As we've been studying American History, we have just fallen in love with George Washington.  All thanks to Ingri and Edgar Parin d'Aulaire.  They wrote and illustrated a beautiful picture book, entitled George Washington. 

We've been reading it over a few days and my kids didn't want me to stop.  When we finished, we made tricorn hats--the three cornered hat popular in Washington's day!  On their own, they also decided to make the General's suit out of a brown paper grocery bag, ride on a stick horse, and bring out their swords to fight the "redcoats." 

If a picture book can help your kids enjoy history and then want to re-create it, then I won't mind if our American History text continues to collect dust on the bookshelf.  I'm all for instilling a love of learning and what better way than using "living" books, rather than textbooks.

FInd more fantastic d'Aulaire books at your local library or from Beautiful Feet Books.  You won't want to miss out on these other American hero titles:  Abraham Lincoln, Benjamin Franklin, Buffalo Bill, Columbus, Leif the Lucky, and Pocahontas.

(For other book reviews for Children's Book Monday, go to Elise's A Path Made Straight.)