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Big George: How a Shy Boy Became President Washington
A boy from Virginia becomes the first president
Before he was the face on the dollar bill, George Washington was a shy boy with a hot temper. But George had character and adaptability. He taught himself courage and self-control. At an early age, and without really realizing it, George Washington gathered the qualities he’d need to become one of the greatest leaders America has ever known.
Anne Rockwell’s prose is dignified, Matt Phelan’s illustrations are striking, and the details they reveal about George Washington’s early days are fascinating, sometimes tragic, and always moving.
Includes an author’s note.
Before he was the face on the dollar bill, George Washington was a shy boy with a hot temper. But George had character and adaptability. He taught himself courage and self-control. At an early age, and without really realizing it, George Washington gathered the qualities he’d need to become one of the greatest leaders America has ever known.
Anne Rockwell’s prose is dignified, Matt Phelan’s illustrations are striking, and the details they reveal about George Washington’s early days are fascinating, sometimes tragic, and always moving.
Includes an author’s note.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published June 30, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
September 3, 2011
Great children's book... biography about George Washington. Great way to discuss the time period. I liked the inherent lessons like:
You can have a difficulty or weakness (like shyness) and still accomplish great things.
Being strategic and smart can have positive outcomes.
You can have what seem to be like significant disadvantages and tragedies in life and still leave your mark and be triumphant.
As much as I liked the book, I was not much a fan of the illustrations. George Washington and Ben Franklin look mad, mean, or angry in many of the pictures.
You can have a difficulty or weakness (like shyness) and still accomplish great things.
Being strategic and smart can have positive outcomes.
You can have what seem to be like significant disadvantages and tragedies in life and still leave your mark and be triumphant.
As much as I liked the book, I was not much a fan of the illustrations. George Washington and Ben Franklin look mad, mean, or angry in many of the pictures.
March 5, 2020
Aside from the fact that the cover illustration is slightly creepy and the depictions of George Washington never quite look like him, this was a good book.
March 10, 2009
George Washington was a tall, shy boy who loved to spend time on his own in the woods. He learned from his half brother to be a Virginia gentleman, and loved to read books about ancient Roman heroes like Cincinnatus. George grew into a man who worked on mapping the colony, loved the outdoors and excelled at sports, but he didn’t like to talk. He could never find the right words unless he was angry. Throughout this fascinating picture book, readers discover Washington’s path to greatness and history. It is an unlikely and intriguing story of the first President.
Rockwell’s illustrations offer glimpses into moments in history. Washington’s shock of red hair lends a different feeling to the history, as does seeing him as a boy who does more than chop down a cherry tree. This is a much more human and therefore more interesting person. Rockwell does well capturing history fully even though she is brief and concise.
Great for classroom use for President’s Day, this book will also find an audience amongst children who prefer nonfiction. Appropriate for ages 6-7, younger for reading aloud.
Rockwell’s illustrations offer glimpses into moments in history. Washington’s shock of red hair lends a different feeling to the history, as does seeing him as a boy who does more than chop down a cherry tree. This is a much more human and therefore more interesting person. Rockwell does well capturing history fully even though she is brief and concise.
Great for classroom use for President’s Day, this book will also find an audience amongst children who prefer nonfiction. Appropriate for ages 6-7, younger for reading aloud.
September 9, 2011
A biography of George Washington that is also a picture book is hardly comprehensive, but this book is informative in a way that will entertain young and old readers. The interesting illustrations are very expressive; however, unfortunately most of the expressions are scowls.
This picture may even make your children scowl:
I have always loved reading biographies, and in the third, fourth, and fifth grade I read everyone in the school library.I plan to read this book to my fourth grade grandchildren when I see them again. I think this book will encourage a good discussion. Children need a better understanding of history; books like this could be very helpful!
This picture may even make your children scowl:
I have always loved reading biographies, and in the third, fourth, and fifth grade I read everyone in the school library.I plan to read this book to my fourth grade grandchildren when I see them again. I think this book will encourage a good discussion. Children need a better understanding of history; books like this could be very helpful!
