Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. ( )

What a cute way to teach a little history about the building of the White House. The House that George Built is a take on the old song/poem The House that Jack Built. It follows the steps that it took to build the White House starting with the finding the land, drawing the plans, digging the hole, etc. Along with that it gives history of exactly what building was like back then. It also tells about the fact that George Washington was finished his term as President before the house was even finished. At the end there are some resources and facts to enhance the story. A good book for younger children to learn some history.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. ( )

Before reading this picture book, I had no idea who had designed the White House. I learned on page 2 that it was James Hoban. He made plans for "The President's House" as it was called then. His design was laid out next to other designs from other architects, but George Washington picked his design. When the White House was actually being built, George and James themselves got out there to survey the land. George Washington stuck a wooden stake into the ground where the White House would one day stand. Next, James Hoban had kilns built near the construction site and clay and sand under the workers feet was turned into the thousands of bricks needed to build the White House. Which means, that the original house was not white? That's not in the story, I'm just inferring based on the pictures. The pictures show red brick house being painted white from a mixture of ground up rice, salt, water, and glue. An interesting recipe for paint. George Washington has James Hoban change the plans from 3 floors to 2 floors because they ran out of bricks and the only other place to get stone was from England, which George refused. The house wasn't built in time for George himself to live in, he died in his family home of Mount Vernon in 1799. The President's House was completed in 1800, just in time for the 2nd president, John Adams, to move in with his wife Abigail. The White House was not officially named so until Theodore Roosevelt's term in 1901. ( )

What a fun twist on an old nursery rhyme with a little insight on what it took to build the President's House! ( )

"The House That George Built" is a non-fiction children's book that takes readers through the journey of how the White House came to be. This book is perfect for beginning and struggling readers because of it's repetitive nature. The illustrations are wonderful and support the story, bringing it to life. This book can be perfectly incorporated into a lesson for students learning about the Presidents and our nation's history. ( )