Pages

Monday, May 10, 2010

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

68 comments:

Stephanie said...

Oooh, pick me, pick me!!

Amber said...

We are studying American History next year and these will be PERFECT!!

Amber said...

I follow you in my Google Reader!

Stephanie said...

Comment #2! : ) Thanks for this gret offer!

Elisabeth said...

I can't believe I never read these - I pretty much devoured historical fiction as a child!

Alison said...

My mom read these books to us kids when we were younger. They are on my "to read" list for my kids. He is a great author.

Sky said...

(gasp) I want a set! how great!

Sky said...

i read your blog on a regular basis!

Sara said...

I hope to win a set for my kids!

Sara said...

I, too, follow you in my Google reader. Your blog is a great find and our book collection has grown.

Annette W. said...

WOW! Little Brown is so generous! I would love to add this to our library...for my husband and I to read now, and for my children to read in a few years!

Annette W. said...

I follow you!

Anonymous said...

My son would love these books! Thanks for the chance to win :-)

Anonymous said...

Me, again! I've just recently found your blog and it's a regular fave of mine!

Shonya said...

We've read Ben and Me, but not Revere and I--would love to win a copy! :)

Shonya said...

Oh, and I read you regularly--you're on my blogroll! :)

Katy said...

I remember reading these in grade school and loving them! I especially liked Ben & Me--it's such a cute story! :)

Katy said...

I'm following you through Google Friend Connect.

Beth said...

I love Ben and Me, but I have never read Mr. Revere and I.

Beth said...

I am a regular follower.

julie said...

This looks like a very cute book! I'd love to win!

jmillermama at gmal dot com

Tea said...

I would love to win these books.

teakettle58(at)yahoo(dot)com

Tea said...

I follow you.

Happy Birthday Author said...

My daughter would love these books. She got into books about presidents/historical figures after she experienced books by David A. Adler.

I am a follower too. Love your blog.

Amy DM said...

Such a cute concept! I'd love to win this.

Jen @ Happy Little Homemaker said...

Looks awesome! Count me in.

Jen @ Happy Little Homemaker said...

I'm a long time follower :).

Amy @ Hope Is the Word said...

You know I want them! :-)

Anonymous said...

Fun books! My kiddos would love them.

Serena said...

My, how generous of Little, Brown!

Serena said...

Reader/follower! ;)

Christielulu said...

I am a huge follower on my google reader and also read many of your recommendations. We are big fans of Ben Franklin books at our house and looking forward to a trip to our History Center exhibit on him.

Heather said...

My friends always talked about these books when I was 10 or so, but unfortunately I never read them myself. I have two little brothers now who would love these! :)

Charlotte said...

I have pretty much read my own copies to shreds, so I'm hoping...

Stephanie Kay said...

Oh my!! We're studying American History this summer and fall and these books would be perfect!

Stephanie Kay said...

Comment #2 because you are in my google reader. :) Just a note about Am. History. We're using Beautiful Feet which is literature based. Check 'em out just for the book list!

Shooting Stars Mag said...

oh these sound adorable. thanks for the giveaway.

-lauren
lauren51990 at aol dot com

Shooting Stars Mag said...

follow the blog

lauren51990 at aol dot com

Rachel said...

I loved those two books as a child and would love to share them with my students this next school year!

Rachel said...

And I follow via Google Reader.

Mark Baker said...

I loved these books as a kid and wouldn't mind rereading them and passing them on to my niece.

Heather VanTimmeren said...

That's an awesome giveaway! I do remember those books from my childhood, and I'll be sharing them with my kids eventually (when we get to American history in a couple of years). I'd love to add them to our home library!

Heather VanTimmeren said...

And I'm a follower, too! Thanks for the extra chance!

Dr. Bill (William L.) Smith said...

I'm a follower,

Bill ;-)

billsmith2003 (at) gmail (dot) com

Hope you'll check out my book giveaway:
http://drbillsbookbazaar.blogspot.com/2010/05/book-giveaway-dead-or-alive.html
http://thehomeplaceseries.blogspot.com/

debbie said...

Wow, I remember reading Ben and Me as a child. I haven't thought about it in years. It really is a good book.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I am a email subscriber.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

apple blossom said...

cool books. oh, please pick me my hand is raised really high. Can't you see it. Thanks

ABrading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

apple blossom said...

I'm a faithful subscriber/follower. Thanks for the extra chance to win.
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Anonymous said...

I would love to win these- history is one of our favorite reading genres!
artandjen at juno dot com

Jen N

Anonymous said...

I am a follower of your blog- it is my source for reading suggestions!

artandjen at juno dot com
Jen N

Sky said...

I had to break through the 50 comments for you! Woohoo! look at all these readers!

Mozi Esme said...

What a fun look at history!

We posted about this giveaway at Winning Readings: http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2010/05/ben-memr-revere-i.html

janemaritz at yahoo dot com

Ticia said...

I remember watching the cartoon of Ben and Me as a kid. And I'd love to get this book.

Ticia said...

And I'm going to be a regular reader as of today.

Edna said...

I am a new follower


mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

Edna said...

Just found your blog on book blogs

Please enter me


mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

Julie said...

I do love books that help us teach our children about history in an entertaining fashion! Great giveaway!

jewell330 at aim dot com

Linda Kish said...

I would love to win these books.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Katrina said...

I would really love to win these...what great looking books!

ykatrina at hotmail dot com

Brimful Curiosities said...

Oh my...the memories. I had forgotten all about Ben & Me but know I liked reading it as a child. Thanks for the chance.

rubynreba said...

Great giveaway! My little grandkids would be thrilled if Grandma could win them. Thanks for the chance!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

Judylynn said...

Oh, Yeah! Please enter me in this giveaway - Thanks!

seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com

Judylynn said...

You KNOW I'm a follower!

seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com

Sarah E said...

Please enter me in this giveaway!

familyhistree at yahoo dot com

Sarah E

Sarah E said...

I follow on Google Reader & GFC.

familyhistree at yahoo dot com

Sarah E

Chris said...

I'll take a chance at the books. Put me in.

Anonymous said...

Ben and Me is a good book and was a good cartoon by Disney, too bad Mr. Revere and I wasn't adapted into a movie.

Anonymous said...

Ben and Me is a good book and was a good cartoon by Disney, too bad Mr. Revere and I wasn't adapted into a movie.

Top  blogs