Ben & Me & Mr. Revere & I

I don't believe I ever read the following two books by Robert Lawson growing up. Neither rung any bells for me, although I'm sure I would have enjoyed them (alongside the "We Were There" books. Remember those?) Jonathan, on the other hand, did read both of these books and remembers loving them.

I picked them up but didn't think to mention them to Jonathan. Then he found them and was happy to see them. I'm very glad I DID pick them up because I enjoyed both of them thoroughly and am glad that we have them on hand to introduce them to our kids.

In case you fall in the Carrie Camp and have not yet read them, allow me the introduction.

Ben and Me: An Astonishing Life of Benjamin Franklin by His Good Mouse Amos tells the story of Benjamin Franklin's mouse - the genius behind Franklin as it turns out. The book opens up by Lawson explaining that a tiny manuscript was discovered in a small chamber beneath a bedroom hearthstone in Philadelphia. The manuscript was then verified to have been written by a mouse and that mouse's name is Amos.

Amos offers a different history of Benjamin Franklin. You see, Amos spent a great deal of time riding around in Franklin's hat, offering him wise counsel and encouraging him in experiments, business and the American War for Independence. It is certainly a different take and is cleverly and humorously told! I came to like Amos and appreciated the way he lent his aid to our country in its moment of need. (Heh.)

Likewise, I bet you weren't aware of the great role that Paul Revere's horse played in the War for Independence, but you can learn about that by picking up a copy of Mr. Revere and I: Being an Account of certain Episodes in the Career of Paul Revere,Esq. as Revealed by his Horse. I appreciated hearing about how his horse actually came over with the British Army but was turned over to the colonist as a result of a gamble gone sour. This spectacular horse, Sherry, once a member of the Queen's Own Household Calvary, transforms from a proud loyalist to a spirited and independence loving mount who is loyal to the colonist's cause. The story is told from the horse's perspective and introduces the reader to the early history of the Revolutionary War. (Just a quick note - these are pieces of historical fiction. Hard to say whether or not a mouse had so much influence over Franklin or Revere's horse had such a colorful history! Ha!)

Both of these titles, both Ben and Me and Mr. Revere and I are fun and clever. I think they do a marvelous job at drawing children into an exciting time in America's history in a creative and playful way - through the eyes of mouse and horse. I look forward to enjoying these books with my children many times over in the coming years and am happy to recommend them to you.

Now, I purchased both of these books for myself and then I noticed that they were published by Little, Brown. (By the way, this is the same publisher who also gave us the gift of Tumtum & Nutmeg.) I e-mailed them about these titles, as they have just recently re-released them for a new generation of young readers. They generously offered a giveaway of these two titles. Ohhh, but it gets better.

I have 5 sets of these books to give away! That's right - 5 of you will win a copy of both of these titles! To win? Simply leave a comment below! This contest is open to U.S. Residents only and will be open through Wednesday, May 19th.

If you are a regular subscriber/follower of Reading to Know, leave an extra comment. I like rewarding those who are around all the time.

Otherwise - just enjoy with Little, Brown compliments and mine as well!

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED