John, Paul, George & Ben Awards and Reviews
A New York Times Bestseller
A New York Times Notable Book
A New York Times Best Illustrated Book of the Year
A Publishers Weekly Bestseller
A Book Sense Summer Children's Pick
A School Library Journal Best Books of 2006
Horn Book Fanfare List - Best books of 2006
A Quills Award Nominee
A Child Magazine Best Book of the Year
An Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Book Award Winner
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
A National Parenting Publication Gold Award Winner
A Parenting Magazine Best Book of the Year
A St. Louis Post Dispatch Best Book
The Columbus Dispatch Top 20
New York Daily News Jolly Good Books Round Up
A San Francisco Chronicle Best Book
Merit award in Children’s Trade Hardcover (Bookbinder’s Guild New York Book Show)
A Miami Herald Best Book
A Blue Ribbon Book from the Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Winner of the 13th Annual Zena Sutherland Award for "Best Text" and "Best Overall"
Best Children's Author - 2007 Connecticut Book Award
ALA Notable Video (for the Weston Woods animated adaptation)
*"For those constitutionally opposed to history lessons, Smith profiles the Founding Fathers as the nonconformist kids they might have been…As hilarious as it is informative, a wonderful complement to the singular blend of parody and historically accurate events."
- Publishers Weekly, 1/23/06 Boxed and starred review
* “Children will love the off-the-wall humor . . . Exercise your freedom to scoop up this one."
- School Library Journal, March 2006 Starred review
* " A history review with underwear jokes – how can you beat that?" - The Bulletin, April 2006 Starred review
"I cannot tell a lie: this is one funny book."
– Bookpage, April 2006 Boxed Review
“…this book skewers American history for kids like a grade-school version of The Daily Show’s America: The Book"
– Cookie Magazine 2 1/2 out of 3 cookies (!)
"Beautifully designed by Molly Leach..."
– The New York Times, July 9, 2006
"Smith's faux-antiqued illustrations deliver bucket-loads of zany humor with substance."
- Kirkus Reviews 3/15/2006
“The Founding Fathers were wee lads once upon a time and by sharing tales from their youth, Lane Smith makes history more fascinating than one can imagine. Paul Revere was not born with that booming voice, you know. John Hancock's superb penmanship became obvious in grade school. And young Ben Franklin was spouting pithy sayings before he was out of knickers. This book is hilarious from start to finish as it plays with the myths we have about these men. Rest assured, the back matter tells the truth about the stories ("Taking Liberties: Wherein we set the record straight with ye olde True or False section") so history emerges unscathed. The design of the book is perfection from the flyleaf to the notes at the end. Smith's use of varied media creates an illusion of a crackled veneer associated with the time period. History should never be dull and, believe me, it is not here.”
– Joan Kindig, Ph.D, (B&N Jr.)
"Some have asked if Lane Smith is making fun of history in his new children's book John, Paul, George & Ben. To the contrary, he's making history fun--and unforgettable."
– Collette Caprara The Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star, April 7, 2006
"History is insidiously instructive fun in Lane Smith's John, Paul, George & Ben (ages 6-up). 'Say, you want a revolution?' asks the irreverent Smith. 'John (Hancock), Paul (Revere), George (Washington) and Ben (Franklin) sure did' -- along with that independent-minded Tom (Jefferson). The book assumes kids already know the basics about America's founders, not to mention the Beatles, but it's engaging enough that if they don't, they'll be spurred to learn."
– Washington Post, April 2006
"I'm always looking for good children's books that can make history fun, even laugh-out-loud, and this is definitely one of them." A
– Tina Jordan, Entertainment Weekly, June 30, 2006
"The title offers a clue that Smith is winking at adults, but as good a joke as it is, most children just won't get it..."
– Booklist (Doh!)
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copyright 2006 lane smith