Review of George Washington's Spectacular Spectacles

The Glasses That Saved America

A TRUE TALE WITH

A CHERRY ON TOP

Calkins Creek

(Astra Publishing)

(pub.1.21.2025)

32 pages

Ages 7 - 10

Author: Selene Castrovilla

   Illustrator: Jenn Harney

Character: George Washington

Overview:

" The Revolutionary War was over, but Washington’s officers had not received their wages from the Continental Congress in years. Afraid they would never get their money, the officers planned to storm Congress and demand it right away.

Luckily, George Washington found out about the plot just in time. He delivered a passionate speech to his men, but they were unaffected.

It was only when he struggled to read aloud a letter from Congress and had to put on his glasses, that they realized how much he had sacrificed for their country along with them. The officers dropped their plan and pledged their loyalty to America and to Washington."

Tantalizing taste:

"The men didn't care how epic George's speech was ...

They wanted Congress to show them the money now...

He remembered the congressman's letter in his pocket.

Maybe he could read it without his glasses...

All he saw was fuzz, fuzz, fuzz.

There was only one thing to do.

It was so embarrassing ...

George took in a big breath and let it out.

He reached into his pocket again ...

And pulled out his glasses.

His officers' eyes bulged in disbelief.

Their commander was making a spectacle of himself!...

Seeing George's glasses made them realize how much he had sacrificed for America...

Everyone pledged their loyalty to their country and to their leader - glasses and all."

And something more: Selene Castrovilla, shared in the Author's Note: "Early on, I read about Washington putting on a pair of glasses and bringing his men back from the brink of treason. I knew that I must share this poignant moment...Draft upon draft upon draft. None worked. This story was just too much. I put it away, but I never gave up on it...I started over, without looking at my previous mired manuscript. I began with the glasses, and it just came pouring out. It took years to understand: to tell this story, I had to cut through the complexity - kill my historical darlings - to see things clearly."