Learning more about founding fathers

Washington's Birthday, more than just a day off to pursue great retail sales, was created to celebrate the father of our country, George Washington.

February is also the month that Abraham Lincoln was born, and so the holiday is commonly referred to as Presidents Day.

In 1971, the government passed the Uniform Holiday Bill, creating three-day weekends for federal employees, students and others on Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day and Labor Day.

So happy Washington's Birthday in the year when we will select our next president.

"Those Rebels, John & Tom," by Barbara Kerley, all ages, Scholastic, $17.99.

"Worst of Friends: Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and the True Story of an American Feud," by Suzanne Tripp Jurmain, ages 7 to 10, Penguin, $16.99.

These books tell the story of the friendship and feuding of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, two of our country's founders.

Both served as president, yet the men were opposites. At one point, they were best friends, with big ideas for the new country. But they had different ideas, which led to high-profile arguments — and surprise! — the formation of political parties.

Jefferson defeated Adams for the presidency. Following the election, the friends refused to interact for more than a decade. Finally, Adams reached out to Jefferson with a letter and they eventually restored their friendship.

Ironically, they died on the same day, July 4, 1826, which was the 50th anniversary of the declaration of independence for the United States of America. The books explore, using humor and history, the men's relationship.

"Jefferson's Sons," by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, ages 12 and older, 360 pages, Penguin, $17.99.

Thomas Jefferson wrote that "all men are created equal." But did his ownership of slaves negate those words?

Jefferson had children with Sally Hemings, his deceased wife's half sister. Hemings was one of his slaves.

"Jefferson's Sons" is told from three points of view. Beverly, his oldest illegitimate son, starts off the historical novel. Trying to catch his father's attention, Beverly found reasons to be in Monticello's main house whenever Jefferson was home from his presidency. Maddy, the second son and second narrator, would sneak into the great house to learn how to read and write. His tutor was Jefferson's granddaughter Ellen. The third perspective is shared through the eyes of Peter, a slave child.

The book explores the unfairness of slavery against the backdrop of the murkiness of slave ownership versus family/blood ties.

Bradley explores the lives of the children who called Jefferson their master while wishing they could publicly call him their papa. Both gripping and unbelievable in today's world, the once whispered story of Jefferson's family tree is now a young-adult novel that is sure to shake up history class.

"So You Want to Be President?," by Judith St. George, all ages, Philomel, $17.99.

If this seems familiar, it could be because the original won the prestigious Caldecott Medal for children's picture books after its publication in 2000.

Updated with revisions that bring the book into the Obama administration, "So You Want to Be President?" is full of fun facts and trivia. For example, how many presidents were born in a log cabin? Eight. Or did you know that John Quincy Adams was caught skinny-dipping in the Potomac River by a female reporter? She wouldn't return his clothes until he granted her an interview.

"Looking at Lincoln," by Maira Kalman, ages 7 to 10, Penguin, $17.99.

This colorful picture book explores the life of one of America's most beloved presidents. The inclusion of anecdotes and trivia, such as Lincoln's propensity to stuff notes inside his "very tall hat," make the legend seem more human.

Lincoln had to bear more than most men who have served in office, and Kalman's description of Lincoln's personable, witty and courageous personality will endear him to young readers learning about Lincoln.

"The Camping Trip That Changed America: Theodore Roosevelt, John Muir, and Our National Parks," by Barb Rosenstock, ages 6 to 8, Penguin, $16.99.

Heading to a national park this spring or summer? This picture book, illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein, a Caldecott winner, explains how our national park system became a reality after a presidential camping excursion. It's fun, fascinating and an environmentally friendly read.