John, Paul, George, and Ben

Written by Lane Smith

Narrated by James Earl Jones

This humorous and factual history of five lads who grew up to become Founding Fathers brings the early days of American history to life with sass and substance, in Lane Smith's inimitable style.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Weston Woods
• Release date: Jan 1, 2007
• ISBN: 9780545467438

Lane Smith

Lane Smith is the creator of a shelf of books, including the New York Times bestselling It's a Book and its companion, It's a Little Book. The beautiful Caldecott Honor-winning Grandpa Green can also be found there alongside his brilliantly quirky collaborations with Jon Scieszka including The True Story of the Three Little Pigs and The Stinky Cheeseman and Other Fairly Stupid Tales. He has also illustrated Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach and collaborated on the conceptual design of the Disney movie adaptation. In 2012, the Eric Carle Museum named him a Carle Artist for "lifelong innovation in the field of children's picture books," and in 2014 he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Society of Illustrators. In 2017 he won the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal for There Is a Tribe of Kids. Lane Smith and his wife, the designer Molly Leach, live in a small town in rural Connecticut, USA.

Reviews for John, Paul, George, and Ben

[aflanig1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book tells the story of the four founding fathers in a kid style picture book. This is a great book to allow kids to better understand John, Paul, George and Ben.

[mmsharp · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

John Hancock, Paul Revere, George Washington, Ben Franklin and Tom Jefferson are all in this book and the story talks about when they were boys. It's a great story for children to learn early American history in a fun way. The book is funny and relates fact to fiction in the ending.

[ckenne17 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I liked this book for many different reasons. I really enjoyed the illustrations. The illustrations made the book interesting to read and I think they would really capture the interest of children. I also really liked how the point of view was used. In this book, the point of view was third person. The point of view helped the story flow because since it wasn't first person, someone else was telling the story which helped me visualize more while I was reading. I also really enjoyed how this book was not just about a story, it was about history. This book is a great way to teach children a sort of fun side of history. I think the big idea of this book was to help children become more interested in history. At the end of the book, there are actual pictures of the founding fathers and states what they were famous for. For example, "A bold man, he was the first to scribble his autograph." This quote was about John Hancock who was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence.

[lmaddux_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a great book to introduce the presidents, contains funny facts on the presidents, this book also states whether facts are true or false

[jcarroll12 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Entertaining and informational picture book that provides a detailed overview of the founding fathers and their roles in the American Revolution. Awesome true/false guide at the end of the novel to help readers determine whether the information presented within the book (and common beliefs and claims about these important American figures) are true or false. Excellent to use in Revolutionary unit after pre-assessing what students know about Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Paul Revere, George Washington, and John Hancock. Interesting illustrations, and great style that would translate well when presented to a class.

[patriciauttaro · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I first discovered Lane Smith way back when I worked in the MCLS Children's Consultants Office and had the enviable job of unpacking and checking in all the review copies that came in from publishing houses. The day I pulled out a copy of Eve Merriam's Halloween ABC was the day I fell hard for Lane Smith. And then The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs came out, and Stinky Cheese Man and I was unconditionally hooked.I'm not sure whether it's the resemblance of his illustrations to the Fractured Fairy Tales of my Sunday Morning Cartoon Watching youth -- way back around 1969 or 1970, the only cartoons on TV on Sunday morning were Fractured Fairy Tales and Bullwinkle, which I really despised -- or the sublimely snarky prose that captivate me. I don't really care, just so long as Smith keeps turning out books like John, Paul, George & Ben.Now, I wasn't sure about this one, mainly because I was just coming off Wise Guy, a picture book about Greek philosophy which really left me cold. I thought, what could Lane Smith have to say about the "wise guys" who founded our country that hasn't been said before, and say it in a funny way? Weh-eh-ellll. My worry was needless. Smith blends historical fact -- did you know Paul Revere was a bell ringer? -- with some really funny fiction. The piece about Revere selling extra-large underwear is hiliarious and will undoubtedly have storytime kids in stitches.All the big players in the Sons of Liberty are here -- John Hancock, Paul Revere, George Washington, Ben Franklin, and Tom Jefferson. I especially like Jefferson's profile, with it's Roman nose and strong chin...sooooo much like Hercules in FFT.The writing and illustrations blend beautifully, making this one another Lane Smith must-have for the library, and for my own collection.

[desirichter · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I will look for every excuse to read this book with any young fry who will listen. Using humor and a casual tone, Lane Smith eradicates the "stuffiness factor" so often present when we learn about the founding fathers. Pure joy, laughs and learning galore. Thumbs and toes UP!

[adge73 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Oh, so funny and perfect.

[abruser_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

"John, Paul, George, and Ben" is about the founding fathers before they were adults. It satirizes their personalities by making them into children. They were are very goofy and independent. It would be a fun book to share with young children as an introduction to American History.

[kenblasters · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Interactive, American History, Summarizing, Interesting Punctuation, Non-Fiction, Heroes, Cool Facts, Read Aloud

[rosa.mill · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A funny look at some of our founding fathers. Loved the illustration style b/c it evoked the silly tone of the writing and the old timey feel of history. I liked the true/false section at the end that set the record straight.

[spartyliblover · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A silly portrayal of the founding fathers as children and how that relates to each man's achievements as an adult. The story has different sections on each man, but brings them all together at the end to connect them. There is also an excellent chart with what is true and what is false in the book and in history that is fun for kids and adults. Each of the founding fathers is developed as a child, a lot of the development is related to the illustrations. The setting is not well developed, but it is not necessary due to the organization of the story. This is a great book that would be excellent for an introduction to elementary school students to learn about the beginning of the United States.

