Book

Can't You Make Them Behave, King George?

📖 Overview

Can't You Make Them Behave, King George? tells the story of King George III of England and his relationship with the American colonies before and during the Revolutionary War. The book traces his life from childhood through his role as monarch during this pivotal period in history. The narrative follows King George's education, his ascension to the throne, and his attempts to govern the American colonies from across the Atlantic Ocean. His decisions and policies regarding taxation and colonial rule become central to the mounting tensions between Britain and America. The book presents historical events from King George's perspective, offering context about his personal life and the challenges he faced as ruler of the British Empire. Political figures from both sides of the conflict appear throughout the account. This biographical work provides young readers with a balanced view of the American Revolution, demonstrating how different perspectives and cultural misunderstandings can shape major historical events.

👀 Reviews

Readers describe this children's book as an accessible introduction to King George III and the American Revolution. Parents and teachers report it helps elementary students understand both perspectives of the conflict rather than just the American view. Liked: - Humorous tone makes history engaging for young readers - Humanizes King George rather than portraying him as a villain - Detailed illustrations complement the text - Presents complex historical events in understandable terms Disliked: - Some found it oversimplified British perspectives - A few readers noted factual inaccuracies - Text can be dense for independent reading below grade 4 Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (90+ ratings) "Perfect for teaching multiple viewpoints in history" - Elementary teacher on Amazon "My students were surprised to learn King George wasn't just an angry tyrant" - 4th grade teacher review "The humor kept my kids interested while they learned" - Parent reviewer

📚 Similar books

King George III: America's Last Monarch by Jeremy Black This biography presents King George III's perspective on the American Revolution through primary sources and royal correspondence.

George vs. George: The American Revolution as Seen from Both Sides by Rosalyn Schanzer The book compares George Washington and King George III through parallel stories of their lives and roles during the American Revolution.

The Royal Diaries: Victoria, May Blossom of Britannia by Anna Kirwan A first-person narrative chronicles young Queen Victoria's early life through diary entries based on historical records.

Will You Sign Here, John Hancock? by Jean Fritz The book traces John Hancock's path from merchant to revolutionary leader through historical facts and personal details.

What's the Big Idea, Ben Franklin? by Jean Fritz The narrative follows Benjamin Franklin's life from his childhood through his role in American independence using historical documentation.

🤔 Interesting facts

🔹 King George III had never visited the American colonies he ruled over, and in fact never traveled outside of England during his entire life. 🔹 Author Jean Fritz won more than a dozen major awards for her children's historical books, including the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award for her lifetime contribution to children's literature. 🔹 Despite being portrayed as a tyrant by Americans, King George III was known in England as "Farmer George" because of his deep interest in agriculture and his simple, family-oriented lifestyle. 🔹 The book's illustrator, Tomie dePaola, went on to become one of the most celebrated children's book creators, known for works like "Strega Nona" and receiving the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award himself. 🔹 King George III suffered from a hereditary illness called porphyria, which caused episodes of mental illness - a fact unknown during his lifetime when his behavior was often misunderstood.