February 23, 2009
A picture book but with some interesting facts about the life of our first President, George Washington. Although he was shy as a boy, he became a distinguished leader of both the military and the nation. As the book states, "...he worked hard to become a man who was polite and clever, fair and wise, loyal and true." Traits needed then. Traits needed now.
November 13, 2013
I believe this is one of the better written biographies for children that I've read. It was a joy reading it to my own. I would highly recommend classroom teachers reading this in honor of President's Day or during a study of the Revolutionary War. The illustrations are beautiful. My only complaint is that there wasn't enough evidence to support a key part of the title: how a shy boy became President of the U.S. I can see this book as a great lesson on how we can be anything we wish, no matter our supposed "faults" such as shyness. Perhaps the author could have included more examples about how George overcame his shyness to lead the colonial forces to victory. How did this come about? I thought this story was very well told, but the title led me to believe there would be more focus on George's personality rather than the events.
April 9, 2009
Very informative look at good old G.W.'s pre-Father of the Country/1st president years. Who knew he had a nasty temper, or that he was such a looker that all the girls around his Virginia home wanted to dance with him at the balls? Not I. An enjoyable biography.
June 3, 2009
Biography/history/showing a different side than many young readers will know of the first president. I found the cover art slightly scary--it reminded me of Heathcliff or a haunted 19th-century composer, but I liked the inside art.
February 24, 2010
love this book. follows george washington's life from a shy young boy to a tall, strong young soldier to the great president he became. great for walking through the am rev war highlights and better understanding franklin and george's role in the nation's beginning.
August 6, 2016
This is a fun picture book about the life of George Washington, from life in the colonies to fathering our Nation’s new democracy. Big George is a wonderful book to share with elementary age students when covering Colonial Times, the American Revolution or just for the love of learning.
February 4, 2009
A solid intro biography. But why are all the people frowning in the illustrations?
July 9, 2009
I was surprised at how much information could be in a picture book.
October 18, 2009
good information (I hope) on Washington in a format that would not loose children or adults. :)
March 7, 2010
Great picture book about one of our favorite Virginians!
October 13, 2016
Its a solid start to introducing the reader to George Washington, but I would have liked more about the context of the wider world he lived in.
October 28, 2016
A different kind of review: From this book: here's what I learned about President Washington's traits that feel right for being President:
He was a learner: When George was eleven his father died, and he went to live at his half-brother Lawrence's place, Mount Vernon. There he spent time reading in Mt. Vernon's large library and was especially drawn to a Roman farmer who put down his plow because he was needed as a leader. George thought it was admirable that this man, Cinncinnatus, gave up what he loved in order to serve his country. George would remember this later.
He also was a learner in sports, was an avid horseman, swordsman and fencer. He was taught all the things a Virginia gentleman was supposed to know by Lawrence. He learned a bit from traveling with Lawrence, too.
He followed his loyalties when he thought it was right:
First he fought for the King, but argued with the general about the silly way that the British fought, as you know, in lines, with music, announcing their arrival. They were crushed by the French and Native Americans at Fort Duquesne, and Washington fought well, but was not wounded. He would remember the harshness of battle.
He was again called, this time to lead the rebel army against his king. It was a hard decision, but he fought on the side he believed was right.
He fought with his army:
No matter the sacrifice, Washington did all that his soldiers did, fought and starved and ached from cold with them. When people saw that, his armies grew. He was inspiring them by his actions, not his words.
He loved his home:
No matter how much he was away, he always returned home to what he loved, Mount Vernon and his family.
He again went to serve, this time as the first President. Although there were huge conflicts among the different colonies, Washington worked tirelessly to make the country strengthen, to make it ONE! According to the story: "He proved to be as good a leader in peace as in war."
Matt Phelan's illustrations are lovely, filling the pages with action and history too. The double-page spread of Washington in his first battle is marvelous. The page from the Valley Forge winter is heart-breaking.
This short biography may begin an interest in young people of our first President. Or it may be a beginning study of many people in history who inspire. I know I and others have written about many wonderful biographies, and this is another I'm glad to have read.
He was a learner: When George was eleven his father died, and he went to live at his half-brother Lawrence's place, Mount Vernon. There he spent time reading in Mt. Vernon's large library and was especially drawn to a Roman farmer who put down his plow because he was needed as a leader. George thought it was admirable that this man, Cinncinnatus, gave up what he loved in order to serve his country. George would remember this later.
