Farmer George Plants a Nation

Description: This picture book for older readers focuses on George Washington as farmer, inventor, and scientist. Infused with excerpts from George's letters and diaries, the narrative makes a convincing case for Washington's place as the nation's First Farmer. He invented a combination plow-tiller-harrow, tested different fertilizers, and bred donkeys and horses to create strong mules. His goal to make Mount Vernon self-sufficient carried over to his goal to make the new country independent. Layne Johnson's richly colored oil paintings portray the Colonial era with fine details. The book includes a timeline of Washington's life; shares his views on slavery, and includes a bibliography of additional reading materials and websites.

Review Quotes: ★ "Students will find this title useful for reports, but will also find it a great nonfiction read."--School Library Journal, starred review

★ "Exquisite artwork. . . . Should be included in library collections because of its unusual treatment of George's lifetime achievements."--Library Media Connection, starred review

"Sprinkling excerpts from his letters and diaries throughout to allow its subject to speak in his own voice, the narrative makes a convincing case for Washington's place as the nation's First Farmer. . . . Backmatter includes a timeline, author's notes on both Mount Vernon and Washington the slaveholder, resources for further exploration and a bibliography."--Kirkus Reviews