Phoebe the Spy

Phoebe the Spy

Judith Berry Griffin 1977

illustrated by Margot Tomes

Inspired by the style of Jean Fritz' books about Ben Franklin and Sam Adams, this one tells a ficticious story about young Phoebe and the job her father has her do.  Historically Phoebe's father, Samuel Fraunces did own the Queen's Head tavern and was a loyal patriot.  He sent Phoebe to be General George Washington's housekeeper, but also to keep her eyes and ears open.  "I want you to find out if there is someone planning to kill him and how he plans to do it.  Your real job will be to save General Washington's life." 

It's hard work, and she can trust on one, but Phoebe makes a good spy and does indeed end up saving Washington's life.

The 4th of July Story

The 4th of July Story

Alice Dagliesh

illustrated by Marie Nonnast 1995

Alice Dalgliesh retells a simpler version of the history behind the American Revolution and why we celebrate July 4th.  I mostly enjoy the vintage illustrations originally from 1956

Katie's Trunk

Katie's Trunk

Ann Turner

illustrations by Ron Himler 1997

Anne Turner takes family lore and turns it into a story about a girl whose family are Tories during the Revolutionary War.  When the rebels break into her house and her family flees to the woods to hide, Katie runs back to the house in innocent child anger.  Forced to hide in a trunk while the rebels ransack and steal, she is shown kindness in a subtle, unexpected way.     

Anne Turner explains, "In telling this story, I hope children will see that history is made up of real people- just like us.  Nothing is ever clearly black or clearly white, and these great events were lived through by ordinary people- ordinary people in extraordinary times." 

This is a nice companion book to so many of the revolutionary stories we have. 

The Declaration of Independence

Happy Birthday United States of America!  

And now for something historical and patriotic...

 The Declaration of Independence 

illustrated by Sam Fink 2002

Pictures illustrate each page of this book which are the words of the Declaration of Independence.  Perfect for an impromptu history lesson, the back of the book even has a chronology of events and glossary of words.

 

(Love this woman with the dove and rifle.)

Other books for July 4th:

Yankee Doodle

Steven Kellogg's Yankee Doodle

America a Patriotic Primer

The American Revolution for Kids

How to be a Revolutionary War Soldier

Paul Revere's Ride

Yankee Doodle

Yankee Doodle

Dr. Richard Shackburg

woodcuts by Ed Emberley 1965

Another Yankee Doodle book but this time with fantastic wood cut illustrations by Ed Emberley. I like how in one of the verses of this version "Jemima" is a girl and in Kellogg's it's a dog! There's also a recipe for Hasty Pudding which we may or may not try to make this year. And yes, when I read this I lapse into singing!

If you like Emberley's artwork, check out this blog post which shows some of his other books.  (Drummer Hoff is the only other book of his that we have).

Steven Kellogg's Yankee Doodle

Steven Kellogg's Yankee Doodle

Edward Bangs

pictures by Steven Kellogg 1976

Just in time for the 4th of July, here's a great book abundantly illustrated by Steven Kellogg. There's an introduction to the history of the Yankee Doodle song and included are many verses that I had never heard of.