[cheryl_in_cc_nv · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I'm not sure how many children will get the Beatles' references (love the title page), but that's ok. The educator in me appreciated the true/false list at the back. But most of all, it's funny.

[manich01 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This narrative introduces five prominent Founding Fathers by highlighting their most renown, legendary traits. Aided by superior illustrations and clever and persistent humor--as well as a "True and False" game to clarify truth and humor--this text is a sure winner for any audience, especially one interested in the men who built our Nation.

[jenj5 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely delightful! Cleverly designed from the dust jacket to the final page with plenty of snarky fun throughout. The True/False section at the back makes clear the distinction between facts and fictions about these five founding fathers. The illustrations are caricature-like and filled with fun details related to each of the founding fathers. Looking for the scattered references to the other group including a John, Paul and George makes for a fun puzzle as well.

[shellycbuchanan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book shows our Founding Fathers as sassy, mischievous boys, always on the brink of trouble. Readers will be keen to learn the boyhood antics of such cerebral, effective statesmen, as we don't often think of them as ever having been kids. The combination of delightfully wacky illustrations, witty comedic text and fantastically unique design work, including breaking the pages up in surprising ways will tickle young and old alike. A real winner!

[whitneyw_68 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I found this book a very imaginative way to talk about our foundingfathers, Elementary children can relate to thier founding fathers ina real way, and at the end of the book, reading gets a history lesson, a great way to have instant learning

[claireforhan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a very cute and creative book, looking at the young lives of John Hancock, Paul Revere, George Washington, Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson before they were famous. While their child lives are fictional,the events reflect things they did later in life, and will help a child learn what each man did to contribute to history. The end of the book has a summary of what each man did and a true/false section to clear up any details in this book. While this sounds like an overwhelming amount of information, it is actually very simple and a cute story. Key words are bolded/all caps (ie Liberty, Happiness). Recommended for age 5+Teaching Extension:Read to a young class as an introduction to American History.

[wturnbull06 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a good example of historical fiction because it describes based on what the four historical figures were most famous for how they might have been in school and them gives real information about them at the end. Setting: this setting is important in this book because it’s set in the 1700's when they were young kids. Media: mixed media pen and ink oil paint on many surfaces

[carriedold_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book for both children and adults. Great book to include in a history lesson. Beetles references.

[smpenni · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Describing each man in turn as either bold, noisy, honest, clever, or independent, and taking many liberties with the truth, Smith relates how the Founding Fathers of the title–and Jefferson, too–played a part in securing Americas freedom. Hancocks penchant for sprawling his name across the chalkboard as a child led to his boldly writing the biggest signature on the Declaration of Independence. Reveres loud voice selling underwear in his shop came in handy when he had to scream The Redcoats are coming! Washingtons honest admission to chopping down trees led to his serving as president in New York City where there were few forests. Well, you get the idea. The pen-and-ink cartoon illustrations, richly textured with various techniques, add to the fun. Page turns reveal droll surprises such as young bewigged George, axe in hand and already missing some teeth, surveying his felled orchard, or Franklins rejoinder when the townspeople express their vexation with his clever sayings. Early American typefaces, parchment grounds, and vestiges of 18th-century life, like chamber pots and hoop toys, evoke a sense of the time. A true-and-false section in the back separates fact from fiction. While children will love the off-the-wall humor, there is plenty for adult readers to enjoy, too–the clever fly leaf, puns (…that bell-ringing took a toll on young Paul), and more. Exercise your freedom to scoop up this one

[villemezbrown · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It's clever to try to mash-up the Beatles with the Founding Fathers, but the author limited it to too few visual and written references. He could have leaned into that theme a little more. Regardless, the rest of the book was a humorous and witty presentation of history, with a little True/False fact check at the end to explain where the author took liberties. Very nice.

[lissabeth21 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a super fun kid-friendly introduction to some famous people in American History. I, personally, got really jazzed by the allusions to The Beatles - they made me laugh. I'm certainly hoping to parlay this picture book into some more non-fiction selections for my 2nd grader!

[szanes_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Charming and humorous. A fun way to get to know some of our most famous founding fathers. Lots of tiny hidden jokes and word plays. Creativity abounds in both the text and the illustrations. Everything in the book has a deliberate purpose. A good book to reread, like watching a complex movie over and over again. You will catch something new each reading.

[elle0467 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A great fun book about the founding fathers of our country that helps learning about our country's history more fun. This book helps kids understand the difference between fact vs. fiction. The class will be able to relate to the four men in this book as the book speaks about the four men when they were children.

[dukefan86 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This children's book is so funny and cute! Loved the little history lessons in it as well. It reminds me a little bit of Schoolhouse Rock stuff.

[kmacneill_4 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love the illustrations in the book and enjoy its humor. It’s a unique way of presenting our founding father’s to children. At the end of the book it explains what facts are true and which are false. I think kids would enjoy this books humor and would get them interested in the American Revolution and our founding fathers.

[awiltenburg_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Hilarious!! This book is cute and funny! It is a not exactly accurate poke fun at these men, kind of book. It has a wonderful epilogue which is the TRUE/FALSE explanation for much of the book. I would use this book as an attention getter to study these famous men, to introduce the idea of presidents, writing skills, reputation, US History. Grades 3-8

[srwhite-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

John, Paul, George, Ben, and Tom's story is told as young children with unique characteristics before they became the founding fathers.

[dangerlibearian · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love Lane Smith! Good possibility for a Presidents' Day theme, maybe too long. Funny with good historical facts about the revolution and the men surrounding it, done only the way Lane Smith can do it.