Cheer Up, Ben Franklin!

June 19, 2017
This first book in the Young Historians series introduces eight Revolutionary War–era figures. “Ben Franklin is sad,” Kenison begins. “No one has time to fly kites with him today.” From there, she shows what’s keeping his fellow patriots occupied (“Betsy Ross is busy sewing a flag. Paul Revere is busy riding a horse”) while building up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It’s a narrow glimpse into early America—necessarily perhaps—and readers may have trouble telling these historical figures apart (they have the pared-down look of Fisher-Price’s Little People). A closing spread brings in more details about Washington, Jefferson, Hamilton, and the others, but these remain highly simplified portraits. Up to age 3. Agent: Anna Olswanger, Olswanger Literary.