Napoleon: The Story of the Little Corporal

by Robert Burleigh

Published in association with the American Federation of Arts

The only children’s picture book about France’s greatest general and eventual emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte

Napoleon achieved countless military victories and unified half a continent; he was a corporal, general, consul, and emperor. The life and career of Napoleon sounds impossible—but it’s true. His success, though brilliant, was also short-lived. Robert Burleigh’s biography of the Little Corporal, illustrated by period artworks and artifacts, describes the remarkable rise and fall of this charismatic and unusual man.

Genres: History, Biography, Picture Books, Nonfiction

48 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2007

About the author

Over the past 35 years, I have published poems, reviews, essays, many filmstrips and videos, and more than 40 children's picture books.

Born and raised in Chicago, I graduated from DePauw University (Greencastle, Indiana) and later received an MA in humanities from the University of Chicago. I've published books for children since the early 1990s. My books - including numerous unpublished ones! - run a broad gamut, from stories geared for pre-schoolers to survival stories and biographies aimed at seven to eleven-year-olds. My work is wide-ranging because, basically, I'm a generalist by experience - and inclination!

In addition to writing, I paint regularly under the art name Burleigh Kronquist and have shown work in one-person and group shows in Chicago, New York, and elsewhere around the country.

-from robertburleigh.com

Reviews

[Rebecca Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 5th grader needed to find out just enough about Napoleon to write a short essay about why he's a notable figure in Western European history, and this was the ONLY book I was able to find that was suitable for him. There wasn't time to plow through an 800-page biography from the adult section of the library, and without any background knowledge about French history or the French Revolution, my son would have floundered with that, anyway. At first glance, this is a "picture book," but it's text-heavy and gives an overview of Napoleon's entire life and career, explaining everything that needs explaining for a middle school reader who is new to the topic.

[The Library Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

This looks like a picture book, but highly readable, well researched text is on a reading level suitable for older elementary/middle school students.This was produced by the American Federation of the Arts, and the book is beautifully illustrated with prints and portraits of the time. A nice way to introduce Napoleon to students.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to read just one short book and finish with a strong understanding of the life Napoleon Bonaparte, this would satisfy that need. It's a bit more involved than many other picture book biographies, but the increased text complexity is not insurmountable and the added depth of the book is worthwhile. The captions are informative and describe famous portraiture from Napoleon's life. There is an abundance of Napoleon's quotations highlighting different phases of his life. It's a rather impressive biography on the whole.

[Shelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This picture book biography is not a child's read at all. Older students will greatly enjoy and benefit from this simplified over view of Napoleon. Typically I might complain about the selection of this format for more mature readers because picture books are often overlooked. However, the illustrations that are provided require the larger page layout that picture books provide; each on the them was simply stunning.

[Shelly♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice book on Napoleon. I loved the pictures most in this book - very vivid and expressive of the passages they accompany. Told the basics of Napoleon's rise and fall. Great story to introduce kids to the Little Corporal.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good intro to the Little Corporal. I like how the book includes paintings and etchings of the time to illustrate his life.

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Civil Code - Code Napoleon - the true beginning of accessible law for all. Too bad that power corrupted so. . .

[Jen Barker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had good info and beautiful paintings.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tied together some parts of history I was/am shaky on. Good short picture book biography.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my fav children's history books. Illustrations are all actual paintings. You learn so much about the man in so short a book. Amazing little book, what an interesting man in history!