Founding Mothers: Remembering the Ladies {Children's Edition}

his is a collection of short (one-two paragraph) biographies of important women from the Revolutionary War. Robert’s include the obvious (Martha Washington, Abigail Adams) but I was pleased that she also included Mercy Otis Warren, Eliza Lucas Pinckney, and other less well-known women. The volume contains lively illustrations by Diane Goode and excellent resources for further learning.
I would be careful of considering this historically accurate. Roberts tells the most popular version of the life and stories of these women. These stories often overlook some of the more unpleasant truths about our founding mothers. This book is a good starting point but should not be the sole or absolute source for information on these extraordinary show more women. Worth owning for any child, but particularly excellent for young girls. show less

I'm a Cokie Roberts fan, so I was delighted to discover that she had written a collection of short biographical sketches of influential women during the American Revolution with young readers in mind.

ABC and NPR correspondent Roberts and Caldecott Honoree Goode forge an attractive and compelling version for young people of Roberts’ adult book of the same title.

Goode’s illustrations are often breathtaking. On the endpapers, she has reproduced in sepia tones with antique pens some of the source documents that allow readers to know these women. Roberts’ lively text is illuminated with flourishes and curlicues along with winsome or whimsical portraits in what looks like ink and watercolor. Some women get two-page illustrated spreads, like Esther DeBerdt Reed, who wrote one of the endpaper pieces and who raised thousands of dollars for Washington’s troops. They bought linen for 2,000 shirts for the soldiers, and into each was show more sewn the name of the woman who made it. There are briefer vignettes on women writers and women warriors, as well as an illustrated timeline from 1765 to 1815. Abigail Adams, Dolley Madison and Martha Washington are included of course, and there’s also Mercy Otis Warren, who wrote letters and poems championing the cause of freedom, and Eliza Lucas Pinckney, whose “little schemes” included raising silkworms and cultivating indigo as a cash crop. Roberts’ “Letter of Introduction” sets the stage, and the acknowledgments from writer and illustrator tell a compelling story of research and support.

It is a wonderful package, adding the women who made it work to the men we thought we all knew. (websites) (Nonfiction. 8-12)

-Kirkus Review show less

An interesting, humorous overview of the some of the most significant women in the American Revolution.

The message of this book is to not only remember the men that helped our country but also the women.
I really enjoyed this text because it not only showed women from the past, it also helped the reader relate to their hardships and amazing things they were able to do. I enjoyed how the author presented the information and stories of these amazing women in such a simple yet informative way. It made it much easier for the reader to understand and learn the information. The way that it was presented also allowed the reader to relate to the woman that is being discussed.
I also enjoyed the illustrations throughout the book. Without the illustrations, I think this book would be less enjoyable and the reader would have a hard time remaining show more interested in the information. The way that the illustrations were created, they seem as though they were made with watercolors and pencils, makes the book much more pleasing to the eye. They also make the book have an older feel, helping students to envision the time periods that is being discussed throughout the book. show less

These brief but lively and informative profiles of notable women from early American history are great introductions for young readers. Wonderfully illustrated by Diane Goode and elegantly designed. Web sites are listed for readers wanting to know more but the lack of a bibliography is disappointing, as is the lack of citations for which sources Roberts consulted in her research. A book like this introducing young people to fascinating historical figures should have recommendations for lengthier biographies readers can use to learn more when their interest is piqued. See also Cheryl Harness's Remember the Ladies: 100 Great American Women.

This book is a biography about many women during the American Revolution. There are not many books about what women have accomplished during this time period. The woman that caught my attention the most was Phillis Wheatley. She was taken from Africa to come to America as a slave. Living there, she learned how to speak English and eventually became a poet. She was eventually freed by her owners, which treated her much like a member of the family. Most people were shocked to find out that a slave wrote such great poetry. It was printed in the newspaper and in England. All of the women mentioned in this book did many great things that often went unnoticed. The lives of the great women of this country should be taught a lot more than they show more are today. show less