George Washington's Birthday: A Mostly True Tale

This potentially amusing blend of story and historical fact feels a bit strained.

“When George Washington went to sleep Friday night, he was six years old. When he woke up on Saturday, he was seven.” Eager to observe his birthday but thwarted throughout the day, George studies with older brother Augustine, spends a bored few minutes heaving rocks across the Rappahannock, helps his father prune the cherry trees with disastrous results and finally celebrates at dinner with his loving family. The boy’s concerns about a seemingly forgotten birthday will resonate with young readers, and Blitt’s signature caricature style in watercolor is lively and droll. McNamara offers both facts and myths—presented in bordered inset captions—about the grownup George that relate to her fictional account of his seventh birthday. For example, as George crosses an icy creek carrying the remains of the cherry tree (“Hope I never have to do this again”), the caption reveals that in fact he had to cross the Delaware many times “in one of the most important battles of the Revolutionary War.” The author offers a first-person narrative in Washington’s voice, “George Washington Tells the Truth,” following the picture-book story.

Copyright 2012 Kirkus Reviews, LLC Used with permission

It's George Washington's seventh birthday, but he can't get anyone to acknowledge it. "Another cold day," he says, dropping a 10-ton hint on his harried mother. "But I guess there's nothing special about that." His stern father isn't cutting him any slack, either. "Now clean your face and hands and powder your wig and occupy yourself gainfully until dinnertime," says Mr. Washington after George has carried out some punitive chores (the consequences of taking out his frustrations on a cherry tree). As Blitt (The Adventures of Mark Twain by Huckleberry Finn) chronicles George's slow burn in his elegant, irreverent ink line, McNamara (The Three Little Aliens and the Big Bad Robot) serves up delicious ironies ("Someday I'll be the boss of you," George mumbles prophetically as he's being condescended to by his "tyrant" of an older brother). She also sets the record straight with asides labeled "Myth" (George did not throw a stone across the Rappa-hannock) and "Fact." This book should add at least a few giggles to any Presidents' Day festivities, while reminding readers that every great man starts out small. Ages 4-8. (Jan.)

K-Gr 2--On his seventh birthday, young George waits for his family to remember his special day while working hard and displaying the characteristics for which he is famous (honesty, studiousness, etc.). The text is a mix of fictional narrative and factual sidebars. Oddly, the story itself reinforces some of the myths debunked by the fact boxes; for instance, George is shown in a wig despite the footnote that explains how he only powdered his hair. A final note in Washington's voice clarifies the true facts behind the story, including an intriguing but unexplained mention that the calendar was different in 1732, so that his birthday was actually February 11, not February 22. The loose, cartoony watercolors by New Yorker artist Blitt impart a wry humor, and the muted palette gives a colonial flavor. The tale is mildly amusing and certainly informational, but the tension between fact and fiction may prove confusing to young readers. Teachers seeking material for Washington's Birthday may find this book is good filler, but it is not a first purchase.--Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL