From School Library Journal
Grade 2-4–Cheney chronicles the general's courageous leadership in the Battles of Trenton and Princeton, including his famed crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas 1776. The story is clearly told, although the organization falls apart slightly in the second half. Primary quotes decorate each page, adding visual interest but occasionally disrupting the flow of the narrative. Done in oil paints on canvas, the large, dramatic illustrations create a sweeping feel that captures the mood of the text. While the picture-book format necessitates some simplification of the events, the account is accurate and interesting. A source page cites only the quotes used, and not the information presented, and the book's preface includes the recommendation that grandparents share this book with their grandchildren at Christmastime, which needlessly excludes those "young patriots" who do not celebrate Christmas. This title is more straightforward, but less comprehensive, than Louise Peacock's Crossing the Delaware: A History in Many Voices (Atheneum, 1998). Cheney's offering makes an adequate supplement to history collections, and will appeal to families wishing to read inspirational picture books about America's past.–Suzanne Myers Harold, Multnomah County Library System, Portland, OR Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
Gr. 2-4, younger for reading aloud. Cheney delivers a stirring account of this pivotal event in the Revolutionary War, from Washington's Christmas crossing to the Battle of Trenton and the ensuing Battle of Princeton. Framing her narrative with very brief quotes from eyewitnesses, she describes how the retreating, ragtag Continental Army, first bucked up by Tom Paine's rhetoric, then inspired by Washington's example and leadership, turned to defeat "the greatest military power in the world" twice in nine days, thus allowing the Patriots to "imagine that their great struggle would have a glorious end." Fiore's carefully detailed, full-page oils capture the chill of that night on the icy river, as well as the heroism of the American troops (African Americans among them) as they march, gravely celebrate their victory over the Hessians, and, finally, pursue fleeing Redcoats. Young readers or listeners can't help but come away with a clearer understanding of the event's significance, as well as a greater appreciation for Washington's heroism. Source notes are included. John Peters
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Book Description
"This is the story that I tell my grandchildren at Christmas. I hope that this book will bring the tradition of sharing history to families all across America." -- Lynne Cheney Christmas night, 1776, was a troubled time for our young country. In the six months since the Declaration of Independence had been signed, General George Washington and his troops had suffered defeat after defeat at the hands of the British. It looked as though our struggle for independence might be doomed, when Washington made a bold decision. He would lead the main body of his army across the Delaware River and launch a surprise attack on enemy forces. Washington and his men were going against the odds. It seemed impossible that the ragtag Americans could succeed against the mightiest power in the world. But the men who started across the icy Delaware loved their country and their leader. Under his command they would turn the tide of battle and change the course of history. Best-selling author Lynne Cheney tells the dramatic story of the military campaign that began on Christmas night in 1776. When Washington Crossed the Delaware will teach the young about the heroism, persistence, and patriotism of those who came before them.

FROM OUR EDITORS

The Barnes & Noble Review
Lynne Cheney makes a departure in her picture book presentation of American history, this time teaming up with illustrator Peter M. Fiore for a dramatic, engrossing recount of George Washington's crossing of the Delaware. Coupling lengthy descriptions of events and notable quotes from Washington and other personalities of the time, Cheney relays the crucial point during the American Revolution when the war began turning in Washington's favor. Beginning in November 1776 and quickly following with the general's Christmas journey across the river, Cheney and Fiore wonderfully take readers through legendary waters as we learn about the condition of Washington's army and how they stealthily made their way from Pennsylvania into New Jersey. From there, the author tells of the Battle of Trenton and the daring retaking of Princeton, rounding out the book with a lesson for audiences and a list of sources. An excellent message about courage, smart thinking, overcoming odds, and, of course, an important piece of American history, Cheney and Fiore's book makes an inspiring read that should make children appreciate freedom itself and the struggle to win it. Fiore's large, dark-hued illustrations show striking images of troops and the wintry northeastern landscape, packing a punch that's additionally strengthened by map endpapers and a short introduction by the author. A look at America's past that reminds us of freedom's ring. Shana Taylor

FROM THE PUBLISHER

It was November 1776, a time of trouble for our young country. We were fighting for our independence from Britain, and the war was not going well. The British had defeated General George Washington and his men on Long Island, driven them out of New York, and were pursuing them across New Jersey.

In the face of sickness, hunger, and winter cold, George Washington led his ragged army of patriots across the Delaware River. They had one last chance to surprise the British -- but could they succeed? Lynne Cheney, the author of the acclaimed national bestsellers America: A Patriotic Primer and A is for Abigail, brings her acute sense of our shared history to this classic story of great bravery against enormous odds.

Accompanying the text are oil paintings by renowned artist Peter M. Fiore, which invoke the action, emotion, and splendor of this turning point in the American Revolution.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Cheney (A Is for Abigail) serves up an inspiring slice of U.S. history in this account of a pivotal event in the American Revolution. With a generous smattering of quotes from primary sources, the author describes Washington's crossing of the ice-encrusted Delaware River on Christmas night, 1776, as he led 2,400 men from Pennsylvania into New Jersey and defeated British-hired Hessian soldiers at the Battle of Trenton. At times, the narrative awkwardly jumps ahead (in the midst of the surprise attack on Trenton, the author intersperses biographies of 19-year-old Capt. Hamilton and then 18-year-old Lieut. James Monroe). But if the leaps slow the momentum somewhat, these facts will nonetheless fascinate readers, as will some of the more familiar-undeniably powerful-details (e.g., many of the American troops taking their prisoners back over the river to Pennsylvania "marched without shoes and left bloody footprints in the snow"). The author underscores Washington's charisma, bravery and brilliance as a military tactician with examples of how he rallied his exhausted troops for a subsequent, successful surprise attack on British General Cornwallis's army in Princeton on January 3. Fiore's (Touching the Sky) midnight landscape of the lone British soldier keeping watch on the fires of the surreptitiously vacated American campground underscores the dramatic strategy. The multi-textured, effectively shadowed oil paintings simultaneously capture both the dire circumstances and elegance of the soldiers, and deftly do justice to this history-altering event. A source note cites the references to the elucidating quotes from Washington and others. All ages. (Oct.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Children's Literature - Claudia Mills

Washington's famed crossing of the Delaware is a treasured part of American history that gets a beautifully packaged presentation here. It's undeniably cheering in a dark and discouraging world to read of Washington's bold and daring maneuver to surprise the enemy and save the hopes of his struggling young country. Cheney's account, meticulously documented, is a bit flat in its narration. While each page includes a stirring quotation from a historical source, it would have been stronger to have integrated these directly into the text. Better to hear Martha Washington's grandson recounting that a watching officer, "horror-struck at the danger of his beloved commander, . . . drew his hat over his face that he might not see [Washington] die," than to hear Cheney's pedestrian report: "Once the two sides started firing, it seemed impossible that [Washington] would survive." The book in the end belongs to Fiore, whose large, dramatically composed paintings dominate each double-page spread with their own vivid retelling of this crucial turning point in American history. 2004, Simon & Schuster, Ages all.

School Library Journal