Can’t You Make Them Behave, King George? written by Jean Fritz and illustrated by Tomie dePaola looks at the life and reign of King George III up until the end of the American Revolution. It does a good job of giving the King a more human aspect rather than only being portrayed as the despot that is normally given to the students. The book starts with the early life of King George and makes him to be a likeable character. As it leads on into his later life some traits start to emerge that lead up to his role in the American Revolution. The book also does a good job of looking at the American Revolution from the English perspective and would be good for students to see that there are differing viewpoints on the revolution.
Curriculum Connections
This book would be good way to look at VA SOL USI.6(b,c).
Additional Resources
- Library Thinkquest provides a brief biography of King George III and his role in the American Revolution.
- Boston Tea Party Ship is a website that shows some pictures and activities that are related to the Boston Tea Party.
- Eyewitness to History gives a description of the Battle of Yorktown where Cornwallis surrenders to George Washington.
Book: Can’t You Make Them Behave, King George?
Author: Jean Fritz
Illustrator: Tome dePaola
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Publication Date: September 1996
Pages: 48 pages
Grade Range: 4-6
ISBN-13: 978-0698114029