Books with author Ingri d'Aulaire

He was born in a little red brick house that his father had built on the oyster-shell hill. By that time so much land had been cleared that the wilderness was far in the distance" So begins the simple and inauspicious life of George Washington -- a backwoods Virginia boy destined to become the Father of His Country. Meticulously researched, the d'Aulaires hiked and camped all over Virginia as they imbibed the spirit of this great man. The story follows his growth from young boy to surveyor, to soldier in the French and Indian War where he became a war hero. Then George courted Martha Custis and after their marriage they built a thriving plantation at Mount Vernon. The d'Aulaire illustrations reflect the folk-art style they intended, seeking to depict characters that would appear much as the rocking horses and toy soldiers children played with in their nurseries.

Published in 1942 shortly after America joined the Allied forces to fight Hitler's march across Europe, the d'Aulaires hoped in this way to contribute to the war effort and the nation's pride in the national anthem. With their remarkable skill in four-color lithographs, the artists have depicted seminal scenes of American life alongside the verses of the anthem. Other scenes include pioneers building a log cabin, the battle of Fort McHenry, Pilgrims arriving on the Mayflower, soldiers marching in formation, and the heroic icons of Washington and Lincoln. With a sense of heartfelt patriotism and devotion to freedom, the artists have captured the spirit of the anthem in these vibrant scenes depicting American life. 36pg