Thomas Jefferson: A Picture Book Biography

Rating:
Summary: A look at the multi-faceted character of Thomas Jefferson
Review: "Thomas Jefferson: A Picture Book Biography" does an excellent job of providing a simplified yet well-rounded portrait of one of the more complex figures in American history. Instead of detailing Jefferson's long list of accomplishments, author James Cross Giblin takes a more anecdotal approach which treats his childhood and his private life on an equal footing with the things he wrote and offices he held in public life. This is a book that looks at Jefferson's first term as President in terms of the Louisiana Purchase and the mockingbird that kept him company in his study. Sally Hemmings is mentioned several times as an important house slave, but without bringing up the evidence she was the half-sister of Jefferson's wife or that she bore Jefferson several children after his wife died. However, Jefferson's affection for Maria Cosway is covered. The end result is an understand more of the man than of the political figure; for example, young readers will have no appreciation for how the Jeffersonian Republicans differed from the Federalists. The back of this book includes a list of important dates in his life, several choice examples of excerpts from letters written by Jefferson, and a two-page description of what a Visit to Monticello would have been like when Jefferson lived there. Michael Dooling's illustrations consist of fully textured oil paintings over which the text is printed. Ultimately, the illustrations in this Picture Book Biography take a back seat to the way the text presents the multi-faceted character of the man who might have been the third President, but who wanted on his tombstone inscribed: "Author of the Declaration of American Independence, of the Statue of Virginia for Religious Freedom, and Father of the University of Virginia. When young students read over this biography, they will understand why those were the most important things in Jefferson's life.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent book for elementary school children
Review: My second-grader decided to research Thomas Jefferson for a school report. I ordered this book and was quite pleased. It has lots of good information without being wordy. In the back of the book is a two-page spread of quotes from Jefferson, as well as a timeline of his life. The illustrations are beautiful! Highly recommended.