Perfect Picture Book Friday/Those Rebels John and Tom

Hi Friends!

What a summer! Can you believe it’s over? So soon!

I hope all of you had a blast. I stalked some of your sites while on my break: especially on Susanna Leonard Hill’s Fourth of July Mystery Contest! I was so impressed with the talent!

http://susannahill.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-4th-of-july-secret-mystery-writing_8.html

I know I couldn’t hold a candle to those wonderful winners. Congrats to all who entered!

Here is a gift for my writer friends!

http://nosycrow.com/blog/what-it-feels-like-to-create-a-picture-book-a-guest-post-by-viviane-schwarz

Julie shares her love of picture books: http://www.readingstartshere.com/post/54520618189/julie-shares-why-she-and-her-children-love-picture

*********And my special interview by Val Muller   **********

Now for the reason we’re here! Perfect Picture Book Friday! *YAY*

Those Rebels John and Tom

Title: Those Rebels, John and Tom

Author/Illustrator: Barbara Kerley and illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham

Published by: Scholastic Press in 2012 / nonfiction

Resources: From scholastic : http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/those-rebels-john-tom

For teachers exploring the classroom core standards: http://www.barbarakerley.com/Site/For_Teachers.html : http://www.barbarakerley.com/Site/Common_Core__Those_Rebels,_John_and_Tom.html

Themes: Nonfiction, History, relationships, revolutionary war, founding fathers, Politics , PERSEVERANCE, LEADERSHIP, INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS, HOLIDAYS, GETTING ALONG, FRIENDSHIP, EDUCATIONAL, DIFFERENCES, COOPERATION/WORKING TOGETHER, BIOGRAPHY/AUTOBIOGRAPHY,

First sentences: When John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were young, they were very different. John skipped school to fly kites and shoot marbles. He loved swimming, hunting, wrestling—and the occasional boxing match, just for kicks. Tom didn’t skip school. He skipped recess – to study Greek grammar.

From the Jacket: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were very different. John was short and stout. Tom was tall and lean. John was argumentative and blunt. Tom was soft-spoken and polite. John sometimes got along with almost no one. Tome got along with just about everyone. But these two very different gentlemen did have two things in common: they both cared deeply about the American colonies, and neither cared much for the English tyrant, King George.

With their signature wit, impeccable research, and inventive presentation style, award winners Barbara Kerley and Edwin Fotheringham masterfully blend biography and history to create a brilliant portrait of two American heroes who bravely set aside their differences to join forces in the fight for our country’s freedom.

Why I loved it: The blend of history and biography is creative and imaginative. But Barbara Kerley made one important mistake. At the end of the book as the two friends were on their death beds she has them waiting for the fourth of July to die because that would be the birth of the country. In many other documents I have found that the birthday of America was the second of July and that we just celebrate it on the fourth.  Otherwise the illustration and text are a marriage in heaven. I love how Barbara found differences and similarities in tom and John to portray the Democratic and Republican sides so well. The color scheme of the book is blue and red and it comes out just in time for celebrations of the fourth of July. If we could send this book to Congress maybe we would get something done. Lol

Please join other bloggers in Perfect Picture Book Friday over at Susanna Leonard Hill’s site to see other fun books.

For more links to Perfect Picture Books, a collection of bloggers who contribute at Susanna Leonard Hill’s site, click here.

Do YOU think you would like this book? Why?

John Adams was opposed to promotion of officers without Congressional approval, a stance that affected Arnold’s promotion. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: A Portrait of Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)