Farmer George Plants a Nation - Hardcover

Thomas, Peggy

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 159078460X ISBN 13: 9781590784600

Publisher: Calkins Creek, 2008

Synopsis

George Washington as he's rarely seen. Besides being a general and the first president of the United States, George Washington was also a farmer. His efforts to create a self-sufficient farm at Mount Vernon, Virginia, mirrored his struggle to form a new nation. Excerpts from Washington's writings are featured throughout this NSTA/CBC Outstanding Science Trade Book, which also includes a timeline, resource section, as well as essays on Washington at Mount Vernon and his thoughts on slavery. Both illustrator and author worked closely with the staff of Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens to render an accurate portrait of Farmer George at work.

About this title

About the Author:

Peggy Thomas is the author of more than a dozen books for children and young adults, including Joshua the Giant Frog, a tall tale about the Erie Canal. Ms. Thomas is a frequent speaker in schools and libraries. She lives in Middleport, New York.

Layne Johnson has illustrated many acclaimed picture books for children, including Remembering Grandpa by Uma Krishnaswami. He lives in Houston, Texas.

From Booklist:

With big, lush oil paintings and a detailed text, this picture book for older readers celebrates George Washington’s role, not as victorious general and first president, but as lifelong farmer, who learned all he could about agriculture. He planted trees, bred mules, designed a barn, switched from growing tobacco to wheat, and experimented with all kinds of field crops, mixing fertilizers and compost to grow shrubs and vegetables. With quotes from Washington’s diary and letters, the hands-on account of the great leader who was also a pioneer farmer will inspire young gardeners. Unfortunately, the idyllic pictures of smiling field hands (who are, of course, slaves) will jar children who know the tragic history and are reading this today. Thomas addresses this in a final note, explaining that Washington believed that slavery was wrong, but kept his concerns to himself. Includes a bibliography and a Mount Vernon Web site. Grades 3-5. --Hazel Rochman

About this edition

• Publisher: Calkins Creek
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 159078460X
• ISBN 13: 9781590784600
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 40
• Illustrator: Johnson Layne