INSANE. This book was very impressive. Captivating. Powerful. Must read. America for all! To freedommmmmm. You think George Washington was walking around with big effing crown on his head when he was stealing puppies and crossing the Deleware? TO FREEDOM

The compassion in this book stands as a start contrast to the love and respect that is often found in the world today. Reading books about good old-fashioned values helps us bring them into today's world.

Thanks so much Frank Murphy for finding this story and writing this book.

My daughter loves George Washington, so she chose this book for her book report. She read it aloud to me, and we both loved it!

This is my first time to read a book about George Washington. First, Gerorge Washington lived in his own home and he loved all kinds of animals in his home. He had 36 dogs in his life. Then, American people fighted England, bacause American wanted to have their own country, and England wanted them to be part of England. George Washington left home with his favorite dog. He lead American people to fight. He found a dog who was lost, and he found the dog was William Howe’s. Willam was the general of the army from England. He gave the dog back to William Howe. People thought George Washington was so kind and honest. At last, America became its own country. People gave dogs and mules to George Washington as gifts. George Washington became the first president of America. I like this book. I learned that when you find a lost, you need to bring it back to the owner. One needs to be honest and people will give kindness to you.

This is a great book for a quick story on George Washington. The book is for elementary students and gives a good overview of how George Washington became president. Real people and stories were told in this book. At the end the author puts in real pictures and a real picture of a note George Washington wrote.

A true story about a lost dog with a bit of history. I think most kids would like it.

Read this one with a student, and she really enjoyed it! I'm so used to these early readers being fiction, cutesy books about Frog and Toad, Fly Guy, Pete the Cat, etc. I LOVE that I've found a few that are non-fiction. This isn't a history of George Washington, or the Revolutionary War- not too "non-fiction-y" for students who aren't interested or ready for deep history. Instead, it focused on a fun fact/event with George and incorporates some history along with it. My student was totally into it, and she really loved the connection to animals, as she LOVES animals. This book also has useful illustrations- she was able to use the pictures to help with comprehension, figure out words, etc. It also has a great moral that is easy to teach with for some social/behavior skills!

I recommend to use with young readers.

Next read: I also recommend Abe Lincoln's Hat. Another president featured, with another fun fact/side of him to learn.

I've used this book for several lit circles. I love that it combines history with lots of ways to teach reading skills. Good introduction to American history for elementary readers.

The book has excellent colourful and catchy illustration and speaks of George washing tons love for pets. The story speaks of all pets George owned in his lifetime. The later part of the book speaks of war between England and United States and how George wins people's heart through an act of kindness towards the enemy nations generals dog. Fun read with information engrained in this one

This book is about George Washington and how he loved animals. He even took his dogs into was with him. But after some of the smoke subsided after some fighting, he noticed a dog with an owner. He found out the dog belonged to the enemy. Through the kindness in his heart, He returned the dog to the right owner. Everyone respected him for this, and thus he became president. Later he received presents form may people, and these presents consisted of animals. George Washington was a great president and I believe that this book would show children that, no matter the grade or age they are.

Title: George Washington and the General’s Dog
Author: Frank Murphy
Illustrator: Richard Walz
Genre: Early Reader

Theme(s): Animals, Trust, Kindness between enemies, Bravery

Opening line/sentence: George Washington is one of America’s greatest heroes.

Brief Book Summary (2-3 sentences in your own words):

Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Naomi Butler (Children's Literature)
George Washington loved animals, something that people do not always know. He loved horses and riding as well as other farm animals. He spent most his time with his many dogs. He went off to war with a dog, just like many other soldiers. Dogs helped troops track keep on the right path, hunted, guarded the troops from wild animals, and were partners with the men. After the 1777 battle in Pennsylvania, a lost dog followed Washington to the colonist's camp. The dog belonged to William Howe, the enemy, according to the tag on his collar. George believed that the dog should be with his master and had him sent to Howe. The English people heard the story and Washington earned respect for his good deed. After the war, George Washington became the first president of the United States. The story is vividly displayed through the wonderful illustrations of Richard Walz. This " Step into Reading" easy text will extend reading levels from very young beginners to high interest, low vocabulary older readers. The "Author's Note" in the back also contains valuable and interesting information. One can also learn a bit of history and be stimulated to read other books at this great American hero. 2002, Random House, $3.99. Ages 6 to 8.
(PUBLISHER: Random House (New York:), PUBLISHED: c2002.

Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
Ann Ritchie (Audiofile, December/January 2004)
Place the cherry pie and the wooden teeth aside and make room for a glimpse of the most human side of our first president. A devoted animal lover for his whole life, Washington in this story allows his compassion for a lost dog to momentarily stop the conflict with the British during the Revolutionary War. Johnny Heller's enthusiasm shines through as he relishes each animal name and recounts the incident with the freshness of a spectator. The fact that Washington gained respect from this event rings strongly in Heller's voice. Young listeners will appreciate this touching look at The Father of Our Country. A.R. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine Unabridged. 2003 (orig. 2002), Recorded Books, One cassettes, .25 hrs., Book pak, $10.00. Ages 6 up.
(PUBLISHER: Recorded Books (Prince Frederick Md.:), PUBLISHED: p2003.)

Response to Two Professional Reviews: I agree with Butler and Ritchie’s reviews that this book is a stimulating and refreshingly different way of learning about history. Hopefully the idea that there are historical stories outside of the textbook such as this one will delight children and motivate them to read more stories like this one. I think it is worthwhile to note, as Butler did, that George Washington and the General’s Dog makes a solid reading selection for motivated young readers and older readers with low vocabulary. Though it is “Step Into Reading” Level 3, I believe this book can be used for readers before and after level 3, if scaffolded properly.

Evaluation of Literary Elements: The story is written in traditional third person narrative, which gives readers practice with this format of text. Richard Walz’s illustrations are bright and engaging, with vivid facial expressions but tasteful depictions of battles and winter in Valley Forge. It is interesting to note that the only person of color is a little boy in current day on the first page who is looking at a portrait of Washington. I consulted some online sources as well as my friend who is a history major about whether or not people of color fought in the Revolutionary War, and I found out that there were people of color who fought but more often than not, they worked in positions of servitude. Since there are only a few illustrations of non-battle, non-General scenes, it does make sense why the characters are all white.

Consideration of Instructional Application: I would have students brainstorm something that they are proud that our country has done in the news recently— whether that is meeting with a foreign diplomat, signing in a law, etc. Then, I would have students write up a newspaper article telling the people of another country about this event, similar to the newspaper the British people read about General Washington returning Howe’s dog. This activity will help students with sharpening their senses of their political values as well as learn about the genre of news and the rhetorical style which goes along with it.

Loved the story. Learned something new about George Washington that made me respect the man even more.