Can't You Make Them Behave, King George?
by Jean Fritz
Illustrated by Margot Tomes
Genre: Picture Book
Subgenre: Historical Fiction, Biography
Themes: Destiny, monarchy, government, family, leadership, history, humor
Primary Character: King George III
Secondary Characters: King George's wife (Charlotte), his many children, his advisors and staff (particularly Lord Talbot), the American colonists
Published on Sept. 9, 1996 by Puffin
Awards: School Library Journal Best Book of the Year award, IRA/CBC Children's Choice Book award
This humorous and witty account of the life and times of King George III was a highly enjoyable read! I would most likely use it with upper elementary-grade students because of its length (mainly) and slight complexity of subject matter. The book depicts King George as an awkward young boy who assumes the throne in his twenties after his father and grandfather die. His focus is on being a good king; he tries to be mannerly and run the castle efficiently. His main goal is to tame the rambunctious colonists across the ocean. I have read articles on this book that point out that Jean Fritz inserts a good amount of realism by making the Revolution out to be less than prominent in the minds of King George and his subjects; this was apparently true of the time, due to the Revolution taking place approximately 3000 miles from England. George and Charlotte's wedding and coronation was my favorite part of the book, because of all the hilarious mishaps by Lord Talbot! This would be a good book to read with older elementary students to give them a brief lesson in well-known history, but from a lighthearted, unbiased perspective that doesn't make George out to be some kind of tyrant. An excellent book! I loved it!
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