of John Hancock, and A Picture Book of James and Dolly Madison. Another son, Edward, was the inspiration for Adler's Andy Russell series, with the events described in the series loosely based on adventures the Adler family had with Edward's enthusiasm and his pets.

As of November 2008, Adler has three sons and two grandsons. He lives in Woodmere, New York.

(source: Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the simple story that this book told. The artwork is not my favorite, and some of it is downright inaccurate. (such as no outside door on the Crockett's log cabin showing Mrs. Crockett giving birth inside) However, I thought the artist was very tasteful in how they dealt with the war between the US and the Creek Indians and also with the battle at the Alamo. I also felt the text was fair and clear in regards to why the Creeks and the US were fighting and with Andrew Jackson's dealings with the Indians. Overall, I did like this book, but would have liked to see more accuracy in the picture art.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

While reading Golden Sunrise by Mattie Richardson, our son wanted to learn more about Davy Crockett so we headed to the library. We checked out several books including this picture by David A. Adler.

In general, I think this picture book did a nice job of introducing the life of David Crockett. The only change I would make is to not read aloud the intro and conclusion pages which focus more on the tall tales. These were a bit confusing for our younger child.

I do think this series of books is valuable as introductory biographies for children.

[Cordellya Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very informative book chronicling the life of the real Davy Crockett and the legends that surround his adventures. I would recommend it for children over the age of ten. Younger children lose interest halfway through because the material is so dense and there is a lot of writing on each page.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for my college class as a picture book biography. It is a great book for students that are big on learning about historical figures and how successful they were. I really enjoyed how well illustrated it was.

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. But not as fun or entertaining as I thought it would be.

[Ammie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before we sat down to watch Disney's Davy Crockett we read this for some background.

[Marleah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good, brief overview of Davy Crockett.

[Caitlin Barclay]

This is the story of Davy Crockett's life adapted to an elementary reading level. It is a great way to introduce students to history books that are nonfiction. The story is told chronologically so the students can make predictions. Older children can even compare and contrast the poltics of then and now.

[Shelly♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Own this book. Love this book. My boys love Davy Crockett, the legend. They also understand the difference between him and David Crockett the man. This was a good introduction for young children on that difference. Highly recommend for lovers of American History.

[Avaj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful informative historical book. Tells an accurate story of Davy Crockett with pictures to accompany the reading. The end of the book offers important dates in Davy's life. Great reference book for a beginner report.

[Shelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Davy Crockett the legend and the man are often so blurred it seems almost impossible that he was an actual person, let alone choosing a career as unexciting as a politician. David Adler did a nice job separating the tale-tales from the truth in this mini-biography for young readers.

[Bethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oldie but goodie, reliable biography series for children. Author's note states source for direct quotes. If text is too long for some read aloud listeners, the illustrations make for a strong picture read substitute.

[Deborah Harris]

AR Quiz No. 29428 EN Nonfiction
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: LG - BL: 4.5 - AR Pts: 0.5
Accelerated Reader Quiz Type Information AR Quiz Types: RP, VP

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A picture book of Davy Crockett
by david Adler,
is a brief history of the davy crockett tall tale

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure I would read this to kids. There are too many contradictions and inaccuracies. I do like how it illustrates him as a great story teller.

[Sarah Owen]

This book was about Davy Crockett, who is most well known for fighting and dying in the battle of the Alamo. He also was a very famous storyteller and served some time in the house of representatives. He also was a pretty good shot when he was a kid.

I liked this book because I was able to learn more about the man who I was taught about in Texas history.

I would use this when teaching about the Alamo.