Just in time for the 4th of July, BigBoy picked this book out of the library and after thoroughly enjoying it, announced that it would be a perfect history book for him this year! You can't get a better review than that. Lane Smith (illustrator of The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales)
has a knack for eccentric wit and puns that young and old can enjoy.Of the four, well...five actually, BigBoy's favorite character was George:
"I cannot tell a lie," answered George. "'Twas I who chopped down this cherry tree."
"Then run to my arms, dearest boy," cried his father, "for you have paid me for it a thousand-fold with your honesty."
"Really?" said George.
"In that case... when I tell you I've taken out the apple orchard, leveled the barn, and made kindling of your carriage, you'll be a wealthy, wealthy man."
The kit from the library came with an audio version read by James Earl Jones! That man's voice is like a french silk pie. They take some liberties with history but only in an attempt to appeal to the funny bones of little guys like my BigBoy. Actually, the big kids heard him listening to the story and were soon peering at the book over his shoulder getting their funny bones tickled, too.
The CD also includes a fun song and a reading of the last page called Taking Liberties: Wherein we set the record straight with ye olde True or False section:
The Revere shop sold extra-large underwear.
[FALSE] The Revere shop sold silver. But extra-large underwear is always funnier.
Oh, it most definitely is!
I brought that book a couple years ago for my girls and we loved it.
ReplyDeleteDitto on the voice of James Earl Jones! I love that voice!
ReplyDeleteI'll have to look for that today.
ReplyDeleteOur library did not have this book, so I put in a request for the book and also the audio (I think James Earl Jones' voice is wonderful). The librarian took one look at the request and was shocked that they did not have the book. I am looking forward to reading it to my kids. Thank you.
ReplyDelete