Dear Mr. Washington

K-Gr 4—When President George Washington visits the home of the prominent painter Gilbert Stuart to have his portrait painted, Stuart's children, Charlotte, James, and baby John, try really hard to be good. But, try as they will, it's one disaster after another. President Washington is none too pleased and sends the children the Rules of Good Behavior for Boys and Girls. Young Charlotte feels badly about their misbehavior and writes a letter of apology to the president, imploring him to return to allow father to complete the portrait. She also urges him to smile, as it will greatly enhance the picture. Washington does indeed return, and the children are so good that they all fall asleep—including the president. Thanks to the rowdy children, this commission is difficult to complete, so their father tries to sneak future visits past them. However, the precocious youngsters always show up, full of shenanigans and good intentions. The work must be completed one way or another, but will the president ever smile? Crafted as a series of letters from Charlotte Stuart to George Washington, this picture book is funny, colorful, and full of calamitous situations. Children of all ages will find it a hoot. The artwork, created using a combination of pen on paper, acrylic paint on canvas, and digital media, is hilarious and bright, with clever attention to detail. A fabulous addition to picture book collections.—Amy Shepherd, St. Anne's Episcopal School, Middleton, DE