William Penn: Founder of Pennsylvania - Hardcover

Kroll, Steven

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0823414396 ISBN 13: 9780823414390

Publisher: Holiday House, 2000

Synopsis

This illustrated biography tells of the life and accomplishments of William Penn, from his years as a wealthy child and his interest in Quaker ideas to his rise as fighter for religious freedom.

About this title

About the Author:

Steven Kroll wrote his first story at the age of thirteen. He is now the author of many children's picture books, including Patches Lost and Found, Oh, Tucker!, The Biggest Pumpkin Ever, and Space Cats. He is also the author of John Quincy Adams: Letters from a Southern Planter's Son from Winslow Press's Dear Mr. President series. He and his wife, Kathleen Beckett, divide their time between New York City and Bucks County, Pennsylvania where he has written many of his books.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 2-5-This picture-book biography begins with a full-color portrait of Penn and a short paragraph summing up his beliefs and principles. Subsequent pages tell his life story but do little to illuminate the man. Of his childhood, Kroll notes that Penn survived a bout with smallpox at the age of three, that he attended grammar school, and was exposed to the ideas of the Quaker movement. As a young man he was expelled from Oxford College for not attending the required religious services. Few other personal anecdotes are provided. The fact that he was the father of 14 children is included only in the afterword. The text focuses on the political situations of the time and the many changes in Britain's government and often reads like a barely fleshed-out version of the chronology. A crucial moment in Penn's life, when he was tricked by his business manager into signing a paper that ultimately threw him into debtor's prison, is mentioned in a cursory manner. The text states that he was "so distracted he never read" the document. Why was he distracted? This and many other details that would have made the subject come alive are missing. While students may appreciate obtaining rudimentary research information amid elegant illustrations, they will not be inspired by this treatment of the founder of Pennsylvania. Strictly for reports.
Jackie Hechtkopf, University of Maryland, College Park
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Holiday House
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0823414396
• ISBN 13: 9780823414390
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Himler Ronald