A delightful mixture of historical fiction and historical fact, George Washington's Birthday imagines the activities of its eponymous hero on his seventh birthday. Although the events chronicled are fictitious - George's conversations with his parents and his half-brother Augustine, his chopping down of the cherry tree - each two-page spread contains the factual information behind the fictional imagining of that day. In the scene in which young George begins to write a list of approved behaviors, for instance, the accompanying information reveals that by the time he was sixteen, the real Washington had written "110 Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior" that he kept on him at all times, as a reminder. The final page of the book presents a "letter" from Washington, with further historical background on the subject...

As someone who read and greatly enjoyed Ron Chernow's magisterial adult biography, George Washington: A Life, I was curious to see how author Margaret McNamara would handle her partly fictional / partly factual narrative. I was quite pleased in the end, and think that young readers will come away, not just with a better knowledge about George Washington, but a better understanding of the idea that history is a story, one that is just as influenced by myth as by fact. I was particularly pleased to see that the author mentions, in her afterword (George's letter) that the myth of the cherry tree was promulgated by Parson Weems, in his early 19th-century pamphlet on Washington, as we had to study this hagiographic work in a college course I took on American culture during that century. The accompanying artwork here, done by Barry Blitt in watercolor, is humorous and appealing. All in all, a wonderful picture-book, one I would recommend to those looking to introduce young children to the subject of George Washington. Perhaps it could be read on President's Day, which (as I'm sure every citizen knows) is indeed George Washington's birthday... ( )

This historical narrative is well written and is very interactive for readers. I liked this book because I really enjoy history. This book made it easy and fun for students to learn facts about the first president of the United States. The author’s idea of making George Washington a kid, just like the audience intended to read the book would make this book relatable for children.
The writing was very engaging for the audience and it was easy for me to see the pain George was in because no one remembered his birthday. He was even so mad he cut down a tree. The author used details like illustrations to show the anger on George’s face. I liked how in the story they had pages that were sort of myths and then stated facts. That made it easy for me to follow and understand what was added in and what truly happened. You saw George get flustered throughout the book. But I like the character development McNamara made. She was able to show George get upset in the beginning but at the end he was bettering himself by writing. At the end of the book everyone was waiting for him in the dining room to wish him a happy birthday.
The books main idea was to give students a creative insight on what George Washington was like as a child and for them to learn about one of their founding fathers.

This illustrated historical narrative retells famous myths and fact about George Washington as if they all happened on his seventh birthday. The plot follows George as he goes through his day and, ironically, thinking his family has forgotten his birthday. The narrative is accompanied by side notes that communicate myths and facts about George Washington throughout his life. This illustrations are drawn, pastel, illustrations that depict large scenes as well as focal points in the narrative. The back matter of the book includes an explanation of facts and fiction in the story as told by George Washington. This book would be a good selection for a president’s themed story time. Additionally, teachers could supplement a lessons on president’s day or historical fiction. High School teachers could use this story as an addition to a lesson on creating and analyzing historical fiction. This books highly recommended for purchase as a historical fiction selection in a public or school library. (Ages 5-12) ( )

Today the whole country recognizes and celebrates President Washington’s birthday, but in this story George wakes up on his seventh birthday, yet his whole family is so busy it seems no one remembered his special day. This picture book tells a fictional, narrative story of our first president as a young boy; however, parts of the story are true. Subset within some pages there are “fact” and “myth” boxes that share factual information or debunk common misconceptions about George Washington. Although there are no sources cited, the story concludes with a note from George about how it was a made up story, but continues to set the facts straight. Best suited for a K-3 audience and sets the stage for several classroom connections: presidents, other famous birthdays we celebrate, famous people as children, fact versus fiction, if the country celebrated your birthday what would you be remembered for, and of course, celebrating George Washington’s birthday. ( )

An entertaining mix of facts and myths about the founding father. Good illustrations. ( )