A Picture Book of George Washington Carver

Picture Book Biography

by David A. Adler, Dan Brown (Illustrator)

Born a slave, he became a leading scientist.

This is the inspiring story of the pioneering African-American teacher, scientist, and artist. Carver is perhaps best known for his scientific work with peanuts and sweet potatoes (and for inventing peanut butter!), but  Time magazine also called him the "Black Leonardo" for his painting. Adler tells of Carver's work at the Tuskegee Institute with Booker T. Washington, his hard childhood, and his determination to learn despite many obstacles,

A man of deep faith, Carver worked throughout his life to create scientific discoveries that would improve the lives of Southerners--especially African Americans. 

The colorful illustrations show Carver in all stages of his life and give children insight to Carver's world.

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, Nonfiction, Picture Books, History, Science, Childrens, School

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

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

[Jaime · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you couldn't already guess by the oh-so-clever title of this book, this particular text describes the life of George Washington Carver. It is a relatively dry account of his life that even recounts his 2 unfortunate interactions with so-called "raiders". What miffed me was that these "raiders" are, infact members of the Klu Klux Klan. It frustrated me that the author didn't use their name and I wonder why the author chose to do this. Maybe it has to do with the fact that the picture was published in 1999?

The illustrations are simple and appear to be water colors. They fit well with the text. The story itself is also simple: an african american scientist that overcomes tremendous hardship to accomplish amazing things in the field of agricultural science.

I don't think that I would use this book in my classroom, honestly.

[Robyn Simmons · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a biography and informational text. It tells about the life of George Washington Carver. It is a friendly read pictutre book that can be read as a read aloud to students. It highlights many important dates in his life. I found it interesting that he was always unsure of his birth month or year. He just knew it was either late 1864 or early 1865. He worked to recieve many degrees in his education. Carver is best known for his demonstrations of peanuts. It is a great resource to teach students about the work of George Washington Carver. As stated above, this story can be used as a read aloud in the classroom. Afterwards, students can enjoy a peanut butter treat!

[Joel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book begins with Carver's birth near the end of the Civil War and ends with his death in 1943. Carver is born into slavery on a farm, and this story contains a few of the atrocities he witnessed.Through this book, youngsters will learn important facts about slavery and racial prejudice as well as Carver’s significant contributions. The author uses a narrative style and both the text and pictures combine to establish the literary elements of setting, and theme. Colorful illustrations complement the simple, but informative text to give children a solid introduction to one of America's most important scientists.

[Scott Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Picture Book of George Washington Carver contains a good summary of his life. Even though this is called "a picture book" I would recommend it to mid- and upper-elementary students because of the level of vocabulary found in the text.

[Shaeley Santiago · Rating 4 out of 5]

Descriptive text about Carver's life. Mentions Time magazine's reference to him as the "Black Leonardo" and his refusal of a job offer from Thomas Alva Edison. No actual photos, though, like Smart About Scientists: George Washington Carver: Peanut Wizard: Peanut Wizard. #bookaday

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

George Washington Carver was able to rise above the brutality of racism and give back to humanity in so many ways that he was likened to Leonardo da Vinci. But this book about his life, while beautifully illustrated and not-too-wordy to hold little one's attention, is a little problematic.

This book describes "raiders" who kidnapped him as an infant and his mother (and also his sister, but she is not mentioned in this book. Other reviewers state that these raiders should be identified as the Ku Klux Klan. While not every hideously bigoted person is part of the Ku Klux Klan, I have found several sources that identify these raiders as members of the KKK. I think it is important to teach children why they should be anti-racist, as well as the names of groups who are known to be racist.

I am glad that this book doesn't shy away from including the lynching of Bill Howard in 1879 in Fort Scott, Kansas, a horrific event that haunted Carver forever and spurred him to leave town as it occurred after he himself had been beaten and his school books stolen.

It's tricky to find kids books that tell the truth, but not more than kids need to know, and that is never going to be an across-the-board answer. That's why, as a librarian, I would remind people to always consult multiple sources of information and weigh their trustworthiness before assuming their veracity.

[Lea Fabrizzi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Picture Book of George Washington Carver by David A. Adler tells a great sooty about George Washington Carver and how he grows up starting from nothing, but is able to make so much from it. For being African American, he never gives up and keeps trying to get into the all white schools, and never forgets his morals along the way. It is important for children to learn about slavery and influential African Americans, and a picture book biography is great way to incorporate this into young children books! -Lea Fabrizzi

[Kristen-Marie Freeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent historical information on an important American inventor. I find the title a little misleading, though: because it calls out “picture book,” I was expecting it to be written with preschoolers and early elementary in mind. On the contrary, there are frank depictions, in the text and illustrations, of the violence against African-Americans of the time. So, in my opinion, it would be appropriate for late elementary or middle school.

[Jeannie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Citation: A Picture Book of George Washington Carver, David Adler, Dan Brown (illustrator), Holiday House, 1999, 30p. Junior Book/Biography

Genre: Biography

Summary: This book is the gently told account of the life of George Washington Carver, Agriculturalist, Artist, Educator and Humanitarian.

