The best books about Founding Mothers and Fathers

By Natasha Wing

Who am I?

I love relearning history I learned way back in high school and looking at it with wiser eyes. I wanted to pay tribute to both the Founding Fathers and Mothers since it took quite a few brave, smart and determined people to figure out how the new nation of the United States of America would operate. After watching the musical, Hamilton, I was curious to discover more about some of the characters. That’s what’s so great about children’s books – they can be used to extend and deepen the learning process for kids and adults.

I wrote...

The Story of Eliza Hamilton: A Biography Book for New Readers

By Natasha Wing

The Story of Eliza Hamilton: A Biography Book for New Readers

What is my book about?

The Story of Eliza Hamilton is an exploration of how Eliza went from a young girl during colonial times to an important keeper of history. She was married to Alexander Hamilton, a Founding Father who helped form the United States. After he died in a duel, she lived for another 50 years and started an orphanage and free school. It is because of Eliza that we know so much about Alexander and his place in history.

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The Books I Picked & Why

The Story of Alexander Hamilton: A Biography Book for New Readers

By Christine Platt

The Story of Alexander Hamilton: A Biography Book for New Readers

Why this book?

This book is from the same series as The Story of Eliza Hamilton and makes for a great pairing. Read them both to learn about this colonial day's “power couple.” This book will help kids learn more about Alexander if they have seen the musical Hamilton. He was George Washington’s aide, and one of the most important Founding Fathers by helping win the Revolutionary War. Did you know Hamilton started the nation’s first bank system? Like the Eliza book, this one has timelines, fun side facts, maps, a family tree, and a quiz at the end. Great for classrooms!

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George vs. George: The American Revolution as Seen from Both Sides

By Rosalyn Schanzer

George vs. George: The American Revolution as Seen from Both Sides

Why this book?

You’ve heard the saying, “There are two sides to every story.” Well, that’s what this author did. She presented both sides of the story of the American Revolution from George Washington’s side in America to King George III’s side in England. Real quotes used in speech balloons add another layer to the historic facts in this book. This is for older kids, 9-12. There are gory details of war (including rape) so just warning you. Kids will have a deeper understanding of what lengths the troops went through to carry on and win the Revolutionary War. Excellent afterward tells what each man did after the war.

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Those Rebels, John & Tom

By Barbara Kerley, Edwin Fotheringham

Those Rebels, John & Tom

Why this book?

Here’s another take on America’s relationship with King George III. The story shows the differences between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson but despite their differences, they have a love of country and a hate for King George. They unite their strengths - John’s power of persuasion and Tom’s mighty pen - to formulate the Declaration of Independence. The endnotes are just as fascinating, talking about how their relationship continued - and almost ended. They both died on the same day, on July 4th.

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The Founding Mothers of the United States (a True Book)

By Selene Castrovilla

The Founding Mothers of the United States (a True Book)

Why this book?

This book is also part of a series. It’s packed with illustrations and also contains a timeline of women and the American Revolution. I liked that the book features seven women – writers, warriors, negotiators, and caretakers – and their contribution to how they helped shape our nation. Plus there are mentions of other founding mothers, including Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton, so that kids can be introduced to more women in history and follow up by reading other books about them.

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A Picture Book of John and Abigail Adams (Picture Book Biography)

By David A. Adler, Ronald Himler, Michael S. Adler

A Picture Book of John and Abigail Adams (Picture Book Biography)

Why this book?

This story shows the relationship between John and Abigail and the role she played while he was serving as a diplomat in Europe for ten years. She managed the home and money, and lobbied for equal education for both men and women. What I enjoyed was learning more about the events that led up to the American Revolution. The Boston Massacre was started by snowballs! This book was published in 2010, back when picture books were wordier. But wordier is not always bad, especially when the reader can learn more versus glossing over historic events for the sake of spare text.