Books about George Washington

George Washington, read it for free at archive.org

“Cheryl Harness uses her wonderfully vibrant art and down-to-earth writing style to “chip away the marble” and present George Washington as more than a monument…But through it all, we see George as happiest living as an experimental farmer at Mount Vernon with his wife, Martha. He could have been Emperor of America, but he chose to spend his last years ‘looking after things that needed doing’ at home.” (from the publisher)

Cheryl Harness does a splendid job in this wordy picture book. She presents the life of George Washington from his childhood until his death. I found the detailed illustrations of maps helpful in understanding the early colonies and the battles of the American Revolution. At the end, there is a bit of additional information about George and world events at the time of his life.

George Washington’s Mother, read it for free at archive.org

“Everyone has a mother. Even George Washington. But Mary Washington is nothing like you’d think! She hates to dress up. And she always thinks she knows what’s best for George. After all, she’s his mother! You can read more about her in this true story by Jean Fritz.” (from the publisher)

This fun book takes the perspective of Mary Ball Washington, the mother of George Washington. She prevents him from becoming a sailor but after she is grown, is unable to stop him from serving in the army.

This is an “All Aboard Reading” Level 3 reader, best for grades 2-3.

Runaway: The Daring Escape of Ona Judge

“A powerful poem about Ona Judge’s life and her self-emancipation from George Washington’s household…Author Ray Anthony Shepard welcomes meaningful and necessary conversation among young readers about the horrors of slavery and the experience of house servants through call-and-response style lines. Illustrator Keith Mallett’s rich paintings include fabric collage and add further feeling and majesty to Ona’s daring escape.” (from the publisher)

Written as a poem, I liked how this book continued to pose the question: “Why you run, Ona Judge?” because she seemed to have the best life a slave could have. It made us really think about how it must have felt to be her.

The Escape of Oney Judge, read it for free at archive.org

“When General George Washington is elected the first President of the United States, his wife chooses young Oney Judge, a house slave who works as a seamstress at Mount Vernon, to travel with her to the nation’s capital in New York City as her personal maid. When the capital is moved to Philadelphia, the Washingtons and Oney move, too, and there Oney meets free blacks for the first time…Pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations bring to life this picture book biography of Oney Judge, a young woman who, in the end, has no mistress but herself.” (from the publisher)

This book is more wordy than the previous. I appreciated the additional details surrounding her situation. This story also tells of what happens after Oney attains her freedom and people try to trick her into returning.

Never Caught: The Story of Ona Judge

“In this incredible narrative, Erica Armstrong Dunbar reveals a fascinating and heartbreaking behind-the-scenes look at the Washingtons when they were the First Family—and an in-depth look at their slave, Ona Judge, who dared to escape from one of the nation’s Founding Fathers.” (from the publisher)

This is the Young Readers Edition, written in 26 chapters for age 10 and up. Ona Judge was born around 1773 or 1774 to slaves of George and Martha Washington at Mount Vernon. It is a fascinating story and perspective of early America from the eyes of an enslaved person. Ona Judge escapes to freedom in New Hampshire in 1796.

George Washington: The First President

“The life of George Washington is introduced in this early reader biography. After General Washington led the American colonists to victory in the Revolutionary War, everyone thought he should become the first president of the United States. Washington would turn out to be a strong leader and a wise president.” (from the publisher)

This is a beginner overview of the history of the United States during George Washington’s life. It goes through the French and Indian War, a brief description of the American Revolution, and then George Washington’s presidency. There is a timeline at the end with historical pictures and commentary. Included here is mention of the Washington’s slaves at Mount Vernon, the use of spies during the American Revolution, and the Washington’s love for dogs.

This is an “I Can Read!” book (high-interest stories for developing readers) in the History Series.

Dear Mr. Washington, read it for free at archive.org

“Based on the true story behind Gilbert Stuart’s famous portraits of Washington, this funny historical read will leave rascals, ruffians, and troublemakers of all ages laughing.” (from the publisher)

Need a picture study? Look no further. This is a funny and fictional account of the story behind Gilbert Stuart’s famous painting of George Washington. It is known as the “Landsdowne Portrait.” You can download the painting from the National Portrait Gallery’s website.

George Washington’s Rules to Live By, read it for free at archive.org

“This innovative gift book allows kids to peek into the mind of George Washington and the more than 100 lessons by which he lived his life. Modern translations and hilarious caricature illustrations provide a lighthearted and fun way to learn about history and good manners at the same time.” (from the publisher)

This is a fun book to pair with Dear Mr. Washington. The author has chosen 50 of George Washington’s rules from his hand-copied list, “The Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation.” This list came from French Jesuits 150 years prior!

Each rule has a funny translation, fun illustration and facts from colonial times.

Revolutionary Friends, read it for free at archive.org

“Lafayette has come to America to offer his services to the patriotic cause. Inexperienced but dedicated, he is a much-needed ally and not only earns a military position with the Continental Army but also Washington’s respect and admiration. This picture book presents the human side of history, revealing the bond between two famous Revolutionary figures. Both the author and illustrator worked with experts and primary sources to represent both patriots and the war accurately and fairly.” (from the publisher)

We came across Lafayette’s name often in other books, but this one really highlights his role in the American Revolution and his friendship with Washington. We learned a lot!

When Washington Crossed the Delaware, read it for free at archive.org

“Christmas night, 1776, was a troubled time for our young country. In the six months since the Declaration of Independence had been signed, General George Washington and his troops had suffered defeat after defeat at the hands of the British. It looked as though our struggle for independence might be doomed, when Washington made a bold decision. He would lead the main body of his army across the Delaware River and launch a surprise attack on enemy forces.”

I enjoyed the illustrations and the quotations on every layout. This is a wordy picture book and I had to split it into a few readings for the sake of my 6 and 7 year olds.

George Washington and the General’s Dog, read it for free at archive.org

“Boom! Bang! Guns fire! Cannons roar! This Step 3 History Reader is about George Washington fighting in the American Revolution. He sees a dog lost on the battlefield. Whose dog is it? How will it find its master? Early readers will be surprised to find out what happens in this little-known true story about America’s first president.” (from the publisher)

This is a true story that occurred in the fall of 1777. The Continental Army was at Pennypacker Mills in Pennsylvania during the Revolutionary War. George Washington was using the home as his headquarters before the Battle of Germantown, when the dog of his the opposing general, General Howe, came to his camp. One of the main focuses of this book is George Washington’s love for animals.

This is a “Step into Reading” Level 3 book (reading alone).