Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
A Picture Book of Paul Revere
Illustrator: John C. Wallner , Alexandra Wallner
Nonfiction Picture Book
For ages 7 to 9
Holiday House, 1997 ISBN: 0823412946
On New Years Day in 1735, Deborah Revere gave birth to Paul, her second child. After his father died in 1754, nineteen-year-old Paul took over the family silversmith shop so that he could provide for his mother and his siblings. After he got married, Paul had to work harder than ever to take care of his large family. The wealthy were the only people who could afford to buy items of silver, so Paul “learned other trades,” including how to make false teeth and eyeglasses, engrave copper plates, and print items.
Paul was a steadfast patriot, and when the English started taxing the American colonists unfairly, he joined a society called the Sons of Liberty. The members of this group led protests, and Paul created an engraving of the Boston Massacre that would, he hoped, “stir up hatred for the British.” He even participated in the Boston Tea Party to protest against the taxation of tea. Little did he know that an event lay in his future that would truly make him famous.
In this excellent picture book biography, writer David A. Adler tells the story of one of America’s famous Revolutionary War patriots. He tells the whole story of Paul Revere’s life, including describing the true story of what happened when Paul Revere made his famous ride to warn his fellow countryman that the English were on the move.