He also was a learner in sports, was an avid horseman, swordsman and fencer. He was taught all the things a Virginia gentleman was supposed to know by Lawrence. He learned a bit from traveling with Lawrence, too.
He followed his loyalties when he thought it was right:
First he fought for the King, but argued with the general about the silly way that the British fought, as you know, in lines, with music, announcing their arrival. They were crushed by the French and Native Americans at Fort Duquesne, and Washington fought well, but was not wounded. He would remember the harshness of battle.
He was again called, this time to lead the rebel army against his king. It was a hard decision, but he fought on the side he believed was right.
He fought with his army:
No matter the sacrifice, Washington did all that his soldiers did, fought and starved and ached from cold with them. When people saw that, his armies grew. He was inspiring them by his actions, not his words.
He loved his home:
No matter how much he was away, he always returned home to what he loved, Mount Vernon and his family.
He again went to serve, this time as the first President. Although there were huge conflicts among the different colonies, Washington worked tirelessly to make the country strengthen, to make it ONE! According to the story: "He proved to be as good a leader in peace as in war."
Matt Phelan's illustrations are lovely, filling the pages with action and history too. The double-page spread of Washington in his first battle is marvelous. The page from the Valley Forge winter is heart-breaking.
This short biography may begin an interest in young people of our first President. Or it may be a beginning study of many people in history who inspire. I know I and others have written about many wonderful biographies, and this is another I'm glad to have read.
December 3, 2016
Picture book biography about George Washington. Starts out with George as a boy and describes how he became the man who was our first American President; this inclusion of his youth will draw in the interest of young readers. Both the art and the illustrations portray a person who is more robust, complex, and fully realized than most biographies about Washington, which tend to focus exclusively on his participation in the American revolution and/or his presidency. That is all in here too, but it is Washington's human side, frailties included, that shines through so clearly in these pages. This is no small feat, especially since the text is concise and child-friendly. Lovely watercolor illustrations manage to capture the wide range of emotions and situations that form the highlights of a long life of such an unlikely, though important, leader.
February 17, 2019
An intimate telling of George Washington as a boy and growing into his values as a man. An excellent historical understanding of the tensions between the English, French, Aboriginals and Americans and how America was founded with the election of George Washington as the leader. His deep sense of duty, commitment to peace and justice for all are strong purposeful elements in this book. Matt Phelan's haunting illustrations capture the essence of the times and people in an authentic way. An important read for young people to understand the true roots of America particularly now with such frayed leadership.
August 22, 2018
Giving this book 5 stars because my 7 year old son exclaimed “that was an excellent book!” Then ran off to fight the redcoats with his imaginary bayonet! Great read for kids that detailed the big events of George Washington’s life along with lesser known events that shaped him into the man of integrity and courage he would become.
February 27, 2020
An excellent book about George Washington...informative, but not too fact heavy. Perfect for kids!
November 10, 2020
Solid biography of an American legend, with an insightful author's note.
May 11, 2021
We enjoyed this picture book, but it was still basic and known information.
January 9, 2024
Illustrations 3/5
Text 4/5
A nice overview of George Washington's life and career.
Text 4/5
A nice overview of George Washington's life and career.
July 2, 2025
Y'all! Did you know "The World Turned Upside Down" was an actual battle song the English played as they surrendered at the close of the American Revolution?? I did not.
April 8, 2026
3 stars
Rockwell presents an interesting take on George Washington
Rockwell presents an interesting take on George Washington
September 24, 2015
This is an informative and entertaining biography about George Washington. The narrative is not overly detailed, but is really engaging and we all learned something new about our first President.
Even though we live relatively close to Mount Vernon and have learned a lot about Virginia history, we were surprised at the fact that he was so shy, that he had a temper, and that he studied a book of manners because "He understood that good manners could hide his shyness." (p. 4)
The pencil and gouache illustrations are expressive, but I have to admit that there are a lot of faces with scowls on them. Our favorite, though is the picture of George dancing with a young woman, with other young women looking at him wistfully and their partners scowling.
