A PARADE FOR GEORGE WASHINGTON

A celebration for America’s first president.

Straightforward, lighthearted text and intricate, colorful illustrations tell the story of President-elect George Washington’s travels from his home in Mount Vernon, Virginia, to New York City, where he was sworn in as the first chief executive of the United States. Exuberant parades and joyous festivities were held in abundance, though the unassuming Washington would seemingly have preferred to make his journey quickly and quietly. The future president’s serious personality and no-nonsense attitude are clearly expressed, the jubilation of the crowds that met him is readily apparent, and the trek is portrayed succinctly yet includes specifics, outlining differences between then and now by implication. What’s here is pleasant and interesting, and young readers and listeners will enjoy the details in the accessible text and the humorous, deftly drawn illustrations. What is missing is the presence of brown faces  among the White ones throughout the story; such omissions, intentional or not, are deeply questionable given the dearth of children’s books on Washington that address the fact that he owned people who were slaves—a fact that is missing here even in the backmatter. Simultaneously a celebration of America’s beginnings and a lost opportunity to present a complete depiction of history, this selection may nevertheless be useful given the approaching election and inauguration. 

An energetic but sadly incomplete account of Washington’s march to the presidency.