Martha Washington: America's First First Lady

by Jean Brown Wagoner, Leslie Goldstein (Illustrator)

Martha Washington was a wife, mother, and the first First Lady of the United States, but what was she like as a child?

In this narrative biography, you’ll learn all about Martha Washington’s childhood, from her birth on June 2, 1731, to her time growing up on her parents’ Virginia plantation, to marriage George Washington in 1759. Discover what Martha did for fun—and how her confidence and ability to host large social events prepared her to help her husband lead a new nation.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, Biography Memoir, American History, Childrens, School

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1947

Reviews

[Anna Murdock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished reading this to the twins, they loved it. They want this whole series of books.

[Bo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an engaging overview of the life of Martha Dandridge, who eventually became the wife of George Washington. I enjoyed reading about some of the interesting events in her childhood. Additonally, it gave a good picture of life on a plantation in the 1700's. There were a few instances of naughty children, but I also appreciated how Martha was being trained by her mother to eventually run a plantation, and how Martha learned patience and obedience.

A good series of books, intended for children, so a fairly easy read. Lots of illustrations and good-sized print.

3 1/2 stars.

[Grace DuBois · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy reading history! I find it really enjoyable to read about someone who didn't know she would be famous. I like the way it is written, easy to read but, since I'm 14 I would like a challenge, witch this is not!

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Martha Washington, called Patsy, grows up on a farm in Virginia, rides her pony, and eventually meets George Washington.

I loved this series of books as a kid and still enjoyed reading this one. Patsy had a pet bear at one point and enjoyed fashion, especially high-heeled shoes. There are some cringeworthy moments where slavery is mentioned but if you can ignore that, it's still a good book.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good kids book. A nice perspective on the first First Lady and her childhood.

[Belle Meade School]

973.41

[GheenGirls · Rating 5 out of 5]

Turtle: great! Return to library.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. Martha suffered a lot of loss during her lifetime.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. Some really fun anecdotes of her childhood. The book more shared specific stories from her life rather than being a full biography, which I get, since it is a children's book. However, it did leave some gaps, and also rushed through her adult life.

[Marissa Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

great for any history lover or one that wants to learn more about Martha Washington. I had to read a history book for CLASS so I chose this one. I very much enjoyed it.

[Dale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published in 1947.

In the 1930's, the "Childhood of Famous Americans" series was started with a simple biography of Abraham Lincoln's childhood. Eventually, there were dozens of books in this series. In my childhood I remember my small town library had a shelf full of these books and I read them all. Nowadays, this series has been picked up by Simon and Schuster.

This book focuses on the childhood of Martha Washington (1731-1802), or Martha Dandridge, nicknamed Patsy. There is not really an over-arching story here. Rather, this is mostly a series of scenes from her childhood including having a bear cub as a pet, posing for a portrait and learning to ride a pony. There are also visits from local Native tribes. This book could be read not just as a biography of Martha Washington but also as a sample of what life on a plantation would be like for the family that owns the plantation.

That being said, it doesn't really address the issue of ...

Read more at: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2015/...

[Christaia Houser]

This book tells the in part fictionalized story of Martha Washington's childhood, based on true details and facts from her history. The whole series of Childhood of Famous Americans provides an excellent way for students to get engaged in specific icons from history books in a more personal and relative way.

These books can be used in a unit on whichever historical figure or historical period unit you are covering at the time. They can be used as a basis for a student led creation whether that is writing, presentation, play, poetry, or art project. These books give the details to fill in between the major events students are learning about in textbooks. I would use with the upper grades as independent reading or with younger grades as a read-aloud.

[Debbie Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book, one of the Childhood of Famous American books. It was good to read a biography of the first First Lady of the USA. A great book, a wonderful look at the early years of the USA and the way young ladies were raised and taught. A book about her childhood with a little about her first marriage and then early marriage days with our first President, George Washington. Interesting story, well written, lots of things I never knew about Martha Washington. A delight. Highly recommended, even for older students and adults.

[Rachel P · Rating 3 out of 5]

Martha Washington America's First First Lady by Jean Brown Wagoner was a great book about the childhood of America's first First Lady. This book explained Martha's attitude and personality. I actually really enjoyed this book.

I enjoyed this book because it gave you information about an important person in history starting from when they were young. What I didn't like so much was how the author spent so much time on one point in Martha's life.

This book made you really appreciate all she did. It also helps you realize the importance of helping others and developing empathy for others.

[Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't know much about Martha Washington, but now I do! She started out as a tomboy, but ended up being one of the finest ladies in history. Also, I didn't know she was a widow before marrying George Washington.

[Nathaniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. She got a pet bear cause it was fighting the chickens. They found out that it didn't have a mother. The bear was tearing into some bags. Martha threw a stick into the bears nose and it never came back.

She had 2 cousins named Martha too, so they called her Betsy.

[Sydnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved lerning about Martha Washington

[Angie Libert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nevada's sayings MARTHA is a neet Girl. she brought happy Filings to the sad war.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

She was america's first first lady!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and good book

[Hillvan]

600L

[Willow · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun little fictionalized biography. N really enjoyed it.

Note: There were some brief references to mild superstitions.

[Lexi Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book! (maybe just because i LOVE history) for younger children

[Caleb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. She had a pet bear.