George Washington: The First President: An Illustrated Biography about the Revolutionary War and American History for Children (Ages 4-8)

by Sarah Albee, Chin Ko (Illustrator)

The life of George Washington is introduced in this early reader biography. After General Washington led the American colonists to victory in the Revolutionary War, everyone thought he should become the first president of the United States. Washington would turn out to be a strong leader and a wise president.

Beginning readers will learn about the milestones in George Washington’s life in this Level Two I Can Read biography, which combines a traditional, illustrated narrative with historical illustrations at the back of book—complete with a timeline, illustrations, and interesting facts about the United States’ first president. Kids will learn about George Washington's spy ring, and how one of his dogs was named Sweetlips!

George Washington: The First President is a Level Two I Can Read, geared for kids who read on their own but still need a little help.

Genres: Biography, History, Childrens, Nonfiction, Presidents, Picture Books, American Revolutionary War

32 pages, Hardcover

Published December 5, 2017

Reviews

[Maura · Rating 2 out of 5]

My 1st grader is obsessed with George Washington, and he easily read aloud this Level 2 biography of George Washington, even picking up a few facts he didn't know.

I don't expect a biography of George Washington for very young readers to get into the complexity of Washington's missteps in the French and Indian War or a great deal in depth about the moral contradictions of fighting for freedom while enslaving people. But even my 6 year old stopped reading at this page:

George Washington was the general who led the American army.
He was brave, honest, and fair.
The war lasted eight years.
The Americans finally won.

He said, "Mama, how can this book call him fair? It wasn't fair to have slaves."

I appreciate that the back matter of the book mentioned that Washington enslaved people. But utterly whitewashing that in the main text and praising him as "fair" is something I would expect of a book published in 1957, not 2017.

Even little kids can understand that a person can be very good in some ways but very bad in others. There is no need to over-valorize Washington. This page could have simply focused on his bravery as a general in the army, and maybe what he was up against with with a formidable foe. Not give him the overall labels of "brave, honest, and fair".

If it were not for that, I'd have leaned toward a 4-star rating, but that fundamental flaw bumps it way down.

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well-done introduction to George Washington for a young reader. This book goes more in-depth than a history textbook would have done, and still remains approachable.
I got a good laugh out of the implication that Washington married Martha Custis because he liked her children - then again, it may have been true. I also liked that the notes in the back mention that Washington was a slave-owner, and don't let him off the hook for it.

[Maria Logan-Montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just ordered this and 4 other books from the "I Can Read" series for our great-granddaughter for Christmas. I know she will love it.

I especially appreciate the inclusion of true historical information that was left out of this type of book when I was a child.

[Trey Auntie Paige · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.
"George Washington had a wife. George Washington had slaves."

6 and I co-read.

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Find out how George Washington became the first president of the United States of America.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The extra information at the back was too woke for me.