I recently came across a first-edition collection of “Step-up” books from the 1960s, much to my joy. I’d been looking for these books for years because they were the first real books I read in that long-ago. I must have been in second or third grade when I’d sit on the floor of that little one-room library, and devour the big words and pictures in these wonderful books. Now, after 50 years, I have a set of them in my hands again. Looking at the fantastic illustrations is like traveling back in time. I remember many of those images as if I just saw them yesterday. That says something about the artists. I didn’t know what to expect of the writing, but I was thrilled with what I found in this one about George Washington. It was a fun read, and there’s a surprising chunk of information here for a young reader.
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George Washington grew up in the English colony of Virginia. He was tall and strong, fair in judgment, and respected by his friends as a
good leader. As he grew older, George saw how England took advantage of the American colonies—and he didn't like it. When the colonies declared their independence, George was chosen to lead their army as its general. And when the colonies won their freedom, George was elected to lead the new nation as its first president. (amazon)