(Primary, Intermediate) Using the natural voice of a storyteller, Cheney tells young readers a few reasons why George Washington is known for being ""first in war"" and ""first in the hearts of his countrymen."" A spare text, printed alternately on the right- and left-hand quarter of each double-page spread, covers the despair of the soldiers at Valley Forge, Washington's bold strategy to attack the British at Trenton and Princeton, and the sacrifice and bravery he exacted from his troops. Fiore's dramatic paintings cover three quarters of each spread and create a visual narrative that parallels Cheney's text. Patriotic quotes, such as Washington's ""We know not how to spare you"" when exhorting his troops to stay the course, accompany each illustration and are fully documented in explanatory source notes. In George vs. George, the father of our country receives dual billing with King George III as Schanzer compares the English monarch with the rebel leader. Although the latter receives more text than the former, this unusual organizational pattern creates a full picture of the causes, events, and immediate aftermath of the American Revolution. The clear text is further enhanced by maps, charts, scenes depicting the action, and a hefty dose of humor. Schanzer further employs an effective way of personalizing the narrative by providing conversational balloons for those individuals shown in the illustrations. These quotes receive complete source notes and are easy to identify for readers who wish to explore a topic further. A bibliography and index complete this fine book. [Review covers these titles: When Washington Crossed the Delaware and George vs. George.] (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.

Gr. 2-4, younger for reading aloud. Cheney delivers a stirring account of this pivotal event in the Revolutionary War, from Washington's Christmas crossing to the Battle of Trenton and the ensuing Battle of Princeton. Framing her narrative with very brief quotes from eyewitnesses, she describes how the retreating, ragtag Continental Army, first bucked up by Tom Paine's rhetoric, then inspired by Washington's example and leadership, turned to defeat the greatest military power in the world twice in nine days, thus allowing the Patriots to imagine that their great struggle would have a glorious end. Fiore's carefully detailed, full-page oils capture the chill of that night on the icy river, as well as the heroism of the American troops (African Americans among them) as they march, gravely celebrate their victory over the Hessians, and, finally, pursue fleeing Redcoats. Young readers or listeners can't help but come away with a clearer understanding of the event's significance, as well as a greater appreciation for Washington's heroism. Source notes are included. --John Peters Copyright 2004 Booklist

Cheney (A Is for Abigail) serves up an inspiring slice of U.S. history in this account of a pivotal event in the American Revolution. With a generous smattering of quotes from primary sources, the author describes Washington's crossing of the ice-encrusted Delaware River on Christmas night, 1776, as he led 2,400 men from Pennsylvania into New Jersey and defeated British-hired Hessian soldiers at the Battle of Trenton. At times, the narrative awkwardly jumps ahead (in the midst of the surprise attack on Trenton, the author intersperses biographies of 19-year-old Capt. Hamilton and then 18-year-old Lieut. James Monroe). But if the leaps slow the momentum somewhat, these facts will nonetheless fascinate readers, as will some of the more familiar-undeniably powerful-details (e.g., many of the American troops taking their prisoners back over the river to Pennsylvania "marched without shoes and left bloody footprints in the snow"). The author underscores Washington's charisma, bravery and brilliance as a military tactician with examples of how he rallied his exhausted troops for a subsequent, successful surprise attack on British General Cornwallis's army in Princeton on January 3. Fiore's (Touching the Sky) midnight landscape of the lone British soldier keeping watch on the fires of the surreptitiously vacated American campground underscores the dramatic strategy. The multi-textured, effectively shadowed oil paintings simultaneously capture both the dire circumstances and elegance of the soldiers, and deftly do justice to this history-altering event. A source note cites the references to the elucidating quotes from Washington and others. All ages. (Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

Gr 2-4-Cheney chronicles the general's courageous leadership in the Battles of Trenton and Princeton, including his famed crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas 1776. The story is clearly told, although the organization falls apart slightly in the second half. Primary quotes decorate each page, adding visual interest but occasionally disrupting the flow of the narrative. Done in oil paints on canvas, the large, dramatic illustrations create a sweeping feel that captures the mood of the text. While the picture-book format necessitates some simplification of the events, the account is accurate and interesting. A source page cites only the quotes used, and not the information presented, and the book's preface includes the recommendation that grandparents share this book with their grandchildren at Christmastime, which needlessly excludes those "young patriots" who do not celebrate Christmas. This title is more straightforward, but less comprehensive, than Louise Peacock's Crossing the Delaware: A History in Many Voices (Atheneum, 1998). Cheney's offering makes an adequate supplement to history collections, and will appeal to families wishing to read inspirational picture books about America's past.-Suzanne Myers Harold, Multnomah County Library System, Portland, OR (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.