Critique: a. What I like most about this biography is the caring personal tone that comes through.
b. The author’s careful placement of Carver’s sentiments sets the tone for the book and characterizes his life through doses of grandfatherly wisdom to live by.
c. This can be seen best early in the book (p5) in the passage that describes his care of plants which reads, “Many are the tears I have shed because I would break the roots or flower (off some of those) pets.”

Curriculum Connection: This book can be used with Science and Social Studies curriculum for upper elementary and middle school students.

[Melanie, Aaron, Annie, and Mary Project · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Picture Book of George Washington Carver
By David A. Adler
Illustrations By Dan Brown
Grade Levels:
DRA/Lexile Measure/GLE:
Reviewed By Aaron Carter

In this book, David A. Adler did a superb job of capturing the accomplishments of George Washington Carver; in fact, even as a historian, I learned much about the man. Despite the hardships that he faced early on, he preserved in the end, creating several hundred products from peanuts and sweet potatoes we use daily to survive, create, and thrive. He was even offered work--and significant pay--from Thomas Edison, but declined; rather, he chose to serve African Americans for free. For younger readers, though, the teacher will have to explain the topics of slavery, lynching and segregation. I cannot recommend this book enough, as it shows the value of perseverance and humility.

[Leon Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

SS5H3 The student will describe how life changed in America at the turn of the century.
b. Describe the impact on American life of the Wright brothers (flight), George Washington Carver (science), Alexander Graham Bell (communication), and Thomas Edison (electricity).

A great book the students can use a supplemental text to describe the life George Washington Carver. This book could also be used during an abolition unit or civil rights unit when describing and discussing equality. Students cold write journals or essays describing the life of Washington. Describe why Carver would not take money for discoveries or work; support answers with quotes from the book. Would you say Carver was a Humanitarian? Explain A great book to read for all ages

[Alexandria Stephens]

This is another book in the informational picture book series. It is a biography of the life of George Washington Carver, the peanut man! The book begins with his birth, which isn't clearly indicated but the author estimates a month and year. The book describes Carver's education accomplishments. Of course the book highlights Carver's work with peanuts and how he was able to transform the peanut industry. This book can be used to reading fluency. The book is written in kid friendly language and depending on the age level of the students, they should be able to read the story with fluency. The teacher can use this story as a guided reading lesson and have students read in small groups and make note of where they are struggling.

[Gina]

This book tells about the life story of George Washington Carver; yes, the peanut guy! Carver was born into slavery and he along with Booker T. Washington joined together into helping members of their race. This text describes Carver's education and accomplishments. In addition, this book highlights his discovery of the peanut industry and the impact it made. This book may be utilized for fluency during guided reading. The sentence structures and word choice is appropriate for students, depending on reading level. A teacher may use this book to focus on students fluency in reading. At the end of the book, it provided important dates in throughout Carver's life; this will be a perfect time to have students to place his life in chronological order.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about the life of George Washington Carver. It starts at the beginning when he was bon as a slave. It goes on to tell about his education and how he was rejected by a university because of the color of his skin. Then it ends with all of his success. I really liked this book because I didn't know that much about George Washington Carver and it was very informational. I think students would really like this, it would be a good book for bringing in diversity of historical figures. I would definably read this to my class.

[Ashton Keck]

This was a wonderful picture book biography on George Washington Carver. I found it to be very informative and I liked the way the author was able to condense such an extrodinary mans life into a rather short book. I also liked the fact that the author included quotes from Carver himself. One interesting piece of information that stood out to me was that George Carver had turned down Thomas Edison's offer to work for him.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Picture Book of George Washington Carver, D. A. Adler, Grade 1, Life cycle of a plant, Design of Experiments, Structure and Function of living organisms.

This book could be used in:
A unit on George Washington Carver.
A unit on inventors.
A unit on farming.
Observation.
"What can one little person do?" George Washington Carver changed modern farming and helped many people live a better life. He invented uses for the peanut, soybean, and sweet potatoes.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book tells the story of George Washington Carver. The book tells how George struggled to become educated at a time when there were not many opportunities for the son of a former slave. This book tells how George was devoted to improving the lives of Southerners. This book is part of the custom box and good for a read-aloud.

[Leslie]

David Adler has written a whole slew of great picture book biographies on fascinating people, such as George Washington Carver, John F. Kennedy, Anne Frank, Amelia Earhart, and others. These are great to use with students when teaching the concept of biography.

[Sarah Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

way better than any of his picture books of a famous historical person. I loved it!!!!Lots of pics!!!

[CFAITC]

A brief biography of George Washington Carver.

[Lori Kuder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love these Picture Book Biography series!

[Horace Mann Family Reading Challenge · Rating 5 out of 5]

We learned about George Washington Carver and all the obstacles he had. Room 213

[Andrea Labonte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book.

[Trease]

i found this book informative for young children. Especially when teaching a multicultural unit.

[Keli Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED THIS BOOK! I asked Anna age 8 what did you learn from it.. she said "he moved a lot" um I hope she got more than that.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent biography on George Washington Carver.

[Valerie Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book tells the life of George Washington Carver, the reading is very easy to understand.