The author's note at the end of the book provided a little more amplification on his life and the fact that he freed his slaves in his will, which was unusual for the time.
Overall, it was a fairly quick read and fun to read aloud. I was a bit hesitant to read another book about this famous man, but we really enjoyed reading it together.
What I liked best, though, is that it brought up more questions about him from our youngest and I hope that will trigger a desire to learn more about his life and read more books about him.
Even though we live relatively close to Mount Vernon and have learned a lot about Virginia history, we were surprised at the fact that he was so shy, that he had a temper, and that he studied a book of manners because "He understood that good manners could hide his shyness." (p. 4)
The pencil and gouache illustrations are expressive, but I have to admit that there are a lot of faces with scowls on them. Our favorite, though is the picture of George dancing with a young woman, with other young women looking at him wistfully and their partners scowling.
The author's note at the end of the book provided a little more amplification on his life and the fact that he freed his slaves in his will, which was unusual for the time.
Overall, it was a fairly quick read and fun to read aloud. I was a bit hesitant to read another book about this famous man, but we really enjoyed reading it together.
What I liked best, though, is that it brought up more questions about him from our youngest and I hope that will trigger a desire to learn more about his life and read more books about him.
August 12, 2010
We are major G.W. fans! And we really enjoy this book, however there are some things in it that bother me greatly, and so in my copy I have modified these things.
Be mindful of the de-emphasis of God's protection over Washington on the pages following the crossing of the Delaware, and the hint of feminism on the back page note.
On these pages discussing his "luck" during Braddock's defeat and his immunity to smallpox, it seems to be written as an attempt to belittle the providential hand of God in his life. Don't you think God allowed him to get smallpox when he was young so he could be immune when it mattered most, during the America Revolution?
I mean, really, Washington was 6'3", an easy target in battle, yet was never wounded. This is not "luck" or "coincidence". In one battle alone-2 horses shot out from underneath him, a bullet hole in his hat and 4 in his coat. Please...let's give credit where credit is due. God divinely protected George Washington over and over again.
Be mindful of the de-emphasis of God's protection over Washington on the pages following the crossing of the Delaware, and the hint of feminism on the back page note.
On these pages discussing his "luck" during Braddock's defeat and his immunity to smallpox, it seems to be written as an attempt to belittle the providential hand of God in his life. Don't you think God allowed him to get smallpox when he was young so he could be immune when it mattered most, during the America Revolution?
I mean, really, Washington was 6'3", an easy target in battle, yet was never wounded. This is not "luck" or "coincidence". In one battle alone-2 horses shot out from underneath him, a bullet hole in his hat and 4 in his coat. Please...let's give credit where credit is due. God divinely protected George Washington over and over again.
April 1, 2015
Join Anne and Matt have combined creative forces to introduce young children to George Washington in this large picture book format. Don't be surprised if you learn a thing or two yourself! The book inspires a myriad of webbing activities. After reading this account you and your child (or class) could learn about Cincinnatus, a Roman farmer and leader, for instance. Develop a list of skills to acquire. On George's list were penmanship, manners, memorization, riding horseback, fencing, and much more.
September 12, 2016
Nice little picture book bio of Washington that...kinda stops...after the war. It covers his early life and how his parents died and he was raised by his brother, who taught him to be a gentleman farmer/plantation owner, talks about his early career as a surveyor and then in the military during the French and Indian War and how he developed a reputation for being invincible. Stresses the fact that he was a loyalist during the early part of the Revolution, lost more battles than he won, and served as President because it was his duty, not because he wanted to. Not bad for a picture book.
February 6, 2013
According to the title, ‘How a shy boy became President Washington.’ Which is exactly what this book is, the bare bones of George Washington’s life.
This book wasn’t anything special, by the time you’ve gotten through high school you’ve read and heard every fact in here a couple of times. So I realized, of course, that the book was accurate in its facts and could be very interesting to someone who is just learning the facts about the first president.
This book wasn’t anything special, by the time you’ve gotten through high school you’ve read and heard every fact in here a couple of times. So I realized, of course, that the book was accurate in its facts and could be very interesting to someone who is just learning the facts about the first president.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews