Biographical Poetry
George Washington’s Teeth
By Deborah Chandra and Madeleine Comora and Illustrated by Brock Cole
Bibliography
Chandra, Deborah and Madeleine Comora. 2003. George Washington’s Teeth. Ill. by Brock Cole. New York: Farrar Strauss Giroux.
ISBN 0374325340
Book Review
Because George Washington is the Father of Our Country, many children are already acutely aware of his ongoing dental problems and false teeth. However, Deborah Chandra and Madeleine Comora approach this agonizing situation with humorous verve, while unlocking a few mysteries or rumors along the way. Through a lively and uplifting melodic beat in picture book format, readers are taken on a lifelong journey which eventually leads to complete and total “tooflessness.”
Rhyming patterns will further grab the attention of younger readers while teaching the unfamiliar and unknown parts of George Washington’s life. The entire poem equally offers an illustrated timeline of major events of the George Washington era, with such milestones as crossing the Delaware and becoming the nation’s first president. Illustrator Brock Cole contributes whimsical watercolor paintings with hilarious details that are represented throughout this poem. Soft colors with foggy hues perfectly complement the facial expressions of George Washington and those who had a firsthand experience with his tooth troubles. Together, the authors and illustrator allow readers to forget about the pain and agony often attributed with tooth pulling, and roll with the punches, or the tooth pulling.
For readers who are begging for greater details of how these events unfold, the authors have furnished a dynamic timeline of George Washington events at the end of this book. It is here that readers can pull more information about Washington’s life through his own letters, diaries, and written accounts of those who served under his tutelage, while quelling a few rumors that have traveled throughout American history. Sources for this timeline are also offered for the avid history buffs, or for those wanting to continue research on this incredible man with no teeth.
Poem Excerpt
Poor George had two teeth in his mouth
The day the votes came in.
The people had a President,
But one afraid to grin.
The portrait artist came to George.
He said, “I know a trick!
I’ll pad your mouth with cotton balls
To puff your sunken lips.”
George stood up to have a look --
He fell back on his fanny.
“It doesn’t look like me!” he roared.
“It looks like Martha’s granny!”
He yanked the cotton from his mouth,
Then gasped, “What have I done?”
The cotton held a rotten tooth.
Now George had only one!
Extensions
After reading this picture poem book, take advantage of Washington’s birthday and Dental Health Awareness, which are recognized and celebrated during the month of February. Supply a variety of poetry books that contain poems about George and dental health. Have children journal their tooth events and dentist visits, and turn these into comical poems much like George Washington’s Teeth. Students can design a shape poem by copying their work around a pattern of a large molar and illustrate this funny event on the blank part in the middle of the tooth pattern. Invite children to share their tooth poem and then add it to a display with a portrait of George Washington in the center. This comical approach to teeth may quell the fears often attributed to dentist visits.
Read other books about George:
George Washington and the General’s Dog by Frank Murphy - ISBN 9780375810152
George Washington’s Breakfast by Jean Fritz - ISBN 9780698116115
Image Source: Barnes & Noble
Because George Washington is the Father of Our Country, many children are already acutely aware of his ongoing dental problems and false teeth. However, Deborah Chandra and Madeleine Comora approach this agonizing situation with humorous verve, while unlocking a few mysteries or rumors along the way. Through a lively and uplifting melodic beat in picture book format, readers are taken on a lifelong journey which eventually leads to complete and total “tooflessness.”
Rhyming patterns will further grab the attention of younger readers while teaching the unfamiliar and unknown parts of George Washington’s life. The entire poem equally offers an illustrated timeline of major events of the George Washington era, with such milestones as crossing the Delaware and becoming the nation’s first president. Illustrator Brock Cole contributes whimsical watercolor paintings with hilarious details that are represented throughout this poem. Soft colors with foggy hues perfectly complement the facial expressions of George Washington and those who had a firsthand experience with his tooth troubles. Together, the authors and illustrator allow readers to forget about the pain and agony often attributed with tooth pulling, and roll with the punches, or the tooth pulling.
For readers who are begging for greater details of how these events unfold, the authors have furnished a dynamic timeline of George Washington events at the end of this book. It is here that readers can pull more information about Washington’s life through his own letters, diaries, and written accounts of those who served under his tutelage, while quelling a few rumors that have traveled throughout American history. Sources for this timeline are also offered for the avid history buffs, or for those wanting to continue research on this incredible man with no teeth.
Poem Excerpt
Poor George had two teeth in his mouth
The day the votes came in.
The people had a President,
But one afraid to grin.
The portrait artist came to George.
He said, “I know a trick!
I’ll pad your mouth with cotton balls
To puff your sunken lips.”
George stood up to have a look --
He fell back on his fanny.
“It doesn’t look like me!” he roared.
“It looks like Martha’s granny!”
He yanked the cotton from his mouth,
Then gasped, “What have I done?”
The cotton held a rotten tooth.
Now George had only one!
Extensions
After reading this picture poem book, take advantage of Washington’s birthday and Dental Health Awareness, which are recognized and celebrated during the month of February. Supply a variety of poetry books that contain poems about George and dental health. Have children journal their tooth events and dentist visits, and turn these into comical poems much like George Washington’s Teeth. Students can design a shape poem by copying their work around a pattern of a large molar and illustrate this funny event on the blank part in the middle of the tooth pattern. Invite children to share their tooth poem and then add it to a display with a portrait of George Washington in the center. This comical approach to teeth may quell the fears often attributed to dentist visits.
Read other books about George:
George Washington and the General’s Dog by Frank Murphy - ISBN 9780375810152
George Washington’s Breakfast by Jean Fritz - ISBN 9780698116115
Image Source: Barnes & Noble