Pass the Quill, I'll Write a Draft: A Story of Thomas Jefferson

Historical Biographies

by Robert M. Quackenbush

Follows the life and accomplishments of the third president, from his birth in 1743 to his retirement to Monticello.

36 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1989

About the author

Author/Artist/Educator Robert Quackenbush has written and illustrated over 200 books for young readers including his popular Miss Mallard Mysteries, which have been made into animated films for children's worldwide television programming by Cinar (now Cookie Jar Entertainment) that are showing in 70 countries. His books have won many awards and citations including an Edgar Allen Poe Special Award for Best Juvenile Mystery, a Gradiva Award, and a gold medal from the Holland Society of New York for distinction in art and literature by a member of the society. He is a frequent visiting author at schools and libraries giving programs to instill children with a love of books and reading. These tours have taken him across the US, including Alaska, South America, Europe, and the Middle East. His art is in the permanent collections of the Whitney Museum, the Smithsonian Institution, the Department of Interior, the U.S. Air Force Museum, and Norton Simon Museum. For further information, visit his Web site www.rquackenbush.com, which also gives his Facebook and Blog addresses.

Reviews

[Luisa Knight]

A good “chapter” book that covers the main points of Jefferson’s life. It is thirty-six pages in length and there are illustrations on each page spread.

Note: I did run into one error. The book said Jefferson’s father’s last name was Randolph.

Ages: 5 -12

Cleanliness: nothing to note.

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[Jessica Rawden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pass the Quill is awesome in some ways, and needs to work out some kinks in others. This biography of Jefferson reminded me of the "Getting to Know the World's Greatest (Artists/Composers, etc.)" series. Each page of text is accompanied by a drawing, most often complete with cartoon bubbles and asides. I immensely love the cartoons in the GTKTWG series because they are most often from the perspective of the artist or someone involved in the artists life and they are often funny. The cartoons in this are from two kids doing an assignment on Jefferson and grumbling about the things they are learning. These, too, are funny, but often not informative. The other thing I really like about the GTKTWG series is the inclusion of photographs of real pieces of history, art, and other objects that were involved in the subjects life. Quakenbush's book only features drawings. The good news, though, is that Quackenbush's book is far more informative than the series I have been comparing it with. I like that the book often goes to lengths to get the whole story while still providing interesting facts:"Thomas Jefferson, at eighty-three, died at Monticello...By an amazing coincidence, his loyal friend, John Adams, died that very day." The only thing the book glossed over was Jefferson's wish to free all people, though he owned slaves. Jefferson had a very specific viewpoint that is far more complicated than the sentence that explains it in the book. I think the issue could have been explained to kids without tarnishing Jefferson's reputation. Overall, I did enjoy the story.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

We read this at the same time we studied the Louisiana Purchase which was great...except that it also backtracks and talks about the Declaration of Independence and such. Next time through I may cut the book in half and read about his pre-Revolution life when we're studying the Revolution and then finish the book once he's been elected President.

My boys really liked the book and have been telling their dad tidbits about Jefferson for days. I think this gives a good, basic look into his life, touching on both public and private. I wasn't the biggest fan of the illustrations, but they weren't awful by any means. On each double-page spread is a short cartoon where you learn a bit more about Jefferson, or just laugh. Well, laugh if you're under 12.

Overall a good book. I'm not sure if there are better books out there for elementary/middle school about Jefferson. For now this is my top choice...unless I find something better!