A Picture Book of Alexander Hamilton

by David A. Adler, Matt Collins (Illustrations)

How the extraordinary patriot made soaring accomplishments but then met his devastating end, the life of Alexander Hamilton for picture book readers.

From his youth in the Caribbean to his immigration to New York City, this picture book covers the highlights of Alexander Hamilton's legacy, including his part in the American revolution, his influence on the monetary system we still use today, and his tragic death.

Matt Collin's hyperrealistic art style will transport readers right alongside Hamilton, while David A. Adler deftly chronicles pivotal moments in the Founding Father's short but hugely influential life.

A timeline of important events 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: Biography, Picture Books, Nonfiction, History, American Revolution, Childrens, Biography Memoir

32 pages, Hardcover

Published December 10, 2019

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

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

We have read several children's biographies of Alexander Hamilton recently and this one is probably one of our favorites. Well-written great pictures.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 2 out of 5]

A Picture Book of Alexander Hamilton by David A. Adler, illustrated by Matt Collins. PICTURE BOOK/NONFICTION. Holiday House, 2019. $18. 9780823439614

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

A lot happened in Alexander Hamilton’s relatively short life and this book covers most of the important moments, spending the most time on his early life. Each spread has a detailed illustration that illuminates some of the details of his life discussed in the reading.

With the Broadway musical, a lot of students are interested in the history of Hamilton and this provides some details that will help them understand the play. The storytelling is a little dry with a formal tone that is very matter of fact. This may appeal to some, but will leave others bored.

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Illustrations created with Prismacolor pencils and Painter 12.2.1 complement the always-fascinating story of Alexander Hamilton, one of our nation's founding fathers. Author David A. Adler has chosen to begin this biography with the famous duel between Hamilton and Aaron Burr, leaving it to cover Hamilton's formative years in the Caribbean, his struggles, losses, and how influential authors recognized his potential, and paved the way for his education and future political career. His military service, contributions to the Federalist Papers, and creation of currency for the new nation that had become his home, are all discussed briefly before returning to the duel that took his life. The popularity of the musical, "Hamilton," may prompt some young readers to pick up this book since they and their parents may have seen it and want to know more. Even if that isn't the case, Hamilton himself was a fascinating, complex man. I loved that Adler included some direct quotes expressing his love for his wife and home life. Those remarks serve to humanize someone who often seemed larger than life. Obviously, this is just an introduction, and curious readers will want to look for more about him. The reference list provided in the back matter and the timeline serve as helpful places to start.

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. It wasn't bad. And the illustrations were actually really good. But the wording was just a little off in places, and the author covers a lot of details in very few words. There were a few pages I had to reread to make sense of. For example, Hamilton's mother was mentioned in the role of being his mother... then on the next page we seem to jump back in time when the author starts with something that happened prior to Hamilton's birth. The book continues to cover Hamilton's childhoood/young adulthood for just under one half of the book, leaving things feeling a little lopsided with his adult accomplishments feeling more rushed. I can only imagine that this happened because it is a picture book biography intended for young readers, and so there was a desired connection between the reader's life and Hamilton's. However, if I had been a young person reading this, I would probably be left with several questions, as many topics were mentioned but never explained. Overall, the illustrations are the best part of this book.

[Sarah Beth Stair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary:
"A Picture Book of Alexander Hamilton" provides insight and detailed information about the life of one of America's founding fathers, Alexander Hamilton. The book goes through his life from humble birth background all the way to his untimely death after a duel with Aaron Burr.

Analysis:
I really liked the illustrations and amount of detail given by this book. The information is very helpful for kids to understand Hamilton's background while still being interesting and fun to read. Historical non-fiction is so important and will help them later on in life.

How I will use this book:
I can use this book to educate my students on the life of a very relevant founding father, giving them a sturdy background for their future history classes and helping them understand America's history just a little bit more.

[Katie]

Alexander Hamilton’s fame has sky-rocketed due to the 2015 Broadway Musical Hamilton. Following the fame, the picture book covers the best parts of Hamilton's life story. From his contribution in the American Revolution, his impact on the financial system, and his unfortunate demise. It is a wonderful look into some of America’s beginning history. It is a fantastic book that can be used along side a history lesson that capitalizes on students’ knowledge and love of an internationally popularized musical.

[Iva Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated story of Alexander Hamilton. I learned he was born in the Caribbean, which I did not know from my history lessons! How he received an education and went on to become one of the founding fathers of our Constitution is covered for elementary audience. Speaking about the banking system and the two-party system which we still have today are good topics for history lessons. His death was a tragedy of the times with the dueling system. Includes timeline.

[Kayla Peters · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is an overview of the life and achievements of Alexander Hamilton. This book is so cool to me because of the illustrations. The illustrations remind me of a Barbie movie with their animation and that was really cool to me. I would use this book in a history unit about the founding of our country. Growing up, I never learned a lot about Alexander Hamilton, so I think this book is a great way to introduce it to students.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was looking for a title that would give me the basic outline of events in Alexander Hamilton’s life. This title fulfilled the basic info I was looking for.
The info I was definitely lacking was Hamilton’s early years and struggles and how he came to the U.S. This title fulfilled the needs I had.

[emyrose8 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, I wanted to like this book waaay more than I actually did. The illustrations are awesome and most of the text is good, but sometimes it isn't clear, especially the part that talks about his childhood. That's still fuzzy for me.

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

A picture book depicting the life of Alexander Hamilton.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit dated. I didn't feel like I learned too much about Alexander Hamilton as a person.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid biography.

[4 Starr Kids · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the artwork is beautiful it is very misleading.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

“My name is Alexander Hamilton.”

Sadly, no rap battles.

[Children's Literature Centre at FSU · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very informative story about Alexander Hamilton. It has many great pictures and gives important information about what happen in his life.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very very wordy for K but I also purchased for my Hamilton loving niece to give her and idea of what else the real Alex did and she loved it.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for the summer library reading program (because the 700+ pages of the Hamilton biography by Chernow is too long for a quick summer read)
Perhaps overly simplistic, but at least more historically accurate than the play Hamilton. The illustrations are well drawn.