Genre:
Informational
Book Summary:
George Washington was afflicted
with dental problems that left him with two teeth by the time he was elected
president. Each loss coincides with a significant historical event.
Washington’s innovative dentist fashioned a set of false teeth made from real
teeth and ivory.
APA Reference of Book:
Chandra, D., & Comora, M. (2007). George
Washington’s teeth. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Impressions:
This is a fun read, written in rhyming
verse that flows smoothly and humorously. With each tooth loss, the action and
words seem to speed up. I did not realize Washington had so many dental problems,
so the story was entertaining and educational. Not only does the story recount
historical events in the life of Washington but explains the dentist’s process
for creating the false teeth. The watercolor illustrations are whimsical and
match the text perfectly. The timeline in the back adds to the authenticity of
the text. The picture of Washington’s false teeth is a little gruesome but
interesting and I think kids will enjoy seeing the real thing.
Professional Review:
Now
It Can Be Told: that severe, square-jawed look that the Father of Our Country
flashes in his portraits reveals not only strength of character, but also his
straggle to hide the fact that he was nearly (entirely, later in life)
toothless by keeping a succession of spring-loaded false teeth in place.
Drawing information from Washington's
own writings, the authors deliver a double account of his dental tribulations:
first in sprightly rhyme--Martha "fed him mush and pickled tripe, / But
when guests came to dine, / He sneaked one of his favorite nuts. / Then he had
only nine"--followed by a detailed, annotated timeline. Cole's (Larky
Mavis, 2001, etc.) freely drawn, rumpled-looking watercolors document the
countdown as well, with scenes of the unhappy statesman at war and at home,
surrounded by family, attendants (including dark-skinned ones), and would-be
dentists, all in authentic 18th-century dress. Contrary to popular belief, Washington's false
teeth were made
not of wood, but of real teeth
and hippo ivory; a photo of his last set closes this breezy, sympathetic,
carefully-researched vignette on a note that will have readers feeling the
great man's pain---and never looking at his painted visage the same way again.
APA Reference of Professional
Review:
George
Washington’s Teeth (Book). (2002). Kirkus
Reviews, 70(24), 1846.
Library Uses:
This could be a
read-aloud to celebrate President’s Day or as biographical study of George
Washington.
Readalikes:
Abe Lincoln: The
Boy Who Loved Books, by Kay Winters – A biography of Abraham Lincoln’s childhood when he
loved to read and tell stories.
George Washing and
the General’s Dog, by Frank Murphy – While fighting in the American Revolution, George
Washington finds a dog in the middle of the war.
John, Paul, George,
and Ben, by Lane
Smith – The story of some of our country’s founding fathers, with a true/false
chart to clear up any misconceptions.
Madam President, by Lane Smith – In
this story, a little girl dreams of being president and the duties and perks
that come with the job.
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